Lansing has a Mural and Street Art Scene and It’s All for You
The effects of mural art on a city can be hard to directly calculate. However, the experience we have personally is tangible – it inspires, builds creative place-making, and develops a sense of community.
The amount of hard work, creativity, and vulnerability it takes to present a piece of art on a large scale like murals and street art is colossal.
The murals and art pieces around Lansing are beautiful gifts from some amazing artists – most local and others from around the world!
Simply put – Lansing’s art is for the people – us. Let’s get out and enjoy it!
43+ Iconic Photo Spots: Murals, Street Art, and Beautiful Buildings Around Lansing
My true motive for this article is to encourage us all to get out on the town and see how awesome Lansing is and is becoming!
From world-renowned street artists to our own home-grown innovators and artists – every day our city is becoming more and more beautiful to explore.
The best part of getting out and taking pictures isn’t so much the picture itself but the memories, learning, and conversations made as each piece offers something unique to discover.
NOTE: This list is not a full list of murals and art in our city. We will continue to update and add to the list.
01) ARTPath Murals
| ARTPath starts on the Lansing River Trail A) Address: 100 E North St, Lansing, MI 48906 |
Artist: Various
Art Path is lovely from start to finish. But this stretch of Art Path is stunning, heartbreaking, and a must-experience for important and needed conversations.
Here are a few pictures of the many pieces under the bridge.
| Adado Riverfront Park B) Address: 201 E Shiawassee St, Lansing, MI 48933 |
From afar this piece looks like a big frog with lots of bold colors – super cool right? Well, up close is even better. Reading the artist’s statement is always helpful but this piece needs little to no explanation when you actually walk up to it…the tears of the frog are tadpoles.
| Lansing River Trail C) Address: Located under the Kalamazoo street bridge. |
As we rode up on our bikes to see this piece for the first time it was like a sudden punch of beauty! It’s gorgeous.
**For a full list of ArtPath murals see this map.
02) Downtown Lansing Alley Murals
| In the alley behind Aladdin’s Address: 208 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933 |
Artist: Muralmatics/Dustin Hunt
This mural happens to be painted by one of my friends and it’s a portrait of a mutual friend. But that doesn’t mean it will be any more special to me than it is to you. There’s so much feeling in the eyes of this piece and I know when you see it you’ll love it just as much too!
03) Lansing Media Center
| Address: 2500 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910 |
Artist: Max Sansing (commissioned by Below the Stacks 2019)
This futuristic and colorful work of art was a site of the Below the Stacks Mural Festival 2019. One of our writer’s daughters said of the piece “Look like she has ‘Frozen’ powers!”
We love this piece for the great conversations it ensues and the awesome addition it is to a southside neighborhood.
04) Centennial Building
| Address: 511 South Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48933 |
Artist: Imagine (commissioned by Below the Stacks 2019)
Located directly across from the bus station this piece titled “All are Welcome – To Lansing, with Love from Nepal” is written in Nepali characters and a sweet message to our city where new beginnings are able to happen and anything is possible.
05) Pere Marquette Corridor
| Address: (parking on Pere Marquette Drive) Directly behind 619 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing MI 48912 |
Artist: Royyal Dog (commissioned by Below the Stacks 2019)
Royyal Dog’s masterpiece is a painting of his wife. It’s absolutely breathtaking and a must-visit on foot so you can take in all of the detail.
06) Gillespie Red Building
| Address: 413 N Larch St, Lansing, MI 48912 |
Artist: Wing Chow (commissioned by Below the Stacks 2019)
This was a very cool piece to watch be created from start to finish. It’s last touches take it over the top with grand imagination and wonder.
07) Ahptic Productions
| Address: 901 Cleveland St, Lansing, MI 48906 |
Artist: Werc (commissioned by Below the Stacks 2019)
This is the work of what dreams are made of. Werc’s lion is LOVELY in pictures and absolutely AWE-INSPIRING in person. When you go see this I recommend parking on Cleveland St. on the south side of Oakland so that you can see it from afar. To get a closer look you’ll need to cross the busy street and park on the north side of Oakland on Cleveland st.
