1.) Party
Of course this is going to be put as the first thing on a list of things to do during a Friday and Saturday night at a Big Ten school. Michigan State is a huge university with tons of students out there to meet and share memories with. What better place to do such a thing than at a party? For freshmen, it’s hard to know where the parties are happening which is why frat parties are a great way to get your feet wet without really having to know anybody. Introduce yourself to some people in your hall and walk over to the party together. Maybe even pregame a little bit in the dorms if you can swing it.
On your stroll over, upperclassmen may call your group out for being underclassmen, chanting the classic “freshman” chant, but don’t let it get to you. They only do it because they were freshmen once, and the same exact thing happened to them.
Once you’re at the party there should be enough chaos, people, and beer to have a good time. If you’re not into the sweaty, drunken lewdness of a frat party, house parties are a nice alternative. They are just as much fun with a less intense tone that won’t lead you to sensory overload. You are also likely to run into more familiar faces at a house party. Regardless, no matter which you choose, don’t forget to be responsible. Going to the hospital is not on this list.
2.) Bars
Ah, yes. Another stereotypical thing for a college student to do, but truthfully, East Lansing has a great selection of bars. If you are looking to just sit and chat around a few drinks with friends, Woody’s Oasis, Crunchy’s (which also has karaoke), Beggar’s Banquet, and Hop Cat are the places you should be checking out. You can still get up, walk around, and mingle with other people if you please, but not to the extent of some of the other bars in town. If you are more geared towards dancing, bumping into loud strangers, and yelling when you order drinks, PT O’Malley’s, The Landshark, Harpers, and Rick’s are the places for you. In all honesty, despite what I say about these bars, you should really go to each one for yourself at least once. You might be surprised by which place you’ll be having the best of times.
3.) Pinball Pete’s
All those games from your youth are now accessible in a dingy basement in downtown East Lansing. Pinball Pete’s is a great way to burn an hour with your friends before or after the bars or between grabbing a bite to eat. Whether you want to tear it up in Dance Dance Revolution, pop some bad guys in Time Crisis, or acquire a bitter resentment towards a machine for stealing your quarter: Pinball Pete’s has got it all. You can also win prizes (who doesn’t like prizes?)
4.) Bowling at Spartan Lanes
Located in The Union basement, Spartan Lanes is a convenient and affordable way for students to go bowling. It’s your typical bowling alley, with the exception that the space could use a bit of renovation along with some better upkeep. This more than likely won’t hinder your experience or ability to have a good time, but it definitely makes Spartan Lanes a place to avoid if you are a serious bowler. But if you are just looking for a place to playfully knock some pins around for the fun of it then you can’t go wrong here. They even have free cosmic bowling, which has been scientifically proven as the most fun way to bowl.
5.) Catch Dinner and a Movie at Eastwood Town Center
The closest theater to campus is the NCG Cinemas in Eastwood Town Center, which is described as an “open-air shopping mall” and “lifestyle center”. It resembles a faux town in a perfect utopia but instead of houses and lawns there are retail stores and concrete. The movie theater and plethora of fancy restaurants make it the ideal place to have a quality date night. The downside to Eastwood Town Center is that it’s pretty far from campus so you will definitely need to drive or catch the bus. On top of that, it can lead to a pricy night that will leave a dent in your wallet, especially if you are paying for a date. Fun Fact: Eastwood Town Center is home to the only Apple Store in Michigan.
Dylan Wolff graduated from Michigan State University in 2013 with a BA in Media and Information. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
Frequently asked questions
- How do freshmen find parties at Michigan State?
- Frat parties are a great way to get your feet wet without knowing anybody: introduce yourself to people in your hall and walk over together, maybe pregame in the dorms. Expect upperclassmen chanting the classic “freshman” chant; they only do it because the same thing happened to them.
- Which East Lansing bars are good for a relaxed night?
- Woody's Oasis, Crunchy's (which also has karaoke), Beggar's Banquet, and Hop Cat for sitting and chatting over a few drinks. For dancing, loud strangers, and yelling your order: PT O'Malley's, The Landshark, Harpers, and Rick's.
- What is Pinball Pete's in East Lansing?
- A dingy basement in downtown East Lansing packed with the games of your youth: Dance Dance Revolution, Time Crisis, and machines that steal your quarters, plus prizes. A great way to burn an hour before or after the bars.
- Is Spartan Lanes worth bowling at?
- It's a convenient, affordable alley in The Union basement, though the space could use renovation and better upkeep, so serious bowlers should look elsewhere. For casual pin-knocking it's hard to go wrong, and it even has free cosmic bowling.
- Where is the closest movie theater to MSU campus?
- NCG Cinemas at Eastwood Town Center, described as an open-air shopping mall and lifestyle center and home to the only Apple Store in Michigan. It's pretty far from campus, so plan to drive or catch the bus, and expect a pricy night.