How to Enjoy a Visit to East Lansing, Michigan

Life in East Lansing revolves around Michigan State University, the largest land grant university in America at 5200 acres. Founded in 1855, MSU was the prototype for the land grant program established by the Morrill Act of 1862. Together, East Lansing and the MSU campus provide year-round natural beauty and cultural attractions that will make your visit unforgettable.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• hotel room
• 2-3 days to explore the area

1. Your visit should begin with a stroll around the MSU campus. Even on the most frigid of February mornings, the natural beauty of the Red Cedar River, the campus grounds and the students bustling to and from class make your exploration enjoyable. Summer and fall are spectacular as the trees and foliage explode in a riot of color.

2. There's only a couple streets to explore in East Lansing outside of campus. The main one is Grand River Avenue - you can't miss it - it traverses the entire south side of campus and all local businesses line up on the opposite side. Take a walk down Grand River Avenue and explore whatever catches your eye.

3. A couple highly recommended lunch spots: the Peanut Barrel, at 521 East Grand River, and BD's Mongolian Barbeque at 2080 West Grand River (you'll need a car to get there, it's a few miles down the road in Okemos but worth it).

4. A couple highly recommended shops to poke your head into: Flat Black and Circular at 541 East Grand River is the absolute best used vinyl and CD stores I've ever visited, and I've visited many. If you're a book lover, you are in for a real treat at Curious Books, 307 East Grand River, or its sister location, the Archives Bookstore at 517 West Grand River, two of the very best used, rare and collectible bookshops I've ever visited.

5. Back on campus, make sure you check the performance schedule at the Wharton Center - some of the best music, dance and theater acts in the world pass through those doors.

6. Another must-do if at all possible is to check out a sporting event on campus - MSU fans are rabid about their teams, and you'll find yourself carried away by their enthusiasm. Check the schedules at Spartan Stadium (football), the Breslin Center (basketball) or Munn Arena (hockey) for more info.

Tips & Warnings

• You wouldn't offend anyone by wearing a Michigan State sweater, jersey or tshirt during your visit.
• You will offend many if you don the blue and maize of the hated arch-rival, of which we will make no mention of here.

[grouch]

on 12/15/2007 Thanks for the walk through another great place to visit. I like the idea of having a few places to go eat. Thanks again.

[JoeyC]

on 4/18/2007 Hey, check out Step 7...

Also, nice summation. Hope that the Georgia Bulldogs make a visit to play in Spartan Stadium someday.