Getting off the beaten path is easy in Lansing if you head over to Fenner Nature Center . Purchased by the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department and named after Carl Fenner, the city forester at the time, this outdoor park features four miles of hiking trails, a gift shop and an indoor educational area. The buildings on the grounds were renovated in 1994 and the center caters to many schools in the area and offers excellent educational programs. Some of the trails are accessible by wheelchair and even feature blacktopped surfaces. 
     But to get completely off the path, you can hop on an old-fashioned paddle wheeler steamboat. Operated by J&K Steamboat Company (517-627-2154), you can take an old-fashioned riverboat cruise on one of three boats down the Grand River, each which offer themed evening such as a murder mystery theater or musical entertainment.
     And if you prefer to ride the trails rather than walk them you can rent a bike at Riverfront Cycle, Inc., located near Lansing’s eight-mile long River Trail. Bicycles and tandems are available as well as child trailers. Call 517-482-8585 for details. If instead of bikes you prefer horses,  saddle up at Sundance Riding Stables (517-627-5500) in nearby Grand Ledge, MI on Nixon Road. Sundance offers hourly and daily horse rentals, pony rides, hay rides and the Midwest’s largest indoor riding arena.