Whether you’re planning a getaway for a few days, or just stopping in one of the hotels to eat or shop (yes, you’ll be able to do that again soon!) there’s a lot to look forward to here at French Lick Resort and the surrounding area when the calendar flips to the new year.
Here’s 7 things to put on your radar for 2022:
Resort Open to the Public
Good news! French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels will be reopening to the public next week. Starting January 3, outside visitors can come and enjoy the public areas of the hotels, as well as resort amenities such as restaurants, stables, shops and special events. (The casino and golf courses have been open to the public all along, and will continue to be.)
So, come on in and savor the surroundings of the West Baden Springs Hotel atrium for an hour or two. Or drop by the Grand Colonnade Restaurant for a huge weekend breakfast. We can’t wait to have our doors open to everyone once again!
Dedicated FootGolf Course
You FootGolfers, and regular Valley Links golfers, will likely both like this change.
We’ve rolled out a new 14-hole FootGolf course at Valley Links. That will allow our FootGolfers and Valley Links golfers a dedicated space of their own, rather than sharing the course which they’ve done in the past.
If you have kids with high motors — and like some bang for your buck — this new 14-hole course is right up your alley. You get unlimited play all day for $15.
3 Must-See Concerts
Fingers crossed: We’re on track to have concerts again in 2022.
They got penciled in and erased a few times in 2021, but for now, it’s all systems go. And our first one (Trace Adkins on January 29) is just a month away. You country fans will also want to come back for Clint Black on March 19.
Grand Funk Railroad closes out the concert series April 29, and more tickets are now on sale for this concert that was previously sold out. You can buy tickets for all three concerts by clicking here.
West Baden Coming to the Big Screen
We’re almost ready for our close-up.
“So Cold the River,” a movie based on the novel by bestselling author Michael Koryta and written/directed by Paul Shoulberg, was shot on location at West Baden Springs Hotel in January and February of 2022, and it’s set for release in March of 2022. You’ll be able to see it in select theaters locally, and also via ON DEMAND. We have a few special things in the works in conjunction with the movie’s launch, so stay tuned for that. You’ll also be able to see props and other items used during filming displayed around the resort.
Other spots around the resort and surrounding community were used in filming this flick, so you might recognize some of the other backdrops in addition to West Baden’s unmistakable surroundings.
The thriller stars Bethany Joy Lenz (of “One Tree Hill” fame) as a documentary filmmaker who soon realizes her subject isn’t who he claims to be. It also stars Andrew J. West (“Once Upon a Time”), Katie Sarife (“Annabelle Comes Home”) and Alysia Reiner (“Orange is the New Black”).
Watch Championship Golf at Pete Dye
Golf fans, save the date for a couple of big-time tournaments on the horizon this spring, summer at fall at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick.
We’ll be hosting the Men’s Big Ten Conference Championship from April 28-May 1 as the tournament returns here for the first time since the Pete Dye Course hosted three straight Big Ten tourneys from 2012-14.
Next up is the Indiana Amateur Championship (June 20-22), followed by the French Lick Resort Charity Classic (August 1-7) featuring up-and-comers on the road to the LPGA. Spectators will be welcome at all three, so take the opportunity to watch some of the state’s elite and country’s best.
Must-Try Events at West Baden (Including a “Murder”)
We can’t spill too many secrets about Murder Mystery Weekend. But we can tell you this: If you want to crack the case of this interactive experience, you need to act quickly.
One of our most popular events is back following a covid hiatus, and previous Murder Mystery Weekends have been sellouts well in advance. It’s March 4-6, aka perfect timing to start getting out and enjoying things as the spring thaw begins.
Or, plan a visit around some of West Baden’s signature wine and culinary events, including the new Irish Cocktail Tasting during St. Paddy’s season.
Polar Express
Yeah, we realize it’s way way early and you may not have even unwrapped everything on the 2021 holiday season just yet. But it’s never too early to snag your desired dates on French Lick Scenic Railway’s famed Polar Express ride.
Polar Express rides for the 2022 holiday season are already on sale. The prime dates and times tend to sell out at the speed of Santa’s sleigh, so go ahead and make plans now while the holidays are fresh on your mind. An easy way? We offer packages that include Polar Express tickets plus a night’s stay at either French Lick or West Baden Springs Hotel. Get your pick of select dates between November 11 and December 22 — and have a memorable holiday experience already waiting under the tree in 2022.