Lafayette, Indiana Attractions

Website overview

2010-01-16T07:31:00.003-05:00

Hello,

I have created this website to give people ideas for things to do and see in the Lafayette area. I have written a description of many of these places on this site, but if you know of a place I have missed, let me know and I will visit it and write a review. Browse the categories below to find something that interests you.

Sincerely,
Ben Leonard

Sites sorted by Topic

Sites sorted by Location

Riverside Ice Rink

2010-01-16T07:20:00.000-05:00

Riverside Ice Rink is the only place for ice skating in the Lafayette area. It is a small outdoor ice rink, but it has cooling coils so that it can remain open even when it is somewhat above freezing. Skating generally takes place in a counter clockwise manner around the rink leaving a small area in the center which is open for general use. Inexperienced skaters may hold on to the walls of the rink for support while ice skating.

Experienced skaters will be disappointed with the rink's small size, but it is preferable to not being able to skate at all. There is not much instruction available during general skating sessions, but there are guards to help you if you fall down.

Amenities

Restrooms and a drinking fountain are available for the public
Some but not a lot of parking is free in Tapawingo Park
There is a heated shelter for putting on your skates and resting next to the ice rink
Ice skates are available for rental
A fee is charged for skating and skate rental. See the rink website for current pricing.

Links

Map

View Larger Map

Greater Macedonia Church of God

2010-01-16T06:50:00.000-05:00

This building was constructed by a Jewish congregation in 1867. The Jewish synagogue moved in 1976 and the building was purchased by a Unitarian Universalist congregation in 1979. Recently this church has been purchased by the Greater Macedonia Church of God. This is the oldest standing brick synagogue in the state.

Location

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Central Presbyterian Church

2010-01-16T06:20:00.000-05:00

The Presbyterian church in this area dates back to missionaries sent in 1828. The first congregation was formed in 1832, but it split because of a national level denominational divide in the 1840s. The congregation divided into the First and Second Presbyterian churches and the Second congregation constructed this building which was completed in 1895. In 1914 the two halves of the denomination merged and Central Presbyterian was founded.

The building is in the Romanesque style and constructed from rough faced limestone. The entrance tower originally had a conical roof, but it was modified to its current configuration after a fire in 1913. The education building, constructed in 1927, has Colonial Revival style architecture.

Links

Location

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St. Mary's Cathedral

2010-01-16T06:10:00.000-05:00

Construction of St. Mary's began in 1861 and was completed in the Gothic Style in 1866 after a delay from the Civil War. A fascade and stained glass windows were added during the 1880s. A belfry and steeple were added on top of the previous flat topped tower in 1898. New entrance steps were added in 1904 and during the 1920s a brick veneer was added. A fellowship area was added since 2000. The cathedral's steeple is 180 feet high.

The cathedral was built on the location of an old seminary. St. Ignatius Academy, a private boarding school, used to be on the west side of the lot.

Links

Location

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Bethel African Methodist Epsicopal Church

2010-01-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

This church was constructed by a Lutheran church in 1850 and sold to Bethel AME in 1866. The building was covered in stucco some time during the 1920s. Church offices were added in 1922 along with stained glass windows.

Bethel AME founded one of the first schools in the area and donated it to the government in 1969 for use as a public school for blacks. Bethel AMEs school remained in use until the 1880s.

Links

Location

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St. Boniface Catholic Church

2010-01-09T19:45:00.001-05:00

The St. Boniface congregation was formed in 1853 when there were enough German Catholics to warrant splitting off from the main Lafayette parish. In 1863 the new church bought land for a new building which was completed in 1865. The church tower originally had a flat roof and the spire was added in 1887.

The building is in the Gothic Revival style. The original tower had a large stained glass rose window on the top level which was removed when the spire was added. The front facade has three parts which the tower in front of the two wings.

