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Planning a trip to Lafayette, Indiana, but wondering what fun things you can do while you’re there? The fascinating metropolis is the county seat of Tippecanoe County. The greater Lafayette area attracts visitors due to its rich history, well-respected educational institutions, and, most importantly, its welcoming locals. Here are some of the top attractions in Lafayette you shouldn’t miss.
FORT OUIATENON
3129 S River Rd, West Lafayette, Indiana
This park and structure, to the southwest of the city center near the Wabash River, dates back to an early 1700s French fur-trading facility. The reconstructed blockhouse on the grounds is now a living history museum, and it’s open for guided visits among some beautiful picnic areas and shelters.
Visitors can stroll through the park and take in the sights of the almost 300-year-old building. In the middle of October, Fort Ouiatenon comes to life for the weekend-long Feast of the Hunters’ Moon. This is a festival honoring the yearly assembly of French and Native Americans who lived in the area in the 18th century.
It’s a great place to taste the old days while shopping for food and other necessities from olden times. As the area is vast, you will walk a lot, so wear appropriate shoes and clothing.
The park’s concrete boat ramp provides access to the Wabash River. The picnic areas at the fort make for a relaxing afternoon meal, and the nearby wooded terrain is ideal for exploring. A miniature world of historical re-enactment, complete with military drills, period-appropriate cuisine, music, and dance, performed on a grand scale.
NATIVE AMERICAN VILLAGE
4112 IN-225, West Lafayette
In the Native American Village of Prophetstown State Park, you may explore five structures that have been painstakingly recreated to look like they did when they were first constructed in the early 1800s.
Pay a visit to the Native American Village and get a glimpse into the culture of the people who once inhabited Northern Indiana. Discover rawhide and stunning Native American ceramics as you explore actual teepees.
The prairies are yours to explore and take in the sights and smells of the bright wildflowers and tall prairie grasses. There are 5 km of bike routes that wind around the property. The park features three separate picnic spots, three campsites, and a swimming pool.
NATIONAL HISTORICAL LANDMARK
200 BattleGround Avenue, Battleground, Indiana
The Tippecanoe Battlefield is a 96-acre park in Battle Ground that is worth visiting because it is a national historic landmark. The museum here details the history of the conflict between the United States and Great Britain in 1812
There is a lot of scenic scenery on the grounds, which are also accessible via the Wabash Heritage Trail. There is a museum with displays, paths, and picnic areas that illustrate the story of the conflict.
There is a gift shop nearby as well. The Tippecanoe County Historical Association may organize tours with knowledgeable guides. The park is free to enter and is open from sunrise to dusk every day of the week.
THE FARM AT PROPHETSTOWN
5545 Swisher Rd, West Lafayette, Indiana
Prophetstown State Park, located near Battle Ground at the confluence of the Tippecanoe and Wabash rivers, is a must-see attraction. You’ll find a working farm in this great place that supplies the park’s animals with food, hay, and straw.
Those seeking a rural-themed vacation will be pleased to learn that they can get that experience here. The farm has many species of horses, chickens, cattle, sheep, and pigs.
The Prophetstown State Park Aquatic Center is a great place to take the kids for a day of swimming and water fun. A 30-foot tube slide, body flume, lazy river, adventure channel, and a pool with play features ensure that everyone in the family will have a thrilling summer.
ELLIOTT HALL OF MUSIC
712 3rd St, West Lafayette, Indiana
In West Lafayette, on the Purdue University campus, is the Elliott Hall of Music, which hosts musical performances and is the university’s main theater. Its most extraordinary claim to fame is that it is larger than the world-famous Radio City Music Hall, another proscenium theater.
Besides hosting Hall of Music productions, the Elliott Hall of Music is also home to the Purdue Orchestra, the Purdue Band, and the Purdue All-American Marching Band. J. André Fouilhoux, who helped build Radio City Music Hall in New York, was also responsible for designing and constructing the Elliott Hall of Music in the 1930s.
Throughout the year, this theater hosts various high-caliber events, including Broadway productions, concerts by famous ballet companies, and lectures and debates by notable figures. Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, and Bruce Springsteen are just a few of the many acts performed here.
SCENIC NATURAL SPACE
Lafayette’s beautiful landscapes make it a fantastic destination for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and paddling. A visit to any of Lafayette’s many lovely parks, trails, or other outdoor areas will surely put a smile on your face. Some of the beautiful natural spaces that surround Lafayette include:
- Botanical gardens
- Zoos
- Wineries
- Nature Areas
- Parks
JERRY E. CLEGG BOTANIC GARDENS
North 400 East, Lafayette, Indiana
The Clegg Garden overlooks the beautiful Wildcat Creek from its perch on Lafayette’s mountainous topography. The Jerry E. Clegg Botanical Gardens are well known for their lush vegetation and outdoor recreation areas. Everything in nature is on display.
This location is perfect for hikers and campers from the creekside up to the summit. Clegg Memorial Garden is a must-visit for those who find nature their preferred form of entertainment. Some hiking trails take you through the area’s oak groves and open fields, making for a beautiful and challenging outing for nature lovers.
