Lansing is the capital city of Michigan, and it is an interesting destination with a rich modern history starting in the early 1800s. The area was first surveyed in 1825, but it wasn’t until the winter of 1835-1836 that the first settlement, known as Biddle City, was plotted by two brothers from New York. The initial settlement was often flooding, and Biddle City was abandoned because of that. However, the area was later renamed Lansing Township in honor of the brothers’ hometown in New York, and the town grew. The turning point for Lansing came in 1847 when it was chosen as the new state capital, a decision driven by its central location and the wish to move the capital away from Detroit.

With the announcement that Lansing Township had been made the capital, the small village quickly transformed into the seat of state government. The legislature added a temporary name, the Town of Michigan, and in April 1848 it was officially named Lansing. The city grew rapidly after becoming a capital city, with individual settlements developing along key points of the Grand River. Over the years, Lansing evolved into a significant center for education, culture, and industry, home to institutions like Michigan State University and major automotive manufacturers. And Lansing is still the political center of the state of Michigan.

Michigan State Capitol is a landmark in Lansing and it stands as the most famous building in the city. The Michigan State Capitol is the building that houses the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of Michigan, and it is not the first of its kind. After relocation from Detroit, a temporary wooden structure was built, and the present capitol building was opened in 1879. It was designed by architect Elijah E. Myers, who later designed capitol buildings in Colorado and Texas. In Lansing, you can see the impressive exterior, matched by the interior decorations in the chambers, the staircases and not least in the grand dome, which reaches a height of 81 meters.

You can also talk a walk in the streets of Old Town Lansing. It was a place then called North Lansing, where John W. Burchard built a log cabin in 1843 as the first settler. There are still some old houses and atmosphere in a one-block radius around the intersection of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Turner Road, where you find art galleries, unique restaurants, and boutique shops. From the Old Town Lansing area you can walk the Lansing River Trail, which winds along the Grand River and connects several parks and attractions.

There are other museums and attractions, you can visit during your stay in Lansing. If you are interested in automotive history, the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum is a great choice. The museum is named after Ransom Eli Olds, the founder of Oldsmobile, and it showcases a collection of classic cars, automotive memorabilia, and the exhibits tell the history of transportation in the region. Next door is Impression 5 Science Center, which is an interactive space for families to play, create, and challenge their understanding of science.

In the civic center west of the capitol building, you find buildings housings various public and state institutions. It is also here, you can visit the Michigan History Museum. It is a place where you can board a journey through Michigan’s rich past, from the time of the state’s earliest peoples to the late 20th century. The museum is located in the Michigan Library and Historical Center Building. The Potter Park Zoo southeast of the city center is another attraction. It is home to a diverse array of animals and provides a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages.