Discover West Lafayette
32 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Purdue University
Purdue offers a mix of modern and historic architecture with scenic spots like the Engineering Fountain and the Purdue Union. It is ideal for capturing university life and architecture.
Celery Bog
Located in West Lafayette, this area is known for its tall grasses, wildflowers, and forested vibes. It is ideal for capturing engagement or couple photos, especially during sunset, when the lighting is phenomenal.
Samara House
A unique, architecturally interesting house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, perfect for capturing architectural photography.
Purdue Horticulture Park
This park is a favorite for seasonal photography, offering evergreen trees in winter, blooming flowers in spring, and vibrant foliage in fall. It is perfect for capturing seasonal textures and colors.
Tapawingo Park
Tapawingo Park combines nature and urban elements, offering a variety of settings from forested areas to urban cityscapes. It also features a pedestrian bridge with views of the Wabash River.
Purdue University - Engineering Fountain
A picturesque spot with a beautiful fountain surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for capturing casual portraits or lively campus life.
Engineering Fountain
A popular landmark on Purdue University's campus, the fountain offers a beautiful backdrop for architectural and night photography.
Celery Bog Nature Area Trails
Part of the Celery Bog area, these trails offer a mix of forested paths and wildflower fields. They are perfect for nature and wildlife photography, especially during sunrise when birds are active.
Celery Bog Nature Area
The Celery Bog is a wetland area with tall grasses and wildflowers, offering a unique and picturesque backdrop for photography. It is particularly popular for its stunning sunsets and wildlife.
Purdue Union
A historic building on Purdue University's campus, the union provides a classic architectural backdrop for photography.
Happy Hollow Park
With its deep foliage and picturesque wooden bridges, Happy Hollow Park in West Lafayette offers a rich backdrop for engagement or family photos. It features hiking trails and secluded areas, making it ideal for capturing intimate moments.
John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge
This bridge offers a great viewpoint over the Wabash River and is surrounded by vibrant downtown areas, making it suitable for urban and waterscape photography.
Purdue University - 610 Purdue Mall
Purdue University at this address is part of the central campus green space known as Purdue Mall, a classic collegiate environment featuring a mix of historic and modern architecture, wide open lawns, mature trees, and pedestrian pathways. This location is excellent for capturing academic life, architectural details of iconic campus buildings nearby, seasonal landscapes, and candid portraits of students and faculty in a collegiate atmosphere. Visual characteristics include stately limestone buildings in Purdue’s signature style, ample natural light filtered through large trees, and well-maintained green space that provides compositional depth and context.
Chauncey Village
This cultural district offers a lively atmosphere with shops, restaurants, and Purdue traditions, making it ideal for street and urban photography.
Ross-Ade Stadium
Ross-Ade Stadium is a notable location for sports and event photography, offering dynamic scenes during Purdue University football games.
Elliott Hall of Music
Elliott Hall of Music is a stunning example of modern architecture at Purdue University, offering a unique backdrop for photography.
Horticulture Park
Located near Purdue University, this park features a variety of gardens and plant species, offering a peaceful and serene backdrop for photography. It's perfect for capturing botanical details and natural beauty.
Purdue Arboretum
The Purdue Arboretum features a variety of plants and trees, providing a peaceful setting for nature photography. It is a lesser-known location but offers unique opportunities for capturing blooming flowers and foliage.
Purdue University Campus
A vibrant campus with historical buildings, modern architecture, and beautiful gardens. It offers a mix of architectural and nature photography opportunities.
Purdue Boathouse
The Purdue Boathouse is situated on the Wabash River and offers scenic views of the water and surrounding landscape, ideal for capturing serene landscapes.
Purdue Memorial Union
Purdue Memorial Union is a notable campus building with unique architecture, suitable for capturing dynamic campus life and portraits.
Mackey Arena
Mackey Arena is another sports venue offering dynamic scenes during Purdue University events. It is ideal for capturing action and energy.
Purdue's Lofty Architecture
Purdue University's campus features several modern and historic buildings, offering a variety of architectural photography opportunities.
Purdue Engineering Mall
The Purdue Engineering Mall features modern architecture and is a hub for campus life, providing opportunities for capturing dynamic scenes and portraits.
Tippecanoe River
A scenic river flowing through the heart of Indiana, offering beautiful waterscape photography opportunities with surrounding wildlife.
St. Boniface Catholic Church
This historic church offers architectural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere, making it suitable for capturing religious and cultural photography.
Wallace Trails
Wallace Trails offer scenic nature paths and woodlands, providing opportunities for capturing serene outdoor scenes and wildlife.
Wabash River Heritage Trail
The Wabash River Heritage Trail offers scenic views of the river and surrounding landscape, suitable for nature and landscape photography.
Wabash Landing
Wabash Landing is a scenic riverside area with shops and restaurants, offering a blend of urban and natural photography opportunities.
Riverside Skating Rink (Winter Only)
During winter, the Riverside Skating Rink offers a lively and festive atmosphere, making it ideal for capturing joyful winter scenes.
Perdue Arboretum
A beautiful arboretum with diverse plant species and scenic pathways. It's perfect for nature and landscape photography.
West Lafayette City Hall
West Lafayette City Hall offers a modern architectural backdrop for photography, useful for capturing urban landscapes or portraits.