What I'll Miss About Lansing

Over the past year, I've been living in the fantastical city of Lansing as a part of my AmeriCorps VISTA assignment.

Honestly, I've hated it. At the same time, I know that attitude is everything. From living in the state of Michigan, I've come to appreciate those little secrets that are the delicious places to eat, cute places to hang out, and pubs with the best local beers. They have those here in Lansing, although they are fewer and farther between that in my home city of Detroit. (For those of you who have absolutely no conception of space in Michigan, the two cities are about an hour and a half drive apart. And Ann Arbor makes a triangle with them, so no such luck there.) Either way, I've found my little treasures here in Lansing. The spots I've frequented over the past year, living in different places - moving from Chandler's Crossing (N. East Lansing) to downtown Lansing ("the ghetto," if you will) to Frandor (right on the border of Lansing and East Lansing) to my current spot in the residential of East Lansing (right across from MSU campus.)

FOOD

Jersey Giant
Frandor
I don't even know why I love Jersey Giant so much. Their 16-inch sub should really be enough for four meals for me, but I just can't seem to resist the freshly sliced capacola, provolone, ham, and salami goodness (#8 with extra banana and sweet peppers).

Asia's Finest
South Lansing
I honestly go here once per week for a pho dac biet. I don't think my body would be able to sustain itself without its weekly dose of Vietnamese Beef Soup with a healthy helping of lime, basil, and Siracha.

The Soup Spoon
Downtown Lansing
Thick creamy soups and warm, comforting bread pudding.

BEER

Crunchy's
East Lansing
They have a special that includes a free pizza with the purchase of a bucket of beer. And by bucket, I mean a mop bucket with a pitcher inside to fill up your cup. And in the month of July those cups were strictly Michigan brews.

Harper's
East Lansing
Honestly, this place has the slowest service sometimes and worst buffalo wings ever...still, I can't pass up that Wednesday half off everything special.

ENTERTAINMENT & FITNESS

Capital Area District Library
All over Lansing "Metro"
I will miss the best library service ever. I took at at least 5 items per week. Whether it be Yoga DVDs, DVDs for entertainment, documentaries, LSAT books, or A Wrinkle In Time. I loved their self-checkout option and their online account management. Not only could I renew books online, I could hold books from any location and they would send them all to my closest library.

Lansing Lugnuts at Cooley Stadium
Downtown Lansing
$8 lawn seats. Thirsty Thursdays with $2 Labatt's. Not having to deal with busy crowds. An adorable summer evening.

Lansing River Trail
Lansing and East Lansing
A gorgeous 13-mile bike and running trail that goes through MSU campus and passes many worthwile Lansing landmarks (e.g. Brenke Fish Ladder, Hawk Island Park, Potter Park Zoo.) Another thing I'll give you is that although the water may be slightly contaminated, you do have some fantastic local parks. Just don't be on this trail downtown too late at night.


Goodbye, Lansing...

It's been swell. I enjoyed you, and I'll miss your farm-ish charm. What I will not miss are your obnoxious, cocky basketball players and ghetto downtown housing.