Our rundown of 25 Things to Do This Spring doesn't even complete the picture of everything there is to do in and around French Lick Resort this season. It's just the start. From our special events to the full resort calendar to attractions out in town and beyond, there's plenty of ways to get out and enjoy spring as it begins to blossom.
Cake Decorating Class: Every
Tuesday, our West Baden pastry chef Courtney Layman lends her expertise when it
comes to dressing up round cakes with flat icing, border and garnishes. Make it
a gift for a loved one or friend celebrating a birthday. We’ll provide the
6-inch cake for you to practice on, and take home to eat. (Or eat in the car on
the way home. No one has to know…)
French Lick Family Classic 5K & Kids 1 Mile Mini: That Batman costume that’s sat unused in your closet from four Halloweens ago finally has some use again. Our annual 5K has a superhero theme this year, and this race benefits a great cause as well with proceeds benefitting Clothe-A-Child. This 5K also tends to be more relaxed compared to the ultra-competitive atmospheres of other races — so it’s a great starter race if you happen to be tackling your first 5K.
Saddle Up: We’ve
said it before, and we’ll say it again: The Stables
are one of the best-kept secrets at French Lick Resort. Horse Sense classes start up
again in April, and they’re great to ease in youngsters who are gearing up for
a trail ride for the first time. (As well as adults getting back in the saddle for
the first time in a while.)
Of course, regular guided
trail rides are offered at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm daily up at The Stables.
Pony rides are also available by appointment. Your little ones might get to
take a ride on Sprite, Cherry Pop, Derby or Lil’ Sam, some of the most
kid-friendly horses of the bunch. Kids, and adults alike, are matched up with
the horse that best suits them.
Go take a hike: Once it starts greening up, our 10+ miles of trails are beckoning for a hike (or bike, or a challenging run.) Stick to Trail 1 if you’re just wanting a leisurely stroll or have younger kids along for the ride. Trails 2 and 3 are sure to get the heart pumping a little more.
We’re right on the edge of the Hoosier National Forest, which is full of other spectacular hiking terrain across southern Indiana.
Tee it up: There’s no time like spring for a drive. The Donald Ross Course at French Lick opens for the season this weekend, The Valley Links Course is ready for playing a quick nine holes (both weather dependent), and opening day on The Pete Dye Course at French Lick is coming soon on March 29.
At The Donald Ross Course, jump on our season-opening Tee It Up rates: $75 for all day, or $50 for 18 holes after 1 p.m. Offer good March 16 through 28. Call (888) 936-9360 for tee times.
At The Donald Ross Course, jump on our season-opening Tee It Up rates: $75 for all day, or $50 for 18 holes after 1 p.m. Offer good March 16 through 28. Call (888) 936-9360 for tee times.
Take a zipline tour: Wilstem is best known for its exotic wildlife and animal encounters, but this ranch property 10 minutes from the resort also features a nine-course ziplining area — a perfect activity to spike the adrenaline after those sedentary winter months. Or, get behind the wheel for an hour on one of their guide-led ATV tours.
Ride (and track) the rail trolley: Our restored 1903 rail trolley can now be enjoyed with a modern twist. Download the app to track the trolley in real time on its route between West Baden and French Lick Springs Hotels, so you can know when to expect it pulling into the trolley station.
Download it from the App Store or via Google Play Store.
Mixology Class: Pull up a seat at the bar and catch one of our last Mixology Classes of the spring, happening April 14 or 28. A little sneak peek: At the April 28 class, we’ll be showcasing the “Private Jet” cocktail, our spin on the Paper Plane cocktail using our French Lick Resort select bourbons. Even if you don’t call yourself a fan of bourbon, this eye-opening Private Jet cocktail might change your mind.
Wine Pairings: We’ll just leave this right here — the menu from our last Wine Pairings event in February:
The wines and paired dishes change each time, but this is nice little taste of one of our signature monthly events that makes for a stellar date night. The next dates are April 5 and May 24.
Wine & Dessert Soirée: Kentucky Derby weekend is always a festive one across the resort, and our monthly Wine & Dessert Soiree is a sweet way to usher in the weekend on Friday.