08) Polka Dots Building
| Address: 1207 Turner Rd, Lansing, MI 48906 |
artist: Nanibah Nani Chacon
Nanibah graced our Lansing Old Town streets with this breathtaking mural after talking with many local northside residents and hearing their stories. It’s awe-inspiring and seeing it in person is spectacular.
09) The Grid Arcade and Bar
| Address: 226 E César E. Chávez Ave, Lansing, MI 48906 |
Artist: Sentrock (commissioned by Below the Stacks 2019)
This is a very special piece for Lansing for many reasons but a stand-out is that it depicts that blood, sweat, and tears create something beautiful. So true of our resilient city.
10) Old Town Vacant Lot
| Address: (Across from Elderly Musical Instruments) 1115 N. Washington Ave, Lansing MI 48906 |
Artist: Muralmatics (commissioned by Below the Stacks 2019,) and Redhead Design Studio
This building has two projects:
A) This Stevie Wonder tribute piece is an extra special gem for my family not only because Stevie Wonder went to school just down the street at the School for the Blind, but my little cutie-pie was the photo model for the artist, Dustin Hunt. I am forever thankful, Dustin!
B) To create a more vibrant spot in this portion of Old Town, Redhead Design Studio was commissioned to paint pieces to place on the building. We found them especially vibrant during the winter months when most of the area’s trees are bare.
11) Downtown Lansing Parking Lot
| Address: Grand Ave. Downtown Lansing |
You’ll be able to see this piece from multiple locations and views around Downtown Lansing, but do yourself a favor and go see it up close. It’s beautiful to look up at and gaze on from across the street on the west side of the Lansing River Trail.
12) Kean’s Store Co
| Address: 406 S. Jefferson St, Mason, MI 48854 |
Artist: Htown Ink
In-person, you’ll love the beautifully whimsical feel this gives downtown Mason.
13) Bad Brewing Company
| Address: In the back patio of Bad Brewing 440 S Jefferson St, Mason, MI 48854 |
If you eat outside on the back patio of Bad Brewing you’ll walk past this pretty mural. The steps are directly up against the walk. You can also gaze at it through the igloos.
14) REO Town BWL Parking Lot
| Address: 1132 S. Washington, Lansing, MI 48910 |
Artist: Sentrock
World-renowned artist, Sentrock, placed his iconic bird on this building when AOTA occupied the space 2015.
15) Elderly Instruments Mural Wall
| Address: 1100 N Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48906 |
I bought my first instrument at Elderly Music – a violin. Walk through these nostalgic doors for breathtaking guitars and instruments or take pics by their mural wall.
16) The Cadillac Room
| Address: 1115 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910 |
Artists: Sydney G. James, Birdcap, Spiz, and Eufoe (Commissioned by Below the Stacks 2019)
Riverview Church was one of the sponsoring walls for Below the Stacks Mural Festival 2019. Four artists collaborated on this large canvas. Two on the visiting artists on the east and two local artists on the west portions of the wall. It’s an amazing piece all together but each person’s art speaks for itself.
17) Hillbrook Park – Haslett
| Address: 1751 Lake Lansing Rd, Haslett, MI 48840 |
You can’t see the park from Lake Lansing road, but you can see the mural art piece. This is a fun mosaic placed on two walls of a shed in the parking lot. Take a pic then play.
18) American Fifth Spirits
| Address: 112 N Larch St, Lansing, MI 48912 |
The Love Lansing Mural is big and bold just like all of our love for this city!
19) Michigan Ave. Stretch
| Address: Soup Spoon Building and many more sprinkled throughout Michigan ave from The Capitol to the 496 bridge in Frandor. 1419 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912 |
Artist: Various
There are so many pieces along this stretch you’ll want to check out. If you’re going in the summer, walking the stretch starting at Soup Spoon heading east it’s nice to stop at the park by El Oasis near Ferris st.
