We get the question all the
time: What else is there to do nearby?
Answer: plenty.
If you’ve got a late-summer
outing planned here at French Lick Resort and want to venture out a bit, here’s
6 things to do try that are right here in town. (In some cases, they’re right
across the road.)
#1: First up
is Cirque Ma’Ceo,
an equestrian-themed circus featuring acrobatics, horsemanship, clowns and
music all under the big top right here in French Lick. Look for the tent along
State Road 145, less than a mile south of French Lick next to the Best Western
Plus hotel. Showtimes are at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on July 25, 26 and 27. The
Cirque Ma’Ceo show, which has been recently performed in Las Vegas and all over
North America, benefits the French Lick West Baden Museum. Get tickets online or at the tent the day of the show.
To kick up the circus
experience a notch, attend a special circus party at the historic Beechwood
Mansion that includes food, beverages, entertainment, VIP seats at the show, and
transportation priot to the 7:30 p.m. show on Saturday. The party starts at
5:30 p.m., and tickets can be purchased for $75 at the French Lick West Baden
Museum.
And to get circus ready, make
a stop at the museum beforehand to learn more about the role the circus played
in the town’s history. The 1,100 square-foot circus diorama in the museum is a
sight to behold.
#2: The
French Lick Winery’s Summer
Music Series continues into September with three more Saturday shows this
summer. Catch the Jamie Taylor & Wade Baker Duo on Aug. 10, followed by
Sparrow & Crandall on Sept. 7 and American Pie on Sept. 27. Each show runs
from 5 to 6 p.m. Get there a little early for a wine tasting, and then try one
of their new wine flights with an early dinner during the show.
#3: French
Lick is the birthplace of tomato juice, and the town is celebrating accordingly
at the French
Lick Tomato Festival on Saturday, Aug. 17. Browse vendor booths, turn the
kids loose in the bounce houses, and play historical Jenga or compete in the cornhole
contest for cash. There’s also a tomato salsa contest from 4-6 p.m. and bands
playing into the night from 8-11 p.m. It all happens at the town green, right
across the highway from French Lick Springs Hotel.
#4: You don’t
have to wait for the weekend to hit the farmers market. The farmers market run
by Orange County
HomeGrown sets up shop every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end
of September at the town green. Take home an array of locally grown produce,
pick up some baked goods (let’s be honest: better for the car ride home than
fruits and veggies), and pick from several more art and craft items,
handcrafted jewelry and hand-sewn items.
#5: Just a
short jog from French Lick Springs Hotel, the French Lick Scenic Railway has
special trains that are leaving the station weekends in August and September.
On Aug. 3, take a ride to the Jasper Strassenfest to experience the town’s
celebration of German heritage. (Save room for a bratwurst and practice your
best Chicken Dance for the Bier Garten.) Experience a brush with the outlaws at
the Wild West Hold-ups (Aug. 31/Sept. 1). Or try a new twist on date night and
hop on the Dinner Train (Aug. 24 and Sept. 21), Bourbon Tasting Train (Sept.
14) or the Chocolate Tasting Train (Sept. 28).
#6: Summer’s last
official weekend is also one of the biggest weekends of the year for the town
of French Lick. Block
Bash comes to the town green Sept. 20-22 highlighted by the Bear Hollow
Wood Carvers. Watch some of the top chainsaw carvers in the country craft trees
into one-of-a-kind sculptures, with carving competitions, an artist marketplace
and auctions to claim one of their carvings for your very own. There’s also a
kids’ zone and lumberjack shows, bands, a car show, a wine garden on Saturday
and Sunday, and a beer garden all three days.