Lansing, Michigan: A Capital Destination

March 2, 2018

Signature Attractions

One of the city’s most unique attractions is the Michigan Princess Riverboat, a replica 19th-century steamboat that docks in Grand River Park. The triple-deck riverboat allows guests to travel back in time as they drift down the river enjoying live music, cocktails, dancing and fine dining. Many groups rent the boat for themed events and after-hours receptions.

The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum commemorates the history of Oldsmobile vehicles, an American car brand founded by Ransom E. Olds, and features over 60 vintage Oldsmobile models from 1886 to 2003. Planners can organize a small meeting or event in a charming 25-seat boardroom with exposed beams, and the meeting can be followed by a guided tour of the museum.

History buffs will appreciate a trip to the Michigan History Museum, a five-level, world-class museum that explores Michigan’s rich history from the prehistoric era to the 1970s. The facility provides an excellent venue for corporate events and banquets where guests can dine among impressive exhibits such as a reproduced 1870s copper mine, statues of Paleo-Indian hunters and a four-story map of Michigan, accompanied by costumed museum staff.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University is another of Lansing’s must-see attractions. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, the contemporary art museum presents an incredible exterior facade of pleated stainless steel and glass, reminiscent of an accordion collapsed on its side. Some rooms inside the sleek, modern facility were featured in the 2016 film “Batman vs. Superman” as the villain Lex Luthor’s mansion. Planners can choose from several exquisite venues throughout the museum to host a memorable after-hours cocktail party or reception. The colorful lobby and cafe on the main level will hold around 225 guests, and the upstairs lobby can host 25 to 45 guests. The education wing accommodates up to 120 guests in a stylish, well-lit space with paneled glass walls.

Of the 18 wineries, breweries and distilleries that span the area, the Lansing Brewing Company is one of the best-known establishments. The brewery was one of Lansing’s first breweries during the early 1900s, serving beer to the hardworking laborers and tradesmen who built the city’s earliest modern structures. Its signature offering is its Amber Cream Ale. The brewery’s industrial-style Stockhouse provides a one-of-a-kind setting for group events, hosting up to 240 guests; the more intimate Meeting Room seats around 44 guests.