20) Moores Park
| Address: 420 Moores River Dr, Lansing, MI 48910 |
Artist: Various unknown
There are all sorts of pics to be taken here besides the mural on the pavilion. Here’s a list: The round pool, the graffiti wall in the pavilion, the three stacks, the river trail, and the spiral stone zen garden. You’ll probably find something else awesome as well. When you do #lansingplays so we can join the fun too!
21) REACH Art Studio
| Address: 1804 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910 |
Artists: REACH Team, Students, Eufoe
The REACH team has a beautifully unique garden in the back of their building making way for beautiful and cool pics of your kiddos and their mural pieces all at the same time.
22) Under the Bridge Project
| Address: Under the 127 freeway on Michigan Ave between Frandor and East Side Lansing. |
Artists: Lights by BWL, art by Brian Whitfield
It was so cool seeing the lights at night for the first time! Now they, and the beautiful mural pieces underneath are a staple in our city as a corridor connecting Lansing and East Lansing in Frandor.
23) Under the Bridge MSU Campus
| Address: Located on Farm Lane & Auditorium Road just beyond “The Rock.” |
Artists: Various Unknown Artists
This is a super fun place to take the kids on a walk. Street art spans the entire under part of the big bridge.
24) Old Town Alley
| Address: (behind Absolute Gallery next two Arts Council of Greater Lansing) 1208 Turner Rd, Lansing, MI 48906 |
Artist: 5 artists under the direction of REACH Art Studio
It doesn’t matter which end you start at – the art is beautiful and pics are grand.
25) Impression 5
| Address: 200 Museum Dr, Lansing, MI 48933 |
Endless great pictures and fun await you at I5. Some of my favorite spots to take pictures of my boys are the water, nature, and light rooms as well as the building mural walls and sundial.
26) Preuss Pets
| Address: 1127 N Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48906 |
The waterfall and pond structure in the front entrance is reason enough to pick this place. Don’t forget about the Koi fish ponds, huge parrots and birds, tortoises, spiders, fish, and the list goes on. There’s also a really great full wall mural that has just been redone!
27) ARTPath – Basketball Court Mural
| Address: Elm Park – Lansing Riverwalk entrance near Gumps BBQ (which is delicious, by the way.) 1105 River St, Lansing, MI 48912 |
A mural has been painted on the full basketball court. Kids love to run around on it like a maze.
28) ARTPath – Wall Mural
| Address: Under the Shiawassee St. Bridge You can find this by walking the Riverwalk trail from Rotary Park towards Old Town. |
A wing mural has been painted under the Shiawassee bridge on the Lansing Riverfront making a fun photo stop for all ages.
29) Cedar Street Art Collective
| Address: 1701 S. Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48910 |
Artists: Eufoe, Spiz, and Loopcut
A new collab piece is now on the north wall of this fun creative space as an unofficial site of Below the Stacks Mural Festival.
30) Blue Owl // El Azteco Corridor
| Address: 213 Ann St Suite C, East Lansing, MI 48823 |
An awesome view awaits you as you walk from the parking garage to all of the fun stops in East Lansing. It’s a nice view as you sip yummy coffee from Blue Owl EL too!
31) Old Town Building
| Address: 1135 N Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48906 |
Artist: Tiffany McGillie
This textured beauty is small but packs a big punch of color and inspiration to Washington street.
32) Saginaw Hwy
| Address: Corner of Saginaw hwy & Butler |
Artist: Unknown
This detailed piece has been a staple in our community for years and years and fair to say one of the first in our area. It continues to be added to and has always brought me joy as I drive east on Saginaw hwy.
33) Greetings from East Lansing
| Address: Off Michigan ave on Harrison behind Udon Sushi & Harrison Roadhouse |
Artist: Greetings Tour
Greetings from East Lansing is a beautiful piece meant for people to take pictures in front of as a picture postcard of sorts. They did a great job of adding key places in EL into the mural.
Public Art for Memories and Photos
These spots are fun for families to visit but also really beautiful to look at – Aka Instagram Worthy Spots.
34) The Michigan State Capitol
| Address: 100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933 |
Beautiful iconic building = beautiful iconic shots.
