12 Things To Do in Lafayette-West Lafayette, Indiana

If you’ve ever driven south on I‑65 from Chicago towards Indy, or the other way around, you’ve passed right by the amazing cities, Lafayette-West Lafayette without even realizing what you’re missing out on. Not only is it home to one of the nation’s most notable universities, Purdue University, but the cities are also alive with bustling nightlife, great restaurants, and plenty of outdoor adventures, making this area a great destination for couples, families and friends.

Stay at Union Club Hotel

During our time in Lafayette-West Lafayette we had the opportunity to stay at this beautiful hotel that’s located inside the Purdue Memorial Union. The Union Club Hotel is recognized as one of the best boutique hotels by the Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association and Conde Nast’s top 15 hotels in Midwest, so staying here was a treat. Guests can indulge at 8Eleven Bistro and Boilerhouse Prime, unwind at a full-service spa and for all the golf lovers, enjoy access to the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.

Receive a robot massage at The Spa Union Club

Once we arrived in Lafayette-West Lafayette we got to unwind and relax at The Spa. A beautiful boutique wellness retreat that offers extensive selection of facial options, nail bar, infrared sauna, and one of its kind, AI powered massage system that allows you to fully personalize your experience. We both weren’t sure what to expect, but this device has exceeded our expectations. Without spoiling much of the details, we strongly recommend checking out The Spa for yourself for this one-of-a-kind experience.

Have a delicious dinner at 8Eleven Modern Bistro, Sakanaya Izakaya or Red Seven

After a full day of activities and exploration, it’s time to replenish your energy by dining at one of the many incredible options the city has to offer. Each day, we were able to try something different and unique. On our first night, we had dinner at 8Eleven, a beautifully decorated restaurant offering modern dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The presentation and flavors were incredible. The next day, we visited Red Seven, an American restaurant serving a variety of classic dishes with a modern twist, and every plate that came out of the kitchen looked amazing. On our last night in town, we decided to spice things up with dinner at Sakanaya Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant offering traditional dishes along with a wide variety of sushi, maki, yakitori, and more. The food was delicious, but what truly surprised us was the honeycomb-style seating, which created a unique dining experience of its own.

Grab a nightcap at Ritual

After dinner, head to Ritual for a delicious craft cocktail. With an ever‑changing menu based on the season, and sometimes even the month, this place does things differently. While most bars might add one or two new drinks depending on the season, Ritual rolls out almost an entire second menu of freshly crafted cocktails. The place was packed, which usually means good drinks or a good atmosphere, but here we got both, plus great service. Honestly, I’d come back to Lafayette just to visit this spot.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Scones and Doilies or McCord Candies

When it comes to sweets, Adri and I differ in many ways. One of us loves fresh pastries, while the other prefers candy and ice cream. Lucky for us, we got to satisfy both of our cravings. Scones & Dollies offers a wide variety of freshly baked pastries, from cakes to cookies, and everything looked and tasted delicious. You must try their scones; we had never seen such a variety of flavors. Our next stop was McCord Candies, a historic candy shop that’s been around since 1912. They serve everything from traditional candies to ice cream, and honestly, this place has it all.

Enjoy breakfast at Triple XXX Family Restaurant

If you’re a foodie like us, the first thing you look for in a new place is a unique spot to eat, and guess what, we found it! Triple XXX Family Restaurant is an old‑school diner serving delicious burgers, a full breakfast menu, milkshakes, and their famous house‑made Triple XXX root beer. And yes, it’s as good as everyone says. The diner has even been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive‑Ins and Dives. Oh, and here’s a fun fact: it was Drew Brees’s favorite breakfast spot, so much so that they named a dish after him, ‘The Drew Brees First Choice.

Take a tour of Samara

If you like architectural tours like we do, look no further. Take a tour of the famous Samara, also known as the John E. Christian House. This isn’t just any ordinary home; it was designed by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright. What makes this place truly unique is that the original owners wanted their guests to feel welcome, so you’re allowed to sit on furniture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and touch everything inside the house.

Visit Haan Museum of Indiana Art

When visiting Lafayette, you must stop at the Haan Museum. It houses the largest collection of Indiana art, and the building itself has a rich history. It was originally constructed for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. It’s one of only 15 buildings from the fair still standing today, and it remains true to its original design. Since we arrived close to closing time, we were lucky enough to receive a full tour from the museum director, Kerrie. Her passion and dedication to the museum and its art made the entire experience unforgettable. Her positive energy was contagious, and it was impossible not to get excited about every art piece we saw.

Enjoy lunch at East End Grill

After walking around downtown we decided to grab a bite at East End Grill. A modern American restaurant that serves upscale comfort food using fresh, local ingredients. It also features a nice selection of whiskey, to all those whiskey lovers out there.

Say Hi to Wolves at Wolf Park

If you are looking for an adventure with intent of learning and helping animals, then look no further. Wolf Park operates on over 100 acres of land, providing a permanent home for wolves, bison, foxes and other native species. The park’s mission is to educate and conserve species of animals native to the land as well as inspire future generations to protect and preserve the natural world. Thanks to this, we got the opportunity to see the pack of wolves and how they interacted. We strongly recommend checking this place out!

Find your inner child at Columbian Park Zoo

Unlike other zoos, this one is incredibly interactive and loved by not only kiddos but adults too. Our favorite was the wallaby exhibit where they are hopping around while you get to walk around them. Additionally, when we visited there were a lot of baby goats which you could pet and feed as well. Truly a great way to improve your mood if needed 😊

Explore Prophetstown State Park and The Farm

We love to be outdoors whenever possible so visiting here is a must. Whether you like to bike, fish or simply want to go for a walk, this park has plenty of options. Make sure to stop at The Farm and visit their museum and a working farm depicting life in 1920s. Lots of animals are here too, so you know we enjoyed our visit here.

Grab a Bite at Arni’s

If you’re in the mood for pizza or a sandwich, make your way to Arni’s Restaurant. It’s been an Indiana staple since 1965, serving up classic pizzas, toasted subs, and everything in between. After decades in business, they’ve truly perfected their pizza, and even though we didn’t order one, the pies passing by our table looked incredible. We went with their subs instead, and we were not disappointed. You have to try their Stromboli.

We hope this list helps you plan out an amazing visit to Lafayette-West Lafayette!

Keep the adventure rolling! Find more things to do, places to stay, and local favorites at HomeOfPurdue.com.

XoXo

Adri & Kam