Wandering through Old Town is like stepping into an alternate Lansing. Full of small-town charm, this artists' colony offers eclectic boutiques, galleries, and hideaway gems tucked within historical buildings featuring worn hardwood floors and exposed brick walls.

Though it looks and feels like you've moseyed into a much more simple and cozy time, Old Town's residents and business owners pride themselves on being progressive, revolutionizing what it means to live the city life without pretention and arrogance, but with neighborly love and community involvement.

Every place and person in Old Town lends to the authenticity and diversity of the neighborhood, giving visitors much to enjoy. Here are some of the many spots first-time Old Town visitors should check out:

First stop is The Creole Gallery (1218 Turner St.) where the heart and soul of revitalizing Old Town began a decade ago. In addition to its edgy art, The Creole is also renowned for hosting musical, theatrical and poetry performances.

In an intimate and inviting concert setting, guests have enjoyed live jazz, blues, folk and world music performed by top national acts including Wynton Marsalis, Laurence Juber and Guy Davis, to name a few.

Before his untimely death in 2007, Robert Busby "The Mayor of Old Town" and owner of The Creole, had a vision for the Old Town neighborhood. It began with The Creole, the remarkable gallery where people can see and hear many types of art. His efforts in restoration extended beyond historical buildings to profoundly restore community pride and enhance arts and entertainment. Today his daughter Ena works to continue his legacy, caring for the gallery.

Robert's longtime companion, Meegan Holland formerly of Lansing said, "Old Town is the best community I've been a part of. People committed to Old Town are committed to each other." Holland hosted a sold-out Peter Mulvey concert at the gallery in September. She is hoping to continue bringing in acts every three to four months. In addition, 89.7 WFMZ holds its Grand River Radio Concert Series the first Wednesday of each month at The Creole.

Polka Dots Bead-a-full Boutique

Just across the way is Polka Dots Bead-a-full Boutique (1207 Turner St.) where the whimsy starts before you even go inside. The storefront is decorated with colorful polka dots in the large picture window, even a sidewalk garbage receptacle has been beautified for this boutique.

Inside, guests can try their hand at being crafty and decorate themselves with the same whimsy. Polka Dots has a plethora of polka-dotted pleasures (beads, bags, boas etc.), but more than anything, Polka Dots is a girly oasis.

Owner Kristin Szymusiak handpicks the merchandise and loves seeing people enjoy it. Guests love to come in and stay awhile, beading their own necklaces and bracelets. Groups are welcome to enjoy the frills and jewelry making. Polka Dots also hosts a Ladies' Night Out Party.

If you want to decorate yourself, but are looking for something more permanent, head to Fish Ladder Tattoo Company (302 E. Grand River Ave.) and get inked.

Co-owner Eric Jenks said, "Old Town is a unique mix of individuals and thoughts and we fit into that very well, bringing something a different that wasn't here before."

Located near the Benke Fish Ladder, from which owners/artists Jenks and Chris Boilore coined the parlor's name, the Fish Ladder Tattoo Company has an impeccable reputation and is typically booked two-three months in advance.

The secret to the success of Fish Ladder Tattoos is simple: a clean, friendly environment, quality art and reasonable prices.

Down the road from the Fish Ladder is October Moon (119 East Grand River Ave.), a boutique filled with simple luxuries and indulgences. From small kitchen appliances and world music, to stamps, ribbons and purses, October Moon has items fit for a queen on any budget.

Just walking into this shop, you'll feel at ease and that's what October Moon is all about, finding the perfect purchase to make life a little more relaxing. An assortment of candles, organic soaps and sugared Pastille bubble baths awaits as well as microwavable spa blankets, fluffy slippers, vintage ribbons and a modern twist to the classic carpet bag. A vast selection of downright good stuff makes October Moon a wonderland for gift-buying.

A couple doors down is Grace (115 E. Grand River Ave.), a ladies' apparel store that will help you dress with class and sophistication.

Owner, Summer Schriner wanted to create an alternative to shopping at big, unfriendly, bland department stores and has done so with astonishing success. Schriner stocks Grace with unique, wearable clothing that will up anyone's individual style.

