LOCAL

Welcome to Lansing: Check out these unique gems and you will be a true Lansingite

Lansing State Journal

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we look at most things. It has certainly altered the way we look at our city. For many of us, our relationship with Lansing has become nostalgic. We have become even more excited to get out and experience what exists in and around this big small town. Whether you’re new in town and just starting your acquaintance, or you’ve lived here awhile and are becoming reacquainted, we’d like to say, “Welcome to Lansing.”

This is part of a series of articles published as a "Guide to Greater Lansing" — click here to read more.

Allen Neighborhood Center, support local superstars

Tammara McCollum, owner of Smoothie Queen, left, and her employee Destiny Ramirez set up for business on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in the accelerator kitchen at the Allen Neighborhood Center located at 1611 East Kalamazoo Street in Lansing.

The Allen Neighborhood Center fulfills many roles for eastside residents: community building, health care education, jobs and opportunity growth and more. Since it opened in 1999, team members have worked to combat food insecurity, health care disparities and lack of opportunity for underserved populations. Today that includes farmers markets (with weekly walk-a-thons to earn free coins to spend at the market) and the kitchen incubator (featuring diverse entrepreneurs such as Smoothie Queen, Tantay Peruvian Cuisine and Tatse American African Eats).

Boji Tower, from another era entirely

A 1931 photo of the Capitol National Bank, now Boji Tower, with a view of Allegan Street heading toward Capitol Avenue downtown.

Built by Ransom Eli Olds in 1931 for his expanding business ventures, the 250,000-square-foot Olds Tower was first renamed the Michigan National Bank Tower in 1954, before becoming Boji Tower in 2005, after the current owners. It's 23 stories feature strongly in the downtown skyline, and its giant clock face — 25 feet across, about two feet larger than London's Big Ben — draws the eye of those near downtown. The interior is traditional art deco, with gold work throughout the lobby, and massive elevator doors depicting scenes from the life of R.E. Olds.

Fidelity Lake at Crego Park, a perfect picnic spot

Kayaks line the shore of Fidelity Lake, located in Crego Park, one of Lansing's largest parks. The park entrance is located off East Mount Hope Avenue near U.S. 127.

One of Lansing's largest parks, named for Ralph Crego, Lansing's mayor from 1943-61, opened in 2014 following a massive, 25-year undertaking to bring it up to snuff. It features Fidelity Lake, 15 acres of clear water perfect for fishing, kayaking or paddle boarding, as well as sidewalks and connections to the Lansing River Trail. The 200-acre park, once mired under pollution concerns, is a perfect example of the power of a community working together. And it's the perfect spot to take a picnic with family and friends.

WELCOME TO LANSING (part 1):Things you must see

Japanese garden, a hidden gem on LCC campus

The Shigematsu Memorial Garden on Lansing Community College campus in downtown Lansing includes a rock garden, fish pond and Moon-viewing platform. To locate it, enter campus where North Washington Square ends at East Shiawassee Street.

Whether getting your degree, certification or credits to transfer, Lansing Community College is and has been a stair step to a better life for many. Right in the center of campus is a small fish pond and garden that few know about. The Shigematsu Memorial Garden — which also includes a rock garden, moon-viewing platform and plantings chosen to show beauty in all four seasons — is an excellent place to rest and reflect near the heart of downtown Lansing.

Broad Art Museum, world-class art exhibits on MSU campus

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is located on Grand River Avenue at the edge of MSU campus.

On Grand River Avenue, at the edge of Michigan State University's campus, is the visually stunning Broad Art Museum — where you will find internationally celebrated pieces side by side with local art. The outside is worth a look, however inside is a permanent collection that features evocative pieces on democracy, immigration, the environment, industry and much more. Travelling exhibits cycle regularly, as well as student and community artists' work; all are worth the time for a revisit.

WELCOME TO LANSING (part 2):Things you should do

Impression 5 Science Center, education and fun for all ages

The Impression 5 Science Center, located on Museum Drive off of Michigan Avenue near the Grand River, is full of exhibits that are fun and educational for all ages.

What could be more fun than controlling waterfalls, putting together toy trains and interacting with a wall-sized Lite Brite? Bubbles! And they've got this and more at the Impression 5 Science Center. Tucked away on Museum Drive just off Michigan Avenue is a trove of interactive learning you probably haven't visited since your third-grade class went there in 1990-something. It is truly fun and educational for kids of all ages — yes, this means you!

Capitol Mall, stroll along the Frank Kelley walkway

The walkway between the Capitol and Hall of Justice downtown consists of heated sidewalks, accessible ramps and plenty of benches and other seating to make for a pleasant stroll.

Many have stood on the Capitol lawn in downtown Lansing — for wedding photos or quick selfies, attending protests or community events. Behind the Capitol, where few go, lies a beautiful walkway leading to the Hall of Justice, home to Michigan's Supreme Court. Featuring heated sidewalks for year-round enjoyment, as well as accessible ramps and plenty of benches or spots to rest along the way, the Frank Kelley walkway — named for the nation's longest-serving state attorney general (1962-1999) — is also home to stunning memorials for Michigan's Vietnam War veterans and fallen law enforcement officers.

Michigan History Center, and the amazing state archives

A white pine, Michigan’s state tree, stands at the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing. With the help of a $1-million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the museum is retooling some exhibits to better reflect the state’s rich and diverse history.

There are advantages to living in the state capital, and the Michigan History Center is one of them. From the time of indigenous people all the way to the modern day, its collections show what life and times were like here in Michigan during the state's major time periods. Slightly lesser known are the state archives where you will find maps, photographs, legal documents, immigration records, historic films and oral history in audio files from many eras including the Civil War, Industrial Revolution, Motown and more. It's enough to turn anyone into a history buff.

WELCOME TO LANSING (part 3): Things you ought to know

Murals, murals everywhere

Murals and other forms of public art tell the story of an area, and many local businesses have embraced the art form. But have you seen these lesser known murals in the alleys and underpasses around town?

What could make a place more unique than the story told in public art form? If you've been to Old Town, downtown or REO Town you've undoubtedly seen the more obvious murals adorning walls of local businesses. For some lesser known public art, check out these spots: In Old Town, the alleyway behind the Unicorn Tavern and Old Town Marquee; Downtown, the alley behind Soul Nutrition and Summit Comics; REO Town, the alley behind The Cadillac Room and Riverview Church; along the Lansing River Trail, check under bridges that cross the river (such as Shiawassee Street and I-496).

Quality Dairy, all about that French onion dip

Quality Dairy is our own chain of convenience stores founded in 1936, currently with about 30 stores across Greater Lansing. An item that many Lansingites crave is their French onion chip dip, with a winning recipe that is around 50 years old.

Quality Dairy is our very own convenience store chain, founded in 1936, currently with around 30 stores across Greater Lansing. Their tasty ice cream, donuts and more could each deserve their own place on this list, however, the most unique gem in these stores is the sweet and creamy French onion chip dip so many in the region crave, made with a recipe more than 50 years old. Or pick up any of their other variety of flavors — including fiesta flavor, introduced in 2018 — and you'll understand why so many in town sing, "It's Quality Dairy time."

Tell us your favorites

Whether you're new in town or a longtime Lansing resident, we want to hear from you: What are some other hidden gems? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page or by emailing opinions@lsj.com.

This is part four of a poster series — find part one, "Things You Must See," here, part two, "Things You Should Do," here and part three, "Things You Ought to Know," here.