13 Top-Rated Things to Do in Lafayette, Indiana

Author Brad Lane enjoyed an extensive trip through Indiana, including time in Lafayette.

Lafayette has been attracting settlers, families, and tourists to Indiana for nearly 200 years. A wide array of tourist attractions and places to visit draw people to the greater Lafayette area, including West Lafayette on the other side of the Wabash River, home of Purdue University (established in 1869).

To explore some of Lafayette's history, places like Prophetstown State Park and Fort Ouiatenon help paint a picture of the city's past. For a taste of Lafayette culture and homemade goods, the downtown district hosts a variety of shops, restaurants, and community events like the Lafayette Farmer's Market.

With its esteemed collegiate connections, deep historical roots, and friendly community, Lafayette offers a fun, family vacation destination. And for nature lovers, outdoor attractions like the Wabash Heritage Trail, offer even more sightseeing opportunities.

For more ideas on the best places to visit, see our list of the top things to do in Lafayette, Indiana.

1. Columbian Park Zoo

The Columbian Park Zoo has been a popular family attraction close to downtown for more than 100 years. Throughout all that time, the zoo has received many additions and renovations that add to the rich experience you'll find at the park today.

Special "Meet n' Greet" programs allow kids and adults to encounter a variety of species. Other fun attractions include a fountain plaza and the Columbian Park Express Train. Adjacent to the zoo, Columbian Park is a fun public space filled with playground equipment and picnic shelters.

Wildlife at the zoo ranges from Australian natives to species found in America. A few of the resident animals at the zoo include porcupines, bald eagles, wallabies, and spider monkeys. Other exhibits include a Family Farm and Butterfly Garden.

Address: 1915 Scott Street, Lafayette, Indiana

2. Haan Mansion Museum of Indiana Art

The impressive Haan Mansion houses one of the largest collections of Indiana art in the world. It was first built and used at the St. Louis World Fair in 1904. This 15,000-square-foot mansion was moved to Lafayette soon after, where it served as a personal residence for several years.

Over time, an impressive collection of Indiana art began to accumulate in the mansion, and now this historic residence hosts a wide variety of acclaimed artists from across the state. The mansion itself, including the many pieces of 19th-century American-made furniture, is also part of the visiting experience.

Self-guided tours are available for a small admission fee. Guided tours are available for groups of 15-plus people. These narrated tours shed more light on the history of the mansion. Admission to the Han Museum includes access to the property's Sculpture Garden and Nature Trail.

Address: 920 East State Street, Lafayette, Indiana

3. Clegg Botanic Gardens

The Niches Land Trust maintains this refreshing natural space overlooking Wildcat Creek on the northeast outskirts of Lafayette. It's a great space for hiking and walking, and the property features eight different trails with interpretive information and viewing platforms.

Various landscapes at this admission-free preserve and gardens include woodlands, prairies, and riparian corridors. An abundance of wildlife is throughout the property, especially birds. Spring is a notably fun time to visit as the natural space is filled with colorful blooms throughout the season.

Address: North 400 East, Lafayette, Indiana

4. Prophetstown State Park

Prophetstown State Park is one of the newest additions to the Indiana State Park system and is less than 10 miles northeast of Lafayette. The Farm at Prophetstown is the main family attraction within the state park, comprising a living-history museum highlighting the history of homesteading and native cultures from the area.

Prophetstown State Park Aquatic Center is also a popular place to visit at the state park and is only open during the summer. This 4,200-square-foot leisure pool is accompanied by waterslides and a lazy river. There's an additional fee to visit the aquatic center.

The state park also features several ways to connect with the surrounding environment. A network of hiking and biking trails meander throughout the tallgrass landscape and floodplain of the Tippecanoe River.

A year-round campground is available at Prophetstown, with campsites ranging from RV-accessible to primitive tent camping only. Reservations can be made six months in advance.

Address: 5545 Swisher Road, West Lafayette, Indiana

5. Art Museum of Greater Lafayette

The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette is northwest Indiana's only accredited art repository. It has a permanent collection of 15,000 objects, ranging in medium and styles, on a continually rotating display. New art rotates into the museum four times a year.

