West Lafayette, IN

Driving six hours Northwest of Charleston, West Virginia brings you to West Lafayette, Indiana. The Midwestern city is best know for its stellar higher learning institution, Purdue University, but also boasts great businesses, friendly locals, and a town that loves sharing its best with visitors. West Lafayette, and its counterpart only minutes apart, Lafayette, are the kind of cities you will want to add to your upcoming weekend travels that won’t break the bank.

WHAT TO SEE & DO IN WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA

Since West Lafayette is a college town, stroll around the campus and check out the university’s beautiful buildings and landscape. There are plenty of Instagram-worthy spots for photos such as the Loeb Fountain, Purdue Mall Fountain, and Boilermaker statue. The Gateway to the Future Arch was used in Monsters University; you’ll recognize it immediately if you’ve seen the movie.

Perdue University

Outdoor art, sculptures, and murals are abundant in West Lafayette. Be sure to check out the original artwork, which is absolutely free.

Lafayette’s downtown offers creative boutiques for your shopping needs. McCord Candies (a three-story soda fountain) has been making mouth-watering chocolates since 1912, and produces famous candy canes. Stop in Two Tulips and LE Originals for unique and/or personalized gifts, Main Street Books for your favorites reads, and Black Wax Records or JL Records for the great vinyl collections. There are a few art galleries to choose from, too, including KL Art Gallery and Artists’ Own. Shop for kid’s fashions at Bloom Kids Collection.

Loeb Fountain Purdue University

Craft beer fans will adore People’s Brewing Company Taproom, serving small-batch beers in a fun setting. Try the Moundbuilder IPA and Milk Money Cocoa Stout, two of the year-round brews. If beer isn’t your thing, how about wine? Wildcat Creek Winery serves enjoyable fruit wines, such as Traminette and Riesling. Steuben, made from a blue-black grape, is their best-seller.

Appetizers Brunos West Lafayette

Wildcat Creek Winery

Ever thought about tracing your family history? You can do just that at the Arganbright Genealogy Center for $2. The Lafayette Farmer’s Market takes place on Saturday mornings. Going strong for 165 years now, it is one of the oldest in Indiana. Check out the nearly 100-year old Lafayette Theater for musical acts and touring shows that may be running during your visit.

The kids may enjoy Imagination Station (a hands-on science center with transportation vehicles), Main Street Amusements (pinball machines and video games), and the free Marquis Doll Museum, three awesome finds in Lafayette.

WHERE TO EAT IN WEST LAFAYETTE

As with most of the Midwest, Lafayette is a culinary city chock full of delicious eats. Breakfast at Triple XXX is a must. This old-school family restaurant serves classic dishes (think buttermilk biscuits & gravy, fluffy pancakes, and omelets), original items such as the Drew Brees (2 eggs, chicken fried steak, fried potatoes, 2 biscuits & gravy), and root beer by the same name which is the most iconic soft drink in Indiana.

Nine Irish Brothers is an award-winning Irish pub with hearty food, like Tiger Mike’s Fish & Chips and Brother Jim’s Shepherd’s Pie. Don’t miss the Guinness on tap or whiskey flights.

Nine Irish Brothers

Two excellent choices for dinner in West Lafayette are Bruno’s and Arni’s. At Bruno’s, go for the Margherita Pizza, Stromboli, or a German specialty such as Bratwurst or Wienerschnitzel. The dessert pizzas are a must and the kids will love Bruno’s Big O’s Sportsroom for games and entertainment.