???????????????????????????When the hazy, hot and humid weather hits and the kids are bored it may just be time to pack up the family and find a fun getaway. Want to skip the up north traffic headache? Want something simple and inexpensive? Hop in the car and head to Lansing. A day or weekend of swimming, splashing around and playing in the water makes memories to last a lifetime.

  1. City of Lansing Municipal Pools You do not need to be a city resident to enjoy Lansings pools. Admission is free. Just fill out the required in-case-of-emergency form, show your i.d. and you are good for the season. Both city pools are open daily 12-4 and 5-8 p.m. Moores Park Pool 600 Moores River Dr., Lansing Hunter Park Pool and Splash Pad 1400 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Lansing
  2. Hawk Island Park 1601 E. Cavanaugh Rd., Lansing. Hawk Island offers a state-of-the-art Splash Pad, rowboat and pedal boat rental, a supervised swimming beach, picnicking, a community-built playground, sand volleyball, horseshoes, paved accessible walkways (1.5 miles) that connect to trails through Scott Woods Park, fishing docks and a beach house/concession stand.
  3. East Lansing Family Aquatic Center 6400 Abbot Rd., East Lansing Heres a fun and exciting family water park with a 200-foot tube slide, 120-foot body slide, 15-foot drop slide, diving board, zero-depth leisure pool with youth frog slide and interactive water play structures, wet/dry sand play area, sunbathing deck, changing rooms, concession and picnic area. And dont miss the 3,000 square foot splash pad.
  4. ???????????????Lake Lansing Park South 1621 Pike St., Haslett Once a popular amusement park, Lake Lansing Park-South is located on Lake Lansing, the largest body of water within 30 miles of Lansing. The 30-acre site includes a sandy beach bordered by four acres of lush green grass. The park offers a supervised swimming beach, snack bar/bathhouse, community band shell, picnicking, volleyball, a community-built playground, a tricycle track, fishing, and pedal and rowboat rental.
  5. Book a Hotel and Stay Overnight Nothing says getting away has to be super far or super expensive. A weekend at a Lansing area hotel with a pool can be the perfect solution to cool off and get away. Then just add in some family friendly activities like a trip to Potter Park Zoo or Impression 5 Science Center and your mini-vacation is complete.

For even more things to see and do while you're visiting the Lansing area, log on to www.lansing.org.