Ahhhh, fall. We’ve missed you.
And we know you won’t be around for long.
This is the season we’ve all been looking forward to, and the one that’s here and gone before you know it. Before autumn falls away, plan a weekend or enjoy some time at French Lick Resort. In and around the resort, you really can have it (f)all.
Fall Day Long
Fall discoveries await morning, noon and night here.
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 already starting to change here in the Hoosier National Forest. Soak in the afternoon sunshine while it lasts — our outdoor pools are heated to 85 degrees and open well into October. In the evening, take the resort shuttle up to Hagen's Club House Restaurant and ask for an outdoor table — it's the perfect time of year to savor a sunset along with Hagen's famous BBQ ribs or salmon BLT. (Hagen's is open to the public through October 31, then available for golfers only through the end of the golf season.)
Or how ‘bout fall at a different speed?
If you’re a go-go-go type, grab your morning coffee or pumpkin spice latte and kick off the morning with a bang at the sporting clays or archery range. Then, head to The Valley Links Course and squeeze in nine holes – it’s a friendly layout for the occasional golfer, and perfect for families with free/reduced rates for ages 17 and younger. Another inexpensive thrill? A surrey cart ride, which is the perfect way to wind down the day and see more of the resort’s 3,200 acres.
Fallin' for Bourbon and the Poison Apple, available for a limited time this fall at Power Plant Bar & Grill.
Sip on the Season
Make it your autumn mission to try all the specialty cocktails available resort-wide this fall.
Stop by Power Plant Bar & Grill and don't be afraid of the "Poison Apple": a blend of Fireball and apple juice, garnished with caramel sauce and Granny Smith apple slices. Also at Power Plant, you'll be "Fallin' for Bourbon" with a refreshing blend of bourbon, cranberry juice, orange juice and a dash of cinnamon.
And what's fall without pumpkin spice? Get your fix at 1875: The Steakhouse with their limited-time 1875 Pumpkin Spice Martini.
Or, wind down the day with a cocktail under the dome at West Baden Springs Hotel. The Caramel Apple Mule and Apple Cider Bellini are two of their monthly specials that are only here for October.
Go for a Drive
Speaking of golf … don’t put your clubs in the closet just yet. Special fall rates begin October 16 at our Valley Links Course and championship 18-hole Donald Ross Course at French Lick. Test yourself with a round at the Ross and see why French Lick Resort was just named by Golf.com as among the 28 best golf resorts in the U.S. and Canada. Take advantage of the fall twilight rate (after 2 p.m.) to play Donald Ross at half of the regular-season rate.
Hayride, S’mores & Pumpkin Patch
If you pick just one activity during your stay, make this the one. It’s all the best parts of fall, wrapped into one memorable experience at our picturesque stables. The pumpkin patch is bigger and better this year, and nothing says fall quite like hopping on a hayride and sitting ‘round the campfire. Look for it every Thursday and Saturday in October.
Circle the Date
Looking for a great time to visit? The weekend of October 28 has it all — including the expected peak of fall color in southern Indiana.
While you’re here admiring the foliage, you can see Gary LeVox (the voice of Rascal Flatts) live in concert; experience Afternoon Tea; or bring the kids to the “Creepy Critters” Animal Tales show.
6 More Suggestions
• Carriage rides: They’re back! Twilight rides in the fall are *chef’s kiss* — the best time of year for a horse-drawn carriage ride. Available Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
• Trick or treat: The kids can bring their costumes and stop by the Activities Center October 24-31 for some free candy. The Activities Center has more great fall programming if you’re planning a fall break trip.
• Take a hike: Whether you’re looking for a short, easy path or a hilly, long-distance challenge, we have 11+ miles of trails on property for all levels.
• Cornhole and s’mores on the lawn: Play a game any time on the French Lick Springs Hotel lawn, and roast a sweet treat on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
• Fall Into Gardening: A how-to/Q&A with our head groundskeeper, every Wednesday in October.
• See the Majesty of Pete Dye: Even if you’re not a golfer, take a drive (better yet, a free resort shuttle ride) up to The Pete Dye Course at French Lick and take in some amazing fall views.
Take a Family Day Trip
Head north or south from French Lick Resort. Either way, you’ll find family-friendly fall adventures that are easy on the wallet.
Drive a few minutes south to Bledsoe Farms, and they offer a little of everything every Friday and Saturday through the end of October: wagon rides, corn maze, jump pillow and bounce houses, corn box, sand pit, horse swings, mega slides, petting zoo and music all included with general admission. For a little extra, you can also do gem mining, mechanical bull rides, and horse and pony rides. They also have food trucks and hand-picked pumpkins and sunflowers.
Drive north to Lark Ranch, and you’ll find ziplines, apple cannons, barrel rides, bungee trampolines, corn maze, farm animal trail, hayrides, rock wall, mechanical bull and more.
More in the Area
Distillery Tasting: Sample locally produced spirits, including Hoosier Apple Brandy, at Spirits of French Lick Distillery.
Fall Festival of Lights Show: A must-see, offered daily October 6-29 at Wilstem Wildlife Park.
Fall Foliage Wine Cruises: Spend a Saturday afternoon on the water at Patoka Lake — there are five remaining dates this fall, each featuring a different local winery.
Castle Knoll Amphitheater: This early 20th-century farm once provided meat and produce to French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels in the 1920s. It’s been restored as an amphitheater for outdoor shows and concerts, with the next one set for September 27.
Orange County Pumpkin Festival: Running September 27-October 1 in French Lick with crafts and local vendors, carnival rides, live music and more.
