Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette is a city of 71,159 people in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, founded in 1853.
Why visit Lafayette
Townapedia lists 48 museums and landmarks, 62 parks and trails, 274 places to eat, 30 places to stay and 14 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Long Center for the Performing Arts, GQT Eastside 10 IMAX, Centennial Neighborhood District and Chauncey-Stadium Avenues Historic District.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 84°F; January lows average 18°F.
Weather in Lafayette
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Lafayette
Lafayette ( LA(H)F-ee-ET) is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States. The population was 70,783 at the 2020 census. It sits across the Wabash River from West Lafayette, home to Purdue University, which plays a major role in both communities. Together, Lafayette and West Lafayette make up the core of the Lafayette metropolitan area, home to 235,066 people in 2020.
From the Wikipedia article Lafayette, Indiana (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do14
Long Center for the Performing Arts
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Performing arts center and former movie theater in Lafayette, Indiana, United States
611 North 6th Street, Lafayette
Columbian Park Zoo
Zoo and aquarium · 1.1 mi
Zoo in Indiana, United States
Elliott Hall of Music
Cinema and theater · 3.4 mi
Concert hall and theater on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Purdue University
School · 3.6 mi
Public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Purdue University School of Mechanical Engineering
School · 3.5 mi
Academic unit in West Lafayette, Indiana, US
Slayter Center of Performing Arts
Cinema and theater · 3.9 mi
Outdoor concert bandshell on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
School · 3.4 mi
School at Purdue University
Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences
School · 3.3 mi
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette
Cinema and theater · 2.1 mi
320 North 5th Street, Lafayette
2 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks48
Centennial Neighborhood District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Lafayette, Indiana
Chauncey-Stadium Avenues Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
National historic district located at West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Curtis-Grace House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.0 mi
Building in Indiana, United States
Dayton Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.3 mi
Historic district in Dayton, Indiana
Downtown Lafayette Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Historic district in Indiana, United States
Ellsworth Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
National historic district located at Lafayette, Indiana
Ely Homestead
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.8 mi
Building in Indiana, United States
Enterprise Hotel
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Hotel in Indiana, United States of America
Falley Home
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Building in Indiana, United States
Former Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi
United States historic place
Fort Ouiatenon
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.3 mi
First fortified European fort in Indiana
Happy Hollow Heights Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
Building in Indiana, United States
36 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds62
Kennedy Park
Park · 0.9 mi
This 7-Acre park is located near Miami Elementary School on the south side of town. Features: multi-aged playground, open green space,...
2511 Sequoya Drive, Lafayette
Linnwood Park
Park · 2.4 mi
This 1/2-acre park is located near the former Linnwood Elementary School on Greenbush Street.
1501 Greenbush Street, Lafayette
50 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes274
BRU Burger Bar
Restaurant · Burger · 2.2 mi
Has a heated outdoor seating area.
101 Main Street, Lafayette
Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Azzip Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.3 mi
105 Farabee Drive South, Lafayette
Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Bahn Mi Eatery
Restaurant · Sandwich, Vietnamese · 1.6 mi
1201 South 4th Street, Lafayette
Tu-Su 11:00-20:00
Budges Drive In
Restaurant · American, Burger, Ice Cream · 2.2 mi
1102 North 14th Street, Lafayette
Mo-Sa 11:00-20:00; Su 14:00-20:00
Buffalo Wild Wings
Restaurant · Wings · 2.6 mi
360 Brown Street, West Lafayette
Tu-Sa 11:00-02:00, Su-Mo 11:00-24:00
Chick Master | Chi Hotpot
Restaurant · Hotpot, Dessert, Barbecue · 2.6 mi
124 South River Road, West Lafayette
Mo-Su 12:00-22:00
Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant · Mexican · 2.5 mi
360 Brown Street, West Lafayette
Mo-We 11:00-22:00, Th-Sa 11:00-01:30, Su 11:00-22:00
En Lai Chinese Kitchen
Restaurant · Chinese · 1.6 mi
210 South Creasy Lane, Lafayette
Tu-Su 11:00-21:30
Insomnia Cookies
Restaurant · Ice Cream, Cookie · 3.4 mi
602 West Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette
12:00-03:00
Maru Sushi
Restaurant · Sushi · 2.9 mi
102 Chauncey Avenue, West Lafayette
Mo-Fr 11:00-21:30, Sa 12:00-21:30, Su 17:00-21:00
Nom Nom Tacos & Tequila
Restaurant · Mexican · 2.1 mi
102 North 3rd Street, Lafayette
Su 10:00-21:00; Mo 11:00-21:00; Tu 11:00-22:00; We-Th 11:00-21:00;...
