I was recently invited by Visit French Lick West Baden to stay at the French Lick Springs Hotel and enjoy some of the local attractions. My husband and I have visited the destination in the past, but never actually stayed at the hotel. We were so excited to see what it was like inside this beautiful historic landmark hotel.
One thing I noticed when we checked into our room was it felt like being in someone's historic home. The room featured large windows with draperies, wood paneled doors, and furniture that didn't look like it was a duplicate ofevery other room. Our room was very cozy, comfortable and inviting. While my husband and I personally stayed at the French Lick Springs Hotel, there are two other hotels that comprise the 3,200 scenic acres of the French Lick Resort area including the West Baden Spring Hotel and the Valley Tower Hotel. The resort was established in 1845 with the current spa being built in 1901. It offers something for everyone from championship golf courses and a world-class spa to hiking trails and even a bowling alley and arcade.
There are also both casual and fine dining restaurant options available, so you don't really need to leave the hotel. Our first evening's dinner was at the Powerplant Bar and Grill located in the hotel. It was quite a fun and adventurous journey to get there. We took the elevator to the lower level and walked along an underground tunnel. The food was pub-style and perfect for a simple meal. We enjoyed our dining experience and asked our server several questions about the hotel and the area; she was so friendly and courteous. We found out there are tours of the hotels available, which provide more of an in-depth look into the rich history.
Our Saturday started with a shuttle ride over to the West Baden Springs Hotel. I just wanted to be able to say I had stepped into that gorgeous atrium. It is undoubtedly a breathtaking sight! The atrium did sustain some damage due tothe hailstorm this past summer. We were told plans are currently underway to replace the landmark to its former glory soon.
In the afternoon we took a ride on the French Lick Scenic Railway. It was the absolute perfect time of year with all the leaves changing colors. The train departs from the historic 1907 Limestone depot located in the heart of French Lick just steps away from the French Lick Hotel. The trip lasted about 90 minutes and was just long enough to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding Hoosier National Forest and through the Burton Tunnel, the second largest tunnel in the State of Indiana. The French Lick Railway is a popular attraction year-round and even offers themed excursions including a Dinosaur Adventure Train and The Polar Express, which starts its route in November--be sure to book now, I'm told the tickets sell out quick.
Arriving back at the train station, we decided to head to French Lick on The Green aka downtown French Lick. It's simply a walk across the street from the hotel. Shops and restaurants line the streets with a variety of choices.
What I learned from our stay was that French Lick and its surrounding area offers a variety of activities for everyone. It's a quick jaunt from Evansville and is perfect for young couples, girlfriend getaways, seniors and families with young children.
One such attraction that appeals to all ages is the popular Wilstem Ranch , which is just a short drive from French Lick but so worth the trip! We took our entire family a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it! We did the wagon ride through the ranch, seeing, touching and feeding animals of all sorts you might only ever see at a zoo. For the animal lovers, an encounter you shouldn't miss!
For those looking to save some money, French Lick offers a new "Live Like a Local Passport" saving program. The passport includes savings and discounts at over 30 businesses in Orange County. To get started, travelers simply sign up for the mobile passport and it will be instantly delivered via text or email. There is no app to download. The passport can easily be saved to a phone's home screen for easy one-tap access. And, with each business check-in, visitors can earn points towards prizes. The promotion runs through April 7, 2024. One grand
prize winner will receive a two-night, three-day stay at French Lick Resorts, an animal encounter at Wilstem and $1,000 in local gift cards to eat, shop and play. Winner will be announced on April 15, 2024. To sign up and learn more about participating businesses, visit https://www.visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com/events/live-like-a-local.
To stay up to date on what's happening in French Lick, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram. Just remember that family fun is just a short drive from the Evansville area--
we love to support local businesses!
*This article was provided by Macaroni KID Evansville and was sponsored by French Lick/West Baden Resorts.
