Those of you who adore autumn are finally smiling.
Summer may have overstayed its welcome, but these past few
crisp mornings and picture-perfect afternoons in southern Indiana seem to be
proof that we’ve sent summer packing. With fall finally in focus, here’s 6 things in and around French Lick Resort for
you to celebrate the season:
Hayride, S’mores and
Pumpkin Patch
It’s a circuit of everything that’s great about fall.
Hop on a hayride up to The Stables, roast marshmallows and fire up some s’mores,
and head to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin to take home. At just $10
for kids age 5-12 (and $20 for adults), it’s also one of the best bargains you
can take advantage of at the resort. Offered every Thursday and Saturday
afternoon through October 26 for the kids (and the kids at heart).
Hoosier Apple Brandy
Consider this apple picking, with an adult twist.
Head over to Spirits
of French Lick Distillery (inside the French Lick Winery) for a taste of
their newest signature spirit: Old Clifty Hoosier Apple Brandy. It pays homage to
the 150+ apple brandy distilleries that were once prevalent in this part of Indiana.
Orange County was part of an area known as the Black Forest
of Indiana, and for a 40-year period in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the
Black Forest was the largest producer of apple brandy in the world— also rivaling
or exceeding the best apple brandys made overseas. This marks the first apple
brandy production in this area in more than 100 years. Cheers to the renewal of
a tradition!
Legend of Dry Hollow
Trick-or-Treat Walk
Let’s be honest: It’s never too early to get a head start on
Halloween.
At French Lick Resort’s annual Legend of Dry Hollow Trick-or-Treat
Walk on October 18 and 19, spooky (and sweet) surprises are always around
the corner. Kids 12 and under can come in costume and collect candy and other
surprises from a cast of Halloween characters at over 20 different stops along
the trail — we’ll even supply trick-or-treat bags to collect all the loot.
After the 25-minute walk, warm up with free hot apple cider and s’mores, and
stick around for bounce houses, a fire and light show, and music. The trail is
open to walk from 6-8 p.m., and come as early as 5:30 p.m. to purchase
wristbands for trail admission. Accompanying adults can also get a wristband at
check-in to walk the trail for free with their little ghouls.
The following weekend, the French Lick West Baden Museum has
its Flashlight Night on October 26, based on the ghosts of historic local characters.
Given the colorful history that surrounds the resort and community, the spirits
have some juicy tales to share. Open to resort guests and the public.
Animal Fall Fest at
Wilstem
When the kids have a few free days over fall break, hop over
to Wilstem’s Animal Fall
Fest which includes a bounce house, corn bin, play house, barrel train and
access to “Roos and Crew” with mini animal encounters. Or, purchase one of
Wilstem’s animal encounters (such as the grizzly bears or elephants) and get
the Fall Fest for free. All this for just 10 bucks per person, and you can add
on a wagon ride, mini zipline ride or rock bungee trampoline for only $2 per
person.
Fall Foliage Wine
Cruises
The bad news: fall foliage is behind schedule. The good
news: the fall hues are bound to show up in time for the final Fall Foliage Wine Cruises
of the season at nearby Patoka Lake.
Five Saturday/Sunday dates remain for the wine cruises between
October 12 and 26. Set sail on Patoka’s 60-foot custom tour boat and sip wine paired
with hors d’oeuvres and desserts. It includes 5-7 tastings, two full glasses of
your favorite, and a souvenir glass. Not only is it a scenic and relaxing way
to spend an afternoon, but it also supports local businesses with a different Indiana
winery featured on each date.
Art on the Green
Staying at French Lick Springs Hotel this weekend? Head
across the road and drop by Art
on the Green. From Friday the 11th through Sunday the 13th,
local artists and craftsmen will have on display pottery, handmade jewelry,
lapidary art, wood carvings, handmade bags and more. Meet the artists and
craftsmen and watch demonstrations daily. Even if art isn’t your thing, the
gourmet popcorn, homemade peanut brittle and candy, and snow-cones are worth
the trip over to the town green.
For those of you who always like to bring home souvenirs for
friends and family when you travel, this is a perfect place to pick up
something with a local flair.