Beyond the Bus blog logo

Drive Your Relationship Forward with CATA — Top 5 Date Ideas

Friday, February 14, 2025

Categories: Blog, Community

Looking for a fun and unique date idea in the Capital City region? Whether you’re into great food, thrilling adventures or relaxing spots, this area offers a variety of destinations perfect for any time of year. CATA is ready to drive your relationship forward and take you to an unforgettable date.

  1. Explore favorite eateries around town

The Capital City region provides some of the best eateries in the state, offering not only sit-down restaurants but entertainment as well. Every couple will surely find a wide variety of options.Lansing Shuffle

  • Lansing Shuffle: Hosting six different eateries, the Lansing Shuffle offers a diverse range of cuisines including Mexican, Nepali, Southeast Asian, American and Mediterranean. In addition, they have a couple of bars, shuffleboard courts, live music, an outdoor patio with a view of the river and entertainment events. Hop on Routes 1, 8, 10 and 13 to get there.
  • REO Town Clubhouse: Craving some authentic Italian cuisine? Visit one of the best Italian eateries in the city. REO Town Clubhouse not only offers wonderful food, but also lively entertainment. You can take Route 2 to get there easily.
  • Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant: Enjoy some delicious Mexican food at Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant in the heart of Old Town. It has been a long-standing family-owned restaurant that provides customers the best Mexican food in town. The atmosphere is sure to brighten up the date as well. Make sure to conveniently take Routes 14 or 16 to get there. 
  1. Experience thrilling fun at an indoor adventure

Are you in the mood to go on a thrill-seeking adventure? Look no further than the fun options the city has to offer:

  • High Caliber Karting & Entertainment: Offering high-speed go-karting on their indoor tracks, High Caliber will surely provide you with an exhilarating ride. You can also have fun at their arcade, axe throwing, football bowling and more exciting activities. Take Routes 1, 22 and 23 to get to Meridian Mall.   Zap Zone XL
  • Zap Zone XL: Set your inner child free. A lively attraction that will make your date more exciting. Zap Zone XL is located at Lansing Mall, offering more than 15 attractions including go-karting, axe-throwing, laser tag and more. Make sure to take Route 3 to get there with ease.
  • Spare Time Entertainment: Boasting a variety of amusing activities, Spare Time Entertainment offers fun activities such as bowling, escape rooms, mini golf, axe throwing and more. Take Routes 13 and 15 to get there hassle-free.
  1. Find your groove at Grewal Hall

Grewal Hall

 

Do you want to jam out on your date? Grewal Hall is the perfect place for a variety of entertainment options. Enjoy live music or a comedy show to boost your energy and lift your spirits. CATA operates 16 routes that connect to the CATA Transportation Center downtown during the week with 11 routes serving the CTC on weekends. The CTC is just a short walk from Grewal Hall.

 

  1. Test out your skills in the kitchen

Spend your date learning how to make a special meal or treat together. The Capital City region has several restaurants and bakeries that offer cooking classes.Cooking Class

  • Social Sloth Café and Bakery: Take a two-hour class at the Café and Bakery to whip up some delicious Turkish delicacies. Take Routes 22, 23 or 48 to get there.
  • Saddleback BBQ: Appreciate Southern BBQ with a Midwestern flair by taking a cooking class at Saddleback BBQ. Take Route 2 to get there.
  • Sweet Encounter Bakery: Enjoy making homemade pasta or decorating a cake at the Sweet Encounter Bakery in downtown Lansing. CATA operates 16 routes that connect to the CATA Transportation Center downtown during the week with 11 routes serving the CTC on weekends. The CTC is just a short walk from Sweet Encounter Bakery.
  1. Enjoy a relaxing activity

A date can also just be about slowing down and enjoying each other’s company in a more relaxed setting. Movie Theater in Lansing

  • Movie theaters: Catch a movie at some of the best movie theaters in the Capital City region.
    • Celebration Cinema Lansing & IMAX: Route 5
    • NCG Cinema – Lansing + Xtreme: Route 16
    • Regal Lansing Mall: Route 3
    • Studio C Meridian Mall: Route 23
  • Constellation Cat Café: Visit the purr-fect place to have a date petting cats and sipping delicious drinks. The Constellation Cat Café offers a cute café and a small shop with an adjoining room to pet cats. Take Route 24 to get there.

Cat at Constellation Cat Cafe  Drink at Constellation Cat Cafe

  • Art Unlimited: Are you in the mood to get creative on your date? Then, look no further than Art Unlimited to unleash your creativity in a peaceful setting. Hop on Routes 1 or 23 to get there.
  • Wine and Canvas: Feeling artistic? Enjoy an evening of painting at Wine and Canvas, located in the Frandor Shopping Center in Lansing. Take Route 1 to get there.

 

Explore the Capital City region with your date! CATA can get you to all these locations with ease. Plan your trip with the trip planner tool for a special experience!

Related Content:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Art in Motion: An Escape into Steph Joy Hogan’s Perfect Little Imaginary World

Friday, November 15, 2024

Categories: Blog, Community

Steph Joy Hogan, a visual storyteller and a vivid 2D mixed-media artist, illustrates a natural blend of her own imagination and inspiration from other worlds. Even though she always considered herself an artist and studied art at university, it wasn’t until age 40 when she took her work more seriously and became a professional artist.

