It’s easy to spend an entire day exploring downtown Lafayette, especially when you visit our unique blend of museums that feature everything from historic relics to hands-on activities and educational zones. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to explore a vast array of subjects and see firsthand how our pioneering heritage transformed into a blooming district for artists and artisans.
Museums
Lafayette History Museum: A can’t-miss stop is this historic structure that contains a wealth of Lafayette history, from the early days of pioneer heritage, through the coal mining years and into the present. Built in the 1890s, the building includes a kitchen full of unusual household items used by Lafayette’s founding families, a tremendous collection of mining tools and equipment, as well as an early-learning space for children where kids can “mine for coal.”
WOW! Children’s Museum: Families of all ages love to spend their days at this special spot for connecting curiosity, creativity, and discovery through educational, hands-on experiences. As a beloved community resource and proud member of the Association of Children’s Museums, WOW! provides an opportunity for children to practice the skills they will need to succeed in school and life.
The Collective – Community Arts Center: Lafayette’s identity is deeply rooted in our art, and at The Collective, visitors can engage with our cultural roots through various exhibits, historic displays, guest lectures, film series and other arts programs. Home to the Lafayette Arts and Cultural Resources Department, this is a space for our community to honor the past, celebrate the now, and look toward the future.
Savor and Shop
Explore our diverse retail and restaurants.