Several species call this great place home, making it a fantastic spot for birdwatching. Bringing your well-behaved, leashed dog along is fine. In the spring, the outdoors is a sight to behold when the flowers are in full bloom.
COLUMBIAN PARK ZOO
1915 Scott St, Lafayette, Indiana
The Columbian Park Zoo is a great place to visit in Lafayette, Indiana. The Lafayette Zoo has been open to the public for well over a century, during which time it has worked to raise environmental consciousness and provide conservation education.
Meet & Greet programs allow children and adults to interact with animals of various shapes and sizes. A fountain plaza and the Columbia Park Express Train are two more enjoyable diversions. It’s no secret that visitors to the zoo love the penguins, spider monkeys, and otters there. The zoo is also home to other animals, such as porcupines, bald eagles, and wallabies.
An absolute must-see is the meticulously maintained Butterfly Garden. As a seasonal zoo, the park closes for the season during the winter. The Columbian Park Zoo in Lafayette is a wonderful destination for groups of all ages looking for a fun and educational outing.
CLEGG MEMORIAL GARDEN
1782 N 400 E, Lafayette, Indiana
The trails along Wildcat Creek in Clegg Memorial Garden are open from morning until night. Hiking pathways are plentiful in memorial gardens, which are important historical sites. Since its inception in 1965, Clegg Memorial Garden has been open to hikers and other nature enthusiasts.
Wildcat Creek is a state scenic river, and Clegg Garden, perched atop a hill, offers spectacular waterway views. This trail loops through various habitats, including an oak forest, a gravel hill prairie, a riparian corridor, and a savanna.
The Memorial Garden is excellent for having a picnic or hosting a party with friends and family. One of Lafayette’s best features, Clegg Memorial Garden, is a beautiful place to take a stroll, go hiking, or relax and enjoy the scenery.
SCULPTURE GARDEN
920 State Street, Lafayette, Indiana
The Haan Museum is five acres close to the heart of Lafayette, Indiana. These five acres are home to the museum’s Sculpture Garden, an outdoor theater with a picnic area, and three acres of woodlands at the back of the site.
The sculpture garden features Luck Langland’s bronze figures, Greg Mendez’s metal sculptures, Marvin Bartel’s and Bill Kremer’s clay creations, Peter Rujuwa’s incredible carved Serpentine stone pieces, and Kathleen Kitch’s glass platters, to name a few. Children can play “safari” and find carved animals.
Wheelchair users can access the Theater Garden through a short circular trail suitable for their mobile devices, measuring just 0.2 miles in length. The Garden is an outdoor theater with a stage perfect for various performances. A picnic in this grassy location would be lovely, too.
WILDCAT CREEK WINERY
3233 E 200 N, Lafayette, Indiana
The Wildcat Creek Winery is a quaint little winery near Lafayette, Indiana, that uses only locally grown fruit to produce high-quality wines. Once there, you can only leave Lafayette, Indiana, after experiencing one of the highlights: a trip to the Wildcat Creek Winery.
Chambourci, Niagara, Riesling, Cayuga, Catawba, Traminette, Steuben, and Concord are some award-winning wines that Wildcat Creek Winery produces. Blueberry, cherry, and cranberry wines are also available.
Find out about genuine Hoosier warmth and the historic Hoosier farmhouse that now houses the tasting room. You can take home some of your favorites or offer them as gifts to friends and family.
There’s a lovely garden there, and the setting is perfect. Bring your blankets and chairs, and enjoy a picnic featuring artisanal foods made using products from nearby farms and producers. If you come here, you’re guaranteed to have a great time.
GET OUTSIDE!
Take advantage of all that Lafayette offers by scheduling excursions to attractions like Prophetstown State Park, Clegg Gardens, and the Celery Bog Nature Area. Spend a day out in nature by hiking the 18 miles of the Wabash Heritage Trail. The walk begins at Riehle Plaza in downtown Lafayette, Indiana, and proceeds downstream along the Wabash River to Tippecanoe Battlefield Park.
CELERY BOG NATURE AREA
1620 Lindbergh Road, West Lafayette, Indiana
Near the city limits of West Lafayette, this park of 195 acres has a nature center, walking trails, and wetland habitats. There are approximately seven miles of trails to explore, both paved and unpaved, and many bring you to the border of Celery Bog in less than five minutes.
You’re more likely to see wildlife near the water, including turtles, beavers, mallards, frogs, and herons. One hundred twenty species of birds are in the bog, demonstrating the significance of the wetland.
The area attracts young people and adults interested in gaining a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the natural world. Therefore, if you’re looking for a place to reconnect with nature, look no further than Celery Bog Nature Area.
HAPPY HOLLOW PARK
1301 Happy Hollow Road, West Lafayette
The Celery Bog Nature Center, a popular local gathering spot, is conveniently located near Happy Hollow Park. The 81-acre park has a variety of pathways for hikers to take, as well as picnic areas and other amenities.