Links

Location

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Brown Street United Methodist Church

2010-01-06T17:00:00.000-05:00

The United Methodist Church was one of the first denominations to send circuit riders to Lafayette and opened five of the first six schools in the area. This congregation was formed in 1851 and the church building was constructed during the summer of 1885 for $15,000. The church, located in the German part of town, was predominantly German and held its services in German until 1919. Concurrent with the language change, the church's name changed from Deutsche Methodist Kirche to Brown Street Episcopal Methodist Church. This was later changed to its current name because of denomination restructuring.

The church has a gabled front on 9th street and has Gothic style arches. The steeple was destroyed by lightning in 1933 and later rebuilt although not as high as the original steeple. The church's exterior was restored in 1974.

Links

Location

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St. James Lutheran Church

2009-12-19T13:00:00.000-05:00

The St. James congregation was formed in 1850 and occupied two different locations before moving to its current building in 1884. The building was constructed by the Grace Episcopal Church in 1872 and at the time of its construction it was considered one of the handsomest churches in Lafayette. Grace Episcopal decided to merge with another Episcopal church and its building up for sale. St. James conducted all of its services in German until 1917 when it began holding a German service in the morning and an English service in the evening.

The church is built in the Gothic style. The carved tracery around the three front doors and stained glass window are characteristic of gothic architecture. The west (left) tower also has elaborate tracery around its vents.

Links

Location

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Sons of Abraham Synagogue

2009-12-15T17:30:00.000-05:00

The first Jewish congregation in Lafayette organized in the 1840s and officially formed into an orthodox congregation in 1889. This building was constructed in 1904 and was a cross between modern and traditional architecture at the time it was created. The stain glass window above the entry shows a menorah during daylight and a kiddush cup during the nighttime due to the coloring of the glass.

Links

Sons of Abraham Synagogue

Location

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First Baptist Church

2009-12-05T19:39:00.000-05:00

The First Baptist congregation was organized in 1835 when there were around 1000 baptists living in Lafayette. The church held baptisms in a canal by the Wabash River from 1855 until the completion of the current church building. Construction of the church began in 1869 and was completed in 1872. Later an 18 stop tractor-action pipe organ built by Hook & Hastings Organ Company was purchased which was equivalent in cost to the building of the entire church. In 1921 the spires on top of both towers were removed--the taller of which had reached 210 feet into the air-- and replaced with the current parapets.

The church is built in the Norman Gothic style. The corbels, tall thin columns, round arches, and quatrefoil window are all characteristics of Norman Gothic architecture. The interior of the church has stained glass windows and walnut woodwork.

Links

Location

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Trinity United Methodist Church

2009-11-23T19:00:00.000-05:00

Trinity United Methodist's congregation was organized in 1824 before the city of Lafayette was founded. The lot where the church building is located was not purchased until 1868. The spires of the church were updated in the 1920s. The church is built in the Gothic Rival style.

Trinity's stained glass windows were designed by Edna Browning Ruby a world famous artist from Lafayette. She began making stained glass at the age of 28 and soon became world famous. She also made stained glass windows for area churches including Stidham United Methodist Church and Elston Presbyterian Church.

Links

Location

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First Christian Church

2009-11-17T19:41:00.000-05:00

The congregation of First Christian Church was organized in 1839. It moved between meeting places until 1914 when it constructed its current building. The church originally had open belfry, but this was removed in 1954. At that time a closed bell tower and addition were added.

The original building is in the Craftsman style. The additions to the building and new bell tower are built in the modern Gothic style giving the entire building a blended feel.

Links

Location

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Famer's Mini-Markets

2009-11-14T16:52:00.004-05:00

Although the regular farmers markets of the year are over, you can still buy your local produce in downtown Lafayette. Mini-markets are open many weekends from 8 am until noon. These events do not appear to be listed on the Lafayette Farmers Market website, but they can be found on the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce site.

