When I first moved to the Lafayette area, I brought my giant book collection with me. One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is find unique spots to grab a coffee and read books. Especially when the weather is rainy or isn’t ideal for a fall stroll, I like to get out of the house and read in a different environment. I also love to add new editions to my bookshelf at home.
It is hard to pick my favorite reading location because I am always finding fresh places to explore in Lafayette. Here is a list of local places I enjoy to read.
Purdue University Student, Abby Nash, shares this blog. This blog is part of a series of articles submitted to Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette through a cooperation with a 400-level travel writing class at Purdue University.
Réveille Coffee Bar
On lazy Saturday mornings, I enjoy waking up and driving down Main Street in Lafayette to read at Réveille Coffee Bar. It is my favorite place to read in the morning because the space is full of quirky décor, patterned wallpaper, and large windows. This makes it an ideal place to read with plenty of sunlight. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, the location is great for any type of weather. A bonus of reading at a coffee shop is ordering a sweet treat or caffeine infused drink to satisfy my cravings while I dive into a new chapter! Bonus: Réveille also shares space with the Cellar Wine Bistro, so if you are in the mood for a glass of wine, this is the place!
Main Street Books
A favorite spot I like to visit every time I step foot downtown is Main Street Books. As the name suggests, the local, small business is located right on Main Street. The seating by the front is super cozy and gives a great view of historic downtown Lafayette. I noticed families, couples, students, and adults all filing into the shop with plenty of choices of genres to read.
Second Flight Books
It is easy to spend time browsing the many shelves of Second Flight Books! It is located across from Columbian Park. Fun fact: their other location is Main Street Books! As a romance novel lover, I’m happy to run right to the romance section before I take a seat at the many reading nooks. The employees are very friendly and give great book recommendations sprinkled throughout the shop. I love that there are both new and used books available for purchase. The shop is two floors and has colorful chairs throughout, which places it on the top of my reading location list.
Purdue Memorial Union
I enjoy visiting many buildings on Purdue’s expansive campus. To feel like I’m a part of the cast of the “Gilmore Girls” TV show, I adore visiting the Purdue Memorial Union with a large book in hand. Stained glass windows, cozy window seats, and the quiet buzz of Purdue students studying make it a neat environment unique to a college campus. Conveniently, the Union houses Leaps Coffee Shop if you are in need of a snack break. My personal favorite floor to sit on is the first floor because of the aesthetic seating arrangement. Seasonally I like the decorations, especially around autumn with the arrival of students and Christmastime for the grand décor. Fun changes are always happening around the Union! Just outside its doors, Purdue’s entire campus is also home to many places to read and explore.
The Lobby by Greyhouse
The Lobby by Greyhouse is a fun spot for day or nighttime reading. When I want to order food or a indulge in a fun drink while I read, I like to visit The Lobby. If a book and a cocktail are also your jam, this would be a great location for reading after classes or work. First opening its doors in 2023, The Lobby’s atmosphere is very inviting and sleek. I felt very posh reading my book here! Along with my favorite copy of classic fairytales, I ordered buttermilk biscuits. I plan on visiting during different times of the day to try the variety of food options with my book in tow!
On my next rainy day or if I simply want to relax and read, I can’t wait to visit these notable reading locations again! For more information about other unique experiences in Lafayette-West Lafayette, visit the Home of Purdue Blog.
