Reopened, and Ready to Explore: More Fun Near the Resort

Thinking of getting away for a bit and visiting French Lick and West Baden? Just a refresher: French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels are currently open to overnight guests only, while French Lick Casino is open to the public. Our three golf courses (Pete Dye, Donald Ross and Valley Links) are also open to the public for tee times (with the Mansion and clubhouse area at the Dye Course currently open only to golfers with tee times).

Fortunately, most of the other attractions near French Lick Resort have opened back up, too, meaning there’s plenty to do and see during your next visit. Here’s a rundown of what’s available, what’s new, and what you can expect:

Wilstem Wildlife Park: From their animal encounters to zipline adventures to ATV tours, Wilstem’s favorite attractions are up and running again. And now, you can experience Wilstem’s exotic wildlife right from your air-conditioned car. During their new Drive-Thru Safari, you might see bison, camels and zebras, unique antelope species like the Blackbuck, Eland and Nilgai, or even endangered animals like the Asian Elephant or Scimitar Horned Oryx. (And maybe even feed a giraffe or another friendly creature right from your passenger seat.)

Later this season, look for more special attractions perfect for social distancing, with Wilstem’s Fall Festival of Lights in October and a Winter Festival of Lights during the holiday season.

Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park: Open at 50% capacity with a limited amount of day passes, so be sure to secure your day passes in advance.

Elsewhere in French Lick: Outdoor mini golf is social distancing friendly, and Shotz Miniature Golf and Lazer Tag (open Thursday through Monday) is the place to make it happen. French Lick-West Baden Indoor Karting and the escape rooms at Escape! French Lick are also up and running — check online for availability.

The farmers market on the French Lick town green isn’t available this summer, but a short drive away, the Orleans farmers market is still operating on Saturday mornings with local produce, food and goodies, and crafts perfect for taking home. And we’ve still got fingers crossed for the town of French Lick’s annual Block Bash. The festival won’t be held downtown this year, but organizers are working to get a new location approved in French Lick for the weekend of September 18-20.

Patoka Lake: A much-needed nugget of good news from 2020? The beach at Patoka Lake is open this year, after fluctuating water levels forced it to close for portions of recent years. There’s still an ample warm-weather window to hit the beach.

Boats and kayaks are also available to rent at Patoka Lake Marina, or you can hop aboard one of their special cruises. The Fall Wine Cruises (September 5-October 24) give you a taste of featured local wineries alongside the serene lake backdrop, while Wednesday Wildlife Cruises are also ongoing through October.

Wineries: These crazy times call for a few glasses of wine (and maybe a couple take-home bottles, too). You’re in luck, because the area’s wineries are open and have you covered.

Did you know you can hit three different wineries within a 45-minute drive from the resort? All three have tasty wine slushies perfect for this time of year, and each one has dining options and outdoor seating as well. Take your pizza and Noiret out on the front porch at French Lick Winery. Sip on Patoka Lake Winery’s award-winning Captains’ Chardonnay or Biker’s Black and Blue outdoors on their rustic porch. And at Winzerwald Winery, savor a little German-inspired wine with a charcuterie plate or Bavarian pretzel under the tents in the shaded countryside.

Currently on pause: French Lick Scenic Railway and Abbeydell Hall are not open to guests currently — both are working to hopefully resume operations later this season.

The Historic Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest Trail, featuring woodlands undisturbed since the early 1800s, takes you deep into nature and off the beaten path.

Hoosier National Forest: You don’t have to worry about 200,000+ acres of peaceful woodlands being closed down. The HNF hiking trails have been a popular stop lately, and you can pop into the Visit French Lick West Baden visitors center for maps highlighting 250 miles of hiking trails. For a route that’s short, sweet, scenic and historic, try the 1.3-mile Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest Trail. It’s one of Indiana’s only remaining tracts of virgin hardwood forest, with towering trees virtually undisturbed since the early 1800s.

More at the Visitors Center: Right off the highway and a stone’s throw from the West Baden arch, make the Visitors Center your first stop when you get into town for more socially distant activity resources. Pick up maps to their historic walking tour of the towns of French Lick and West Baden Springs, as well as their #iSpyVFLWB scavenger hunt. You can also learn about how to take the Hoosier Hospitality Promise for safe and healthy traveling — and when you make the promise you can earn discounts at local business that have also made the pledge, including the West Baden Bagel Bistro and the French Lick Winery.

Their website is also a great resource for the latest info about local restaurants, shops and other attractions the area.