Whether you're visiting for the first time, or you’re a tried and true Lafayette fan. A fall day, can’t be beat with these spots!
Start with Breakfast at Trish's Red Bird Cafe
Start your morning about 15 minutes outside of Lafayette, in the town of Dayton at Trish's Red Bird Cafe, a small-town cafe that feels like you’re not in Indiana, but makes you love Indiana just a little bit more!
Inside, you'll find local memorabilia, like awards and features. Trish’s Red Bird Cafe was featured on America' s Best Restaurants in 2022! I started out with a cinnamon-sugar beignet, and blueberry hush puppies..you heard that right. I had never heard of any variation on hush puppy other than the classic. I am not sure what I expected it to taste like, but I think it exceeded anything I could have thought of! Such a unique twist on a classic comfort food!
The menu has some pretty unique offerings, like Trish’s Trainwreck. This dish was LOADED - an open faced biscuit, topped with hash browns and country fried steak. 2 eggs, sausage gravy, cheddar cheese and bacon. It definitely lives up to its name!
If you’re the type of person that loves hearing about the history of the places you visit, just look around while you’re eating! The cafe's walls are filled with pieces of Dayton's local history, and the history of Trish’s Red Bird Cafe!
Next Up! - Apple Picking at Wea Creek Orchard
Next, head to Wea Creek Orchard, a seventh-generation family farm on the south side of Lafayette. Apple picking screams fall to me, and this is the PERFECT spot to to transition with the seasons.
You can pick apples (or just grab some from inside the market), wander through the orchard, browse the farm market for locally made goodies like jams, sauces, pies and more. I got some delicious Strawberry rhubarb jam, an apple cider slushy (10/10, make sure you grab one during your visit!), and some Lavender spray that they have made from the lavender they grow on the farm! I have used it almost everyday since I’ve gotten it. It smells AMAZING! If only you could smell it….I guess you’ll just have to get some for yourself!
This is a spot totally worth spending the whole afternoon at, and something the whole family will enjoy!
Lunch Break! - Teays River Brewing & Public House
After spending a morning/afternoon outside, it's time to quiet the grumbling tummies!
Teays River Brewing & Public House is a locally owned brewery, taproom and restaurant on Lafayette's south side, making it an easy place to sit down and just relax for lunch.
The brewery makes its own beer on a seven-barrel system, with everything from light lagers and American ambers to IPAs, brown ales and seasonal offerings.
Now, it is a brewery and public house, BUT I would say it’s equally a spot sure to please the foodies at heart. The current menu includes smoked wings, an Angus smash burger, house-made beer cheese, candied pork belly and the Short Faced Bear Fries — their take on poutine with fries or sweet potato fries topped with brisket or pulled pork, cheese curds, BBQ au jus and beer cheese, oh my!
Oh, and don’t you even worry about calories, get whatever is speaking to you, and you can walk it all off at our next stop!
Fun Filled Afternoon/Evening - Exploration Acres
Remember how I said you’d be walking off lunch? Try not to get lost exploring Northwest Indiana’s LARGEST corn maze! If you do anything this fall, let it be this.
The farm's 2026 fall season runs September 18 through November 1, with a 22-acre corn maze featuring about 10 miles of winding paths. There's also an 11-acre pumpkin patch, and tons of other fall activities, games, and food around the farm to explore!
One thing I found that was really cool when I was exploring was the Gem Mine. Purchase a bag of gems and stones, and wash them in the water to see what you get! A fun little activity to peak your curiosity, and add an element of surprise.
Finish with a Lafayette Classic: Igloo Frozen Custard
You can't spend a day eating your way around Lafayette without making room for a little dessert, and a snack for the road!
Igloo Frozen Custard has been around for nearly 100 years - and it is a generational gem! Founded in the 1930’s, it has stayed in the family and handed down generations since. Igloo is still using some of the same recipes and ideas from the past!
Today, you can grab frozen custard, sundaes, shakes and other treats — or make it a full meal with wraps, sandwiches and fun munchies. As a true Midwesterner, I was happy to hear they had a housemade ranch dressing - of course I had to try it with my fries.
You may be thinking, “a frozen treat on a fall day”? I am a firm believer in that any weather is ice cream weather, or in this case, frozen custard weather! There are so many items on the menu that have a story behind them, like the Famous Fruit Drink.
Final Fall Day Thoughts
The best part about this itinerary is that none of the stops require you to choose between doing something fun and eating something good. Each spot has deep roots in the community, and are sure to leave you with a full belly or a smile on your face!
