Hey Zip Watcher

[Captain Kangaroo]

What's there to do in West Lafayette? Is Purdue a good school to hit the evening before a game? Any insider tips on where to go (good campus bars, etc.) and what to do are appreciated.

[Zipsrifle]

I talked to a guy at work who went to Purdue and lived in West Layfayette. He said that there isn't a whole lot to do or good places to eat. Basically just chain restaurants.

[Z-P]

Just a quickie..............

Among ALL the away games I have ever attended..............it took the longest time to get out of the stadium and out of town following the Purdue game. North and south access and egress are not as bad they say as east or west.

Just preparing you for an hour drive just to get out of town back to the east.

[GP1]

What's there to do in West Lafayette? Is Purdue a good school to hit the evening before a game? Any insider tips on where to go (good campus bars, etc.) and what to do are appreciated.

There is a town area (it's actually more of a road) in WL that has several bars near campus. You should not have any problem finding a place to have some fun.

Just a warning though, you have to be smart to go to Purdue so the eye candy is not that great.

As far as places to eat, there is a small diner called the Triple X that is famous. I wouldn't eat dinner there, but it is a neat thing to do for lunch. Frequently ABC will send a crew down to show it during a game. The place has a continuous counter that goes around the little diner and the little burgers they serve are great. You can get a burger, fries and a drink for something like $4.50. It may not look good on the outside, but the food is good.

A agree that getting there is a pain. I would recommend the northern way taking you toward Chicago. Route 30 is suicide and Indianapolis is too far south. Once you get to South Bend, start looking for ways to get there at that point using back roads.

[Zip Watcher]

Ok, business has been brutally busy lately .. but I'm trying to catch up here.

I go back for at least 1 game in WL every year. Normally it's ND or IU, which generally alternate. This year, I'm torn, because the Boilers play the ZIps and Domers in consecutive weeks.

As for getting there:

- For the most part, if you're in for just cruising there in a hurry, the FASTEST route is to take 71 to 70 to 65 and go through CBus and Naptown. I know it seems silly when you look at the map, but it's generally about a 5.5 hr. drive, and if you can miss the rush hours, you'll do it around that amount of time. Be sure to take the loops (270 & 465) around the capitals.

- About 4 or 5 years ago, a MAJOR improvement was completed on US24 going across Indiana. This has now become my route of choice. 80% is divided highways. It is shorter by distance than the South route, but way more direct. Here's how I do it

*Take the OH Turnpike to Toledo. Exit on I-75 S headed toward BG.

*Take 475 (either West or North) when you get to it in 5 miles or so.

*Follow signs for US24 (I think it says Waterville) .. again only a few miles on 475

*Take US24 all the way to Logansport, IN (this is probably around 2 1/2 to 3 hrs)

*When you get to Fr. Wayne, take the signs that route 24 around FW to the north, that's quicker than going through.

*As you approach Logansport, take Rte 25 (I think it's IN, not US) towards Delphi and on to Lafayette (38 miles).

Much of the route is not limited access highways, so there is always the pig truck risk. However, most of the center of IN is now 4 lane divided and there's usually little opportunity for slowdowns. US24 in OH is the worst part, between Waterville and the state line .. there are a few bypasses where it opens up, but it's 2 lane most of the way.

Soon after you go through FW, you'll pass near Huntington, IN, the home of GHWB's VP .. I'm sure there's a visitor center.

Resist the urge to take the business routes through places like FW or Logansport .. they're a sure fire slow down.

This is the way that I go now, when I'm out there once a quarter or so .. it's generally a 5 1/2 hour to 6 hour drive, it is shorter and I prefer it to the Interstate route for a variety of reasons. I would say that I would never take 80/90 all the way to South Bend. It swings you way out of the way north.

That's how I get there. Thoughts on dining / revelry in the next post.

ND Sucks

IU Sucks

UMass Blows Goats

[Zip Watcher]

PS. Regarding the Turnpike. Please consider that I live in Cuyahoga now. If I lived South of 76, I would certainly take US30 in OH just to get me to Ft. Wayne and then take 24 / 25.

One other thought. 25 will dump you on the north end of Lafayette at the Rt 52 bypass. This is a good angle to come at campus and get out of campus as it will enable you to get to the Stadium without going through either downtown Lafayette, or the "commercial" areas near campus.

