Thanks for sharing your photo a @ssmithphoto25 think we may need a new one #2025
If MSU’s campus is your go-to for stroller strolls, duck spotting, or an iced coffee while the kids roam, graduation weekend might throw you for a loop. The quiet sidewalks? Crowded. That favorite shady bench? Taken (probably by someone’s adorable grandma in Spartan green holding balloons or three generations of Spartans trying to recreate a photo from 25 or 50 years ago). Even Sparty’s got a line.
But don’t worry, there’s no one right way to navigate it. Here are three options to consider:
Go with the (cap-and-gown) flow.
Embrace the buzz! Bring your kids to see what all the fuss is about. Graduation is a big milestone, let them see the pomp and circumstance, hear the cheers, and maybe even attend a short, open ceremony (they’re free, first-come seating, and parking is free too!). It’s a unique way to plant seeds about goals, hard work, and what it means to reach the finish line.
Visit, but just observe.
If you’re still craving that campus vibe, go, but with very low expectations. Turn it into a scavenger hunt (how many different color gowns can you find?), people-watch from the edges, and steer clear of packed spots like Beaumont Tower or the Spartan Statue. Link to MSU scavenger hunt we shared during COVID.
Skip it—for now.
If calm and quiet are more your weekend speed, consider swapping campus for another favorite: Fenner Nature Center, the River Trail, a neighborhood park or one of many other trails in the Greater Lansing area (LINK TRAIL LIST).. MSU will still be here following graduation—less people-y and with wide open sidewalks again.
🎓 Pro tip: If you’re heading toward campus, plan ahead. Parking will be tight, restaurants will be packed, and the Spartan pride will be everywhere.
You don’t need a graduate in your family to be inspired by graduation day. Sometimes just being there is enough to spark a little “someday” idea!
