12 Date Night Ideas In Lansing #LoveLansing

Excited to share about another fun city to head to for a date night destination: Michigan’s capitol, LANSING.

The city’s cute hashtag, #LoveLansing, is definitely two-fold. First, there’s plenty to love in Lansing. Second, there is plenty to do with your love in Lansing. See what I did there? I love when things can be taken literally and figuratively. Read on.

Today I’m sharing several date night ideas in Lansing. If you’re looking for adventures, great food and a whole lotta history, this is the town for you.

For a full night away from the kids, check out the Radisson in the heart of Lansing, which is steps away from many attractions.

Enjoy!

Canoe, kayak or paddleboard Grand River.

Check out River Town Adventures for equipment rental including canoes, kayaks and paddle boards. They can drive you to a drop off point and make your adventure even more exciting. Be sure to keep an eye out for the trio of smokestacks, aptly named Wynken, Blynken and Nod.

Play FootGolf at The Falcon at Hawk Hollow.

FootGolf is a hybrid of soccer and golf. How fun does that sound? {Much easier to get a soccer ball in a hole versus a golf ball, right?!} And for $9 for 9 holes and just $3 for ball rental, it’s a pretty good deal for a fun date night out. Visit the website here…and don’t forget to wear argyle socks if you really want to look the part! {Read about our experience at this post}

Stroll around MSU’s campus.

This beautiful spot in East Lansing has amazing grounds to explore. Must stop attractions include Abrams Planetarium for a show {on weekends}, Beaumont Tour, Wharton Center for a performance, Broad Art Museum and the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden. And no trip to MSU is complete without a trip to the MSU Dairy Store for ice cream.

Hike at Woldumar Nature Center.

The Woldumar Nature Center offers more than 5 miles of trails on 178 acres of woodland, prairie, river-side and pine forest. Hike, ski or snowshoe anytime between dawn and dusk. Situated along the Grand River with 1.25 miles of shoreline, it’s a gorgeous way to spend some time with your love in nature. FREE, but donations gladly accepted.

Nosh on Good Eats.

There are some fabulous foodie spots in Lansing. A few recommendations: Soup Spoon Cafe for breakfast, Red Haven for delicious farm-to-table food, MEAT in Old Town for pulled pork/mac n’ cheese, and Sansu for sushi complete with Japanese-style tatami seating.

Other drool-worthy stops include Weston’s Kewpee Burger {love this family owned shop’s olive burger!} The Peanut Shop and Cravings Popcorn {dill pickle popcorn = amazing}. If you’re like me and plan dates around food, Lansing is a great spot to indulge in noms.

Top left: Brisket from Meat. Top right: A squash blossom with zucchini, ricotta, tomato and micros from Red Haven. Bottom left: Cravings Popcorn in Old Town. Bottom right: An olive burger from Kewpee’s.

Watch a Lansing Lugnuts Game.

Dollar Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, the LACU fireworks and more…Lugnuts games are a ton of fun for a great price! For a date night, I’d suggest checking out The Clubhouse where game attendees can enjoy cocktails and food {and private bathrooms!} in an upscale, suite-level club for just $22.50 each. Perfect for sneaking into air conditioning during a hot game, and having easy access to nab a cold draft.

Park hop with the River Trail.

This scenic 20+ mile Lansing River Trail along the Cedar and Grand Rivers is perfect for biking or rollerblading to each of the city’s parks. Public parking is available at regular intervals along the trail. Additionally, stop for a meal or to shop along the trail, or stop for farm fresh produce, artisan cheeses and more at the Lansing City Market.

Check out Lansing’s Beer, Wine and Spirits Trail.

The Greater Lansing area is home to several spots for libations. Check this interactive map and plan some fun at wineries, breweries and distilleries.

Cheer on Lansing’s Roller Derby Teams.

For a riot of a night out, check out Lansing’s roller derby teams – the Mitten Mavens {women} or the Manhandlers {mens}.

Visit Old Town for a Festival.

Old Town Lansing is full of charm with cute shops, restaurants and literally a festival happening just about every weekend. It’s the perfect place to grab the hand of your love and explore.

Be a Kid Again at Spare Time Entertainment Center.

Check out Spare Time for bowling, an arcade, laser tag and more. This place is not just for kids, so have fun!

Tour the Michigan State Capitol.

This is a rite of passage for any true Michigander. This beautiful building has received national accolades for its extraordinary architecture and art. Scheduled tours are offered daily and encompass the public areas and visits to the House and Senate galleries. Best of all? It’s FREE. Pack a picnic and sit on the lawn after to admire the building in all its glory.

Lansing is definitely a cool city to check out next time you’re planning a date night!

Learn about MANY more awesome places to go by visiting Lansing.org or checking out the hashtag #LoveLansing. Plan some fun today!

I recently went on a press trip to visit many of these locations. During my travel, accommodations and meals were covered by the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. All opinions expressed are my own.

Where are your favorite cities to head for a date night?