This is the season that always falls away too quickly.
While autumn is here, make the most of it.
Here are 20 fall essentials to enjoy this season at French Lick Resort and beyond. Seasonal tastes, special events and colorful landscapes, of course, are all ready to be savored.
Hayride, S’mores and Pumpkin Patch
If you pick just one fall activity to experience during your stay, make this the one. It’s all the best parts of fall, wrapped into one afternoon at our picturesque stables. Nothing says fall quite like hopping on a hayride and sitting ‘round the campfire. And after your stay, you’ll have a pumpkin to take home. Look for it every Thursday and Saturday from October 3-24.
Lunch at The Mansion at Pete Dye
How often can you enjoy a meal with 40-mile panoramic views of stunning foliage? The Mansion at Pete Dye is open exclusively to golfers for most of the season, but in the month of October it opens to all guests during the lunch hours.
Songwriter Fall Showcase
Two nights of exclusive performances and personal stories, as sung and told by songwriters from the Nashville music scene. Dinner and spirits are included both nights of this one-of-a-kind experience.
Mornings at The Stables
Crisp, foggy mornings are made for a horseback ride at our stables. The scenery is a terrific with the riding trail passing by an old Jesuit homestead, and the color changing here in the Hoosier National Forest. On Thursday mornings at 8:15, our Behind the Scenes Stables Tour is a unique eye-opener, too, as you can watch the morning routine of our horses.
Air Rifles
Our newest activity at French Lick Resort is at the sporting ranges. Air rifles and pistols offer a safe and more comfortable introduction to firearms. Friendly for beginners, and ages 8-13 and up.
Apple Crisp at Hagen’s Club House Restaurant
It’s warm, it’s cold, it’s sweet … it’s perfectly fall. After you enjoy the famous BBQ ribs or salmon BLT at Hagen's Club House Restaurant, save room for dessert and enjoy the house-made apple crisp with bourbon caramel drizzle.
Woodford Bourbon Classic
Bourbon enthusiasts, this one’s for you. We’re excited to be welcoming Elizabeth McCall, the first female Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve, who will share about her role with the iconic distillery. Enjoy an exquisite chef-crafted, four-course dinner paired with Master Distiller-selected bourbons in 1875’s historic Silver Room.
Catch the Peak of Fall Foliage
Looking for the best window to see fall at its most vibrant? The expected peak of autumn color here in south-central Indiana is around the last week of October or first week of November. Venture out on our 11+ miles of hiking trails and see the changing color palette of the Hoosier National Forest.
Halloween at Activities Center
The kids can bring their costumes and stop by the Activities Center from October 25-31 for some free candy. The Activities Center has more great fall programming if you’re planning a fall break trip.
Private Carriage Rides
The perfect activity for the fall time, when it’s not too hot and not too cold. It’s juuuust right for a ride, especially right around sunset.
Cast a Line
If you haven’t spent a day on the water at our Dry Hollow Family Fishing Pond that opened earlier this spring … what are you waiting for? The sunny, mild days are fall are ideal for catching a nibble.
Specialty Cocktails at Ballard’s in the Atrium
Hurry in to West Baden Springs Hotel for an Autumn Whiskey Sour or Golden Equinox in September. Throughout October, sip on this spooky lineup: Poison Apple, Boo-berry Sangria, Pumpkin Martini and Haunted Hotel.
Craft Beer Tasting
Turn up your Friday night plans a notch. Actually, maybe 5 or 6 notches. Save yourself a seat under the West Baden Springs Hotel dome, sip on an array of craft beers and get your fill from chef-crafted grazing boards.
Morris Day and The Time
A concert night? Nah, around here we make it a whole concert weekend. Come for a party with Morris Day and The Time (“Jungle Love…oh-we-oh-we-oh!”) and stay for a night out at the casino, spa day, or wherever resort adventure you have your heart set on.
Play One Last Round
Catch a tee time while you can. The last day of golf for the 2026 season is October 24 at The Valley Links Course, November 15 at The Pete Dye Course and November 28 at The Donald Ross Course. At the Ross Course, you can play shoulder season rates (nearly 30% off standard rate) starting October 26.
Beyond the Resort (a Short Drive)
Lark Ranch & Bledsoe Farms
Drive a few miles north to Lark Ranch, or a couple miles south to Bledsoe Farms, and you could spend all day exploring corn mazes, rides, games and classic fall treats.
Orange County Pumpkin Festival
Running September 30 - October 4 in downtown French Lick (a quick walk from French Lick Springs Hotel) with crafts and local vendors, carnival rides, live music and more.
Block Bash
The streets of downtown French Lick come alive September 18-20 with chainsaw carving exhibitions by Bear Hollow Wood Carvers, live music, artisan marketplace, food trucks, beer garden and wine garden.
Fall Light Show & Dinos After Dark
Swing in for a drive-thru light show and dinosaur safari offered October 2-31 at Wilstem Wildlife Park.
Fall Foliage Wine Cruise
Every Saturday at Patoka Lake features a different local winery. Sip and unwind with a day on the water.