The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette is open seven days a week, except for major holidays, and offers free admission. This makes the museum a top family attraction and a popular free thing to do. Several kids and teen classes also make the Art Museum a resource for children.

The event calendar at the Art Museum includes several weekly activities. Friday Night Live might be the most popular, featuring live music on the last Friday of every month. This family-friendly celebration features evening entertainment, offering a fun thing to do at night.

6. Purdue University

In West Lafayette, Purdue University was founded in 1869 and has been enriching the community ever since. This land grant university and flagship campus offers many avenues of education through various degrees and programs and statewide satellite options.

While the education here is top-tier, a large part of the appeal of this public institution is the community and culture that it fosters. From the retention of a young and educated populace to the wide variety of businesses, events, and public spaces that cater to the university crowd, Purdue University is as much a part of the greater Lafayette community as City Hall.

Much of the excitement of Purdue University is experienced through Boilermakers sporting events. Saturday football games at the Ross-Ade Stadium are a longstanding tradition of the area, as are the home basketball games at Mackey Arena.

The annual Spring Fest in April is a fun community event hosted by the university and a great reason to visit, featuring animals, arts, and insects. The Purdue Grand Prix is also a fun spectacle to watch and features students exercising their design and driving skills with custom-made go-karts on a 160-lap Grand Prix track.

7. Downtown Lafayette

Downtown Lafayette is a foot-traffic-friendly space with tons of art and culture to explore. It's home to many public events and fun things to do. City-commissioned and family-friendly art is spray-painted on the sides of buildings, and many colorful local shops and restaurants add to the palette.

A popular downtown storefront is McCord Candies, a century-old corner store featuring handmade candies and lunch specials. Artists' Own is another popular venue, featuring a rotating gallery of local artwork and a cooperative workspace.

The downtown area is also rich with local flavors and restaurants. French and Italian appetites are catered for at the city's two most popular downtown eateries. Bistro 501 is a chic French bistro, perfect for date night, and La Scala features locally sourced Italian meals for the whole family.

One of the major draws of the downtown district is the many events that take place throughout the year. The Lafayette Farmers Market is always fun to check out on Thursday evenings from June through September, and the monthly Blue Monday Blues Jam Session for community fundraising is a great place to let your hair down.

A few other well-recommended community celebrations to check out include the 2nd Saturday ArtWalks and the various Downtown Alive! musical performances.

8. Wabash Heritage Trail

The Wabash Heritage Trail is a great way to get outdoors and see some top tourist attractions of the city. The 13-mile trail begins at the Tippecanoe Battlefield Park, and the pedestrian path parallels the Wabash River. The path heads south to connect with other public points of interest before ending at Fort Ouiatenon.

Other prominent stops along the trail include Davis Ferry Bridge, McAllister Park, and Happy Hollow Park. The entire trail is motor-free, but expect to see a good collection of strollers, joggers, and bicyclists on a sunny day.

With plenty of sightseeing along the way, part of the fun of this river path is simply the scenic natural space lining the entire route. Much of the route features a full canopy of tree cover during the summer, and several picnic benches and sitting spots line the path.

9. Celery Bog Nature Area

This 195-acre public park is on the western edge of West Lafayette and encompasses wetlands, trails, and a nature center. With nearly seven miles of paved and natural trails to explore, many of which lead right to the edge of Celery Bog, it takes less than five minutes of walking to find yourself fully immersed in this nature area.

Wildlife sightings of turtles, frogs, beavers, mallards, and herons are common near the water. The watery habitat is a vital ecosystem for several birds, and over 120 species have been documented visiting the bog. This makes the nature area a staple source of inspiration for kids and adults interested in the natural world.

The Lilly Nature Center provides many hands-on educational programs next to the parking area of Celery Bog Nature Area. The Lilly Nature Center is open Wednesday through Saturday with free admission. The grounds of the park are free to explore every day of the week from dawn to dusk.

Address: 1620 Lindberg Road, West Lafayette, Indiana

10. Tippecanoe Battlefield Park

The Tippecanoe Battlefield and Museum memorialize an 1811 clash between native inhabitants and new settlers. This 96-acre park is next to Prophetstown State Park, northeast of the city. The first thing patrons see pulling into this National Historic Landmark is an 85-foot marble obelisk originally constructed in 1908.

