Discover Art, History, and Nature in Lafayette

Lafayette combines Indiana art and historic buildings with a zoo, city parks, and paths for outdoor recreation. You can choose different focuses depending on your interests: from regional art and local history to wildlife, a sledding hill, or paved paths. When choosing a vacation rental, the main consideration is which of these experiences you want to shape your trip.

Art and Local History

The Haan Museum of Indiana Art displays works by historic and contemporary artists from Indiana. The museum is housed in a historic mansion built for the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. Art and architectural history come together here: the works offer a glimpse of Indiana artists, while the building reflects its origins as a World's Fair venue.

The Fowler House Mansion also offers its own historic highlight. Construction began in 1851 and was completed in 1852; the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are interested in the city's history, you can pair this stop with self-guided tours of the historic downtown. You can take the tours independently, offering a different way to get to know Lafayette than a visit with a fixed itinerary.

The Zoo and Seasonal Experiences

The Columbian Park Zoo dates back to 1908 and is the second-oldest zoo in Indiana. Its animal collection includes nearly 200 animals representing about 90 species. The zoo also offers educational programs throughout the year. For families who want to include wildlife and an educational activity in their stay, these are among the defining experiences available here.

The Columbian Park Zoo Express travels through Columbian Park. It operates in suitable weather during the zoo's open season, which runs from mid-April to mid-October, and during that season it runs during the zoo's opening hours. This means the experience varies by season and weather, unlike the educational programs available year-round. If you are planning when to visit, keep these conditions in mind for the ride.

Parks and Outdoor Trails

Murdock Park encompasses 39 acres of urban woodland. It also has a sledding hill, a winter attraction in Lafayette. So within the same park, you can find both woodland and a seasonal winter experience. If you would like to plan a winter activity during your trip, the sledding hill is a distinct option to consider when choosing your experiences.

Munger Park has a 1-mile paved trail. If you want to include a paved route in your stay, you can take its length into account when planning your day. Another option for active outings is the Wabash Heritage Trail: bicycles are permitted on 5.5 miles of the paved trail in Lafayette and West Lafayette. The bicycle rule applies to the specified 5.5 miles, offering clear guidance for anyone who wants to explore Lafayette by bike.

Which Experiences Will Shape Your Stay?

For more ideas, you can also discover West Lafayette.

For a broader travel overview: Tippecanoe.