I have been an Indiana resident my entire life and explored a majority of the state. I was hired by Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette last fall and discovered all of the unique locations in Indiana I had never seen. As Visitor Information Specialist my responsibilities are to assist tourists with directions, inquiries, and brochures for our community. With this in mind, I curated the top reasons why everyone should stop in their nearest Visitors Center, along with places to visit in the Greater Lafayette area!

1. Local Food and Beverages Establishments

  • Triple XXX is a family-owned restaurant popular for their root beer and appearance on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives hosted by Guy Fieri. Try the Purvis Burger if you are feeling nutty!
  • Harry’s Chocolate Shop is a Boilermaker alumni favorite and one of the most well-known college bars in America.
Root beer float and milkshakes from Triple XXX
Triple XXX
Purvis Burger at Triple XXX
Purvis Burger

2. Annual Festivals and Events

  • Farmer’s markets showcase local products and services of businesses within the community by boosting engagement. The City of Lafayette hosts a market every Saturday morning, as well as Thursday mornings on West Lafayette’s campus, from May-October. Come check out the local produce, fresh flowers, and sweet treats only offered in the Greater Lafayette area!

3. Local Attractions

  • Wolf Park is a conservation facility dedicated to the research and rehabilitation of wild animals, specifically wolves. This nonprofit facility was founded in 1970 for educational purposes to discover the behavioral and communicative interactions amongst wolves.
  • Exploration Acres is home to the largest corn maze in Northwestern Indiana stretching 22 acres! Pumpkin picking, hayrides, and other seasonal attractions are only available September-October, so don’t miss out on this perfect opportunity for family fun!
  • Prophetstown State Park located in Battle Ground, Indiana is one of Indiana’s state parks. Tecumseh established the Shawnee Indians at Prophetstown in 1808. Thus, visitors of the park can experience the rich Native American culture and lifestyle at the Farm at Prophetstown.
Picking Pumpkins at Exploration Acres
Pumpkin Picking
Picking pumpkins at Exploration Acres
Exploration Acres

4. Entertainment for All Ages

  • Purdue University has so much to offer from athletics to convocations to tours of the campus. My favorite weekend activity is attending a B1G sporting events with my friends!
  • Beyond the Vine Wine Tour is the perfect outing with friends to sip wine and tour local wineries. We did tastings at Whyte Horse, Carpenter Creek Cellars, and Hooker’s Corner.
Friends attending a Purdue football game.
Purdue Football Game
Purchased a bottle of wine at the Carpenter Creek Cellars.
Beyond the Vine

5. Exploring Architecture and Historical Landmarks

  • Celery Bog Nature Area located in West Lafayette and home to over one-hundred different species of wildlife and plants. Therefore, I frequent the walking trails and admire the beautiful scenery.

Next time you are traveling or looking for an activity, stop in your nearest Visitors Center!