Beyond the Bus

One of the best ways to fight the winter blues? Explore local activities with family and friends! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Greater Lansing in the colder months:

1. Get up close to the biggest Christmas tree and ornaments in Lansing

People come from all over the state to see the 58-foot tree displayed in front of the Michigan Capitol building. It’s become a clear icon to the city, standing tall and proud. And for the first year ever, the state Christmas tree comes right from Lansing, thanks to two generous donors.

The red holiday ornaments are another crowd favorite. These giant picturesque sculptures are in the roundabout at Michigan Avenue and Washington Square, within walking distance from the Capitol. 

Save on parking and take the bus to these gorgeous decorations! Check out our trip planner to find the best route for you.

2. Experience the Wonderland of Lights at Potter Park Zoo.

Holiday lights, music, animal encounters and goodie bags make this event a real treat. Catch the Wonderland of Lights from Thursday through Sunday until Dec. 27.

Click here for details.

3. Support local artists at the REO Town Marketplace Holiday Bazaar.

Still have a few people on your holiday shopping list? The REO Town Marketplace presents a chance to shop for Michigan artisan-made goods. This fun new way to shop local is open now until December 24.

Click here to learn more.

4. Hit the snow-covered slopes at Hawk Island.

As Hawk Island is less than a mile from CATA headquarters, this is one of our favorite wintertime activities. Bring your family, grab a few friends or go it alone on one of Hawk Island’s tube runs, ranging from 500-600 feet long. Then warm up at the snack bar with a cup of hot chocolate and s’mores.

Click here for snow tubing hours and pricing.

5. Challenge your inner learner at Impression 5 Science Center.

Impression 5 is an awesome place for kids of all ages to explore, learn and have fun! It was one of the first hands-on science museums in the country when it opened in 1972. Forty-eight years later, it remains a spot for the entire family to enjoy.

For hours and pricing, please visit impression5.org.

6. Shop small at the East Lansing Small Business Crawl.

Support local small businesses and earn points to win prizes during this year’s football-themed East Lansing Small Business Crawl! Players receive points by saving their receipts and submitting them on the Lansing Regional Chamber website. The more points earned, the more chances to win the grand prize of $1,000. The event is running from December 7-12. 

Learn more about the event here.

7. Treat yourself every Tuesday in Old Town Lansing.

Treat Tuesdays in Old Town are the perfect way to add some fun to your week. Each Tuesday, a different Old Town business will feature a “treat” which could be a sale, a giveaway, or other perks that make shopping local even greater. Treat Tuesdays will be going into 2021, so there are plenty of chances to explore local businesses in Old Town. 

See the full schedule for Treat Tuesdays here.

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1. Safely trick-or-treat in your own neighborhood.

After a bit of a scare, trick-or-treating is officially a go in Lansing and East Lansing! Here are a few tips on how to keep yourself and your kids safe and healthy.

2. Make like Lightning McQueen, and drive through trick-or-treating.

The Lansing Parks and Recreation Department is holding a drive-thru trick-or-treat event on Halloween from 1-3 p.m. at Frances Park. Enjoy all the thrills of trick-or-treating with over 40 local vendors, all from the safety of your own car! Blue Cross Blue Shield will also be on site providing free flu shots. For more information, click here. 

3. Ghosts, ghouls and souls will be at the polls.

Enjoy your favorite activities while also exercising your right to vote! The Lansing City Clerk’s office is hosting a Halloween drive-thru trick-or-treat event complete with music, prizes, onsite voter registration and ballot drop off. You won’t want to miss this awesome event! Click here for details.

2. Cheer the Spartans to victory against the Wolverines.

Whether you’ll be in a costume this Halloween or in your jersey cheering on the Spartans, Ellison Brewery and Spirits is the perfect Halloween spot for the whole family. Their family-friendly Halloween party will include a costume contest, live music and prizes. Learn more here. 

3. You have the right to remain trunk-or-treating.

Is it possible to have too much candy? We don’t think so! The Lansing Police Department’s Community Service Unit is hosting a drive-thru trunk-or-treat event on Halloween. Say hi to McGruff the Crime Dog while you're there! Click here to learn more. 

4. Suit up for a spooktacular photo.

Looking for a way to get in the Halloween spirit from home? Check out East Lansing’s inaugural Great Pumpkin Photo Contest! Submit a photo in costume by November 1 for a chance to win amazing prizes. Click here for contest rules and information.

5. Enjoy Halloween specials at your favorite local haunts.

Many places around Lansing will be treating you to specilty drinks and snacks that are sure to spook even the bravest of foodies. Test your sleuthing skills at a Socially Distanced Murder Mystery at The Bistro in Williamston, carve your imagination with Midtown Brewing's pumpkin carving nights, or delight your pallate with apple streudel bites and a sweet potato harvest bowl from Hopcat. 

The novel coronavirus has brought a lot of changes this year.

CATA has taken part in the nationwide #SoundTheHorn campaign, learned how to make face masks, and even spread the word on how to virtually access local libraries. On a larger scale, we shut down our facilities for months to slow the spread of COVID-19, temporarily suspended bus fares, adopted free curb-to-curb service and only recently returned to our fixed-route system with safety protocols in place.

While some adaptations were easy, others proved more difficult such as limited accessibility to our friends, family and summer events. We have learned how to connect virtually, substituting our normal interactions with ones from miles apart. 

This year, the annual Come Clean Duathlon, like many other local races, is taking on the virtual approach. 

Here are just a few reasons why this virtual race is going to be a great experience.

1. It's connecting you with a cause.

Hosted by CATA's Clean Commute Options program, we designed this race to be a way to encourage people to get out, enjoy the fresh air and learn about clean commuting. With the current state of our climate and the challenges it faces, it is more important than ever that we all do our part! We promote alternative ways to travel such as biking, walking (or running!), riding the bus and car/vanpooling to help keep emissions down and our air clean. 

In addition to promoting clean air, this year we are giving back to the members of our local community that have given so much to to us. We will hold a raffle with big ticket items purchased from Playmakers, Pizza House and Creative Wellness. We will also be raffling off gift cards from local restaurants.

You will automatically receive a raffle ticket with registration. For each person you refer to our race, you can also earn a bonus raffle entry and $5 back from your registration fee.

2. The swag couldn't be sweeter, unless it was candy. 

Looking for an awesome takeaway to show off your commitment to the in environment, as well as the completion of this awesome athletic endeavor? We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you will receive when you register for this event:

• Medals for all finishers
• Awesome race shirt
• Custom race bib
• Come Clean Duathlon face mask
• Raffle prizes from local businesses
• Digitally remastered race photos that we ask you to take and submit

3. Location, location, location.

One of the most incredible parts of a virtual race is the freedom to complete it at your own pace, in your own time, and in whatever place you choose. Do you prefer to run by the water? Through the country? In the comfort of your own home? Find your racetrack wherever you feel safe and comfortable (and can easily maintain social distancing guidelines!).

4. You can run, bike and run far away from the quarantine blues.

Looking for something to get you out of your tired old routine? Here is your perfect excuse to get outside and be part of an event, while still maintaining all safety and social distancing regulations. Here is your chance to be a part of something bigger! Get your kids, family members and friends involved.  For each person you refer to the 2020 Come Clean Duathlon, you can earn a bonus raffle entry and $5 back from your registration fee.

Ready to register? Visit comecleanduathlon.org now before our 150 spots fill up.