Post any followups here. I'll be out there at least 2 times between now and Sept, so I can verify things for you if need be.

[Zip Watcher]

I'll preface my comments about dining / drinking by pointing out that I was a grad student at Purdue, so my traditions / spots might be different than someone who lived on campus as an undergrad Boiler. Being paid to be a student can take you to different nightspots.

Dining:

Near campus, there are a few places (most of which I think are still there) that I think are good .. nothing that to me is a MUST see dining wise (like a Luigi's for example). South of campus is a small area called Chauncey Village. It's at the intersections of State, Northwestern and Chauncey. The following could be found there for dining:

- Wabash Yacht Club (Snot Club): Decent sandwiches, bar menu. It's a bar, but the food there is solid.

- XXX: Not a place that I have a lot of familiarity with. It is an institution and probably a good lunch spot. Burgers & Sandwhiches named after folks like Griese, Dawson, Leroy Keyes, probably Alstott.

- La Bamba: If you hit the bars (see below), this is a must stop afterwards, not sure I'd hit this place sober, but with a few in you, it's a good late night spot. Small chain, I think there's several at Big 10 schools. Burritos as big as your head!

- Jakes Roadhouse: Think winking lizard wth chrome. Sort of like Quaker Steak and Lube.

- There was a pizza place on the corner by Jakes, but I can't remember it's name or if it's still there. Was good eats.

- Jimmy Johns - chain, good subs.

Down State street towards the river is what they call the Brown St. Levee, and there are a few places down there. The one that I think of that one might call a local favorite is Brunos. Northen Italian joint I think. It moved a few years ago from an old building that was a fixture in the area, but got paved over by some road improvements. Brunos was nice.

I think there's a brew pub on State street in WL now, but not sure.

Dining - Lafayette:

There are a few very good places in downtown Lafayette, google can get you these and more:

- Maize (on Columbia) upscale .. great food ..

- Sarg Oak in the Holiday Inn. I think this is related to Sarge Biltzes which was an institution way back in the day, but I don't know this place well.

Best place in town for my money:

Lafayette Brewing Company - It's a brew pub and a restaurant, all non-smoking, with excellent food & even better beers. If there's a place not to miss near Purdue, I think this is it, if not one of the select few. It's across the river, but not far from campus and worth looking up. I think they have a website.

Drinking spots, next post.

[Zip Watcher]

Drinking @ Purdue

These tend to roll pretty frequently, but there are a few spots I like near campus and then 2 over the river in Lafayette.

WL / Campus (all of these are in the Chauncey Hill area):

- Harry's Chocolate Shoppe - If you go to one bar at Purdue, this should be it. Very old place, I think legend has it that it was a speakeasy in the prohibition and dry days in WL. Look for my Russian Friend's hammer & sickle on the first booth in the main room. There's an upstairs. This is the signature Purdue bar.

- The Boiler Room - this might be one of the ones that may or may not be there. Was always my favorite while there, since they had Guinness on Tap. Bands / Music upstairs. Somewhat Pub-like downstairs. Couches in window were great spectator spot.

- Jake's - Big place .. nothing grabs me too much .. might be good people watching spot.

- Yacht Club - good pub atmosphere, nothing terribly unique.

- TA Toms - Go here to see 18 yo girls w/ fake ID's bombed out their minds. Not my favorite hangout .. definately the younger crowd, if it still exists.

Lafayette Spots:

- Lafayette Brewing Company. See the food section, nice place, relaxed ... great beer.

- Knickerbocker Saloon. Claims to be IN's oldest bar. Not far from LBC. Great bar, many beers, usually live music on weekends. I liked this place a lot.

I'm sure there are tons more and much has changed since I was last out drinking in Laff/WL, but these would be where I start.

Hope it helps.

[wadscarman]

I have a bus of 50 going to Riehle’s Tavern & Athletic Club Friday evening. Food is good, bar, billiards, darts, indoor volleyball, dance floor, and much more. www.riehlebrothers.com For a review go to http://www.digitalcity.com/lafayettein/din...?sbid=115988295

[Zip Watcher]

Yeah, that's also a pretty good spot. More of a towny kind of place and more removed from campus action, but plenty of room and things to do there. It's a big joint.