Overview
Lafayette is the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Central Indiana. It is located 2 hours southeast of Chicago and 1 hour northwest of Indianapolis. The Greater Lafayette metropolitan area consists of the cities of Lafayette and West Lafayette. The combined population is 97,000. Neighboring West Lafayette is home to Purdue University, a large, prestigious public university.
7 sights · 3 things to do · 8 places to eat · 16 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lafayette
Fort Ouiatenon
Tippecanoe County Historical Association
Historic Prophetstown State Park
Wolf Park
Columbian Park
Columbian Park Zoo
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Indianapolis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LAF Purdue University Airport, West Lafayette — 3 mi away. Directions
- IND Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis — 57 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tippecanoe County Historical Association, Historic Prophetstown State Park, Columbian Park
- Lunch Arni's
- Afternoon Lilly Nature Center, Lala Gallery & Studio
- Dinner South Street Smokehouse
- Evening Black Sparrow
Day 2
- Morning Fort Ouiatenon, Tropicanoe Cove, Wolf Park
- Lunch Frozen Custard
- Afternoon Columbian Park Zoo, Samara House
- Dinner Walt's Other Pub
- Evening Checkerboard Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Local information
Get in
By train
- Route stopping in Lafayette:
- Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
By bus
- Greyhound. From Chicago, 3.5 hours.
- Lafayette Limo shuttle from Lafayette to the Indianapolis and Chicago Airports, Indianapolis: $27 one way to Indianapolis, $55 one way to Chicago
- Reindeer Shuttle shuttle from Lafayette to the Indianapolis and Chicago Airports, Indianapolis: $30 one way to Indianapolis, $60 one way to Chicago.
By plane
Get around
The area is divided by the Wabash River. To the east of the river is Lafayette and to the west is West Lafayette. Lafayette is broken down into several neighborhoods. Starting at the river and heading east is downtown. Here you will find numerous shops and restaurants as well as most of the museums and theaters. North of downtown is the Historical Centennial Neighborhood. South of downtown is the Ninth Street Hill Neighborhood. Most of the shopping and hotels are either downtown or along one of the main arteries. State Rd 26 runs east and west bisecting both cities. State Rd 52 curves around the East side of town and crosses the river into the Northern side of West Lafayette. On State Rd 52 near the Southeast side of town you will find the Tippecanoe Mall. Interstate 65 marks the eastern edge of Lafayette. From South to North there are 4 exits for Lafayette, St Rd 38, St Rd 26, St Rd 25, and St Rd 43 (for West Lafayette).
The John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge connects downtown Lafayette with West Lafayette. Starting at the river and heading west into West Lafayette is the Levee area and Wabash Landing. This area is fairly new with several shops, a multiplex theater, a park, and an outdoor ice skating rink. Continue west up the hill on State Rd. 26 to the Chauncey Hill and Village area. There you will find most of the college bars and several restaurants. Continue west on Hwy. 26 to pass through the main campus of Purdue University. To the north and east of Purdue is the main residential area of West Lafayette.
- Bus, There are 15 bus routes around the cities. Tickets are $1, 10 tokens for $7.50 (you can ask for one free transfer ticket), $28 for a calendar month pass, free for students and staff at Purdue. There is a free trolley bus going from downtown Lafayette to West Lafayette/Purdue and back every 15 minutes. Some bus lines do not run on weekends, in the summer, or anytime when classes are not in session; check schedules for details. Lafayette and the surroundings areas are suburban and relatively spread out; a private automobile is recommended.
See
- Go for a walk in the historic downtown, Main St. from 2nd to 9th St.
- The Standard Oil station, 627 South St, one of only seven left, is a walk-by museum.
Do
- Ice skating in the winter at Riverside Skating Center, 100 Tapawingo Dr, just east of Wabash Landing.
- Go to a Purdue football game or other major sporting event.
- Feast of the Hunter's Moon every fall
- Colt World Series every August
- Taste of Tippecanoe every June.
Do Samara House
Tour this National Historic Landmark. Samara House was completed in 1956 and represents one of Wright’s most fully realized Usonian designsoffering a rare comprehensive example of the famous architect’s work, from landscape and exterior details to specific interior furnishings including china, bed linens, and more. Note: Must have a reservation which can be made by phone or online.
Buy
Shop JL Records
Independent music store in the best sense of that tradition. Lots of hard to find vinyl and cds.
Shop Tippecanoe Mall
Eat
Lafayette
Eat Arni's
This pizza place has been around Lafayette for over 40 years, it is expanding throughout the state now, but it all started here.
Eat South Street Smokehouse
Amazing homestyle slow cooked meals. Very reasonably priced, definitely worth a stop for casual lunch or dinner.
Eat Frozen Custard
This custard restaurant started in the 1930s and still serves the same hand-dipped custard.
Eat Walt's Other Pub
A fun and welcoming atmosphere makes you feel like it's a second home. Great indoor smoking and smoke-free facility.
