Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Lafayette Indiana is home to the renowned Purdue University, and is just a short distance from both Indianapolis and Chicago. Tourists will find a plethora of lodging establishments, but only one with its own indoor water park. Buccaneer Bay at Best Western Lafayette is home to several water slides and other theme park rides, all enclosed within the grounds of the hotel.
In addition to its big attraction of water slides, the park boasts a kiddie pool, a hot tub and a game arcade, plus several smaller themed pools and water rides. Entrance to the water park is an additional fee of $15 over accommodation rates. Group rates and party accommodations are available for scheduling ahead of time. Day passes and seasonal memberships are also available for purchase by non-hotel guests. Winter and summer hours vary, so check with the office for seasonal information.
The Best Western is a full-service hotel just off of Interstate 65 in East Lafayette. All of the rooms include high-speed Internet, satellite cable television and standard hotel amenities. Also available is a 450-capacity meeting room for executive gatherings, wedding parties or family reunions. Pets are allowed with a $20 fee per animal.
Within 10 miles of the hotel are several popular tourist attractions, including Wolf Park, Prophetstown State Park, the historical site of the Battle of Tippecanoe, and the Colombian Park Zoo. Wolf Park is an animal sanctuary where visitors can see wolves and bison roam free in a lush nature preserve. Prophetstown State Park is a farm that allows tourists to experience the inner workings of a traditional farming life.
Purdue University and its sports teams, the Boilermakers, are largely the center of activity in the city of Lafayette. The university was created in 1869 on a land grant from John Purdue, its namesake. Purdue is a world-renowned engineering and science school with successful football and basketball programs. Visitors can tour the campus grounds, mix with the local student body or attend a sporting event at Ross-Aide stadium.