Location: Lafayette
Top Things to do in Lafayette
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10 Things to Do in Lafayette That You Shouldn't Miss
Lafayette is part college town, part natural landscape and part lively urban center. Across the Wabash River in West Lafayette, Purdue University draws a diverse young student population to the city. A walking tour of downtown Lafayette reveals a historic core of Victorian architecture, unique shops and public art. Nature abounds in the city and area parks, including Columbian Park, the Celery Bog wetlands, the Jerry E. Clegg Botanical Garden along Wildcat Creek and Wolf Park in Battle Ground.
Restaurants in Lafayette
1. Columbian Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By Amanda S
Always enjoy walking around and seeing the animals, even just my husband and I go. The goats are fun to pet and see and I love the butterflies.
2. Purdue University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Reviewed By DMJA21 - Fishers, Indiana
My wife and I attended the dedication of the WALC today. It is located where the old power plant used to be directly across from the Bell Tower. It is the premier active learning center in the country utilizing advanced audio visual technologies, classroom design, library science and electronic communication to facilitate teaching and learning. Its construction enabled the consolidation of 5 libraries into one while providing significantly enhanced classroom, reading room and study spaces.
The WALC is well worth the time it takes to see it. In addition to viewing the features mentioned above, the main Reading Room located on the 2nd floor houses the original painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware . It has been loaned to the University for display in the WALC. It is massive covering an entire wall of the Reading Room.
3. Haan Mansion Museum of Indiana Art
Overall Ratings
5 based on 37 reviews
What makes a tour of the Haan Museum so memorable? The Classical Revival mansion was the Connecticut Building at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Many of the hand-carved components are from a 1760 Connecticut mansion. The Museum shows the best collection of paintings by Indiana's most notable historic artists, including major works by TC Steele, paintings of Native Americans by George Winter, Regionalist paintings. See major ceramics by Indiana clay artists and impressive American antiques in a home-like setting. See website for special exhibits and tour schedule. Sculpture garden features over 20 Indiana sculptures along a wheelchair-accessible path. Nature trail winds through native Indiana trees marked with informational signs, and is is open dawn to dusk daily. Also learn about the cemented terrace gravel deposit formed by a series of glaciers. Moderately challenging 1-mile trail crosses a ravine via bridges. Guests often report seeing several deer.
Reviewed By Barrett C - Lafayette, Indiana
This museum is an improving public space integrated with / highlighting the collection of a private family. The holiday museum excursion was a delightful (if slightly overwhelming) display of the various pieces of the family collection. As the family and museum gain experience and familiarity with curation, display, and interpretation, the collection is becoming easier to appreciate. I especially enjoyed the technologies, and the stories, associated with the grandfather clocks and music boxes.
4. Samara House
Overall Ratings
5 based on 60 reviews
House is open for tours April through November by reservation only. We do not have regular tour times, so they are not posted anywhere. The best way to get the tour information and schedule is to email us and the information will be sent to you. House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the John Christian family in 1954 and is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. It is one of the most complete of Wright's designs and represents a pristine example of his Usonian architecture. SAMARA is strictly maintained to the exacting standards set by Mr. Wright. SAMARA contains refinements of over forty innovations by this world famous architect, yet is unique in that it was specifically designed for Dr. Christian and his wife, Catherine, and their daughter, Linda. Adults $10, college students $3, children under 17 are free. Tours last about 1.5 hours.
Reviewed By mich-weedman
Contact first by email as early as possible to join a tour group: $10 adults well worth it. Enter and sit in living room for a very good introduction to FLW and his architectural philosophy and genious. Then more details on this house, its owners, and how it came to be. Then a tour of the house and a question and answer time. Very steep driveway. OK to drive right up to the house as if you owned it. Park right up by the front door under portico. About 90 minutes of an educational good time.
