A Look Back: The Top 10 Topics of 2017


Phew. That was a rush.

2017 has been tucked in and put to bed, and it’s brought an end to an eventful 365 days across our 3,000 acres at French Lick Resort. There’s a ton to look forward to in 2018 — just check out our Events Page that will grow with even more offerings in the coming months — but it’s always fun to glance in the rearview mirror before accelerating forward.

The past year was loaded with amazing sights, memories and even tastes. The invention of tomato juice celebrated its 100th anniversary at French Lick Springs Hotel. The Donald Ross Course also commemorated 100 years. Meanwhile, it was a first-time occurrence for the Senior LPGA Championship, which launched at The Pete Dye Course as the first sanctioned golf major for senior women. Hank Williams Jr. and Joan Jett were among the concert acts that rocked the Hoosier Ballroom.

We’re putting a bow on the year gone by with a Top 10 list of what interested you most in 2017. The French Lick Resort blog details upcoming attractions and historical features a couple times per week, and these were the 10 things that got the most viewer traffic on our blog in 2017:


#10: One Hundred Years of Tomato Juice

If you visited in 2017, you may have enjoyed a taste of the tangy and spicy tomato juice that we had available to sample at restaurants and elsewhere across the resort. Click here to learn about its serendipitous invention at French Lick in 1917.


#9: A Walk with the Historian

This was the opening installment of our three-part series exploring some of the hidden historical gems at French Lick Springs Hotel, with resort historian Jeff Lane as our guide. Part 2 ran just a few days ago, and check back next week for the final installment detailing the fireplace and ceiling paintings in the French Lick lobby.


#8: Conquer the Post-Holiday Blues

And, boy, are we in need of that after these frigid first days of 2018. Get filled in on the French Lick Resort activities in January, February and March that will have you loving winter more.


#7: Autumn Romance at French Lick Resort

While those fall vibes have passed, you can get the midwinter romance flickering with upcoming Valentine’s Day activity at the French Lick and West Baden hotels.


#6: Chocolate Festival

We worship all things chocolate on one Saturday every February. The chocolate bash celebrated its 9th birthday last year, and we’re partying Roarin’ 20s style for the 10th annual Chocolate Festival upcoming on February 10. 


#5: The Unsinkable Molly Brown

A look back at the remarkable story of a survivor of the Titanic sinking (and also a respected American philanthropist), who came to West Baden Springs Hotel for a spell to recover from the harrowing ordeal.  


#4: French Lick Gingerbread House

We peeked behind the scenes at the construction of one of the Midwest’s largest gingerbread houses, built in a different style every holiday season for display at French Lick Springs Hotel. It was so good, we had to go back for some tasty scraps and extras from the gingerbread project.


#3: Twelve Guest Photos from the Holidays

This was our last blog post of 2017 but one of the biggest. Stunning holiday photos of the resort never go out of season!


#2: Celebrating Remarkable Renovations at West Baden Springs Hotel

This classic beauty has undergone a few facelifts in her day. First, 100 years ago in the massive 1917 renovation that came 15 years after the hotel was rebuilt after a fire; and more recently 10 years ago, when West Baden reopened after a multimillion-dollar renovation saved it from crumbling into disrepair.


#1: The Traveling Vietnam Wall

Here’s our runaway winner: The traveling Vietnam Wall that visited French Lick Resort over Veteran’s Day weekend. This received nearly 28,000 hits on our blog — almost four times more than any other post. From schoolkids visiting with history class to Vietnam veterans coming to pay homage, The Wall attracted more than 1,500 visitors.


It’s official: 2017’s a wrap! Check back to the French Lick Resort blog, which is updated a couple times weekly with info about upcoming events, Foodie Friday posts historical profiles and other fun features.