Dates (time 8am-noon)

November 13, 2009
November 21, 2009
December 5, 2009

Links

St. John's Episcopal Church

2009-11-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

St. John's congregation was organized in 1837. The land for the Church was donated by the Pastor, Reverend Samuel Johnson. The first church building was erected in 1838 and a larger building was built in 1858.

This building is a Gothic Revival style church. It is a brick structure but is now covered in stucco.

Links

Location

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306 Ninth Street

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306 Ninth Street

301 Ninth Street

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301 Ninth Street

300 Ninth Street

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300 Ninth Street

115 Ninth Street

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115 Ninth Street

230 Ninth Street

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230 Ninth Street

226 Ninth Street

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226 Ninth Street

222 Ninth Street

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222 Ninth Street

221 Ninth Street

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221 Ninth Street

216 Ninth Street

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216 Ninth Street

213 Ninth Street

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213 Ninth Street

212 Ninth Street

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212 Ninth Street

207 Ninth Street

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207 Ninth Street

122 Ninth Street

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122 Ninth Street

118 Ninth Street

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118 Ninth Street

116 Ninth Street

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116 Ninth Street

114 Ninth Street

2009-10-17T14:06:00.000-04:00

114 Ninth Street

111/113 Ninth Street

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111 and 113 Ninth Street

110 Ninth Street

2009-10-12T16:23:00.000-04:00

110 Ninth Street

106/108 Ninth Street

2009-10-12T16:22:00.001-04:00

106 and 108 Ninth Street

102/104 Ninth Street

2009-10-12T16:20:00.001-04:00

102 and 104 Ninth Street

202 Ninth Street

2009-10-11T16:10:00.000-04:00

202 Ninth Street

Feast of the Hunter's Moon

2009-09-19T11:00:00.001-04:00

This is a multi-day festival which commemorates an annual fall gathering that Native Americans and French fur traders had at this location during the 1700s. All sorts of activities take place during this weekend. Food, games, music, battles, crafts, sales, canoe races, and other activities occur throughout the day. The re-enactors represent members of the Native American, French, British, and American communities who spent time at the location of Fort Ouiatenon.

The prices are expensive for food and souvenirs, but there are many things to do for free. Make sure to pick up a schedule of the event so that you can plan to see all of the main activities which interest you.

Amenities

Buses are available for rides out to the location
Food may be bought from vendors at the event
Restrooms are available at the event

Links

Map
This event occurs at Fort Ouiatenon

Wabash Campus

2009-09-11T13:57:00.000-04:00

Wabash College's campus is very scenic. The grounds are well manicured and landscaped and the buildings are all red brick with white trimming. The overall feel of the place was very nice. It has an old fashioned traditional feel to it.

While the campus may not be worth a visit in and of itself, it is worth stopping by for a walk if you're in town.

Amenities

Parking is available in lots and on the streets but it may be hard to find during normal business hours
Restrooms are available in the buildings

Links

Map

View Larger Map

Tippecanoe Cove

2009-08-30T19:00:00.000-04:00

Tippecanoe Cove has water slides, a river-like flowing channel, balance walks, a sand play area and other attractions. It is a really good water park for younger children; however, it can get very crowded. If you go on a day when the weather is not as good, the lines are shorter as opposed to nice sunny days when the park is packed. Younger children will love this park, but there is a height limit to some of the rides.

Amenities

Admission is not free
Changing rooms and showers are available
Grassy areas and deck chairs can be used for sunning
Parking is available but limited

Links

Lafayette Aquatics

Map

View Larger Map

Speed Cabin

2009-08-30T18:00:00.000-04:00

Located just beside the Lane Place, this small cabin can be viewed through glass paneling inside the doorway. It is difficult to see the inside of the cabin because of the darkness and reflections on the glass. The cabin was not originally located next to the Lane House, but it was moved to this location, so the historical society could preserve the building.

