story by GLENDA WINDERS
If you’re planning a photo-worthy weekend, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Timeless French Lick. The scenery ranges from historic and elegant, to natural and delightfully quirky. Simply choose the experience that suits your interests best and start exploring.
For timeless architectural splendor, check into the iconic French Lick Springs Hotel, where guests have been indulging in luxurious experiences and the famed mineral waters since the 1800s. The Renaissance detailing in the lobby and atrium creates a graceful backdrop at any time of day, and during the evening the resort’s lighting adds depth and drama to your exterior photos. For a dose of pure Americana, capture candid moments with your companions in the rocking chairs along the verandah. Add even more interest to your photos with ice cream cones from French Licks, just off the lobby inside.
At the West Baden Springs Hotel, part of the same resort complex, guest rooms come with balconies overlooking the breathtaking domed atrium, one of the most-photographed interiors in Indiana. Look up to marvel at its scale and symmetry or down to take in the activity below. Step outside at what photographers call the “golden hour” to capture the hotel’s striking silhouette against the surrounding hills.
Be sure to book a treatment at one of the spas, where you can experience the same mineral waters that first drew Victorian travelers here. The service menu features indulgent massages, rejuvenating facials, wraps, and light treatments designed for both women and men. After your pampering, step outside for a leisurely stroll through the hotel’s beautifully maintained gardens.
If you’ve come to play golf, the hilltop Pete Dye Golf Course yields panoramic views across miles of forested acreage. Prefer a different vantage point? See it all from the saddle on a guided ride from the hotel stables.
To truly immerse yourself in the woods, there’s no better destination than the nearby Hoosier National Forest. Here, you can hike trails that lead to scenic overlooks, surrounded by budding trees, blooming wildflowers, and even the occasional mushroom along the way.
Or make the short trip to nearby Orleans, where blooming white dogwood trees brighten the landscape each April. As you drive, notice southern Indiana’s rolling hillsides turning a lush green and every part of nature returning to life.
Planning some time on the water? You’re in luck with nearby Patoka Lake, where you can bring your own boat or rent once you arrive. This 8,800-acre lake, the second-largest reservoir in the state, offers water-skiing, kayaking, fishing for bass and crappie, and other water activities that might include quiet moments just drifting and watching the scenery go by. Be sure to set aside time to come ashore and explore the network of trails, from the easy two-mile Totem Rock Trail to the well-loved 6.5- mile Main Trail.
Nature of a different kind awaits at Wilstem Wildlife Park, where your pictures run the risk of being photo-bombed by a giraffe, elephant, kangaroo, or other animal. Here, you’ll encounter these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, with opportunities to learn about them, offer a snack, and capture memorable photos together. One option is to drive your own vehicle on the Wildlife Safari, where you’ll encounter more than 40 species of live animals along with animatronic dinosaurs.
For a leisurely way to enjoy the Hoosier National Forest, hitch a ride on the old-fashioned French Lick Scenic Railway. The Scenic Train Ride will take you back to the woods, through the half-mile-long Burton Tunnel and past several points of interest. Or book one of their over-21 specialized tasting trains that might include sampling chocolate, bourbon, or wine paired with food as you take in the sights.
Be sure to set aside some time to wander through the downtown area. You don’t want to miss the charm and character of small-town streetscapes, locally owned small businesses, and outdoor dining that will make your visit here even more pleasurable. Look for Bear Hollow Wood Carvers for exquisite pieces created with chainsaws, C.J.’s Boutique for apparel and accessories, Thrift Witch for curated vintage and thrift items, and Disinger Jewelers for fine pieces.
Good culinary options flourish here as well. And if you’re a basketball fan, you already know this is the hometown of Larry Bird. Check out 33 Brick Street for pub food and plenty of his memorabilia to see. Other good lunch spots are the German Café and Ritz Café, and for the inevitable ice cream to follow, Xanadu Coffee and Creamery or the cleverly named French Licks. Dinnertime might find you back at the resort feasting on steaks or seafood at either 1875: The Steakhouse or from an equally inviting menu at Sinclair, topped off with a West Baden Chocolate Dome or Cherry Amaretto Cheesecake.
Then cap off the day with a private twilight horse-and-carriage ride around the property. Prefer to linger a little longer over cheesecake and coffee? Simply plan for a serene daybreak ride the following morning.
Either choice promises picture-perfect moments and memories you’ll treasure in Timeless French Lick.
For more information visit: timelessfrenchlick.com
