Visitor Information: West Lafayette

We recognize that there is a great deal to consider when deciding whether or not to attend in-person events. We hope the information below helps your decision-making process.

Symposium Venue

Hosted by:
Purdue University (local host), Indiana University Bloomington, & University of Notre Dame

All conference sessions will be held at the Stewart Center, 128 Memorial Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN 47907

On site wifi:
Purdue offers two options for guest wifi while visiting the campus

  • AT&T wifi - This is a free connection that does not require any credentials to sign into and can be used by anyone on campus
  • Eduroam - A secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for education and research communities. The credentials to sign into Eduroam are generally your home University’s account.

Lodging Recommendations

We have included information about breakfast options with each hotel, but please note that a continental style breakfast will be available all three days of the conference.

Conference Hotel Block

The conference hotel block at the Hilton Garden Inn West Lafayette Wabash Landing starts September 27, 2026 and ends September 30, 2026. You can book your room in the courtesy block using our booking link, or call to make a reservation and use Group Code 906.

  • Rate is $136/night
    • The cutoff date to reserve a room in the hotel block is midnight on September 6th
  • No breakfast included
  • Complimentary parking in the parking garage
  • Free wifi throughout the hotel
  • Hotel address is 356 East State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906
  • 0.9 miles from conference location (estimated 19 minute walk)

Other Hotels

Transportation and Parking

Campus Parking

There are paid parking garages and surface lot parking available on campus with a visitor daily permit.

Parking Garages

Grant Street Parking Garage

  • Located at 120 North Grant Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906 across from the Purdue Memorial Union

  • Rates is $20 per day ($5 for first hour, $2 per additional hour)

    • NOTE: The daily visitor parking permit will NOT work for this gated parking garage
  • .02 miles from conference location (estimated 4 minute walk)

Visitor Daily Permit

Motorists may purchase an $8 visitor daily permit and park in any “A”, “B” or “C” space (as applicable), excluding the Grant Street and Harrison Street garages (virtual passes do not work for these gated garages).

Daily visitor parking permits must be purchased online through the Purdue Parking Portal. Review the campus parking map for permit locations. Overnight parking is NOT included with visitor permits.

Closest non-gated garages to conference location:

  • Northwestern Avenue Garage

    • 504 Northwestern Ave, West Lafayette, IN 47906
    • .04 miles from conference location (under 10 minute walk)

  • Wood Street Garage

    • 120 S Grant St, West Lafayette, IN 47906
    • .02 miles from conference location (5 minute walk)
    • NOTE: This garage is under construction for the summer semester, please check campus parking map (WL construction) before deciding to park here

Public and Campus Transportation

Purdue University Campus Mobility

Public Transportation

The Greater Lafayette area provides public transportation through City Bus which operates on and off of Purdue’s campus. The City Bus website offers links to real-time tracking and a system map for visitors planning to use the bus to commute in the area. A breakdown of the current bus fares is provided to help you plan your trip accordingly.

Other Transportation

Purdue also has a contract with Veo to provide rentable e-bikes and e-scooters for quick and easy ways to travel around the West Lafayette area. These can be found sprinkled all over the city, even around hotels and restaurants if you are looking for an alternative method of transportation during the conference.

Traveling Information

Driving

Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, Indiana which is about 65 miles north of Indianapolis and 125 miles south of Chicago off of I-65. Taking I-65 north or south, you can get to campus by taking exit 172 and following State Road 26 (right coming from the north, left coming from the south) about 5 miles through Lafayette and into West Lafayette where it will become State Street. Continue up State Street hill and move into the right lane to get to the campus.

Flying

Local

Purdue University Airport

Purdue University Airport (code: LAF) is located on Purdue West Lafayette’s campus and offers commercial flights connecting to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Purdue University has partnered with SkyWest for commercial air service through United Express, a regional network operated by United Airlines.

  • 1515 Aviation Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907
  • Open daily: 5 a.m. to 12 a.m.
  • United Express FAQs

Regional

Indianapolis International Airport

Indianapolis International Airport (code: IND) is approximately 65 miles south of Purdue and is serviced by most major airlines and their partner airlines. The Lafayette Limo (or Reindeer Shuttle) provides daily ground shuttle service both ways between the Indianapolis International Airport and Purdue University. Shuttle service between the Purdue University Airport and some local hotels is available. Please call the local hotel number or check their website for more information.