Nevertheless, it is interesting to see a typical American house from the mid 1800s. The Lane House next door also started as a log cabin. The Speed Cabin served as a stop on the underground railroad before the civil war.

Amenities

It is free to walk by and observe
It is located next to the Henry Lane Place

Links

Map

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Montgomery County Rotary Jail

2009-08-26T20:43:00.000-04:00

The rotary jail was invented by William H. Brown of Indianapolis and was supposed to be escape proof. This proved to be the case (when there was not jailer error) although the rotary jails were terrible to live in. One inmate said that he would rather spend six months in a normal jail than six hours in a rotary jail. Nevertheless, between six and eighteen rotary jails were built at great expense. The only remaining operating rotary jail in the world is located in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

This jail was an interesting place to visit. You can see the jail cells rotate around their core and learn about what life was like for the jailers and inmates. It is very interesting to see the workings of the jail, but it makes you sad knowing of all the men who were locked up in it. The tour guide can tell you all sorts of stories about the history of the jail and the people who inhabited it.

Amenities

Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children
Guided tour of the study
Parking is available on surrounding streets

Links

Map

View Larger Map

616 Ninth Street

2009-08-24T16:01:00.000-04:00

616 Ninth Street
Cottage Bungalow 1920

614 Ninth Street

2009-08-24T15:59:00.000-04:00

614 Ninth Street
Cottage Bungalow 1925

613 Ninth Street

2009-08-24T15:58:00.000-04:00

613 Ninth Street
Bungalow circa 1915

610 South Street

2009-08-24T15:55:00.000-04:00

610 Ninth Street
Queen Anne circa 1890
Note porte cochere and second floor sleeping porch

609 Ninth Street

2009-08-24T15:52:00.000-04:00

609 Ninth Street
American Foursquare 1922

605 Ninth Street

2009-08-24T15:50:00.000-04:00

605 Ninth Street
Gable Front Vernacular cottage circa 1880

604 Ninth Street

2009-08-24T15:49:00.000-04:00

604 Ninth Street
Queen Anne circa 1890
Note cantilievered wall extension on north side

602 Ninth Street

2009-08-24T15:00:00.001-04:00

602 Ninth Street
Free Classic circa 1890
Note original porch and railing

601 Ninth Street

2009-08-24T15:00:00.000-04:00

601 South Ninth Street
Free Classic circa 1885
Note side bay and leaded windows

Five Points Museum

2009-08-23T17:15:00.000-04:00

This is an old fire station in Lafayette that was turned into a museum at the end of its active use. The station was built in 1921 and was one of the first in the area to be able to house a motorized fire engine. The base served the Lafayette area for 80 years before being converted into a museum. The fire station is set up in a manner similar to what it was like during its operational years.

The museum is staffed by volunteer retired fire fighters who are very knowledgeable about the equipment and building's history because they used this same equipment and may have worked from this station. Children will love having the chance to see the fire engines and equipment.

Amenities

There are antique toys and old fire equipment inside
There are two antique fire engines in the station
There is no parking lot but parking can be found on the surrounding streets
There is free admission

Links

Early Alert Lafayette

Map

View Larger Map

Lew Wallace Study

2009-08-22T13:38:00.000-04:00

Lew Wallace was a remarkable man. He as a successful soldier, diplomat, inventor, author, artist, and father. Towards the end of his life he built this study where he could retire in peace and write. Lew Wallace is best known for writing Ben-Hur, but he also served as a general in the American Civil War and fough in the Mexican-American war. Diplomatically he served as an ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and held several governing positions out west.

The Lew Wallace Study is a pleasant place to visit. It is walled off from the surrounding streets giving it a feeling of tranquility. The building itself is interesting to look at it almost seems like a toy castle. The interpretive center shows a video about Lew Wallace's life and displays artifacts relating to his accomplishments. Inside the study, one can see artwork, awards, and memorabilia collected by Lew Wallace.

