OK, snow. You’ve had your fun. But your days are numbered.
Soon you’ll melt away into a memory. And spring will reward
us with longer days, brighter skies and a reprieve from winter that’s long
overdue. When it’s time to get out and play again, pencil in a getaway to
French Lick Resort to enjoy some outdoor time that you’ve been missing. Here’s 10 things you can look forward to this spring:
Our new outdoor pool at French Lick Springs Hotel
opens this spring! Now you’ll have a little more space to spread out, with two
pools at the French Lick outdoor pool complex. We’re shooting for a March 12
opening, and even if Mother Nature doesn’t fully cooperate, the indoor pool is
always an option 24/7/365. All the outdoor pools at the resort are heated, so at
the first hint of spring, don’t be afraid to take the plunge.
Ah, we’ve missed you, golf season.
Our Donald Ross Course at French Lick reopens for
the 2021 season in mid-March, with The Pete Dye Course at French Lick slated
for opening day on Friday, April 2. Finally time to rescue your clubs from
the car trunk or basement, play 9 at Valley Links, or book a round or special stay-and-play
package at our championship courses.
Don’t forget: We offer same-day replays for free at The Pete
Dye Course, and for $50 at The Donald Ross Course (based on availability). And
at Valley Links, juniors age 13-18 play for half price while 12 and younger
play for free.
Speaking of Valley Links, there’s a new way to enjoy our
FootGolf course.
The new Short Course is 14 holes and can be completed in one hour for a quick-on,
quick-off experience. Traditional rounds of 9 and 18 holes are still available,
too.
Spring is a time for renewal and trying something new,
right? Even if you’ve never ridden a horse or fired a gun, our staff at
The Stables
and the
sporting
clays range can show you the ropes.
The Stables offers traditional trail rides and a more
in-depth Horse Sense class, plus pony rides for children younger than 8, with
all trail rides guided by our Stables staff. Our sporting clays instructors can
also provide you a crash course in the world of shooting — if you’re a
beginner, a 50-target shoot is probably right up your alley. We also have
shotguns available to rent and ammunition for purchase. (If you’re a more
experienced shooter, 100-target shoots are available and you can bring your own
gun and ammo.)
If you’re feeling the cabin fever itch, but want to avoid
those headaches of long travel during spring break season,
French Lick Resort is
your sweet spot for spring break. Our
Slam Dunk Spring Break (March 5 through
April 4) is full of crafts, games and other kid-friendly activities. There’s
also special events for kids: Cookies & Canvas, Cupcake Decorating, and
Mommy & Me Tea. And within a 10-minute drive of the resort
there's even more: go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, escape room, indoor water park, and wild animal encounters at Wilstem Wildlife Park.
Let’s face it: After this last year, we could all use a
drink, right?
Several
of our signature events are back, and whatever your drink of choice,
there’s an event suited for you: Irish Whiskey Tasting, Wine Pairings, Wine
& Dessert Soiree, or Mixology Class — all ideal for a unique date night.
Better yet, make a weekend of it at Wine Experience Weekend.
Starting May 21,
West Baden Gardening Guidance
returns every Wednesday. You can get some of your gardening questions answered
by our grounds maintenance staff, who are the ones responsible for making the
resort grounds look lush and beautiful. The class takes a stroll through the
West Baden formal gardens, and this time of year when things return to full
bloom, they are truly a sight to see.
The
hiking trails are never closed for the season — but they are best
enjoyed in spring.
Check
out our trail map for 10+ miles of wooded paths in the Hoosier National
Forest. Trail 1 gives you a shorter, easier hike (just be wary of mud in the spring),
while Trails 2 and 3 offer a longer, hillier challenge. Another option for a
shorter hike is the new Stables Hiking Trail, a 1.4-mile round trip trek with
the path beginning at the West Baden Springs Hotel parking lot.
Won’t it be nice to enjoy the dusk hours outdoors again,
without
your hands and feet going numb? Enjoy some time outdoors around the fire pits
as
S’mores at the Springs
returns in April on Fridays and Saturdays at French Lick Springs Hotel. The
kids can roast s’mores (free of charge) while the grown-ups can grab a cocktail
or beer at the bar. Win-win.
It’s worth getting up a little early to get outdoors and get
your motor running with a walk or hike led by our staff throughout the resort grounds.
Outdoor Hiking Adventures return
Tuesday-Friday starting in April. And at West Baden Springs Hotel, morning
walks led by a member of our concierge staff begin in May at 8:30 every Saturday
and Sunday. Both are free of charge, and offer the chance to enjoy those sights
and sensations that we’ve been missing all winter.
