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Destination Spotlight – Lansing, Michigan

A young boy smiling and pointing at a bright, colorful interactive space exhibit on a wall.

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About the Destination 

Greater Lansing is a vibrant, welcoming region in the heart of the state where the Grand River (the longest river in Michigan) meets the Red Cedar River. Anchored by Michigan’s capital city of Lansing and Michigan State University in East Lansing, the area brings together government, higher education, health care, culture, business and advanced manufacturing. Visitors can explore museums, arts and entertainment, riverfront parks, accessible attractions and the energy of a Big Ten community, all within a centrally located destination. With a metropolitan population of nearly 473,000 across Eaton, Ingham and Clinton counties, Greater Lansing offers a comfortable, connected setting for residents and travelers alike. It’s where inclusive experiences, community resources and Michigan hospitality come together.

ACCESSIBLE HOTELS

Graduate by Hilton East Lansing

Staybridge Suites Lansing–Okemos by IHG

Candlewood Suites East Lansing, an IHG Hotel

Marriott East Lansing at University Place

Hyatt House Lansing–University Area

Crowne Plaza Lansing, an IHG Hotel

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

AC Hotel Lansing University Area

Courtyard by Marriott Lansing Downtown

DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing

Attractions

Michigan State Capitol

Impression 5 Science Center

Zap Zone XL

Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Michigan History Museum

Potter Park Zoo

High Caliber Karting & Entertainment

MSU Horticulture Gardens

R.E. Olds Transportation Museum

Lansing Shuffle

Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum

Abrams Planetarium

The Peanut Shop

Fish Ladder Music Park

Restaurants

MSU Dairy Store

Dusty’s Cellar & Wine Bar

Peanut Barrel

One North Kitchen & Bar

Crunchy’s

Kindred Table

Toscana Kitchen & Wine Market

Dusty’s Tap Room

Lansing Shuffle

Sidecar Slider Bar

Sports & Recreation

Lansing River Trail

Biggby Coffee Ice Cube, East Lansing

Breslin Center / Tom Izzo Hall of History

Rotary Park

Play Michigan! All-Inclusive Playground

Munn Ice Arena

Hawk Island County Park

Jackson Field / Lansing Lugnuts

Sidecar Slider Bar

Accessible Outdoor Options

Greater Lansing offers ways to enjoy nature, play and fresh air with a range of accessible recreation spaces. Highlights include the fully accessible Play Michigan! All-Inclusive Playground, Hawk Island Park, Patriarche Park, Rotary Park and the Lansing River Trail. At Michigan State University, the Horticulture Gardens and Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden add engaging garden experiences for visitors of many ages and abilities. The 4-H Children’s Garden includes 66 themed gardens designed to encourage hands-on discovery.

Sensory-Friendly Focus

Greater Lansing supports sensory-inclusive experiences for visitors and residents. Potter Park Zoo provides sensory bags with headphones, fidgets, sunglasses, cue cards and a sensory map, along with designated quiet areas and headphone zones. Impression 5 Science Center hosts designated sensory-friendly hours with limited capacity, select exhibits modified to reduce sensory stimuli, a sensory-experience map and on-site sensory resources. These options can help families plan a more comfortable, confidence-building outing.

Family Attractions

Family adventures can be both engaging and accessible in Greater Lansing. At Potter Park Zoo, guests can use a Braille map, borrow Braille map booklets and access sensory resources, including complimentary sensory bags and headphones. Downtown Lansing’s Impression 5 Science Center offers hands-on science exhibits, two accessible entrances, accessible parking and an elevator. Limited child- and adult-size wheelchairs and other accessibility supports are also available on-site.

Wheel the World Verified

Greater Lansing is an Accessibility Verified destination through Wheel the World’s Destination Verified program. Wheel the World’s team mapped 60 tourism listings across the region, including 15 hotels, 34 attractions and 11 restaurants, providing travelers with verified, detailed accessibility information to support more confident trip planning. The program helps visitors explore lodging, dining and experiences based on their individual mobility, sensory and accessibility needs.