The West Baden pastry chefs assemble a new dessert trio for every soirée, and the past ones the last few months have featured treats such as Butterfly Pea Flower Crème Brulée, Chocolate Caramel Bombe, Vanilla Bean Mille-Feuille and Blackberry Wine Cake — in other words, desserts that are kicked up a few notches from the ones you make at home. It’s worth it to indulge.
Photography Weekend: Picture this: two days of personalized instruction from professional photographer Ian McSpadden, with some of the resort’s gorgeous scenery as your subject matter. Our May 10-11 Photography Weekend also builds a good chunk of free time in the schedule for you to experience the resort on your own terms.
Wine & Canvas: A glass
or two of wine + a quiet hour with a paintbrush = relaxation in its purest
form. April 13 and May 18 are the final two Wine & Canvas dates until the
late summer.
Spring Into Action: The circus comes to us three Saturdays this spring, with Turners Circus from Louisville flipping, twisting and dazzling with their shows featuring everything from trapeze to silks. Just 5 bucks gets you into the show, and we’ll cover the complimentary popcorn and cotton candy.
Catch Dinner and a Show: “I’ve Got the Music in Me” is on stage for 10 more dates from now through May at Abbeydell Hall in French Lick, and in addition to the ’60s-’70s variety show is illusionist Rick Thomas performing April 23 at Abbeydell.
Craft Beer Experience: This
is becoming one of our most popular events, so hustle to make reservations for
this tour of brews and bites April 26 at West Baden Springs Hotel. After it’s
over, grab one more beer from the bar and stay for the Late Night Jazz Club’s
live music in the library.
Brunch it Up: Dodge
the restaurant crowds, have a quiet meal under the dome instead, and launch
some new traditions for the holidays. We could start listing everything that’ll
be on the menu for our holiday brunches, but that would take too long. We’ll
just let you feast your eyes on the dozens of things on the menu for Easter and Mother’s Day.
Monon Railroad exhibit: Depicted through the paintings of Howard Fogg, a special new exhibit at the French Lick West Baden Museum in town captures the mystique of the passenger trains that first started visiting the resort hotels in 1887. Between the trains and the circus diorama that’s always on display, this is one museum that can capture the interest of your little ones.
Take a ride: French Lick Scenic Railway has a range of themed train rides slotted for the spring—everything from the kid-friendly Easter Bunny Express to the adults-only Bourbon Tasting Train and Chocolate Tasting Train. Scenic rides also leave the station two days a week. This is also a good time for a reminder that Polar Express tickets for the holiday season sell out months in advance, so buy now.
Yoga Class with a Glass: Workout wine is the best wine, and Patoka Lake Winery (a 20-minute drive from the resort) has finally combined both of them in their unique hour-long yoga session on April 7. If you’re visiting during the week, check out their Two for Tuesdays (buy one, get one free wine tasting) and Wine Wednesdays with 10% discounts on bottles.
French Lick Winery: Just a short drive into town, the French Lick Winery is getting a facelift for spring, with a new cocktail area that should be finished by the end of April. They’re also working on a new cocktail menu featuring fresh ingredients and featuring their Spirits of French Lick line of alcohols.
Pick up a bottle of Vineyard Catawba, on sale for the spring for $14.95 while supplies last. Make it two bottles and pick up their Estate Label Chambourcin Rose, which has quickly become one of their most popular vineyard wines since its release last summer. Of course, wine and spirit tastings are always offered at their tasting bar, with distillery tours by appointment.
One last wine note: With the German/Swiss-inspired Winzerwald Winery, there are three wineries located within 30 minutes of the resort, in addition to French Lick and Patoka Lake.
Gretchen Wilson in
concert: Hey y’all and yee-haw! —
country music’s favorite “Redneck Woman” is playing the Hoosier Ballroom on May
17.
Find good eats at Lost
River: Plan to make a stop at Lost River Market & Deli
just up the road in Paoli, which boasts locally produced meat, cheese and
produce right down to a salad bar, deli items and a craft beer selection. Keep
an eye out for their $5 homemade dinners served once a month, for dine-in or
carryout. Another watch for their Bonus Buys, a three-day period every month
with a variety of products at a discount to rival big-box store prices.
First Twilight Tour of the season: It’s on Saturday, May 25 — and after you’ve brushed up on your history in this tour given by costumed characters from the early 20th Century, then enjoy everything else happening here over Memorial Day weekend.