262 more on the map.
History
When European explorers arrived at this area, it was inhabited by a tribe of Miami Native Americans known as the Ouiatenon or Weas. In 1717, the French government established Fort Ouiatenon across the Wabash River and three miles (4.8 km) south of present-day Lafayette. The fort became the center of trade for fur trappers, merchants and Indians. An annual reenactment and festival known as Feast of the Hunters' Moon is held there each autumn.
The town of Lafayette was platted in May 1825 by William Digby, a trader. It was designated as the county seat of the newly formed Tippecanoe County the following year. Like many frontier towns, Lafayette was named for General Lafayette, a French officer who significantly aided George Washington's Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Lafayette toured the United States in 1824 and 1825.
From the History section of Lafayette, Indiana on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay30
Churches and places of worship46
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Church · Roman Catholic · 1.7 mi
1207 Columbia Street, Lafayette
St. John's Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Stidham United Methodist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 5.6 mi
Temple Israel
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Trinity United Methodist Church
Church · United Methodist · 2.1 mi
509 North Street, Lafayette
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Lafayette
Church · Reformed · 1.1 mi
1723 South 9th Street, Lafayette
Shopping43
Gas and EV charging40
Schools, colleges and libraries53
Humanities, Social Sciences and Education (HSSE) Library
Library · 3.2 mi
504 West State Street, West Lafayette
Healthcare30
Indiana University Health Arnett Urgent Care
Clinic and pharmacy · 4.4 mi
253 Sagamore Parkway West, West Lafayette
Map of Lafayette
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 18°F | 2.2 in |
| Feb | 38°F | 21°F | 1.8 in |
| Mar | 50°F | 30°F | 2.7 in |
| Apr | 62°F | 40°F | 3.8 in |
| May | 72°F | 51°F | 4.0 in |
| Jun | 81°F | 60°F | 4.6 in |
| Jul | 84°F | 63°F | 4.1 in |
| Aug | 83°F | 62°F | 3.1 in |
| Sep | 77°F | 54°F | 2.6 in |
| Oct | 64°F | 43°F | 2.9 in |
| Nov | 50°F | 33°F | 2.9 in |
| Dec | 38°F | 24°F | 2.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Lafayette Purdue Univ Ap (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Tippecanoe County has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2020-04-03: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2008-06-08: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
- 2008-01-30: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2007-03-12: Snow (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Purdue University Airport (LAF) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 4 miles away.
- West Lafayette 4 mi northwest, about 7 min by car
- Dayton 5 mi east, about 8 min by car
- Shadeland 7 mi southwest, about 10 min by car
- Battle Ground 7 mi north, about 12 min by car
- Rossville 14 mi east, about 23 min by car
- Delphi 16 mi northeast, about 26 min by car
- Frankfort 19 mi southeast, about 31 min by car
- Attica 22 mi west, about 35 min by car
- Monticello 24 mi north, about 39 min by car
- Crawfordsville 25 mi south, about 40 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Lafayette.downtown.Riehle.Plaza, Qsthomson at English Wikipedia, CC0
- Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Indiana, Nyttend, Public domain
- Mars Theatre, Lafayette, Nyttend, Public domain
- Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity House, West Lafayette, Nyttend, Public domain
- Scott Street Pavilion, Nyttend, Public domain
- Perrin Historic District Houses, Nyttend, Public domain
- Hills and Dales Historic District, Nyttend, Public domain
- Brick intersection in Highland Park, Nyttend, Public domain
- Upper Main Street Historic District, Lafayette, Nyttend, Public domain
- Curtis-Grace House, Nyttend, Public domain
- Courthouse Square in Lafayette, Nyttend, Public domain
- Ninth Street Hill, Lafayette, Nyttend, Public domain
- Samara (John E Christian House) Entrance, Tim Musson, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Judge Cyrus Ball House in the morning, Nyttend, Public domain
- Marian Apartments, Lafayette, Nyttend, Public domain
- Jesse Andrew House, Nyttend, Public domain
- Falley Home, Nyttend, Public domain
- Morton School, West Lafayette, Nyttend, Public domain
_Entrance.jpg){kind=link}
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