5. Wildcat Creek Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Wildcat Creek Winery is a small rustic winery in Lafayette, Indiana, fashioning hand-crafted fine wines from local fruit. Stop by today to taste our award-winning wines, see the antique Hoosier farmhouse which serves as the tasting room, and enjoy the down-home Hoosier hospitality!
Reviewed By C321162 - Whittier, California
I am from Lafayette but don't visit often but this weekend I was in town for a golf event and found this gem. What a wonderful winery!!! I was so impressed by the wines that I would say it is a must stop for anyone going from through Lafayette off I-65. Even got a bottle back to California to enjoy at a later date.
6. Mackey Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By Kathy L - West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
what a great game against Illinois tonight!! Loved it!! the Zooperstars were a fun addition to half time...
7. Prophetstown State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By fdwt994 - Indianapolis, Indiana
We learned that this campground is difficult to get reservations for during the summer and for good reason- the sites are very spacious and private, particularly in the "Spruce" full hook-up loop. There's also a fantastic aquatic center that has a lazy river, large splash / activity center for the little ones, and a couple of pretty decent water slides. The aquatic center also has a concession stand and plenty of shaded spots to relax. The farm seems to be in a state of neglect. We last visited in 2007 and the decline was noticeable. Overall we had a great time and will be sure to make our reservations early!
8. Lilly Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Sandra W - West Lafayette, Indiana
Come, sit and rest in the glass fronted viewing area where small animals and birds come to feast. You will want to build one at your own home. This building on the edge of a noted bog is a first class experience, with or without children. You will learn about the area from the time of the glaciers up to now! Lots of hands on exploration for pre-school through high school, or more. A lecture hall has frequent events on these subjects. Closed during the very coldest months, so call ahead. A new sculpture like a ship's sails fronts the hidden entrance to the approach road. Drive very carefully, because deer, toddlers and poison ivy abound. The foot trails are well kept; don't wander into the ivy! A visit here is an unforgettable experience thanks to our local Parks system. The entire bog is surrounded by nature, where we can walk. Not sure about the golf course on one side. Our residence abuts the Celery Bog so we get to enjoy it all the time! Even celebrities have said they would love to live near this bog/Nature Center.
9. Wea Creek Orchard
Overall Ratings
5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By zanadu2010 - Vermilion, Ohio
We attended a wedding here. Very nice venue. Outside by the orchard, the wedding party came out of the apple trees. Nice chairs, nice decorations. The reception was in one of the barns. Also very nice. Lots of room to dance, food was set up downstairs. Menu was simple but good. We had a very good time. The music was just a little loud for me, being a small area, but the younger kids enjoyed it. Overall a nice place to hold an event.
10. Ross-Ade Stadium
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
My fondest memories of Purdue University's Ross-Ade Stadium were flying over the stadium on a flight in a two-engine Piper Cub from Columbia, South Carolina, to Chicago's O'Hare Airport after completing six months of Army training in 1963 and watching future Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese beat my alma mater Illinois 25-21 en route to the Rose Bowl in 1966. Ross-Ade Stadium was built in 1924 with a seating capacity of 13,500. Today, after several additions and renovations, its seating capacity is 62.500. Purdue football is noted for two things: its reputation for being the cradle of quarterbacks and its world-famous marching band. Griese is perhaps the most famous of many outstanding quarterbacks developed at Purdue over the years. Others include Dale Samuels, Len Dawson, Drew Brees, Mark Herrmann, Mike Phipps and Gary Danielson. But a Saturday afternoon at Ross-Ade Stadium is more that a football game. The 389-member marching band, which has been the host band for the Indianapolis 500 since 1927, is noted for the World's Largest Drum, the Purdue Golden Girl featured twirler and the Block P, the first field formation ever created by a marching band in 1907. In 2014, Purdue introduced another unique renovation. The bleachers in the south end zone, which seated 6,100 spectators, were removed to make room for a Patio area for fans to enjoy a party-like atmosphere with tables and concessions. From the air or the 50-yard line or the Patio, it's always an exhilarating experience to attend a football game at Ross-Ade Stadium.
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