Unique Outdoor Destinations for Families
Experience the natural beauty by visiting one of many area nature centers and immersing yourself in the great outdoors.
As you traverse the various walking or hiking trails, you may feel transported to another era, away from the commotion of modern life with its paved roads, cars, and mobile devices.
The sounds of chirping crickets, singing birds, and rustling leaves of nearby wildlife are both energizing and rejuvenating. We are fortunate to have a wealth of nature preserves in our area, providing ample opportunities to explore the serene and wild side of life.
Each nature centers offers:
- Events
- Camps and workshops
- Learning opportunities
- Visitor Centers
- Trails
- Play areas and structures
- Live animals
Although all nature centers pack the same type of adventures, NONE are the same. Each of our centers in Greater Lansing has successfully created its own unique vibe and experience.
I truly can’t say I have a favorite because they are all so different.
Here’s why you’ll love each of our local centers:
Fenner Nature Center
| Fenner Nature Center 2020 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910 |
Peace and tranquility await at Fenner Nature Center which is smack dab in the heart of Lansing.
As you wind around the entrance, you’re immediately surrounded by the sounds of nature.
Their visitor center has stations for hands-on learning and play, while their outdoor space naturally invites kids to explore in participatory ways. You’ll experience bird watching, the interactive playground where Fenner Nature Center encourages kids to add to the designated structure, and miles of grounds to venture.
It’s no wonder my family can’t leave Fenner without at least taking a mini-hike every time we visit.
4 Reasons to Visit Fenner Nature Center
Davis Nature Pavilion
Hands-on learning stations make this a must-do when you visit Fenner Nature Center.
Turtles, a bunny, snakes, and other wildlife can be observed inside along with exhibits and public events.
Hiking Trails
Fenner’s 4 miles of trails and 7 different routes have multiple fun stops along the way.
Some stops include the butterfly garden, barn, playscape, and observation decks over several ponds.
Festivals
Fenner Nature Center’s festivals are one-of-a-kind!
Churn the apple butter in the fall, tap a tree for maple syrup in the spring, and give back to the earth during their Earth Day Extravaganza.
Many families make these events annual traditions.
Summer Camp
Camps at Fenner Nature Center run during Spring Break and in the Summer along with other learning opportunities throughout the year.
Their 60 years of experience is stunning and kids continue to have a blast learning and exploring.
Woldumar Nature Center
| Woldumar Nature Center 5739 Old Lansing Rd, Lansing, MI 48917 |
Nestled on Lansing’s southwest side is the awesomeness that is Woldumar Nature Center!
A fun fact about Woldumar is that it is privately owned and relies on donations and supporters as a non-profit 501(c)3. Why is this so cool? The volunteer opportunities are great for kids, and their programs and events are community-minded.
We love walking the trails of Woldumar, going to weddings on their beautiful grounds, listening during folk festivals, and have even caught a theatre play there once.
It’s one thing to read about something cool, but it’s even better to experience it for yourself. Here are our top 3 reasons to plan a visit to Woldumar Nature Center:
3 Reasons to Visit Woldumar Nature Center:
Welcome Center
You’ll love hanging out in their welcome center where you get to inspect the educational displays of insects, wildlife, and more!
Hiking Trails
5 miles of trail and 5 different routes that intertwine make for hours of exploring fun to be had.
Explorer Programs
Kayak, explore, learn, and more during camps at Woldumar that run during Spring Break and Summer.
Harris Nature Center
| Harris Nature Center 3998 Van Atta Rd, Okemos, MI 48864 |
“Whoa!” is what I thought the first time I visited Harris Nature Center. Their grounds are shockingly artistic and creative.
Not only that, the welcome center is packed full of great wildlife exhibits with a library on-site! You cannot borrow the books, but you’re welcome to stop in to read for a while with their collection. A visit to Harris will leave you refreshed.
4 Reasons to Visit Harris Nature Center
Outdoor Play Area
Climb the beaver lodge, hang out under the huge tiled art turtle, lay in the spider web, and dig for fossils!
You could almost spend your whole time in this area.
Hiking
Although the trails in the actual nature center are not very long, they connect to the bigger Meridian Township Trails, making these trails around 6 miles of paths to trek.
Have fun out there!
Welcome Center
Visit the turtles, read in their library, or bird watch.
Community Events
The events at Harris Nature Center happen frequently and are AWESOME! You’ll enjoy things like night story walks, owl observing, camp fires, and a lot more events scheduled throughout the year.
Howell Nature Center
| Howell Nature Center 1005 Triangle Lake Rd, Howell, MI 48843 |
Howell Nature Center should be considered a day trip adventure. There is SO MUCH to do here and each portion of the grounds lends to hours of play.
4 Reasons to Visit Howell Nature Center:
Alexandria’s Naturescape Treehouse
Um, did someone say treehouse?! And adult supervision is required?! Sign me up. Not to mention the waterfall for splashing on hot summer days plus so much more fun in this area!
Bonus: It’s wheelchair accessible!
Wild Wonders Wildlife Park
This teaching zoo is open to the public 365 days a year! That’s right – ALL YEAR LONG! Watch this video to learn more about what you can do and see here.
Experience the thrill of soaring through the trees on zip lines, scale to new heights on the outdoor climbing tower, and tackle mid-air obstacles on the high ropes courses. What could be a more immersive way to connect with nature than being right in the midst of it all! Little explorers can now enjoy a miniature ropes course designed just for them with the addition of Sky Tykes.
Stay
Howell Nature Center invites you to hang out for the day or STAY OVERNIGHT in one of their lodges. See – like I said, so cool right?!
Bengel Wildlife Center at MI Wildlife Conservancy
| Michigan Wildlife Conservancy – Bengel Wildlife 6380 Drumheller Rd, Bath Twp, MI 48808 |
Bengel Wildlife Center is located in Bath, MI. They have what seems like endless opportunities to get involved with wildlife conservancy. Their outdoor activities, including 4 miles of walking trails, are always open.
Members can shoot the 3D archery course and enjoy catch/release fishing, as well as play disc golf.
3 places to start at the MI Wildlife Conservancy:
- Wildlife Education: programs, camps, deer watching, and more.
- Wildlife Pub: Hang out in the breathtaking grounds and enjoy live music, beverages, and more.
- Become a Volunteer: Explore and read through their vast amounts of volunteer opportunities.
Worth-The-Drive Centers
Have you checked off the everything on the Nature Center bucket list and are craving more outdoor fun?!
Check out our top pick places to visit within about an hour from the Greater Lansing area.
Kalamazoo Nature Center
We loved visiting their trails, welcome center, and indoor rainfall area.
Belle Isle Nature Center:
Play, explore, see animals, and hang out in their indoor treehouse.
You’ll also enjoy lots of interactive nature games as well as hiking and many other great experiences on the island.
Blandford Nature Center:
Read all about why Blandford is a great gem to discover in Grand Rapids.
Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery and Visitor Center – DNR:
Travel through the museum and exhibit area, hike their trails, and feed the fish out in the pond for free with a token from the front desk.
Have Fun Adventuring in Nature, Lansing!
Here’s where you can find nature centers near me!
Comment below to let us know what you love about the places you’ve visited.
We love hearing about the fun you’re having in Lansing and beyond. Have fun getting out into nature, Lansing!
More to Explore
