Accommodations and Food

There’s no lack of lodging in the Lansing [1] area, thanks to Big Ten fans and business travelers. You’ll find a long list of reliable franchise options, including the Hampton Inn (525 N. Canal Rd., Lansing, 517/627-8381, www.hamptoninn.com [2], $69–129 d), with well-maintained rooms and a free breakfast bar—an affordable spot for your football-weekend accommodations.

For a bit more luxury, try the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center (55 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, 517/432-4000, www.hfs.msu.edu/kellogg [3], $114–369 d), the only four-star hotel on MSU’s [4] campus.

Housed in a restored Victorian-style train station, Clara’s Lansing Station (637 E. Michigan Ave., 517/372-7120, www.claras.com [5], 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–midnight Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun., $9–24) is chock-full of vintage memorabilia, from old train schedules to antique sheet music. The enormous menu is equally eclectic, with a full range of salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, hefty entrées, and ice cream drinks.

If you’re in the mood for seafood, check out Mitchell’s Fish Market (2975 Preyde Blvd., Lansing, 517/482-3474, www.mitchellsfishmarket.com [6], 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun., $15–32), where you’ll find everything from exotic seafood to local catches.

You can’t beat the combination of good burgers, friendly service, inexpensive prices, and cold beer at The Peanut Barrel (521 E. Grand River, East Lansing, 517/351-0608, www.peanutbarrel.com [7], 10 a.m.–midnight daily, $4–6). The olive burger is simply to-die-for.

For some good ol’ Mexican cuisine, stop by El Azteco (225 Ann St., East Lansing, 517/351-9111, 11 a.m.–midnight Tues.–Sat., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun.–Mon., $5–12), where the atmosphere isn’t as dank as it once was, but the food still screams of fine dive cuisine.