Page 20 - LRCC July 2023 FOCUS

Greater Lansing’s Tourism Industry on the Comeback Trail

Some of the funds from the Old Town Lansing, on the
capital campaign will be Music in the Park is a free concert series on city’s north end, is a cultural
used to bring in travelling Thursday evening at picturesque Jaycee Park in and creative district that
exhibits. Impression 5 just downtown Grand Ledge. offers unique experiences
finished hosting DC Super through special events
Heroes which was an and eclectic shops and is a
exhibit from the Children’s significant contributor to the
Museum of Indianapolis. In regional tourism industry.
May, Impression 5 opened
Doc McStuffins based on Old Town Lansing has 54
Disney Junior’s Peabody first-floor store fronts, 31
Award-winning television of which are unique retail
series. Doc McStuffins: The boutique spaces. There
Exhibit will run through are 14 restaurants, five art
Sunday, Sept. 24. The highly galleries and Urban Beat, a
interactive English and music venue that showcases
Spanish bilingual experience Old Town Lansing is a cultural and creative the diverse music culture of
will transport kids and families district that is a significant contributor to the region. The River Walk
from Doc’s backyard clinic to the regional tourism industry. connects Old Town to the
the McStuffins Toy Hospital. rest of the city. The area is
There, families are invited to also known for its festivals
help Doc perform check-ups including the Scrapfest on
and diagnose toy patients, July 14 and Jazz Fest on Aug. 3.
while learning about healthy
habits, compassion, and Sports is Big Business
nurturing care as they explore
as “doctors-in-training”. The love of sports has a
significant impact on the
Potter Park Zoo is another local tourism industry.
family favorite, attracting an Michigan State athletics
average of 180,000 visitors drive visitors from both
per year. The Society Executive Director of Potter Park, within the region and from around the country to local
Amy Morris, says the Zoo offers something different as hotels, restaurants, and other attractions.
an attraction.
In recognition of the importance of sports in tourism,
“We offer people the opportunity to be in the middle of a GLCVB created the Greater Lansing Sports Authority in
city and connect with nature,” said Morris. “Our goal is to 2007. The Authority hosts 80-100 amateur sporting events
encourage conservation of animals and the natural world. a year. Last year, those events brought 50,000 athletes
Our hope is that all of our guests get that experience and more than 230,000 spectators to the region.
when they walk through the gates.”
“It’s been extremely successful for us in terms of having
This year, Potter Park has initiated conversation education these regional or national events take place here and
stations throughout the Zoo. then they keep coming back,” said Pingston. “Our team is
extremely dedicated to going the extra mile to make our
“Not only do visitors get to tour the Zoo and look at the community stand out.”
animals, they get an opportunity to engage with people
and receive additional information about conservation The Michigan Trapshooting Association in Mason has
status of the animals and steps they can take at home to hosted national events bringing in people from all over
improve the environment,” said Morris. “We feel that has the country. The Lansing Center in downtown Lansing,
changed the experience of coming to the Zoo.” which is typically fairly quiet in the summer, will be filled
in the month of July with sporting events including a
The summer is prime time for visitors at the Zoo. Among major youth wrestling event and the National Horseshoe
the numerous special events on tap are the annual Zoo Pitchers Association World Championships. In May,
Days on July 11 & 12. Visitors can enter the family friendly the region hosted the NCAA Men’s Division 1 Regional
event for a reduced admission of $2. July 20 from 5 until 8 Golf Championship at Eagle Eye Golf Course in Bath
p.m. is an adults only event, Zoo Nights, which is a casual, Township. Next year, Forest Akers Golf Course will host
happy hour-style event that will feature tastes from local the NCAA D1 Regional Golf Championship. In June, the
restaurants and beverage companies. Visitors can see Michigan High School Athletic Association hosted state
the zoo after-hours, visit with the animals, and enjoy yard tournaments for baseball, softball and soccer all over the
games with friends all while savoring tasty treats. same weekend at MSU facilities.

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