35) Interactive Gear Head Structure: “Portrait of a Dreamer”
| Address: Located where Michigan Ave and Museum Drive intersect. (As you turn to Impression 5) |
Artist: Ivan Iler
This one is fun for all! You can turn the handle and watch the gears move.
36) Downtown Lansing Riverfront Peace and Love Signs + Beach
| Address: 325 City Market Dr, Lansing, MI 48912 |
Artist: Ben Graham
These sign installations are a great reminder to all passing by either walking, biking, and now just enjoying the new Rotary Park and Beach.
37) Lighted Forest and Rotary Park Beach
| Address: 313 N Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48912 |
The much-awaited Rotary park is here and it is even better than we imagined. The grounds are kept up by Lansing Parks and Rec so the sand is lovely to hang out in with your kids. Visit in the evening for the dreamy lighted forest and boat launch areas.
38) Sculpture Walk LCC Downtown Lansing
| Address: You can start at any of the sculptures but the Gannon Building is a good place to start if you’re new to the area. 422 N Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933 |
Taking this tour has 27 sculptures and doing this walk will make you see Downtown Lansing in a new, cool, and unique way. We did this for the first time last winter and had so much fun with the kids.
39) MSU Museum
| Address: 409 W Circle Dr, East Lansing, MI 48824 |
The architecture at the MSU (Dinosaur) Museum is absolutely beautiful. Plus, they have fun exhibit changes throughout the year making this an ever-changing experience. Plus, the kids will love the dinos, snakes, and bear – Oh My!
40) On the River – River Town Adventures
| Address: 325 City Market Drive, Lansing, MI 48912 |
The pictures are endless and the same goes for the smiles. Paddle down the river and take some beautiful shots. You might even see some turtles! BUT – don’t forget to pick up your waterproof pouch from River Town’s store before you go so your phone doesn’t get wet.
41) MSU Eli & Edyth Broad Art Museum
| Address: 547 E Circle Dr, East Lansing, MI 48824 |
Read Melissa’s reasons to visit the MSU Broad and you’ll realize it’s more than just a piece of perfectly build architecture placed in the middle of Downtown East Lansing. But if it’s an outdoor adventure and gorgeous pictures you’re after this is a perfect stop.
42) The Jumping Pillow – Uncle John’s Cider Mill
| Address: 8614 US-127, St Johns, MI 4887 |
Pics on the big pillow are adorable because the kids are having a blast! Try a pike or splits pic to get everyone laughing.
43) Sparty
| Address: On MSU Campus where Beal street and Circle Drive intersect. |
This can tend to be a little tricky – but look both ways and it will be so fun!
44) Scrap Fest Sculptures
| Address: Preuss Pets, 1127 N Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48906 |
Preuss Pets has several Scrap Fest pieces in their parking lot. One is super tall my kids think it looks like the BFG.
45) Granger Hill
| Address: 1745 Granger Meadows Ln, Lansing, MI 48906 |
Climb to the top of Granger Hill for a great view of the city and park. Your kids will love this birds-eye view where you can capture a nice view of planes landing at the Lansing Airport.
MAP : Mural Art, Street Art, Photo Spots
Use this map to find the exact locations of the above list of murals, street arts, photo spots, and art pieces around Lansing.
Murals and Street Art Near Me
See All the Art – Take All the Pics: Social Media Never Looked So Good
You could trek around to all of them in one day or take an entire year to explore and delve into each location. Don’t forget to snap a pic and #lansingplays when you post.
Oh, by the way, follow us @lansingfamfun on Instagram! We’d love to interact with you and share more ideas together on the road.
Such cool events and places, thanks for sharing! I’ve definitely added some on my list. I’m with Explorest and we built an app that helps people discover 60+ beautiful photo locations in Michigan, and I think you’d enjoy it! We include the exact GPS coordinates & tips by the state’s best photographers. We also have locations in New York and California, across Asia and will be debuting in Europe soon. If you have a moment, check it out! https://www.explorest.com/