If you’re planning a family vacation, remember to bring the kids to one of two playgrounds where they can run about, climb, slide, and swing. Picnicking here is excellent, and there’s a playground and trail nearby to explore.
Happy Hollow has huge shelters for group outings and smaller, more intimate tables for those looking for quiet time alone. Both playground sets cater to a diverse range of ages. The Wabash Nature Trail passes through Happy Hollow, with extra trails in the area.
HAAN MANSION MUSEUM OF INDIANA ART
920 East State Street, Lafayette, Indiana
You will find the finest collection of Indiana art in the Haan Mansion Museum. The Colonial Revival-style mansion that serves as the museum’s home dates back to 1904.
The museum’s collection features charming works of art among vintage furnishings, decorations, and ceramics. Among its many works of art, you’ll find over a hundred that are sure to impress.
The public can take self-guided tours for a small fee. They will assign a guide to your party if there are 15 or more of you. Narrated tours of the mansion offer the opportunity to learn more about its history.
More than sixty paintings by some of Indiana’s most renowned artists are on show in the permanent exhibit, together with exquisite works by some of the world’s preeminent ceramicists from the past and present.
What about the beautiful sculpture garden with more than 25 sculptures in ceramics, bronze, stone, and steel by local artists from Lafayette? Well, it’s different from your average art gallery; that much is obvious. All kinds of exciting activities await you here, making this a fantastic destination.
ART MUSEUM OF GREATER LAFAYETTE
102 S 10th St, Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette is home to yet another impressive art museum to the southeast of downtown. Recognized for its collection and rotating exhibits, the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette is a must-see for art lovers. The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette has amassed a collection of over 1,500 pieces over the last 110 years.
Classes in yoga and ceramics are available to adults and children at this museum, which also hosts art classes. Explore four distinct galleries, each ever-changing, housing exhibits by local and regional artists.
The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette has a welcoming and informative staff, and visitors can meet and talk to local artists while exploring the museum’s many exhibits. An ample room is available for vehicle parking. Remember to peruse the gift shop’s lovely wares before leaving.
WHITTAKER INN
702 W 500 N, West Lafayette, Indiana
Desire the ambiance of a quaint inn with all the services of a modern hotel? Those searching for tranquility in West Lafayette needn’t look further than the Whittaker Inn. The inn was built from the ground up in 2019. Its exterior is reminiscent of a rustic farmhouse, while the interior is sleek, spacious, and dramatic.
As soon as you check in, you’ll realize this isn’t like any other B&B you’ve visited. It’s a modern hotel with themed rooms, a beautiful patio, and other amenities that will make your stay unforgettable. The Whittaker Inn features rooms decorated in a style specific to each of the fifty states.
Each country stands in for a place the Whittakers called home, visited frequently, or had other ties to. Besides the warm cookies and friendly staff, the common areas allow guests to unwind and get to know one another. Have a drink of wine beside the fire pit on the terrace.
Golf enthusiasts will love the location, with some of the finest courses in the Midwest just a short drive away. The area also features several state and county parks and the historic Tippecanoe Battlefield.
MUSEUM OF INDIANA ART
920 State St, Lafayette, Indiana
The excellent Indiana Art Museum, in the beautiful and historic Haan Mansion, is well worth a visit. The home that now houses the Haan Museum of Indiana Art was initially constructed for the 1904 World’s Fair.
It houses a beautiful collection of works by T. C. Steele, the Hoosier Group, and many other contemporary and historic Indiana artists. Visit the museum’s sculpture garden and stroll through the woods on the nature walk behind the building.
Visitors can explore the museum independently every Wednesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 pm. Taking a tour led by Ellie Haan is one of the most exciting and enlightening things you can do while there.
CAMPUS OF PURDUE UNIVERSITY
1100 3rd Street, West Lafayette, Indiana
Purdue University is well-known for its reputation in the STEM fields since it has graduated at least 23 astronauts. Even if you’re not interested in attending school here, you should still look around the beautiful brick campus and pay your respects at the grave of John Purdue, the school’s donor and namesake.
The Elliott Hall of Music (1940), a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture, and a statue of founding benefactor and businessman John Purdue are just two of the ten must-see attractions on campus. They are open to the public outside of class times.
Purdue University’s Boilermakers sporting events are a great way to taste the school’s vibrant culture. Home basketball games at Mackey Arena and Saturday football games at Ross-Ade Stadium have been staples of the community for decades.
Students at Purdue University show off their design and driving skills at the Purdue Grand Prix, a thrilling event where they race 160 laps in go-karts they made themselves. The campus is lovely, and there are plenty of exciting places to check out. You also don’t have to be a student or alumnus to enjoy them.
Final Thoughts on Things To Do in Lafayette, Indiana
There is always something fun to do in Lafayette, Indiana. Live performances, family-friendly activities, cultural celebrations, and other events are often scheduled here. Choose from the tours that interest you the most, and get the ball rolling on your travel arrangements!
