French Lick, Indiana, is located in Orange County, in southern Indiana. This destination offers a distinct blend of luxury hotels and thrilling casino activities alongside scenic golf courses and historical train tours. Surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest, French Lick provides ample opportunities for visitors to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of the area while incorporating outdoor recreation into their vacation. Less than three hours from Indianapolis, Louisville and Cincinnati, this location is an ideal choice for a weekend trip, with a little something for everyone.
Attractions
Perhaps the most notable attraction in French Lick is the 51,000-square-foot casino at the French Lick Resort. Here visitors can enjoy the excitement of Las Vegas in the heart of Indiana, with slot machines, table games, poker tournaments and live shows. Notwithstanding the prominence of the casino, visitors will find plenty of chances to get out and stretch their legs. At the Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park, inclement weather is no concern, as the 40,000-square-foot facility is enclosed. Hiking and biking trails surrounding the French Lick Resort offer the opportunity to explore Indiana's natural beauty. You can also get a tour of the area on the French Lick Scenic Railway, which offers a 20-mile trip passing through the Hoosier National Forest.
Golf
French Lick, Indiana, is home to three excellent golf courses. Avid golfers will recognize the names of the prominent landscape designers who had a hand in sculpting area courses. The Pete Dye Indiana Golf Course and Donald Ross Indiana Golf Course are named for their architects. Both feature 18 holes and have hosted national tournaments. The Valley Links Indiana Golf Course is a nine-hole course, though it used to be an 18-hole course, and it was designed originally by Tom Bendelow. This course is ideal for families as it has been redesigned to accommodate young golfers with a second set of tee markers for a round with less yardage.
Dining
The French Lick Resort offers several different dining options ranging from fine dining at 1875: The Steakhouse and Sinclair's Restaurant to quick snacks at Spring No. 8 Deli and Sprudel's Snack Shop. The Donald Ross course and Pete Dye course also have dining facilities with stunning views of their respective golf courses. For a truly distinct dining experience, visitors can schedule a ride on the cocktail train on the French Lick Scenic Railway, which features a fully catered meal.
Accommodations
Guests in French Lick, Indiana, have a choice of accommodations ranging from luxury resorts to rustic cabins. The West Baden Springs Hotel is a national historic landmark. Guests here can enjoy the spa, fitness center and salon as well as amenities, including flat-screen TVs, Egyptian cotton sheets, refrigerators and wet bars. The French Lick Springs Hotel also offers luxury accommodations and an onsite spa. For moderate accommodations, hotel rooms and suites are available at Big Splash Adventure. Families can enjoy rooms with bunk beds here and a complimentary breakfast is available to all guests. For visitors who want a little more privacy, The Ranch offers one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins.
Children
The French Lick Resort offers a wide variety of events catering just to children such as movies, carnivals, parties and organized activities that include scavenger hunts, kids' cooking classes and "Kidlympics" competitions. Teenagers can take part in guided hikes and bike and trail rides, or they can hang out at the resort's teen club, bowling alley, arcade room and pools. The stables at the resort have pony rides and horse rides for kids and teenagers as well as carriage rides for the whole family. At Big Splash Adventure, family packages are available that include pizza and drinks for groups of at least four.
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