The on-site museum has exhibits and displays relating to the battle that took place on location more than two centuries ago. Hiking trails, picnic areas, and more interpretive information are throughout the park.

Battlefield Park is the northern terminus of the Wabash Nature Trail and is a great place to hop on and head south toward the city.

Address: 200 Battleground Avenue, Battle Ground, Indiana

11. Wolf Park

This research facility studies wolves and their behavior ten miles north of Lafayette, in the neighboring town of Battle Ground. And this non-profit institute is happy to share that research with the public.

A variety of animals can be seen at Wolf Park, including coyotes, foxes, and bison. The best way to see all the animals is on a half-mile guided walking tour led by a staff member. Reservations are required for tours, and guided opportunities are offered throughout the week. Amateur and professional photographers alike may be interested in the photography specialty tour offered, featuring a through-the-fence photo shoot.

Other special programming and events include Howl Nights, animal birthday parties, and kids' camps throughout the summer. Photography is allowed and encouraged alongside any tour, and an assortment of volunteer opportunities are offered by the park.

Address: 4004 East 800 North, Battle Ground, Indiana

12. Happy Hollow Park

Happy Hollow Park is in West Lafayette near the Wabash River. This family-friendly outdoor space is perfect for picnicking, playground exploring, and hopping on a nearby trail. The park is free to visit and open every day of the year, from dawn to dusk.

The large picnic shelters at Happy Hollow cater to big occasions and the personal picnic tables provide a good place to read or enjoy time out from the day. Reservations are available for the five large picnic pavilions on-site.

The two different playground sets cater to different age groups, and each has fully accessible equipment. Happy Hollow is a popular spot to hop on the Wabash Nature Trail, and other hiking opportunities can be found nearby.

Address: 1301 Happy Hollow Road, West Lafayette, Indiana

13. Fort Ouiatenon

This historical park and structure is southwest of the city center near the Wabash River and traces its roots back to an early 1700s French fur-trading post. Scenic picnic space and shelters surround the on-site replica blockhouse, now serving as a living-history museum open for guided tours.

Pronounced "We-ah-ten-non," the fort is operated by the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. This organization hosts special events throughout the year, including the annual Feast of the Hunter's Moon, featuring thousands of costumed characters reenacting a fall gathering.

A concrete boat ramp at the park lends access to the adjacent Wabash River. The surrounding forestland is also fun to wander about, and picnic sites at the fort offer a nice afternoon lunch spot.

Address: 3129 South River Road, West Lafayette, Indiana

Where to Stay for Sightseeing in Lafayette, Indiana

To accommodate visitors to Purdue University and the many city attractions, Lafayette has a wide range of hotel options. Many nationally recognized and name-brand hotels are east of the city center near Interstate 65, and other great options are on both sides of the Wabash River near downtown.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Near Interstate 65 and three miles east of downtown, the Courtyard Lafayette is one of the top-rated hotels in the city. The high rankings of this nationally recognized hotel brand come from the consistently clean rooms, friendly front-desk staff, and the overall comfort of the hotel's common spaces.
• Across the street from the Courtyard, Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette provides similar stellar service with even more space to spread out your things. Big enough for the whole family, the rooms at Homewood Suites include kitchenettes, workspaces, and comfortable furniture.
• On the west side of the Wabash River, closer to Purdue University, Hampton Inn & Suites West Lafayette also provides a quality stay, with an indoor pool, fitness center, and breakfast every morning.

Budget Hotels:

• Amid the wide selection of hotel options in Lafayette, a few places provide comfortable amenities at an affordable rate. Near Interstate 65, the Red Roof Inn Lafayette is one of the best budget hotels you can book, and thanks to the clean and comfortable rooms at a great value, this national hotel chain receives plenty of repeat visits.
• Across the street, the Super 8 Lafayette also provides competitive prices and clean rooms, as well as free Wi-Fi, a fridge and microwave, and free breakfast with each stay.

Map of Things to Do in Lafayette, Indiana