When you think of resorts near Louisville, your mind might jump one of those around our Kentucky lakes. Surprisingly, one of the most incredible resorts near our city is located just over an hour away in Indiana. The French Lick Resort includes two historic hotels, a casino, a restaurant within the hotels, boutique shops, a spa, a conference center, swimming pools, three golf courses, a bowling alley, fitness center, horse stables, and more than thirty miles of hiking trails. That isn’t even including all of the nearby entertainment located just outside of the resort! This place is seriously jam-packed with amazing activities to do, making it the perfect place to get away from the city.
The French Lick Resort is surrounded by beautiful trees.
Facebook/French Lick Resort The resort is located about an hour and fifteen minutes away from Louisville. It sits in a beautiful scenic area within French Lick, Indiana, just beside the Hoosier National Forest.
Step into this magnificent lobby.
Yelp / Kelly G. Choose between staying in the French Lick Springs Hotel or the West Baden Springs Hotel. These beautiful hotels are both on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and the West Baden Hotel is listed as a historic landmark. The West Baden Springs Hotel was built in 1902, and the French Lick Springs Hotel may have been built as early as 1845, although the exact date remains unconfirmed. Both hotels feature incredible architecture and beautiful interior detailing– truly providing a luxurious experience for guests. Both hotels are a part of the French Lick Resort.
Check into your room overlooking this historic atrium.
Yelp / Paolo O. The West Baden Springs Hotel features this incredible atrium. Back when it was built in 1902, it offered many of the amenities that are available today, and was comparable to the success of Disney World! Today this historic atrium contains a restaurant and still has multiple floors of balconies overlooking it.
Have a delicious meal as a harpist plays softly in the background.
Flickr / Serge Melki
Flickr / Dan Perry This resort is the classiest around. The Ballard’s restaurant is located in the atrium itself, and your meal is accompanied by lovely harp music that makes for a relaxing atmosphere. Wind down from an exciting day of fun with a memorable meal located right outside of your hotel room.
Take a hop on this historic trolley from the 1800s.
Yelp / Richard F. This historic trolley is available to ride from 7am to 10pm every day of the year. It was built in 1903 and was recently renovated to transport visitors back and forth between the French Lick Hotel and the West Baden Hotel.
Or a dip in the beautiful pool.
Yelp / Kelly G. The resort has a large indoor pool with a fountain in the center. It’s a wonderful place for the entire family to relax.
Practice your putting skills on one of the resort’s courses.
Facebook/French Lick Resort Those who are fans of golf will enjoy the French Lick Resort’s multiple courses. Shown above is the Pete Dye Course, but there are also three other golf courses to enjoy during your stay.
Take a scenic ride through the area.
Tripadvisor / ANR_78
Flickr / jjMustang_79 The French Lick Scenic Railway runs through some incredible natural areas in the Hoosier National Forest, as well as a dark 2,200-foot-long tunnel. The ride takes about 45 minutes each way and you’ll learn interesting information about this historic train. Throughout the year there are themed train rides, such as the Polar Express ride during the winter season.
Go-karts, mini-golf, and laser tag are all nearby for the kids!
Yelp / French Lick West Baden Indoor Karting
Facebook / Shotz French Lick Shotz provides an arcade, laser tag, and mini-golf so your kids will never be bored at the resort. French Lick West Baden Indoor Karting has an exhilarating go kart track that they’ll love, too!
In the wintertime, check out Paoli Peaks.
Yelp / Alicia R.
Yelp / Debbie D. Paoli Peaks is one of the best destinations for snow sports anywhere near Louisville. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or snow-tubing during the winter.
The French Lick Winery has tasty wines AND fudge to indulge in!
Yelp / Kelly P.
Yelp / Kelly G. The French Lick Winery is the perfect place to pick up some wine and fudge to enjoy back at your hotel room. There are some seriously yummy fudge variations here– you’ll want to take every flavor home!
Spend the day at Big Splash Adventure.
Yelp / Big Splash Adventure Water Park
Yelp / Big Splash Adventure Water Park This water park is great for small children, older kids, and even adults! Your family will have a blast at Big Splash Adventure.
And be sure to treat yourself to a well-deserved spa day.
Flickr / Bethany
Facebook/French Lick Resort These spas offer manicures, pedicures, facials, mineral baths, and a variety of massages. You’ll start to feel relaxed just looking at all of the options offered in their spa brochure.