Hogan brings to life a piece from her Scrapscapes series, inspired by her love of space, science fiction, animals and children’s imaginations. The quirky and whimsy children’s stories fuel her passion to create art that invites curiosity and wonder.

Having previously shown her artwork through the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and their partnership with CATA, she was given the opportunity to feature some of her artwork on the bus.

   

“Creating connection and sharing joy (it is my middle name after all!) are what drive me to create.  I've been so fortunate in finding opportunities to brighten our community with my work, but even with my over-active imagination I never dreamed I'd see my artwork gliding around town at so large a scale!” Hogan said.

As a Lansing native who grew up riding CATA buses, this collaboration is a dream come true. She hopes her art on wheels inspires the community to widen their imagination and let their sense of wonder lead them to dream.

“My aim is to create connection with artwork that energizes spaces and fuels imaginations. I want the work to spark curiosity in the viewer. Everything moves so fast today. I want them to be left with just a moment of wonder,” Hogan added.

According to Hogan, art has been a comforting and meditative medium that calms her ADHD brain. Through her artistry, she is always on the search for deeper and more meaningful connections.

“I'm a very social person but haven't always found it easy to really connect with people more than superficially. Sharing my artwork at in-person events like art festivals has given me the chance to find real kindred spirits who connect with the stories I'm sharing through my artwork.  I know them immediately when I see them react to my work and it reminds me, I'm not alone!”

Her artwork goes beyond her inner self. She seeks to invite the viewers along for the ride in capturing her unique interpretation of the world as she strives to make sense of it.

“For me, art is not only a means of self-expression, but a way to understand the people and places around me. Art is communication and connection. It's storytelling, our human story, and really the essence of humanity in so many ways,” Hogan said.

Hogan’s creative journey hopes to bring out the quirky, unusual and surprising aspects of life. She envisions her art being a source of inspiration and connection to spark more meaningful and important conversations within the Greater Lansing community.

Escape to an imaginary world by keeping an eye out for Steph Joy Hogan’s out-of-this-world artwork on one of CATA’s buses. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing and CATA’s partnership have helped display Capital City Region’s local art scene through the Art in Motion campaign.  

 

Related Links: 

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Navigating New Horizons: Naung Naung Htoo’s Journey with CATA

Monday, November 11, 2024

Categories: Blog, Community

Naung Naung Htoo, a dedicated advocate for rural farmers from Yangon, Myanmar, is making strides in agriculture. His participation in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) has not only expanded his understanding of sustainable practices but also deepened his involvement with organizations like the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

The YSEALI is a fellowship between the U.S. government and Southeast Asia to strengthen leadership development and networking through a variety of programs.Pictured In front of the CATA Transportation Center (left to right) is Chioma Lewis, Margaret Stephens, MDARD's Nate Engle, YSEALI fellow Naung Naung Htoo, Lolo Robison, and Brandie Yates. “International exchanges are an important part of fostering understanding and cooperation between countries,” said Nate Engle, Director of Community Engagement of the MDARD. “…to host young professionals, facilitate learning about things done in the state and in local communities to make places and quality of life better for citizens while offering educational moments so that a YSEALI fellow can take ideas back to their own country and contribute to further development, at home.”

During his time in Michigan, Htoo collaborated with MDARD on climate action strategies, particularly learning about their Climate Next Steps initiative. “These strategies aim to enhance sustainability and reduce agriculture’s environmental impact, offering ideas that could be adapted to my work in Myanmar,” he explained. This hands-on experience has equipped him with valuable insights into balancing agricultural productivity with environmental protection.

It's not just his work with agriculture that stands out—his experience navigating Lansing using CATA has transformed his daily life. “Using the public bus system allowed me to navigate the city without the need for a personal vehicle,” Htoo shared. He found the organized routes and reliable schedules to be a stress-free way to reach meetings and explore local attractions.

Htoo compared his expMargaret Stevens pose for a photo with Naung Naung Htoo holding up his phone open to the Transit App.eriences with public transport back home to those in Lansing. “Lansing’s system feels more user-friendly, with clear signage and well-maintained vehicles,” he said, contrasting it with the less structured and often overcrowded buses in Myanmar. “While public transportation is affordable in Myanmar, it can be less reliable and is still developing in many areas.”

Certain CATA routes, particularly those connecting Michigan State University and downtown Lansing, have proven especially useful for him. The Transit app, which tracks schedules and provides real-time updates, has made his experience even smoother. “This technology made my experience with public transportation easier, especially as someone new to Lansing,” Htoo explained.

Using CATA has not only improved his mobility but also enriched his understanding of the Lansing community. “Traveling alongside local residents helped me gain insight into their daily lives and the vibrant culture of the city,” he said. Through these experiences, Naung has come to appreciate the importance of efficient public transport systems in fostering community engagement and sustainability.

Naung Naung Htoo’s journey highlights the impact of accessible transportation on both personal and professional growth. His experience with CATA and MDARD reflects how public transit can empower individuals to explore new environments, connect with communities, and ultimately contribute to meaningful change.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
1345678910Last

Theme picker

Submit your story

We want to hear from you! Share your story about a great ride, a driver that went above and beyond or how CATA helps you get around the community for a chance to be featured in a future blog post.

If you have a customer experience question or concern, please use our Contact Us form or call us directly at 517-394-1000.

Subscribe to blog updates