Discover Lafayette

Lafayette offers several distinct ways to spend your stay: art in a historic mansion, architectural history, a zoo, and urban parks and trails. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether culture, wildlife, or outdoor activities will be the focus of your trip. Timing matters too: suitable weather and the zoo’s opening hours are important for the Columbian Park Zoo Express; snow conditions and operations vary for the sledding hill at Murdock Park. These differences can help you match your interests with the conditions of each activity.

Art and History in Lafayette

The Haan Museum of Indiana Art displays works in a historic mansion built in 1904 for the St. Louis World’s Fair. The collection includes works by historic and contemporary artists from Indiana. This offers two distinct points of interest: the building’s history is linked to the World’s Fair, while the works on display represent art from Indiana.

At Fowler House Mansion, the historic focus is the building itself. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; construction began in 1851 and was completed in 1852. The historic homes and the museum therefore offer different points of interest. Another way to explore Lafayette is on self-guided tours of the historic downtown. Together, the museum, Fowler House Mansion, and downtown tours offer different ways to enjoy a stay focused on art and history, without making a single attraction the centerpiece of your visit.

The Zoo and Seasonal Activities

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; these numbers may change over time. The zoo offers educational programs year-round, though the specific programs may vary. If educational activities are important to your plans, check which programs are currently available.

The Columbian Park Zoo Express has its own operating conditions: It travels through Columbian Park in suitable weather during the zoo’s operating season, from mid-April to mid-October, and runs during the zoo’s opening hours within that season. Check current dates before your trip. This helps distinguish the seasonal attraction from the educational programs offered year-round.

Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Activities

Murdock Park encompasses 39 acres of urban woodland. It also has a sledding hill, considered a winter attraction in Lafayette; snow conditions and operations vary. Munger Park has a one-mile paved trail. These two details suit different plans: Murdock Park is best known for its seasonal sledding opportunity, while Munger Park offers a trail of a specified length.

The Wabash Heritage Trail is another option for outdoor activities: bicycles are allowed on 5.5 miles of the paved trail in Lafayette and West Lafayette. The specific distance and permission to ride bicycles are useful details if you’d like to include a bike ride in your trip plans.

To choose a hotel, you can first decide which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay: art and architectural history, the zoo and educational programs, or time outdoors. For seasonal activities, keep the relevant dates and conditions in mind. Then you can search specifically for hotels in Lafayette.

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