Thinking of moving to Lansing? Michigan’s capital city is a great place for families, thanks to its affordable housing options, highly-rated schools, outdoor recreation spots, and kid-friendly entertainment. Check out these five best Lansing suburbs for families!
DeWitt
- Home Price: $217,000 median purchase price; $888 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 78% of Michigan cities
DeWitt has everything families may be searching for in a Lansing suburb. Housing options include spacious brick ranches, Colonial-style homes, and Modern single-family houses. Plus, since Dewitt is located around Lake Geneva, this suburb offers beautiful, waterfront living with close proximity to the Looking Glass River! Embrace that sense of community when you stop by the seasonal DeWitt Farmers Market to peruse a variety of food vendors or visit the Downtown DeWitt Business District for events like the Bridge + Main Spring Outdoor Market—which features food trucks, clothing boutiques, and bakeries. Residents in DeWitt can send their children to top-rated schools like David Scott Elementary School, DeWitt Middle School, and DeWitt High School. And with Downtown Lansing just a 20-minute drive away, you won’t have to go far to find even more entertainment, parks, and restaurants!
Things to Do in DeWitt
Get outside and enjoy a scenic boat ride, go for a swim, or take the family fishing at Lake Geneva. Play a game of basketball or walk along the Looking Glass River at McGuire Park. Plan a picnic with friends and go kayaking or canoeing at Riverside Park. Spend an afternoon playing golf on the 18-hole course or perfect your swing on the practice green at Prairie Creek Golf & Banquet Center. Chow down on a Veggie Omelette, Traditional French Toast, or a Belgian Waffle at Family Tree Cafe. Dive into traditional Mexican meals like Pablos Burritos, Nachos Locos, or Enchiladas Bandera at Fiesta Charra. Indulge in fine dining at Bridge Street Social, where you can order Filet Mignon or Smoked Meatloaf. And save room for dessert like the S’more Sundae or Banana Split at Scoopy Doo’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream.
Dimondale
- Home Price: $162,900 median purchase price; $740 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 74% of Michigan cities
Located on the banks of the Grand River, Dimondale is a quaint Lansing suburb known for its small-town atmosphere and close-knit community. Families will find a variety of things to do here with many nearby shops, restaurants, parks, and trails. Residents often enjoy waterfront activities including some of the best kayaking and coneing in Michigan at the scenic Middle Grand River Heritage Water Trail. Dimondale also offers excellent educational opportunities at its great schools within the Holt Public School District like Dimondale Elementary School. Plus, this Lansing suburb has many housing options like Modern apartments, renovated historical buildings, farmhouses with plenty of green space, and charming ranches.
Things to Do in Dimondale
Spend a day kayaking or plan a fishing trip with the family at Danford Island Park. Go for a jog or let the little enjoy the playground at Lions Park. Enroll your kids in the summer reading program or browse through books at the Dorothy Hull Library. Find locally grown food and a variety of vendors from June to October at the Dimondale Farmers’ Market. Begin your morning with a Breakfast Burrito, French Toast, or Avocado Toast at MorningLory Cafe & Bakery. Chow down on a Pastrami Reuben Sandwich or Sweet Onion Quesadilla, with some Tomato Soup at Dimes Brewhouse. Grab a sweet treat like the Banana Split, Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich, or Ice Cream Nachos at Village Ice Cream & Cafe. Or if you’re looking for a place to eat for dinner, try a Turkey Bacon Wrap, Olive Burger, or Fish & Chips at Nico’s Pub & Grill.
Grand Ledge
- Home Price: $147,200 median purchase price; $845 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Michigan cities
Families moving to Lansing should check out Grand Ledge, a suburb in west Lansing offering good walkability, family-friendly entertainment, and local restaurants! Named after The Ledges—which are 300 million-year-old sandstone cliffs—Grand Ledge offers amazing views of the Grand River. Families can also enjoy plenty of things to do outdoors, as this Lansing suburb is home to scenic parks like Oak Park and Island Park! This suburban area has many affordable housing options as well, including ranches and American Foursquares, in addition to newly constructed homes, all of which are perfect for growing families. And Grand Ledge offers quality education at its fantastic schools within the Grand Ledge Public School District.
