Any of you have cabin fever? We’ve actually had a fairly mild winter, but my family is certainly ready to get out in the fresh air! This is even more true with the isolation we’re all doing right now and the extended break from school.
It’s really hard to think of things you can do with your kids while still being safe, but going on a family picnic is one of the things you can do! (As long as you’re not meeting up with other people.) Getting outside in the spring air is truly one of the best things we can do for ourselves and for our kids.
There’s something sweet about packing a cooler full of your favorite finger foods and heading outdoors! What’s the best place to enjoy a picnic in Tippecanoe County? Well, here are a few of our family’s favorites.
Fort Quiatenon in West Lafayette
According to Wikipedia, “The name ‘Ouiatenon‘ is a French rendering of the name in the Wea language, waayaahtanonki, meaning ‘place of the whirlpool’.” The landmark log blockhouse at the fort, which was built in 1717, was used as a French trading post on the Wabash River.
The house is now an archaeological site on the National Register of Historical Places. This is a lovely place to watch the river flow by, throw a frisbee, or read some great local history! (Warning: Don’t go for a quiet picnic during high water OR the Feast of the Hunters’ Moon. Also, don’t miss The Feast of the Hunters’ Moon.)
Happy Hollow Hill
If you haven’t been to the crown jewel of the West Lafayette Parks & Recreation system, you’re missing out. This 81-acre park just got a massive facelift, including more paved walking paths and all-new playground equipment. The kids love going to play here. I love all of the shade; it makes going outside bearable even during the summer months.
But when it comes to picnicking, you have to drive past all of that and find the old tobogganing hill. Climb to the top and enjoy the view overlooking the old Happy Hollow School (and current city hall.) In the summer, you can watch all the fun being had at the old Kingston Pool!
Slayter Center
Known for its musical events and lawn movies, Slayter Center is an outdoor amphitheater on the campus of Purdue University. Up to 20,000 people can fit on the center’s gently sloping hillside! When it’s not in use for the Fourth of July Stars & Stripes Concert or another fresh-air event, Slayter is a great place to kick back, enjoy a sandwich, and maybe sneak in an afternoon nap.
Ross Hills Park
This 169-acre park is located about 10 miles out South River Road from the State Street and River Road intersection in West Lafayette. Once there, you’ll find the restored David Ross House (David Ross was a prominent figure in our area in the 1920s through the 1940s), a few picnic shelters with adjoining volleyball courts, wooded picnic sites and hiking trails.
Prophetstown State Park
Indiana’s newest state park sits where the Tippecanoe River meets the Wabash near the town of Battle Ground. The open, prairie-like setting offers wide biking and jogging trails, several play structures, an awesome outdoor water park and many hiking trails. It’s easy to think about what life used to be like in this area when you’re hanging out at Prophetstown.
One downfall of this picnic spot is that unlike many other locations on our list, you have to pay to get in (it’s $8 per vehicle, or you can buy a pass for $50). A few of the trails can flood pretty badly, but The Farm at Prophetstown is a fun place to explore! There are several covered, picnic areas, too!
Riehle Plaza & John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge
Heading to downtown Lafayette? Check out the happenings at Riehle Plaza and the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge! Our kids love running up and down the stairs, and patiently waiting to watch a train roll by! Picnic tables on the bridge allow for unsheltered picnicking, too!
Cumberland Park
Cumberland Park has always been one of our favorite spots. It has some a lovely walking trail and river, and it used to have a playground and picnic spots. However, that was taken down to make way for the new West Lafayette Wellness and Aquatic Center, which is expected to be completed by next January.
I suspect that once construction is completed, this area will once again be a lovely place to picnic.
Celery Bog
Nestled off of Lindberg Road in West Lafayette is the Celery Bog Nature Area. Along with 4.3 miles of paved trails and 2.5 miles of natural paths, you can enjoy the Lilly Nature Center, where you’ll find exhibits and educational activities, as well as nature-related programs (hours vary). It’s a fun place to take the kids either before or after a small hike and picnic.
The bog is open from dawn to dusk with no admission charge. It can give you as many hours as you want of exploring fun! I think my kids could stay here all day.
Loeb Fountain
On those especially warm summer days, you’ll find us at Loeb Fountain on the Purdue campus. It’s the centerpiece of the Founder’s Park project and is activated from April to October. The tiered fountain spits out 2200 gallons of water per minute! If you decide to stop and picnic here, don’t forget your suit! (Also, you might have to be OK with your food getting a tad wet.)
Who’s ready to get outside? (Probably all of us.) Now, what to pack in that cooler…
Wow I haven’t heard of so many of these places, they sound so fun! We’re planning to get all our carpets cleaned this spring, so getting outside for a picnic and fresh air will be so fun! Thanks for sharing these great spots!