Amenities

Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children
Guided tour of the study
A video telling the story of Lew Wallace may be seen
A parking lot is available

Links

Map

View Larger Map

Henry S. Lane Place

2009-08-21T13:35:00.000-04:00

The Lane Place was home to Henry S. Lane and his wife Joanna. The building was originally a log cabin, but it had several additions made to it, so that became a very large house by the standards of its day. The Lanes were a wealthy family and had their piano and several large mirrors shipped to the house from the East Coat. The shipping cost of their piano was equal to its retail price. Lane served as a senator during the Civil War. He was against slavery although he disagreed on tactics with most abolitionists. My tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Lane family and area history, so you should be able to learn everything you want from a visit.

Amenities

Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children
Guided tour of the house
Free parking is available on the surrounding streets

Links

Map

View Larger Map

Carnegie Museum

2009-08-21T13:17:00.000-04:00

The Carnegie Museum was the first Carnegie library built in Indiana. It opened in 1902 and served as Crawfordsville's public library until 2005. The current library is situated across the road. The museum has memorabilia and posters documenting the regions history and explaining how it developed. Touring the museum should not take an extended period of time.

Amenities

Free admission
There are bathrooms available
Free parking is available on the surrounding streets

Links

Map

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902 Kossuth

2009-08-13T19:38:00.000-04:00

922 Kossuth c. 1930

Spanish Eclectic

Note tile roof and copper gutters

822 Kossuth

2009-08-13T19:36:00.000-04:00

822 Kossuth
Craftsman Bungalow c. 1916

802 Kossuth

2009-08-13T19:34:00.000-04:00

802 Kossuth

Colonial Revival c. 1915

714 Kossuth

2009-08-13T19:32:00.000-04:00

414 Kossuth
Bungalow c. 1910

Castaway Bay

2009-08-13T17:46:00.000-04:00

Castaway Bay has a spraying fountain area and a pool with three segments: shallow, intermediate, and deep (roughly the height of an adult). There is also a basketball hoop for playing in the water.

This pool is mostly designed for children. Parents can either get into the water with their kids or sit on the grass and lawn chairs around the pool. The pool is not as big as might be desired, but there is plenty of room for children to play.

Amenities

There are bathrooms and showers in the changing rooms
Deck chairs, umbrellas, and grassy areas are available for sitting or laying around the pool
Parking is available next to the pool
It is located in Armstrong Park

Links

Map

View Larger Map

Wolf Park

2009-08-11T23:10:00.000-04:00

Wolves here live in a cross between a zoo and the wild in this park. Researchers study these wolves to see how they interact. Wolves are studied here in a relatively natural environment although they are not as free to roam as they are in the wild. The wolves can be seen at howl nights and attempting to hunt buffalo. The workers here assured me that the wolves are not actually skilled enough to successfully hunt the buffalo who have nothing to fear from wolves at this skill level.

At howl nights, the workers get the wolves to gather in front of viewing stands and explain their behavior. The wolves also demonstrate some tricks which the workers have taught them. Of course, you will also get the opportunity to lead the wolves in a howl. At the bison demos, the wolves are given a chance to hunt the bison living on the park until they give up.

Amenities

There are bathrooms an in the visitor center
There is a bookstore which sells memorabilia
Plenty of parking is available in the lot outside the visitor center
There are viewing stands to watch the wolves during shows and fences to separate you from the wolves

Links

Map

View Larger Map

Campuses

2009-08-11T15:13:00.001-04:00

Wabash College

Columbian Park Zoo

2009-08-02T19:21:00.000-04:00

Columbian Park Zoo is located in Columbian Park in Lafayette. It has free admission so it is a great place to take a family, but unfortunately it is not a very large zoo. Even though there are not as many animals, the zoo makes up for this by allowing more interaction. You can go into a barnyard and pet some animals. You can also play in a mock prairie dog tunnels or walk amongst the butterflies. The staff/helpers there are friendly and helpful.