With autumn in full-swing and winter awaiting, now is the perfect time to check out the gorgeous selection of coats and scarves at Grace. Shoppers will also find eye-catching shoes, tops, dresses and accessories ranging from vintage to trendy modern looks.

Accessorize your style with a new guitar at Elderly Instruments (1100 N. Washington), an internationally-renowned shop that boasts with pride to be "the world's most trusted source for new and vintage fretted instruments."

Established in 1972, Elderly Instruments is housed in what used to be an Old Fellow's Hall. The spacious, multi-roomed facility is now filled with guitars, banjos, ukuleles, fiddles, stand-up basses, fret enthusiasts and a staff who knows it all.

The sheer magnitude of the building coupled with the volume of quality and classic fretted instruments is a pickers' paradise. But what you see isn't all you get. One employee noted that behind the scenes the stockroom of Elderly Instruments, which used to be the Old Fellow's ballroom, is packed with even more merch than the store can hold. You just have to see it to believe it.

Another place you'd have to see to believe is Preuss Pets (1127 N Cedar St.), a 22,000+ sq. ft. pet store, unlike any pet store I've ever seen, in a building that used to be a car dealership. Unrecognizable as having a car dealership history, Preuss has been brightly painted with murals, decorated with faux balconies and real plants and even has a river with live fish that swim up to the foot-bridge as visitors pass over it. Did I mention the enormous catfish in the river?

Over three decades the Preuss family has been in the animal business, and owner Rick Preuss (aka "Crazy Rick") is the store's legend. For Rick, the shop's objective is not to sell animals, it's to match people with the right companion and educate customers on how to care for the animal and create a perfect habitat for them.

Preuss has kittens, ferrets, lizards, taranchulas, poison dart frogs, freshwater, saltwater fish, tropical birds gerbils and the works, including an educated, passionate staff that you wouldn't find at some corporate chain store.

A visit to Preuss Pets might inspire you to have some fun and take your dogs to the Dog Trick-or-Treating and Costume Contest on Friday, Oct. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hosted by Jana Nicol, owner of Gone 2 the Dogs (306 Grand River Ave.), a shop for puppy accessories, the Dog Trick-or-Treating event takes place in Old Town and is free and open to the public.

"We have anywhere from 20-30 businesses that participate in handing out doggie treats to the trick-or-treaters. Some places even stay open later so they can be involved in this event," said Nicol.

Known as the cutest and most hilarious event in the neighborhood, hundreds of pups participate in full costume for Old Town's Dog Trick-or-Treating and Costume Contest.

Old Town has a flare for thinking outside-of-the-box and Against the Grain (1922 Donora St.) is even more proof.

Owner Jason Belous opened a carpentry showroom to highlight his artful, sustainable works with a focus on "concepts in wood, metal, concrete and stone."

Belous' carpentry begins at the entrance of the showroom with a beautiful wooden door beckoning for guests to come in and take a look. Inside is a minimalist taste of what one can get from Against the Grain, including furniture, flooring, countertops and doors.

A member of the US Green Building Council, the art featured in the showroom is made from re-purposed materials, harvested and milled locally, meaning that no trees were cut in the making of Against the Grain's furniture.

When you find the right piece, head a few blocks back up Grand River Avenue and visit Absolute Gallery (307 E. Grand River Ave) to buy some art to hang above it.

Whether searching for paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photography, Absolute Gallery has "an eclectic assortment of art for all tastes and budgets." More than art, Absolute also specializes in custom framing, so guests will not only find art they enjoy, but the right frame to highlight it.
Owner Kathy Holcomb is looking forward to the gallery hosting the "Absolute Classical Music Series" in October.

The event to beat all events this fall is Old Town's Oktoberfest, Mid-Michigan's only authentic German-style event, on Friday, Oct. 9 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.

People who wish to raise their steins, wear their Bavarian get-up and eat some bratwurst will fit in just fine at Oktoberfest which will have live polka dancing, music, and an assortment of entertainment, including food and drink from various vendors.

Old Town's Oktoberfest might just be the best of its kind in Michigan and also raises funds for the Old Town Commercial Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Old Town.

Absolute Gallery

Children are welcome to attend from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday, but 6 p.m. onwards and all of Friday is strictly for people ages 21+. Tickets are available for advance purchase at OldTownOktoberfest.com.