Conquer Those Post-Holiday Blues at French Lick Resort

These next 10 days are pure holiday nirvana. Time off work. Time with family. Christmas celebrations that linger through to New Year’s. Parties, food, parties, food, repeat.

Inevitably, though, that January 2 feeling is coming. That moment when you realize the party’s over, there’s no vacation time on the horizon, and it feels like the temperature may never rise above 28 degrees ever, ever again. You know the feeling. It’s the annual rude invasion at the end of every holiday season.

But you have the power to win the battle with that January 2 feeling. And we here at French Lick Resort are just the ones to help you.

From concerts to wine experiences to our Chocolate Festival that will celebrate its 10^th anniversary this year, we have a whole roster of activities to help you survive that stretch from early January until spring break. A few are new and some are familiar favorites. Find one you like and inject a much-needed pick-me-up with a weekend getaway, day trip, or even a mini midweek vacation for a few days.

We’re excited about the newest event, and we think you will be too. A mixology course is coming to West Baden Springs Hotel, and there are eight total sessions to choose from (two per month on Sunday afternoons from January to April). One of our resident mixmasters from West Baden will guide the sessions, which will unfold as a series format following the progression of cocktails covering four different time periods (one each month).

Cocktails take center stage for a couple of events early in 2018:
 The Cosmo & Pedi experience, and the series of mixology courses.

For example, the earlier sessions will highlight the genesis of the cocktail in the late 1800s then follow into the early 1900s and include some prohibition-era drinks where the cocktail changed with liquor in lower supply and quality. The latter sessions will highlight the trendy drinks of today and how we arrived here from the early days of the cocktail. Guests will sample the drinks and nibble on hors d’oeuvres as well while our bartender mixes and shakes while outlining the history behind each drink. Even though it’s a series, each session operates independently of the others, so you don’t have to have attended the prior mixology courses to enjoy the current one you’re at.

This one isn’t brand new, but our Bourbon and Bites event is returning after a couple years! On Saturday, February 3, make plans to be in the West Baden atrium to sample select bourbons served alongside a selection of hors d’oeuvres. If you’ve never experienced the buzz of the atrium on a weekend night, this is a prime chance to do so as live music is also planned and guests from Bourbon and Bites will receive a souvenir shot glass to take with them.

If wine is more your jam, we’ve got you covered. Go either the sweet or the savory route by attending a Wine and Dessert Soirée or Wine Pairings event; each offered one Friday a month in the West Baden atrium. Better yet, block out a few days for the Wine Experience Weekend, featuring

informational sessions, a chef demo, a five-course dinner at Sinclair's Restaurant and of course a steady flow of wine. For something more interactive, sip wine while you paint at one of three Wine & Canvas sessions (Jan. 20, Feb. 10, March 17), which are the grown-up equivalent of Cookies & Canvas offered March 24 for the little ones.

Speaking of food, Kitchen Live will again be on tap Saturday afternoons at 1:30 from January 6 through March 10 (excluding February 10, 17 and March 3) with live demonstrations from our resort chefs at French Lick Springs Hotel’s Grand Colonnade Restaurant. Admission is free, and so are the samples. We’ll cover everything from appetizers (artisanal cheese board) to entrees (thick-cut pork chops with bourbon maple pan sauce) to desserts (chocolate candy and macaroons) with some ethnic flair as well.

The early sector of 2018 is also your chance to see a pair of classic acts in concerts at French Lick, with Eddie Money on January 19 followed by Styx on March 2. Concerts at French Lick give you the chance to see stars up close and personal in the Hoosier Ballroom, so book some tickets of your own or land a last-second Christmas gift for a classic music fan on your list.

The musical beat goes on with Jazz Under the Dome Weekend (March 9-11) featuring 20 hours of live jazz wafting through the West Baden atrium. West Baden now features a different type of live music nightly — catch the pianist on Thursday evenings or the Late Night Jazz Club on Friday and Saturday nights. West Baden is also the place to treat yourself to the finer things with Afternoon Tour and Tea as well as Mommy & Me Tea, which is a great option over spring break (offered each Wednesday from March 7 to April 11).

In need of a more solo experience? West Baden has a lineup of overnight packages at the beginning of 2018: Wellness Weekend, Cosmo & Pedi, and Photography Weekend. Come alone; come with a friend; come with a group or bring the whole family — you no longer have to dread winter with everything French Lick Resort has on the docket for early 2018. Head over to the Special Events Page on our website to learn more about all that's going on!