When someone thinks of Old Town in Lansing they might think of the awesome festivals put on for locals and tourists. Old Town is known for their festivals including Festival of the Moon, Festival of the Sun, and JazzFest held throughout the summer and Oktoberfest in October.
There are many other reasons to visit Old Town other than their amazing festivals. If you have never visited Old Town, it is an urban and historical neighborhood in the Lansing area that brings a unique atmosphere with its boutique shops and surrounding art. You could find yourself winding up at different shops and businesses when visiting Old Town since there are so many to choose from. If you want to visit Old Town but you have no idea where to start, here is a guide on what a day in Old Town could be like for you.
Shopping
One thing that attracts people to Old Town other than their festivals is their variety of shops.
Absolute Gallery: This gallery has a changing selection of art pieces available to purchase. They sell unique art, frames, and gifts that are perfect to give to others.
Metro Retro: This is one of the coolest vintage thrift stores in the Lansing area. They have a unique aesthetic and offer pieces new and old that you couldn’t find anywhere else.
Retail Therapy: This is a boutique that sells high quality women’s clothing. Their motto describes the kinds of clothes they sell: “Clothes young women will wear and their mothers will steal from them.”
Lamb’s Gate Antiques: This antique store has old things that you could buy to spice up your home. It is a curated shop, and you can find yourself losing track of time in this store.
Food
After spending time walking around Old Town and checking out the different shops, you might become hungry. Here are highly rated eateries where you can stop and fill up.
Cravings Gourmet Popcorn: With your order at Cravings Gourmet Popcorn, you get popcorn and soda. A cool thing about this popcorn shop is that they create new flavors every week!
Meat: This restaurant is for anyone who would consider themselves a carnivore. This restaurant serves southern BBQ meats, and they also have a french fry bar and a nice selection of sandwiches. Everything in this restaurant is made from scratch.
Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern: Zoobies Old Town Tavern is the perfect place to grab a drink and enjoy a meal. They have a lot of deals throughout the week including their happy hour from 3pm to 6pm and free popcorn on Wednesdays during happy hour.
Arctic Corner: Are you in the mood for desert instead of a meal? Arctic Corner has been serving ice cream in Old Town since 1953. It has been voted Lansing’s best ice cream for years. They also serve frozen yogurt.
Other Places You Might End Up
Old Town stretches for a while, so you might find yourself at these places!
Pruess Pets: Pruess Pets has a wide selection of animals from saltwater fish to pigs. Inside of the store is more unique than any other pet store in Lansing. Pruess Pets has been serving the Old Town area for 30 years.
Turner Dodge House and Heritage Center: Explore the history through guided tours of the Turner Dodge House, the home of Michigan pioneers. You can take a tour during their hours of operation which are 1pm-7pm on Tuesday through Thursday.
Old Town is a special gem in the Lansing area. Since the historical town is very community oriented, business owners love seeing the community thrive more every day. Help support Old Town by taking a visit while it is on its way up!