New to Lansing? Here are 6 things you must experience

Princess Gabbara | Lansing State Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption 6 things to do in Lansing If you're new to the area, here are options on what to check out in the capital city.

Back in February, I was the new girl in town.

Accepting a position as the things-to-do reporter at The Lansing State Journal resulted in me having to relocate from southeast Michigan to the Lansing area.

I was grateful, but I thought, "How can I suggest things readers should do in their spare time when I'm still using GPS to find practically everything?"

Four months later, I consider myself pretty lucky that my beat allows me to explore Lansing's fun side.

One week, I'm learning how twerking can be used as a workout. The next, I'm sampling ice cream at Michigan State University's dairy store.

So on that note, here are six places every Lansing newcomer should check out.

1. Spend an afternoon in REO Town

You'll find your way to Old Town at some point, but REO Town often gets overlooked, and we're not sure why. There's plenty to do and see.

Grab a cup of Joe at Blue Owl Coffee, do some shopping at The Nook, Vintage Junkies and The Record Lounge. If you get hungry, head to Saddleback BBQ or Good Truckin' Diner for lunch. Catch a show at The Robin Theatre, if you're not too tired.

"REO Town has it's own quirky little vibe," said Ryan Wert, executive director of the REO Town Commercial Association. "New businesses are popping up all the time and there's a lot of experimentation going on."

How to go: REO Town, South Washington Ave., Lansing. Business hours and prices vary. www.reo.town

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2. Take a stroll along the river trail

Enjoy being outdoors? Then there's a good chance you'll love what the Lansing River Trail has to offer.

Red winged blackbirds, hawks and bald eagles are spotted regularly.

If bird watching isn't your thing, kayak or canoe along Grand and Red Cedar rivers. Or, go fishing in Burchard Park. Cool off at Scott Woods afterward and see some wildlife.

Want an adventure? Every summer, hundreds of folks compete in the Red Paddle Kayak Race. The route starts at MSU's campus and ends at the City Market in downtown Lansing. This year's race happens June 24.

How to go: The route runs from Old Town to downtown Lansing to MSU and, on another spur, to Holt. Along the way, it passes through several natural areas, including Adado Riverfront Park and Hawk Island Park. www.lansingrivertrail.org

3. Cheer on the Lugnuts

You're not part of the #LoveLansing community until you've been to a Lugnuts game.

The Lugnuts are a class-A minor league team, an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Folks may come to Cooley Law School Stadium to see the Lugnuts play and win, but they often stay for the not-so-typical ballpark food, not just hot dogs, peanuts and pretzels, but Greek nachoes, chicken waffles and shawarma.

RELATED: From peanuts to pork parfait, Lugnuts take food seriously

Feeling fancy? Upgrade your game day experience when you purchase Pepsi Porch tickets. This gives you access to a semi-private dining area with a built-in bar and an all-you-can-eat menu.

How to go: Cooley Law School Stadium, 505 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. Tickets and food prices vary. www.lansinglugnuts.com

4. Wander inside the Capitol building

Almost anyone who visits the Capitol building for the first time becomes enthralled by its ceiling.

"There are dozens of tiny gold and silver stars in the center of the dome," said Capitol historian Valerie Marvin, "and you can hear all the gasps at once."

The Capitol was one of the first buildings in the U.S. to feature a cast iron dome. It represented the Union, according to Marvin. There are 200-plus rooms inside, but no two are the same, she said.

Guided and self-guided tours are both options. And you can watch politicians make laws. If you have the patience, that is.

How to go: For visiting hours, tour schedules and legislative sessions, go to www.capitol.michigan.gov/Hours. Free.

5. Tour R. E. Olds Transportation Museum

Automotive pioneer Ransom Eli Olds transformed Lansing.

"If it wasn't for R. E. Olds, (Lansing) wouldn't be what it is today," said Bill Adcock, executive director at the R. E. Olds Transportation Museum. "He's like the godfather of the automotive industry."

More than a million vehicles had been built in Lansing by the end of the 20th century, according to the museum's website.

Upon your visit, you'll see the Baby Reo: the "first fully functional miniature gas-powered car" ever built. But that's not all. The collection runs from an Oldsmobile steam carriage built in 1886 to the last Oldsmobile ever made, an Alero sedan that rolled off the line at the Lansing Car Assembly in 2004.

How to go: R. E. Olds Transportation Museum, 240 Museum Dr., Lansing. Closed Monday. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and over, students and veterans, $15 per family with two parents and up to three kids under 18. $4 per person for groups of 10 or more. www.reoldsmuseum.org

6. Visit the places Malcolm X frequented

Civil rights leader Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but his childhood and teenage years in Lansing and Mason helped shape his worldview.

Malcolm X's father, Earl Little, built a home near Logan Street, which is now Martin Luther King Boulevard. The home is no longer standing, but a historical marker has stood there for 42 years.

"There's a growing awareness within the greater Lansing community that such a poignant figure like Malcom X grew up here and how those experiences shaped him," explained John Aerni-Flessner, a historian in the Residential College in the Arts & Humanities at Michigan State University.

RELATED: How Malcolm X's murder rippled through his hometown

But there are many other places in town that have links to Malcolm. He attended Mason High School and the former West Junior High School (the Kalamazoo Street building now houses the Lansing School District's administrative offices). He worked for Capitol Bedding and Coral Gables, though not in its current building.

How to go: Malcolm X Homesite Marker, 1039 Vincent Court at Martin Luther King Blvd., Lansing. Free.

Contact Princess Gabbara at pgabbara@lsj.com or 517-377-1006. Follow her on Twitter at @PrincessGabbara.