At the first sign of summer boredom, why not explore some fun twists to traditional outdoor activities in Michigan’s capital region. Let’s look beyond and find something new and different.
1. Lansing has quite a few disc golf courses in the area where you can hit the chains. Our suggestion? Enjoy 9 holes of disc golf at Grand Woods Park. This course has a nice mix of open and wooded holes and is great for good long drives with a rolling course along the Grand River. Players can find four holes where there’s water in play.
2. Local outfitter River Town Adventures offers options from beginner’s paddle around right in the Grand River in downtown Lansing to hours-long adventures on the Red Cedar, Grand or Looking Glass Rivers. Our suggestion? Rent some kayaks with a bunch of friends. They’ll take you upriver by vehicle, drop you off and you can paddle as fast or slow as you like till you reach downtown Lansing. They also rent SUPs and canoes and host many events like SUP yoga, Light Up the River in July and more.
3. The Lansing area can boast 30 golf courses within 30 miles but sometimes it’s fun to try something new. Our suggestion? Footgolf at The Falcon! This is a unique blend of both soccer and golf. Try this traditional links style golf course with nine oversized holes for a decidedly non-traditional twist. Carts are available and soccer balls supplied.
4. Many of the county parks have bike trails in the region. Our suggestion? Mountain Bike at Anderson Park! This trail is a 3.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features a river and is good for all skill levels.
5. Rent a pedal boat or rowboat at Burchfield Park! There is nothing better on a summer day than lazily tooling around a small county lake. With 540 acres of scenic woods, trails and beach, Burchfield Park is Ingham County's largest park. Ribboned throughout by the Grand River, this outdoor haven harbors some of the best bank and boat fishing available in Ingham County. Burchfield Park's stocked fishing pond offers anglers a chance to hook 8-13" trout.
6. Splash and Play at Hawk Island Park! This 100-acre county park has a multitude of options including a splash pad, a transformed gravel pit for swimming, pedal boat and canoe rental and play structures. Surrounded by a 1.5-mile paved walking trail plus connection to the 15-mile Lansing River Trail.
7. Putt Around at Little Hawk at Hawk Hollow! This 18-hole natural bent grass putting course is one of the only two in the state. It’s a sculpted, landscaped, Par 54 course, complete with sand traps, bridges and water hazards. Figure on just under 90 minutes play time.
8. Bring Fido on a nature walk at night and Howl at the Moon! Enjoy the full moon while taking a guided walk through the nighttime woods each month at Harris Nature Center. Dogs must be on a leash. Flashlights welcome. Walk is approximately three miles and begin at 9 p.m. in the summer.
9. Walk, Run, Bike the Lansing River Trail! Tracing the banks of the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers and Sycamore Creek, connecting comfortable parks, historic sites and urban activity centers for approximately 17 miles through Lansing and East Lansing.
10. Try out the Original Goat Yoga! Goat Yoga Michigan is part yoga/part animal-assisted therapy. It takes place in a scenic setting with smart, social and profoundly loving goats. Classes consist of 30 minutes of Goat Yoga followed by Goat Happy Hour, the time to take fun pictures, snuggle and play with the goats.
Book your getaway to the heart of Michigan today. Greater Lansing is where the not-so-traditional and unique visits happen. There are so many reasons to Love Lansing Like a Local.
