Lansing, MI Real Estate, Homes For Sale, School & Area Information

The Turner-Dodge Mansion, a cherished Lansing landmark, offers a glimpse into the city's rich history and architectural beauty. Perched gracefully overlooking the Grand River, this historic home holds tales that date back to its original construction in 1858.

Architect Darius B. Moon, a prominent figure in Lansing's history, crafted this masterpiece in the distinguished Greek Revival style for its first owners, James and Marion Turner. Subsequently, the home passed into the hands of Abigail and Frank Dodge, the daughter and son-in-law of the Turners. Under their ownership, the mansion underwent significant expansion, transforming it into the resplendent Classical Revival style residence that we admire today.

In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, the Turner-Dodge Mansion earned a coveted place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Two years later, in 1974, the City of Lansing took ownership of this treasured piece of history, ensuring its preservation and accessibility to generations to come.

The Turner-Dodge Mansion stands as a testament to Lansing's enduring heritage, a place where the past comes to life through its stately architecture and captivating stories. Join us in exploring this iconic Lansing landmark, where history, beauty, and culture converge to create a truly memorable experience. Come and be enchanted by the Turner-Dodge Mansion!

Potter Park, a lush expanse spanning 102 acres, first found its roots in 1959 when the generous donation of 58 acres by J.W. & Sarah Potter became the cornerstone of this beautiful park. Over the years, it has evolved into one of Lansing's cherished destinations. The park's legacy took a significant turn in 1920 when it welcomed its first animal residents, including elk, bears, raccoons, and deer, marking the inception of the Potter Park Zoo.

Today, Potter Park Zoo has transformed into a global showcase of wildlife, housing a diverse array of animals from around the world. From one of the oldest Snow Leopards in captivity to majestic moose, charming Red Pandas, playful Spider Monkeys, awe-inspiring Amur Tigers, regal Lions, and countless others, the zoo promises an enchanting experience for visitors of all ages.

For those seeking extra excitement, daily attractions like train rides, pony rides, bungee jumps, and the captivating Wings From Down Under exhibit offer a thrilling adventure. Potter Park Zoo also caters to school trips, making it an educational and fun destination for students.

As the sun sets, the zoo comes alive with evening events such as Zoo Brew, Wine & Stein, Wonderland of Lights, Boo at the Zoo, and engaging Summer Camps that promise unforgettable memories for families and friends alike.

Potter Park Zoo is a place where history meets the present, offering a captivating blend of education, entertainment, and natural beauty. Come and experience the magic of this Lansing gem, where fun knows no bounds, and the wonders of the animal kingdom await your discovery!

The first 58 of 102 acres of land was donated to the City of Lansing by J.W. & Sarah Potter in 1959 and became known as Potter's Park. The park became a popular Lansing destination and in 1920 Elk were the first animals housed in the new Potter Park Zoo, followed by a bear, a couple of raccoons, and several deer.

Today Potter Park Zoo is home to many animals from around the world! Including one of the oldest Snow Leopards in captivity, Moose, Red Panda, Spider Monkeys, Amur Tigers, Lions and so many more! Available daily at the Zoo are train rides, pony rides, bungee jump, and Wings From Down Under. Potter Park Zoo is a fun destination for school trips. Evening events are enjoyable such as Zoo Brew, Wine & Stein, Wonderland of Lights, Boo at the Zoo and Summer Camps are also available. There is fun to be had by all!

Looking for something different to do this holiday season? Check out The Festival of Trees this weekend in Lansing. This year, the event is hosted at the Turner-Dodge House in Old Town. I remember this event as a child. It was always so magical to see so many variations on something so familiar. The creativity is inspiring! The submissions are from businesses, groups, and individuals from around the Lansing area. Specific information can be found at the link below.

It feels like you are "up north" when you are at Hawk Island Park, and it's only a 10-minute drive from Downtown Lansing or East Lansing. Hawk Island County Park is a 100-acre park in Lansing. You can live within walking distance from the park for less than $100,000.

The park offers enough to keep the entire family busy: boat rentals, swimming beach, splash pad, picnic areas, sand volleyball, horseshoes, fishing, a playground, and snow tubing in the winter. I frequently walk the park in the early morning, bike around in the evening, and while fly fishing, catch some bluegill. You can easily spend hours enjoying the outdoors at Hawk Island. There is a low vehicle entrance fee, or you can buy a year-round pass that gets you into all the Ingham County Parks. If you are walking in, there is no fee. I recommend getting the pass. Once you visit Hawk Island you will be planning your return.

Every year on the Saturday after Memorial Day weekend, the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor's Bureau hosts an event called "Be A Tourist In Your Own Town". For $1, you can visit over 90 attractions in the Greater Lansing area, such as the Capitol Building, Potter Park Zoo, Lugnuts Stadium, art galleries, museums, breweries and more. You can also ride the CATA buses for a very affordable price (50 cents in 2015). It's a great way to see all the cool things that Greater Lansing has to offer.

Great News! Office and retail space in Downtown Lansing seem to be heating up. For starters, there are several new projects under development, not the least of which are several new residential properties being built. Not only that, but the Michigan Association of Broadcasters is also building a brand new media center just three blocks from the State Capitol. This facility will not only house the Association's new office space but a new, state of the art media center that can be used by State Government, the City of Lansing, and anyone who needs a facility with the latest in high tech internet services.

Still more! There are several major players who are shopping Downtown for redevelopment and expansion. All of this activity should produce an added need for more retail and residential space. We are seeing tenants and buyers asking about space for daycare, restaurants, theater, and professional use.

A recent collaboration between MSU, the City of Lansing, and the Chamber of Commerce brings a ton of new economic energy to our Capitol City. It looks like Lansing is beginning to live up to the reputation of being a "cool city".

Ingham County is well known for its beautiful parks. You can get a little of everything in one county. You can visit Hawk Island Park, Burchfield Park, and Lake Lansing Park. Hawk Island is a great place to go running, hiking, fishing, tubing and has its own dog park. Burchfield Park features a great pool, cross country skiing, and disc golf. At Lake Lansing Park you can enjoy laying out on the beach, taking a spin on your boat or simply enjoy the beautiful sights throughout the 1,200 acres of Parkland. We are lucky to have our County take such good care of our parks. There is truly something to do year-round!

Sleepy Hollow State Park is over 2,600 acres of trails and lakes. Great place to hike, mountain bike, cross-country skiing, fishing, boating, picnicking, wildlife viewing, snowmobiling, hunting, and disk golfing. If you haven't been to our wonderful state park you should check it out.

The river walk extends along the Grand River in Lansing and is a great place to not only get good exercise through walking, running or biking, but also a great way to explore the city as it now connects areas of interest across town.

Downtown Lansing has easy access to city life and great local restaurants and is within walking distance from the capital. It is a fantastic community with local events happening every week.