Amenities

Admission is free
There are bathrooms and drinking fountains available
Parking is available on the surrounding streets and can be difficult to find depending on the time
There are plenty of staff to aid you

Links

Map

View Larger Map

Vinton Pool

2009-08-02T19:16:00.001-04:00

Vinton is a relatively small pool, but it is great for children and people who do not wish to lap swim or dive. The pool starts off very shallow and gradually gets deeper so that children can play in their optimal depth of water. Parents can either play with their children in the pool or watch from the deck chairs around it. There is a water slide and basketball hoop available for play as well.

Amenities

There are bathrooms and showers in the changing rooms
Deck chairs and umbrellas are available for sitting or laying around the pool
Parking is available next to the pool

Links

Lafayette Aquatics page

Map

View Larger Map

Entertainment

2009-08-01T20:03:00.001-04:00

Crawfordsville

2009-08-01T19:51:00.003-04:00

Homes of Historic Ninth Street Hill

2009-08-01T19:49:00.009-04:00

Hill Street

708 Hill Street
710 Hill Street
714 Hill Street
800 Hill Street

Kossuth

South Street

901 South Street

State Street

800 State Street
801 State Street
807 State Street
904 State Street
907 State Street

7th Street

400 7th Street
401 7th Street
404 7th Street
405 7th Street
408 7th Street
410 7th Street
459 7th Street
461 7th Street

8th Street

450 8th Street
455 8th Street
456 8th Street
457 8th Street
460 8th Street
500 8th Street
509 8th Street
510 8th Street
515 8th Street
516 8th Street

8th Street

450 8th Street
451 8th Street
456 8th Street
457 8th Street
460 8th Street
500 8th Street
509 8th Street
510 8th Street
515 8th Street
516 8th Street

9th Street

6 9th street
12/14 9th street
102/104 9th street
106/108 9th street
110 9th street
111/113 9th street
114 9th street
115 9th street
116 9th street
118 9th street
122 9th street
202/204 9th street
207 9th street
212 9th street
213 9th street
216 9th street
221 9th street
222 9th street
226 9th street
230 9th street
300 9th street
301 9th street
303/305 9th street
306 9th street
402 9th street
403 9th street
409 9th street
410 9th street
412 9th street
415 9th street
453 9th street
456 9th street
460 9th street
510 9th street
511 9th street
515/517 9th street
516 9th street
519 9th street
520 9th street
523/525 9th street
528 9th street
529 9th street
532 9th street
533 9th street
534 9th street
540/542 9th street
601 9th street
602 9th street
604 9th street
605 9th street
609 9th street
610 9th street
613 9th street
614 9th street
616 9th street

Places of Worship

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Happy Hollow Park

2009-08-01T19:41:00.000-04:00

Happy Hollow park is one of the busier parks in West Lafayette. It is in a valley running through the town of West Lafayette. When you walk in the park all you can see are the trees surrounding you on the valley slopes making you feel far away from the bustle of town. It can be difficult to find an open spot in the park parking lots on a nice day, but you can park on Rose Street or Pawnee Drive and walk in through alternative entrances.

Happy Hollow has facilities for any activity. There dirt trails through the woods as well as smooth paved paths. There are open fields for playing sports, playgrounds for children, sand volleyball courts for fun, and pavilions for having dinner. The stream running through the park is dry for much of the year.

Amenities

There are bathrooms and drinking fountains near the main pavilion
Sand volleyball courts are available
Parking is limited but also available on surrounding streets
There are many trails and paths for hiking

Links

Map

View Larger Map

West Lafayette Municipal Pool

2009-08-01T19:10:00.000-04:00

This pool is outdoors next to Happy Hollow park. When you are swimming you can see the trees and grassy hill next to you. This makes Happy Hollow a very nice environment for swimming. There are three pools: a main one and two smaller ones. All three pools are heated and felt very comfortable the times I have been swimming.

