Beyond Purdue: Exploring Lafayette and West Lafayette Indiana (Part 1)
I am proud to be a Purdue grad, class of ’96! And I’m thrilled that my daughter will soon be a Boilermaker herself!
Many people venture to West Lafayette to take in a Purdue football or basketball game.
Boiler up!
Others make it an annual tradition to see the Purdue Christmas Show at Elliot Hall of Music.
It has been quite a few years since I spent much time in Purdue Country, so I was excited to join Pam of Our Adventure is Everywhere on a two-day trip hosted by Visit Lafayette – West Lafayette.
I got to explore my old stomping grounds, but things sure have changed. There is so much to explore in and around the Lafayette area, and Pam and I packed in a ton of fun in just two days…so much in fact that it is going to take two blog posts to cover it all!
Here is Part 1 of the many things, beyond Purdue, to check out when visiting Lafayette and West Lafayette, Indiana:
Art Everywhere
Whether you are an art expert or someone who just appreciates an extra splash of color when they travel, there is art everywhere, for everyone, in both Lafayette and West Lafayette.
I was especially impressed with the amount of public art in every nook and cranny in downtown Lafayette.
Murals depict a wide range of scenes, including playful expressions, poetic themes, and cultural issues, among others.
Best seen on foot, I highly recommend winding up and down the streets and popping into the alleys to discover each unique creation.
Be sure to look up…and down…ART IS EVERYWHERE!
In addition to various murals, you will also find whimsical statues,
as well as those with powerful messages.
To dig even deeper into the art scene in Lafayette, a trip to The Haan Museum of Indiana Art is in order.
The museum is located in a stunning mansion that was transported to Indiana from the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
The mansion served as a personal residence for over a century. Then, ten years ago, Bob and Ellie Haan decided to move out and turn their former home into a non-profit museum, filled with their massive art collection.
As you wander the two stories of the mansion that are open to the public, you can view countless pieces of art crafted by various Hoosier artists, including T.C. Steele. The museum houses paintings, ceramics, and statues as well as historic furnishings that are fit for royalty.
Well-educated staff and volunteers are on hand to provide backstories about many of the unique items in the Haan family’s collection, even helping to demonstrate some of the complex functional art pieces.
After touring the art inside the mansion, don’t miss the sculpture garden out back.
Guests can wander the short path as they admire nearly 30 unique sculptures.
It is free to visit the sculpture garden, and it is open year-round. So plan to visit each season and take in the art amid a backdrop of snow, bright blooms, or colorful leaves.
When you are ready to expand beyond Hoosier artists, head over to the 2nd floor of the Purdue Memorial Union. There you can admire the iconic Degas ballerina as well as many other bronze sculptures by this famous French artist.
If live theater is the type of art you crave, or you simply prefer to enjoy your art from a comfy chair, I suggest you venture to the Civic Theater of Greater Lafayette. This intimate theater showcases a wide array of performances, and Pam and I had a very memorable experience at Urinetown The Musical!
While this political satire might not be for everyone (which is true of just about any kind of art), the performances by this cast were exceptional!
Pam and I left the show raving about the local talent, while scratching our heads as we tried to decipher exactly what we had just witnessed! (We listened to songs and dialogue about pee for 2 1/2 hours, so there was bound to be some introspection after the final curtain!)
Plenty of Shopping
Now for another one of my favorite travel activities…SHOPPING!
If browsing in boutique stores is an activity you like on your travel itinerary, downtown Lafayette is sure to please.
While you can find plenty of popular chain stores in the Greater Lafayette area to pick up necessities, downtown Lafayette has the charming feel of a small town with several blocks of one-of-a-kind shops.
Never one to pass up an independent bookstore, I had to pop in Main Street Books. With both new and used titles as well as fun gift items, this is a great place to stop even if you have some less-than-avid shoppers in your group.
I’m always on the hunt for one-of-a-kind gifts, and shops like Artist’s Own is perfect for handcrafted items. Or check out Beyond Gallery and Gift Shop for plenty of items that are beyond ordinary!
If you want a shop that is as pleasing to your nose as it is to your eyes, don’t miss Essentially Aqua and stock up on handmade bath and beauty products.
Another unique, not-to-miss shop is Generation NA.
Part bar, part beverage store, this popular shop sells every kind of non-alcoholic wine and beer imaginable. Who said sober living had to be boring?!
Generation NA is the perfect spot for the under 21 crowd as well as anyone who prefers an alcohol free hangout.
Many of these shops are new since my days at Purdue, but McCord Candies has been around for over 100 years. And for good reason!
This candy shop and soda fountain dishes up nostalgia along with sweet and sour confections that appeal to all ages.
Every trip to Lafayette should include a visit to McCord Candies!
Dining for Every Palate
Art gazing and shopping take a lot of energy, but fortunately, Lafayette and West Lafayette have tons of great restaurants to help you refuel.
There are several iconic restaurants that you simply must try, starting with Triple XXX. Don’t let the name fool you, This is a very family-friendly restaurant and one that all ages will enjoy.
Triple XXX is a low-frills diner that is high on taste, with a wide range of menu items. Even though Pam and I popped in for breakfast, I couldn’t resist ordering one of their famous root beers!
With plenty of specialty burgers on the menu, I suggest being a bit adventurous and trying the Duane Purvis All American Burger…complete with a slathering of peanut butter! Trust me on this one…it’s SO good!!
Next up…Meet You At Arni’s!
With a handful of locations in the Greater Lafayette area and several more throughout Indiana, Arni’s is a Hoosier dining hotspot.
Their unique and mouthwatering pizza is Arni’s obvious claim to fame, but the menu offers so much more. The Arni’s Junior Salad is loved by many, including yours truly, and their sandwiches are also the bomb!
Yet Arni’s isn’t the only popular pizza joint in Purdue Country. Bruno’s is another well-renowned restaurant dishing up pies and plenty of other tasty menu items.
While the location has recently changed, the quality of food at Bruno’s remains stellar!
An order of Bruno dough for the table is a surefire way to start your meal off right.
This time I opted for pasta, and the seafood ravioli did not disappoint! So creamy…and the portion size was way beyond adequate.
While I highly recommend dining at these tried-and-true local restaurants, I was excited to see plenty of new and trendy dining options available as well.
East End Grill on Lafayette’s Main Street offers upscale menu options with a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Perfect for splitting a plate of truffle fries with friends!
For my meal, I opted for the flank steak tacos, which were packed with flavor. YUM!
With only one more meal on our travel itinerary, Pam and I enjoyed a sophisticated breakfast at 8 Eleven Bistro inside the Union Club Hotel.
Apparently, I was in a green mood…from my Go Green smoothie to the avocado toast. (It may have been my subconscious reminding me that I also have a daughter attending Michigan State University!)
Both were delicious and the perfect start to a busy travel day.
That’s it for Part 1!
Stay tuned for Part 2, complete with coffee, cocktails, nature, and more!
BOILER UP!!
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
I’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to Sarah and Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette for hosting our trip and for all the Hoosier Hospitality! As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
P.S. Subscribe to my email list here and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips…plus I’ll send you my free Packing List!
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