Things to Do in Grand Ledge
Walk your dog, play sand volleyball, or let the kiddos play on the splash pad at Jaycee Park. Ride go-karts, play miniature golf, and compete in arcade games at the seasonal FunTyme Adventure Park. Just 10 minutes from the suburb’s center, take a horseback riding lesson or embark on a guided trail ride tour of over 200 acres of scenic countryside at Sundance Riding Stables. Learn more about Grand Ledge’s rich history and check out exhibits like The Seven Islands Resort while visiting the Grand Ledge Area Historical Society and Museum. Order breakfast dishes like the Eggs Benedict or a Nutella Waffle for the kids at Sophia’s House of Pancakes. Grab a Vegan Wrap, Michigan Salad, or Turkey & Bacon Sandwich at Flour Child Bakery & Cafe. Enjoy a BLT or Buffalo Chicken Panini with a BrickHaven Stout beer at BrickHaven Brewing Company. Or spend an evening on the patio feasting on Pasta Giovanni, Chicken Bruschetta Pizza, or a Michigan Cherry Salad at Cugino’s Italian Restaurant.
Okemos
- Home Price: $264,300 median purchase price; $1,060 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 56% of Michigan cities
Okemos is a large East Lansing suburb within 15 minutes of the city center, and it’s a favorite among families! This area is ideal for those wanting quick access to dining and entertainment options as well as kid-friendly outdoor recreation areas and trails and pathways like Hartrick Park and Ferguson Park. Okemos is also home to highly rated schools like Chippewa 7-8 School, Okemos High School, as well as Michigan State University—which means your graduates can stay near home while attending college! Families will always have something to do in Okemos, thanks to events in the Meridian Charter Township and on the MSU campus. As for housing, popular options for families include Colonial-style homes and trendy ranches to Modern condos.
Things to Do in Okemos
Embark on a hike with the family, go for a run, or watch the wildlife along the trails at Harris Nature Center. Grill out for a family barbecue or exercise with fitness equipment at Wonch Park. Stretching over 472 square miles, take the family out for kayaking or canoeing on the Red Cedar River. See over 500 animals from around the world or sign the kids up for Zookambi Summer Camp at Potter Park Zoo. Learn about Native American culture by taking a cultural art class or museum tour at Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center, and let the kids explore log cabin living during a summer day camp at the Meridian Historical Village. Pick up a Custard Danish or Spinach & Feta Pastry with an Iced Americano at Chapelure. Try authentic Indian food in Lansing and feast on Tandoor Chicken, Kheema Naan, or Lamb Curry at Persis Indian Grill. Or savor dishes like a Lamb Gyro Platter, Falafel & Hummus Wrap, or Chicken Kabob at Ozzy’s Kabob.
Williamston
- Home Price: $171,900 median purchase price; $870 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 55% of Michigan cities
Located east of Lansing along the Red Cedar River, Williamston is another perfect suburb for families! This charming town is a hidden gem known for its Victorian-era architecture and historical buildings in the Downtown Historic District. Williamston is full of beautiful homes, including cozy ranches, eclectic farmhouses, and Colonial-style homes, giving families in Lansing plenty of housing options. Plus, families will find top-rated schools within the Williamston Community Schools District from elementary school up to high school, and they can take advantage of the fun things to do with events like the Williamston Summer Concert Series!
Things to Do in Williamston
Go fishing off the pier on the Red Cedar River, take a stroll along the boardwalk, or let the kids play on the swings while spending the afternoon at the green spaces at McCormick Park. See exhibitions like The History of Williamston, Williamston in War, or Williamston Depot’s Telegraph Station at Williamston Depot Museum. Sit back and enjoy the latest movie releases at the Sun Theatre. If you’re interested in family-friendly arts and crafts activities, take the kids to the Seedlings & Sprouts program at the Eastern Ingham Farmers Market. Try some Chinese cuisine like Orange Chicken, Wonton Soup, or Beef Chow Mein at Szechuan Garden. Fill up on dishes like a BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Cherry Harvest Burger, or Hot Honey Chicken Pizza for dinner at Tavern 109. Or munch on Mexican favorites like a Grilled Chicken Quesadilla, Nachos Vallarta, or a Shrimp Taco Salad at Cancun Mexican Grill Williamston.
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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