Driving directions from Indianapolis

  • Take I-65 North (toward Chicago) to Lafayette and exit on State Road IN 26 (exit 172)
  • Turn left at the light and follow IN 26 approximately 5 miles through Lafayette and into West Lafayette where it will become State Street
  • The Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn are located at the bottom of State Street
  • Continue up State Street hill and move into the right lane to get to the campus
  • In less than a mile, the Grant Street parking garage will be located on your right, just before you hit the edge of campus

Chicago - O’Hare

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (code: ORD) is located approximately 140 miles north of Greater Lafayette and is approximately a 3 hour drive from the airport to Purdue. The Lafayette Limo (or Reindeer Shuttle) provides daily ground shuttle service both ways between the Purdue University Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Shuttle service between the Purdue University Airport and some local hotels is available. Please call the local hotel number or check their website for more information.

Driving directions from Chicago

  • Take I-65 South to State Road 26 (exit 172)
  • Turn right onto State Road 26 West and follow it approximately 5 miles through Lafayette and into West Lafayette, where it will become State Street
  • The Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn are located at the bottom of State Street
  • Continue up State Street hill and move into the right lane to get to the campus
  • In less than a mile, the Grant Street parking garage will be located on your right, just before you hit the edge of campus

Dining

Mornings at the Symposium will include breakfast.

Lunch at the Symposium is provided.

Dinner is on your own.

Note: many restaurants in West Lafayette and Lafayette are closed on Sundays and/or Mondays. Some closing hours are noted below but please check location hours before choosing a place to go.

Famous Hot Spots

Triple XXX Family Restaurant
Indiana’s Oldest Drive-In Restaurant. Breakfast and dinner menus served all day. Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Famous for XXX rootbeer! This is a local tourism staple. (closed on Tuesdays) 2 N. Salisbury St., West Lafayette, IN 47906

Harry’s Chocolate Shop
This campus favorite bar serves American fare and has been operating since 1919, it’s a legendary hangout in the Village. Don’t be fooled–this is not your ordinary chocolate shop. Mostly because… there is no chocolate. 329 W. State St., West Lafayette, IN 47906

Purdue Area Dining

If you are staying in a hotel near the conference venue, there are nighttime dining options that are walkable or just a short drive on campus:

$$$

  • 8Eleven Modern Bistro - 201 Grant St Ste 100, West Lafayette, IN 47906 (will need reservation)
  • The Lawrence - 150 McCutcheon Dr, West Lafayette, IN 47906 (will need reservation)

$$

  • Nine Irish Brothers - 119 Howard Ave., West Lafayette, IN 47906 (Irish Fare)
  • Sakanaya Sushi - 150 S. Chauncey Ave. Ste 110, West Lafayette, IN 47906
  • The Bryant - 1820 Sagamore Pkwy W, West Lafayette, IN 47906 (North side of campus)

$

  • AJ’s Burgers - 302 Vine Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906 (Chicago style burgers, dogs +)
  • The Tap - 100 S. Chauncey Ave., West Lafayette, IN 47909 (American fare/brewery)
  • Kimchi Korean - 1904 Sagamore Pkwy W, West Lafayette, IN 47906 (North side of campus)
  • Walt’s Pub & Grill - 1050 Kalberer Rd, West Lafayette, IN 47906 (North side of campus)

Other Local Dining

Just across the Wabash River is the quaint and bustling downtown of Lafayette. A short drive over the bridge has you in the center of it all. If the weather is nice, a walking bridge connects West Lafayette to the center of downtown Lafayette, easily accessible from the Hilton Garden Inn or Hampton Inn hotels.

  • Black Sparrow - 223 Main St, Lafayette, IN 47901 (closed Sundays)
  • Digby’s Pub and Patio - 133 N 4th St, Lafayette, IN 47901
  • Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila - 102 N 3rd St, Lafayette, IN 47901
  • Red Seven Bar and Grill - 200 Main St, Lafayette, IN 47901 (closed Sundays)
  • Yatagarasu Ramen - 533 Main St, Lafayette, IN 47901

Things to Do and See

Below are some handpicked selections of things to do around the greater Lafayette area. Please also check out the Home of Purdue webpage that offers an extensive list of attractions in the area.

Entertainment

Greater Lafayette Downtown Districts:

Pub Trivia:

Live Music:

Purdue Memorial Union
101 Grant St, West Lafayette, IN 47906

  • Open daily till midnight
  • First come, first serve open seating/gathering areas
  • Great for playing board games, relaxing close to “home”
  • Multiple dining options (see 101 Grant Street locations)
  • Regularly held events (plan ahead for these)

Explore Outdoors