Lafayette College is a small prestigious liberal arts college located in the College Hill neighborhood of Easton, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles from Philadelphia and 70 miles from New York City. Easton, Allentown and Bethlehem form the core of what’s known as the Lehigh Valley, one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. Lafayette’s beautiful campus is home to an undergraduate enrollment of around 2,500. Lafayette offers its students an intimate academic environment combined with a big-school feel with an active Greek life and one of the oldest rivalries’ in college sports.

Transportation: The nearest airport is the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), located about 15 miles from campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located approximately 60 miles from campus, and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located about 95 miles from Lafayette. Easton’s bus station is located downtown about a mile from the school, offering daily service to New York City and Philadelphia, along with the Newark and JFK airports.

Visitor Information: Tour Lafayette

Campus Landmarks: Take a photo with the Marquis statue behind Colton Chapel.

Stay: With an ideal location right on College Hill, The Lafayette Inn housed in a charming 1895 Georgian Mansion is the most convenient option for touring families. Overlooking campus, the Grand Eastonian is the Valley’s premier historic hotel, dating back to 1927. Other options in Easton include the Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn Easton, and TownPlace Suites by Marriott. 

Coffee: Follow the students to Cosmic Cup, right on the hill, a great way to grab your morning brew, and watch student life in action. Another student favorite, Mojo Café, also offers breakfast sandwiches, juices, and smoothies. 

Breakfast: Start your day at Hill’s Kitchen for a typical American breakfast or channel your inner Aussie with brekkie at Tucker Silk Mill, a chill Australian style café with an array of toasts and yogurt bowls. Healthily begin the day with fresh juices, smoothies, bowls, and more at Greenmouth.

Lunch:  The Easton Public Market is both a market and community space; go hungry and enjoy ramen at Mister Lee’s Noodles, a pulled pork sandwich from More Than Q, pizza at Scratch, or tacos at Taylor Taco Shop. Don’t miss macaroons from Chocodiem for dessert. Note: The market is closed on Monday and Tuesdays. Locals swear the cheesesteaks are as good as in Philly at Giacomo’s Italian Grill and Market or choose from a variety of other hot and cold sandwiches, salads, wraps, plus soups.

Dinner

Casual: College Hill Tavern is popular with students thanks to typical college bar food such as wings, pizzas, and even a whole section of the menu devoted to french fries. Campus Pizza is a Lafayette institution serving pasta as well. At Pearly Baker’s Ale House, burgers are the star, but there’s also an extensive menu including cauliflower flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, and larger entrees. Don’t leave without trying their peanut butter stuffed brownie, just as decadent as it sounds. Two Rivers is a farm-to-table restaurant and restored brewery serving elevated gastropub fare. It’s also a good choice for brunch.

A Step Up: Wood-grilled pizza and other Italian specialties are the draw at popular Sette Luna, a cozy and inviting spot. Maxims is many students go to when their parents are treating; it’s an inviting French brasserie, also a good brunch spot. (Order the brioche French toast.)   Other excellent choices include River Grille, Ocean 235, and 3rd & Ferry Fish Market.

Sweets: For an afternoon indulgence stop by Sweet Girlz Bakery for cupcakes, brownies, whoopie pies, and more! Easton has no shortage of delicious ice cream. Students’ frequent Owowcow’s for handcrafted ice cream, made from scratch daily and Bank Street Creamery with over 120 flavors in their rotation.  

Local Attractions: Visit The Crayola Factory in downtown Easton to see the production lines in action, creating their famous crayons and markers as well as hands-on craft demos. One perk of visiting on a Saturday, one perk is heading to the Easton Farmer’s Market, billed as the nation’s oldest continuous open-air market. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Pocono Mountains, just north of the Lehigh Valley, offer skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking, biking, and fishing in the warmer weather. 

Traditions: It is the most anticipated football game on campus, known universally as “The Rivalry,” the game when the Lafayette Leopards play the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. As of 2019, the two teams have played 155 times since1884, holding the record for the most played rivalry in college football. To read more about The Rivalry, click here.

Continue the Tour: Combine your visit to Lafayette with Lehigh University, located in nearby Bethlehem and Muhlenberg College located in Allentown-both a short from Easton.