So Much To Do
Painter often reminds visitors that French Lick and West Baden are great launch pads for many other activities in the wider area.
“You’ve got Amish communities to visit directly west of us, the caves region is to the east, Spring Mills State Park is north of here, and there’s also the limestone architecture near Bloomington and Columbus,” she said. Another interesting site to see is the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, where interested groups can tour the grounds, attend Mass and meet some of the Benedictine nuns who live there. “We help promote attractions that are an hour or less from us,” Painter said.
Another smart way to tour the area is on the French Lick Scenic Railway. It harkens back to the days when trains were the primary mode of long-distance travel. The train operators also offer themed excursions involving bourbon or rum tastings, along with food pairings, annual Polar Express and Easter Bunny Express tours, mystery theaters and Wild West hold-ups.
Nearby Patoka Lake, the second-largest man-made lake in Indiana, offers scenic nature cruises to search for ospreys, bald eagles and other wildlife. The cruises can include either a lunch or a dinner, midday or sunset excursions, or seasonal trips to see fall foliage. The interior of the boat is air-conditioned, but there is refreshing open-air viewing from the upper deck, and the tours are expertly narrated.
The French Lick Winery, a family-owned winery established in 1995, is growing in popularity. Visitors can watch wine being made through observation windows. The operation has expanded to include a distillery that produces a half-dozen adult beverages under the name Spirits of French Lick.
Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird is probably the most famous person to grow up in French Lick. His former 20-acre home in the area is now called the Legend of French Lick Estate. The property is a secluded getaway and is available for private weddings, reunions, corporate retreats and other events. It comes with a 6,000-square-foot banquet hall for families, employees and other groups to use. The home has also been converted into a luxury boutique hotel with six large suites that can sleep up to 20 guests. The property has a large pool, tennis courts and lighted basketball courts, in case any sports enthusiasts want to channel their inner athlete.
Bird’s former multicar garage has been converted into a dinner theater.
“They are doing original musical productions and Branson-style shows at what is known as Abbydell Hall,” said Painter.
The hall can accommodate up to 350 people. The shows are family fare, and the performers are known for closely engaging the audience with their music, dancing and comedy.
Wildlife Wonders
With the decline of circuses and their exotic animals, up-close animal encounters at places like Wilstem Ranch are becoming excellent alternatives. People can enjoy more than 1,000 rolling acres at the ranch, which is just five miles from French Lick Resort. There are two levels of engagement available March through October.
“There are three African elephants with which you can have close encounters, and that includes an educational component,” said Painter. “Or you can take the experience a step further for a more intimate level of engagement and actually help bathe the elephants.” Visitors can also see giraffes and kangaroos up close.
The ranch operators are preparing a grizzly-bear experience that opens this fall. Jeff “The Bear Man” Watson from TV’s Animal Planet will appear.
“He has been a bear handler for 28 years and will bring two grizzlies to the ranch and offer educational seminars,” Painter said.
In addition, the ranch offers a canopy zip line tour, horseback riding and ATV adventure tours.
For more information on French Lick, Indiana, visit www.visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com. To register for the 2019 Select Traveler Conference go to www.selecttravelerconf.com.
