Lansing Travel Guide

Selected purely for its centralized location, the wilderness hamlet of Lansing became the state capital of Michigan in 1847. Detroit, the largest city in the state was passed over because of its potentially unsafe international border with Canada. In the 1850's Michigan farmers lobbied to start one of America's first independent colleges of scientific agriculture. Carved out of the woods east of Lansing it is now known as Michigan State University.

Lansing's status is mostly defined as being the seat of state government. The state capitol's construction was completed in 1879, during the Civil War, and it remains Lansing's defining landmark. President Linclon insisted the construction continue because the Capitol stood for the union he was fighting for. It was one of the first state capitols to be modeled after the nation's Capitol and is the preeminent U.S. example of Victorian painted decoration.

Some of Lansing's popular attractions include the State Capitol, the Michigan Historical Museum, Riverfront Park and River Trail, Museum Drive, Michigan Walk of Fame, and Potter Park and Zoo.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum will be opening in 2010, showcasing modern and contemporary art.