To enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan, Lansing offers many fine parks. For complete information on Lansing's playgrounds and parks, contact the City of Lansing Department of Parks & Recreation, (517) 483-4307. Some major sights you won't want to miss include:

Cooley Gardens, at Capitol and Main Street (517) 483-4277

Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing (517) 483-4224

MSU 4-H Children's Garden and MSU Horticultural Demonstration Gardens, on the Campus of MSU, Bogue Street and Service Rd., (517) 355-0348

Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing (517) 483-4222

Woldumar Nature Center, 5539 Lansing Road, Lansing (517) 322-0030

Some of Lansing's Public Libraries and Museums include:

Abrams Planetarium, MSU, (517) 355-4672

Impressions 5 Museum, Children's Science Central, 200 Museum Dr., (517) 485-8116

Kresge Art Museum, MSU, (517) 355-7631

Lansing Art Gallery, 425 S. Grand Ave., Lansing (517) 374-6400

Michigan Museum of Surveying, 220 S. Museum Dr., Lansing, MI 48933 (517) 484- 6605

Lansing Public Library, 401 S. Capitol, Lansing (517) 325-6412

Michigan Library and Historical Center, 717 W. Allegan, Lansing - This center houses the Michigan Historical Museum, the Library of Michigan, and the State Archives. There is no charge for tours or use of these facilities, contact (517) 373-2353, or on holidays and weekends, (517) 373-2348. The Michigan Library and Historical Center is located near the State Capitol Complex, in the western city block bounded by Washetenaw, Allegan, Butler and Sycamore.

Michigan Women's Historical Center & Hall of Fame, 213 W. Main, Lansing (517) 484-1880

R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, 240 Museum Dr., Lansing (517) 372-0422
Turner-Dodge House and Park, 100 E. North Street, Lansing (517) 483-4220

Some of the Fine Arts are strongly represented and available to the public in Lansing:

Center for the Arts, 425 S. Grand Ave., Lansing (517) 372-4636. This facility is the home of Lansing's BoarsHead Theater, a professional resident theater company. It also houses the Lansing Art Gallery.

Academy Ballet Theatre, 2224 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing 48933 (517) 372-9887

Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, (517) 487-5001

The Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing 48933 (517) 483-7400. This facility in the heart of downtown is the hub of activities ranging from ballet performance, conferences and exhibitions, banquets and receptions in a spacious, newly constructed building with plenty of parking.

Happendance, 3448 Hagadorn, Okemos, (517) 333-3528

Opera Company of Mid-Michigan, (517) 482-1431

Riverwalk Theater, 228 Museum Dr., Lansing (517) 372-0945

Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, corner of Bogue and Wilson Ave., Campus of MSU, (517) 432-2000 or (800) WHARTON. This is performing arts facility which presents world-class operatic, symphonic, theatrical and dance performances for the Greater Lansing community.

The Historical Society of Greater Lansing, P.O. Box 12095, Lansing, MI 48901, provides us the following listing of Historical Sites:

Beaumont Tower, West Circle Drive, Campus of MSU, the nation's first building for education in the agricultural sciences

Historic Old Town, just blocks north of the Capitol Loop off Washington Avenue

Ingham County Courthouse, Downtown Mason, (517) 676-7213

Lansing City Market, 333 N. Cedar St., north of Lansing Center (517) 483-4300. This old-fashioned farmer's market, established 1938, offers fresh produce, baked goods, and meats.

Malcolm X Homesite, 827 Vincent Court at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Lansing

Michigan Princess, Grand River Park in Lansing, a real river steamboat with paddle- wheel operates from February to December, fees from $15 - $45. Contact: J&K Steamboat Line, (517) 627-2154

MSU Museum, West Circle Drive, Campus of MSU, (517) 355-2370

Trinity A.M.E. Church, 3500 W. Holmes Rd., Lansing, (517) 882-5722 This church is the oldest African-American church in Lansing, tours are available by appointment.

Michigan Capitol Building - The cornerstone for the Michigan State Capitol building was laid in 1873, and the building was constructed under the architectural design of Elijah E. Myers. The Capitol Building was built using Illinois limestone, Ohio sandstone, and Vermont marble. It was dedicated on January 1, 1879. Over the years, the building fell into disrepair and a major restoration and refurbishment project was undertaken by the Legislature beginning in 1987. The Capitol was rededicated on November 19, 1992, and is a marvelous, authentic living reminder of Michigan's history and heritage.

Tours of the Capitol building are available to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays - Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 pm Saturdays, and Holidays by guided tour only; and Noon to 4 pm Sundays, by guided tour only. Contact the Capitol Tour Guide and Information Service, Capitol Building, Lansing, MI 48909, telephone (517) 373-2353 for more information.