Over 150 Free/Cheap Things To Do in Lansing

Over 150 Free/Cheap Things To Do in Lansing

A few weeks ago I had the chance to be a tourist in my own town, hosted by the Greater Lansing Visitors Center. You would think that I would know everything there is to do here in Lansing, but I don’t. Spending 48 hours in the Capitol city I was able to discover a lot more about Lansing.

Even if you’re a local, stop by the Greater Lansing Visitors Center to get some helpful information about the great city of Lansing! Get inside tips on where to go, what to do, and other things you can’t find online.

Related: Over 100 ++ Summer Bucket list for Mid-Michigan and surrounding areas.

1. First, grab a FREE Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) to find FREE activities going on ALL over Michigan!
2. Did you know you can start doing tours at the State Capitol again? If you can, make time for a visit to the State Capitol, too!
3. If you have some extra time and just want to hang out, I suggest visiting Old Town. Super artsy and relaxed, it’s great for a solo trip – or one with the kids. This is also a great idea for a date night. Strolling through this quaint little town, holding hands under the starry sky! Sigh….
4. Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens feature a 7 acre arboretum, picnic area, children’s garden, and more. Many people visit just to see the tulips in bloom, but there are many other flowers worth looking at! You’ll see perennials, annuals, and the VIP Garden complete with a bee hotel. The children’s garden has mazes, pots of gold, an alphabet garden, and even Peter Rabbit! This is also a great place to take professional photos.
5. Beal Botanical Garden-an outdoor laboratory for the study and appreciation of plants. It is one of the principal centers of plant interest within the arboretum.
6. Abrams Planetarium is a super educational attraction for the whole family! The third Thursday of each month is set aside for homeschool groups. Shows are $2 per person.
7. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit at the Summer Circle Theatre. Hosting a variety of dramatic productions, it’s perfect for all ages.
8. Free Fishing Weekend happens twice per year. Find out more here.
9. Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center has a hands-on gallery to help kids (and adults) of all ages understand the judicial branch of the state government.
10. Open daily for tours, the Ingham County Courthouse would make the perfect homeschool field trip. The courthouse is over 100 years old, and rich in history.
11. Kids Skate for FREE – Kids under the age of 12 can skate for free: Passes valid for children 12 years old and younger. Skate/Blade Rental $4.00
12. Kids Bowl for FREE – Kids 15 years and under to bowl two games EVERY DAY during the whole summer!  You can sit back and watch the kids or for $29.99 you can get a pass for the whole summer and join in the fun! They also have programs for Teachers too!
13. Kids Free Summer Reading Program – Find places that offer free incentives just for reading!
14. Be A Tourist in Your Own Town– this happens towards the end of every May. Admission is just $1 buck
15. Zoo Days at Potter Park Zoo comes around at the beginning of each July. Tickets are just a $1.00 (plus other free activities going on. This is one of the best times to head to the zoo!)
16. Country Mill Farm– Family Fun on the Farm- Cider Mill in Mid-Michigan. Pick your own apples, enjoy the Petty Zoo, Orchard Express Train and more.
17. MSU Dairy Store {East Lansing}  a fun, educational trip for the whole family to enjoy!
18. MSU Farms {East Lansing} Check out the cattle, horses, chicken, and sheep.
19. The Bug House will teach you quite a bit, including the fact that there are more kinds of beetles in Michigan than there are varieties of birds on Earth! The kids found it fascinating that flies have taste buds on their feet. Check out the awesome pinned displays, and check their calendar before heading out.
20. Preuss Pet Store {Lansing}- Come join us 4-5 pm on the first Sunday of each month for story time!  We will read a story together and follow it up with an activity that relates to the story. *Ages 5+
21. Breakfast on the Farm Events (great way to see  the process of farm living and see animals)
22. Hawk Island – they have a splash pad and playground! {Free/non-residents may have to be pay a $3 entrance free}more on Ingham County Parks
23. Michigan Historical Museum and Archives of Michigan {Lansing} {Free admission on Sunday}
24. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum- a recent addition to the MSU Campus, this museum also offers family days the first Saturday of the month.
25. Michigan State University Science & Culture Museum (free for kids, $5 donation for adults)
26. Michigan State University Observatory offers free public viewing one weekend per month (April- October). Get more information on their website.
27. Swim for FREE in the summer at Hunter Park Pool & Moores Park Pool
28. One of our favorite things to do in the Fall is visit Uncle John’s Cider Mill and Fruit House Winery
29. Woldumar Nature Center–  Admission- Members are FREE, Non-Members- $1 Trail donation
30. Harris Nature Center – Admission: FREE
31. Fenner Nature Center – Admission: FREE; Donations welcome
32. Lansing River Trail –  Admission- Free
33. FREE Movies happening in the Mid-Michigan area this summer.
34. Free Festival Family going on at NCG and Celebration each Fall and Spring
35. Free Movies in the Park {Lansing}
36. TONS of FREE Summer Concerts happening in Mid-Michigan.
37. In the summer, enjoy the Free Muelder Summer Carillon Series.
38. Silver Bells happens the Friday before Thanksgiving, downtown Lansing. A fun, sometimes cold event that the whole family will enjoy.
39. Lansing JazzFest is a free event for the whole family. This happens every August.
40. Delta Rocks is a great family festival for the whole family. And it’s free. This happens in June.
41. One of our favorite parks to play at is Patriarche Park with picnic tables, athletic fields, and playgrounds.
42. Nancy Moore Park — Basketball courts, playground, athletic fields, trails, picnic tables
43. Durant Park — Playgrounds, walking, picnics
44. Northern Tier Trail — Two miles long, great for biking and running. Lots of places to take pictures, very scenic.
45. Climb up to the top of Beaumont Tower in East Lansing.
46. FREE summer movies in Holt for the whole family!

Find another 105 things to do by checking out the printable Lansing 150 Bucket List of things to do right here in Mid-Michigan!

Head over to Lansing.org to find discounts on things to do in Lansing!

Looking for ways to save on discounts and deals right here in Mid-Michigan? Check out the most recent Groupon deals!

What are some of your favorite things to do right here in Mid-Michigan?? Leave me a comment below and let me know!