Amenities

Changing rooms are available
There is plenty of parking in the Happy Hollow School parking lot
Restrooms are available

Links

Map

View Larger Map

Wabash and Erie Canal

2009-08-01T18:49:00.000-04:00

The Wabash and Erie Canal was one of many canals built in the 1800s to allow settlers to reach Indiana. This particular canal started in Toledo, Ohio and ended in Evansville, Indiana. It was dug and finished by hand mostly by Irish immigrants. Later canals were eclipsed by trains, but they played an important part in settling the Midwest.

A section of the Wabash and Erie Canal that runs through Delphi, Indiana has been reconstructed. One can take rides on a canal boat and see a historical center explaining the history of the dam and showing how they worked. Don't fear for your safety on the boats. If you fall overboard, you can simply walk to the side of the canal! The canals were built for flat bottomed boats and so were not made deeper than necessary.

Amenities

There is plenty of free parking
Restrooms are available in the museum
A free museum explains the history of the Wabash and Erie Canal

Links

Maps

View Larger Map

Delphi Attractions

2009-08-01T18:47:00.000-04:00

Wabash and Erie Canal

Battleground Attractions

2009-08-01T18:43:00.000-04:00

Lafayette Attractions

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West Lafayette Attractions

2009-08-01T18:39:00.002-04:00

Historical Sites

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Small Parks

2009-07-30T19:27:00.000-04:00

Red Crown Mini-Museum

2009-07-30T19:19:00.000-04:00

The Red Crown Mini-Museum is in downtown Lafayette on the corner of 6th Street and South Street. This station has been configured to look like a Standard Oil filling station from the 1930s. The oil station is always closed, but you are able to look into it through its windows and you can see a couple of antique trucks in the parking lot as well.

Amenities

You can park in the lot in front of the filling station
There are no restrooms available

Map

View Larger Map

Purdue University Horticulture Garden

2009-07-30T19:14:00.000-04:00

The Purdue University Horticulture park is on the south side of Purdue’s campus. One of the first things I noticed about it while walking over there were all of the bird calls coming out of it. This is a nice flower garden and many of the flowers are labeled which may be useful to someone learning about flowers. There is a wide variety of flowers and I was most struck by some which were interesting shades of blue. The garden is not large enough to take walks, but there are benches where you can sit.

Amenities

Benches for sitting are in the park
Parking is similar to other locations on campus. There are lots of parking spots, but you will need a parking permit for them during weekday business hours. If you come in the evening or on a weekend, you should not have trouble with parking.
No Restrooms are available, but there are many Purdue buildings nearby that you can find restrooms in.

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Prophet's Rock

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From this location the prophet Tenskwatawa watched and encouraged the Native American warriors during the Battle of Tippecanoe. The trees are much larger now than they were in 1811, so it is no longer possible to see the battlefield from this location although there is an outlook on the ridge from where it is possible to discern where the battlefield is. This park is connected with a walkway to the battlefield.

From the parking lot you have the choice of scaling the rock (which I recommend) or taking a steep trail up to the ridge line. On the ridgeline there is a very nice path and the park is generally quiet with few visitors. Unfortunately most of the trees are very large with no low lying branches, so it is difficult to climb here.

Amenities

The Parking lot only holds two or three cars, but I have never been unable to get a parking spot

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Michaud-Sinniger Nature Preserve

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Michaud-Sinniger is a very small park. It is really too small for taking a walk unless you want to go outside of the preserve and walk around the mown grass lawns of Cumberland Park. The park is very beautiful though if you wish to walk slowly and meditate or sit and read a book.

Amenities

Parking is usually adequate although when there are high school athletic events it might be difficult to find.
Restrooms are in a small building near the nature area entrance

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McCormick Woods

2009-07-30T19:03:00.000-04:00

McCormick Woods is a 40 acre park off of Cherry Lane. It is a small wooded area with small paths for walking and mountain biking. When all of the underbrush has died during the winter it is sometimes better to just walk without following the paths.