West Lafayette
Eat Triple XXX
Indiana's first drive-in restaurant. Known for biscuits and gravy and a famous "Dwayne Purvis" hamburger with peanut butter. Great root beer too.
- Silver Dipper, River Market (corner of River Rd and State St). Hand-dipped ice cream and ice cream treats. Locally owned with a loyal customer base.
Eat Nine Irish Brothers
A little slice of Ireland right here in West Lafayette. Family-owned traditional Irish pub. Warm atmosphere, live music, unique draft selection, great appetizers (try the Irish Pizza), and of course your traditional Irish entrees. Second location is in Lafayette, adjacent to Tippecanoe Mall (3520 State Rd. 38 E).
Eat Cafe Vienna Expresso Bar and Bakery
Good sweet treats and coffee, and an eclectic mix of sandwiches named after jazz and blues artists.
Eat Parthenon
Chauncey Hill Mall. Authentic Greek food in a spacious dining area.
Drink
Lafayette
- Ben Hur Tavern, 1002 S 4th.
- Biltmore Tap Room, 1202 S 4th.
Drink Black Sparrow
Smaller lunch and dinner menu with unique items. The closest Lafayette comes to a hipster bar. Bands often play on Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes there is a cover charge.
Drink Checkerboard Tavern
Careful: they don't seem to change their fryer oil often enough.
- 6th Street Dive, 827 N 6th. Craft beers, everybody just sort of seems to find room for another one.
Drink DT Kirby's
Delicious (greasy) food that will stop your heart, great liquor selection, friendly dive bar atmosphere (as long as you're a Bears fan.)
- Filling Station, 2603 Greenbush.
Drink East End Grille
Great restaurant in Killer Beans Coffee's old spot, probably one of the best in town. Upscale for Lafayette (but that isn't hard to do).
Drink Knickerbocker Saloon
Founded in 1835, billed as Indiana's oldest bar. The bar is the oldest in Indiana, but it was moved to this location. Tons of live music, sometimes jazz or other local bands. Cover is charged when bands are playing.
Drink Lafayette Brewing Company
One of two Lafayette breweries (do not ask for a bud light here, only beer made on site served). Brew pub with very good selection of beers. Also has good food and a second floor stage with live music and open mic nights.
- Linwood Tavern, 1244 N 14th.
Drink People's Brewing Company
The second of Lafayette's own brewing companies. Their beers can be found on tap at some local bars. There is a small on-site bar that serves only the People's brews.
West Lafayette
Drink Brother's Bar & Grill
Brother's always has specials and hence makes it a fairly cheap alternative to Harry's or Yacht Club. Much more relaxed atmosphere compared to other bars on campus.
Drink Harry's Chocolate Shop
Harry's is a campus classic and has been around since the times of prohibition. It used to be a soda fountain but don't expect any chocolate to be served in this drinking mainstay. The vast majority of Purdue's campus will probably say Harry's is their favorite bar since it has a little of something for everyone. Strong drinks.
Drink Neon Cactus
Dance club and piano bar. On Thursday nights it is mostly frequented by college students as there is a $5 cover and $0.50 32-oz beers/$1.75 32-oz well drinks.
Drink Nine Irish Brothers Traditional Irish Pub
An impressively authentic Irish pub, with above average food—plenty of Irish cuisine such as shepherd's pie, Guinness beef stew, fish and chips, Connemara chicken, and--of course--corned beef and cabbage. It would be a great little Irish pub just for the atmosphere, but the big attractions are the bar and the entertainment. Nine Brothers has great draught beer, and a full bar with an impressive selection of Irish whiskeys, which are surpirsingly affordable. On weekends, the menu and booze are complemented by live Irish music; otherwise you can stop in to watch European sports (football, rugby, Gaelic football, hurling) on the telly, as well as the obligatory Purdue, Cubs, Bears, and Colts games.
Drink Where Else? Bar
Dance floor in the back, students tend to gather here at the end of their bar crawl. Featured in Sports Illustrated as #7 College Tailgate Location in the Nation. Featured on Big Ten Network for being the home of "BREAKFAST CLUB".
Drink Brokerage Brewing
21+. Local brewery.
Sleep
Bed and Breakfast
Stay Loeb House
Hotels
- Tons of hotels on Route 26 near Interstate 65, budget-moderate priced: Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Comfort Inn, Day's Inn, Red Roof Inn, etc.—pick your favorite chain. These are outside of comfortable walking distance from West Lafayette (and therefore Purdue University), but only about a 20-minute drive from the heart of campus. If you're driving into town anyway and don't need pedestrian access to campus or downtown West Lafayette, these are a good (and often cheaper) choice.
Stay Union Club Hotel
Right on Purdue's campus, inside of the Purdue Union building. Good restaurants downstairs in the Union. Has secured online reservations. If you are looking to stay here during a major Purdue home game or campus event, make sure you make your reservations early because it does fill quickly.
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