Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/16726
AREA GUIDES LANSING THE ‘COOL CAPITAL CITY’ BY VICTORIA HEAD Lansing got its name due to the 13 miles of paved, scenic, winding board- walk that passes through the city’s numerous parks and natural areas, straight through its central Downtown District. Lansing, Michigan isn’t only the state’s capital, it’s also home to three educational institutions, including the celebrated Michigan State University. As a result, the city is bursting with exciting attractions, fun-filled cultural events and ample shopping opportunities. Lansing has one of the highest populations of any city in the state and therefore has built up plenty of entertainment and business resources accessible both to Lansing natives and tourists making it a ‘Cool Capital City’ indeed. Many are drawn to the Michigan State Capitol building, which is one of the best surviving examples of Victorian decorative arts in the nation. There’s also the All Around The African World Museum, which presents a unique cultur- al atmosphere, while teaching visitors the documented presence of Africans on various continents. Since the eloquent spokesman for civil rights, Malcolm X, lived in Lansing in the 1930s, the home- site marker draws crowds as the fallen icon’s former residence has been regis- tered as a historical landmark. Lansing has nearly 200 county and state parks, campgrounds and recreation areas which provide several thousand acres of green space and leisure opportu- nities in the Lansing region. Outdoor lovers favorites include Cooley Gardens, Fenner Nature Center, Francis Park, Harris Nature Center, Hawk Island Park, Lake Lansing, Potter Park Zoo, Shigematsu Memorial Garden and Woldumar Nature Center. For the business-minded traveler, the centerpiece of the city, where meetings and events are concerned, is the Lansing Center. The Center features 175,000 sq. ft. of flexible trade show, convention and meeting areas; recent renovations total- ing $11 million have included all the newest amenities and even includes heated sidewalks. A covered sky bridge stretching over the scenic Grand River links the Center to the 256-room Radisson Hotel Lansing, which boasts a generous amount of meeting space of its own, exactly 10,000 sq. ft. Just a half a block north is the historic Lansing City Market where restaurants, clubs and museums feature worldly flavors and live entertainment. The Lansing Convention Center is also located just minutes from Michigan State University’s campus where anoth- er noteworthy meeting facility stands. The Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, a 4-Star venue, is quite a favorite in Lansing as it possesses a unique cul- tural atmosphere and convenient access to sporting activities and Lansing area attractions including the Michigan State Capitol and Lansing Lugnuts baseball at Cooley Law School Stadium. The hotel has 160 guestrooms and suites, over 35, 000 sq. ft. of flexi- ble function space to accom- modate 10 to 1,000 and a total of 32 meeting rooms. The L a n s i n g Internat ional Airport is nearby and offers com- mercial passen- ger flights from several major air- lines. Travelers t h r o u g h o u t Michigan find the Lansing airport very convenient- ly located and Capitol Building, Lansing Photo Credit: Gtr. Lansing CVB appreciate the low-cost parking close to the main terminal. The airport is located in the middle of Michigan, just a short highway drive to most major Michigan cities and travel destinations. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Greater Lansing CVB (888) 252-6746 www.lansing.org Pack Your Slippers... www.LANSING.org Click… Browse… Plan… Doris Sims dsims@lansing.org 1-866-529-1402 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 53