The park is fairly small, but the woods are thick enough so that you cannot see out of the park even during the winter. There is enough room for walking, but the park would not be large enough to go jogging in.

Amenities

You can park along the road but there is no parking lot
There are no restrooms available

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Jerry E. Clegg Botanical Garden

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This park is on the northeast side of Lafayette. Watch carefully when you are nearing it because it is easy to miss. The park has several foot trails running along the banks of Wildcat Creek and on the bluffs overhead. A lot of work has been put into building scenic overlooks and shoring up trails running along the hillsides. Although much of Indiana is flat, this park gives you the opportunity to experience hilly terrain.

The park is meant to preserve and reintroduce the original flora and fauna of the region and yearly controlled burns are conducted to keep a dense forest from growing and allow the native planes species to thrive.

Amenities

There are benches for resting and overlooks on the paths
Parking is free across the street

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Purdue Horticulture Park

2009-07-30T18:56:00.000-04:00

The Horticulture Park has both wooded trails and open grassy areas. It borders on the Purdue Cross Country course making it great for running because you can go onto the course if the trails in the park are not long enough.

The park is very picturesque with several copses of trees in the open areas and streams running through the forest. The woodland area is very scenic with small hills. I enjoy walking here on the weekends occasionally.

Amenities

Parking is more than adequate. I have never had a trouble finding a parking spot.
No public restrooms are available
Within walking distance of campus.

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Fort Ouiatenon

2009-07-30T18:49:00.001-04:00

This park is close to the site of an early French trading post on the Wabash River. During the summer there are Living History Weekends where people come and portray the people who lived here. Generally in attendance are members of the Wea Tribe, a blacksmith, and some people working in the blockhouse. This post was originally settled by the French but was taken over by the English and then destroyed by the Americans after the English left.

The park itself is not extraordinary it is just a large lawn. It is great for picnicking and the events held here such as the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon and Living History Weekends, which are a lot of fun.

Amenities

The Block House is open on the weekends during summer months
A boat launch goes out onto the river
Parking is more than adequate. I have never had a trouble finding a parking spot
Picnic tables, grills, and a pavilion make this a great place for a meal

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Celery Bog

2009-07-30T18:46:00.000-04:00

Celery Bog is a great place for a relaxing walk. There are both paved in the meadows and wood chip paths in the forest. I strongly recommend taking the wood chip paths. The paths are great for walking, but not long enough for running although you could make this a small part of your run.

The scenery is great as long as you ignore the Walmart and housing subdivision on the other side of the bog. If you come early in the morning, you will get a chance to see more wild life. In the afternoon the park is more crowded and consequently the animals are more shy. There are always birders and photographers taking advantage of the parks beauty.

Amenities

Bike racks are available
Lilly Nature Center is somewhat lacking as a museum, but you can see interesting photographs taken in the park
Parking is more than adequate. I have never had a trouble finding a parking spot
Restrooms are available in Lilly Nature Center

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Tippecanoe Battlefield

2009-07-30T18:36:00.000-04:00

The Battle of Tippecanoe was a small yet important battle in the prelude to the War of 1812. The Americans were led by future president William Henry Harrison while the Native Americans were led by Teconsheh the brother of Tecumseh. The battle was a tactical stalemate but a strategic victory for the Americans.

There is a small museum which is worth visiting by the parking lot. The battlefield is surrounded by a fence and has a large memorial and monuments marking the locations where officers died. Below the battlefield runs Burnett Creek and there are paths running both along the stream and towards Prophet’s Rock.

Amenities

A Museum has exhibits explaining the events leading up to the battle and local history
Parking is more than adequate and free
Nature Paths are great for distance for walking or jogging
Restrooms are available in the museum

Directions

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Festivals and Events

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Pools

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Books about the Lafayette area

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Nature Areas

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