Take a few risks at the French Lick Casino.
Yelp / Rob D.
Yelp / French Lick Casino The French Lick Casino is popular attraction at the resort. It’s rated as one of the best in the nation and has so many games to choose from. Even if you’re not too keen on gambling, it’s fun to stop in, have a drink, and listen to the live music that often plays here.
Explore Hoosier National Forest.
Flickr / Ulrich Burkhalter
Flickr / Clayton Sieg Beyond all of the excitement offered at the French Lick Resort is, of course, the natural beauty that lies in Hoosier National Forest. The resort is located right on the edge of the forest, so driving to Patoka Lake or taking a hike through these amazing woods is just a short drive away.
Have you ever visited this resort? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Facebook/French Lick Resort
The resort is located about an hour and fifteen minutes away from Louisville. It sits in a beautiful scenic area within French Lick, Indiana, just beside the Hoosier National Forest.
Yelp / Kelly G.
Choose between staying in the French Lick Springs Hotel or the West Baden Springs Hotel. These beautiful hotels are both on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and the West Baden Hotel is listed as a historic landmark. The West Baden Springs Hotel was built in 1902, and the French Lick Springs Hotel may have been built as early as 1845, although the exact date remains unconfirmed. Both hotels feature incredible architecture and beautiful interior detailing– truly providing a luxurious experience for guests. Both hotels are a part of the French Lick Resort.
Yelp / Paolo O.
The West Baden Springs Hotel features this incredible atrium. Back when it was built in 1902, it offered many of the amenities that are available today, and was comparable to the success of Disney World! Today this historic atrium contains a restaurant and still has multiple floors of balconies overlooking it.
Flickr / Serge Melki
Flickr / Dan Perry
This resort is the classiest around. The Ballard’s restaurant is located in the atrium itself, and your meal is accompanied by lovely harp music that makes for a relaxing atmosphere. Wind down from an exciting day of fun with a memorable meal located right outside of your hotel room.
Yelp / Richard F.
This historic trolley is available to ride from 7am to 10pm every day of the year. It was built in 1903 and was recently renovated to transport visitors back and forth between the French Lick Hotel and the West Baden Hotel.
The resort has a large indoor pool with a fountain in the center. It’s a wonderful place for the entire family to relax.
Those who are fans of golf will enjoy the French Lick Resort’s multiple courses. Shown above is the Pete Dye Course, but there are also three other golf courses to enjoy during your stay.
Tripadvisor / ANR_78
Flickr / jjMustang_79
The French Lick Scenic Railway runs through some incredible natural areas in the Hoosier National Forest, as well as a dark 2,200-foot-long tunnel. The ride takes about 45 minutes each way and you’ll learn interesting information about this historic train. Throughout the year there are themed train rides, such as the Polar Express ride during the winter season.
Yelp / French Lick West Baden Indoor Karting
Facebook / Shotz
French Lick Shotz provides an arcade, laser tag, and mini-golf so your kids will never be bored at the resort. French Lick West Baden Indoor Karting has an exhilarating go kart track that they’ll love, too!
Yelp / Alicia R.
Yelp / Debbie D.
Paoli Peaks is one of the best destinations for snow sports anywhere near Louisville. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or snow-tubing during the winter.
Yelp / Kelly P.
The French Lick Winery is the perfect place to pick up some wine and fudge to enjoy back at your hotel room. There are some seriously yummy fudge variations here– you’ll want to take every flavor home!
Yelp / Big Splash Adventure Water Park
This water park is great for small children, older kids, and even adults! Your family will have a blast at Big Splash Adventure.
Flickr / Bethany
These spas offer manicures, pedicures, facials, mineral baths, and a variety of massages. You’ll start to feel relaxed just looking at all of the options offered in their spa brochure.
Yelp / Rob D.
Yelp / French Lick Casino
The French Lick Casino is popular attraction at the resort. It’s rated as one of the best in the nation and has so many games to choose from. Even if you’re not too keen on gambling, it’s fun to stop in, have a drink, and listen to the live music that often plays here.
Flickr / Ulrich Burkhalter
Flickr / Clayton Sieg
Beyond all of the excitement offered at the French Lick Resort is, of course, the natural beauty that lies in Hoosier National Forest. The resort is located right on the edge of the forest, so driving to Patoka Lake or taking a hike through these amazing woods is just a short drive away.
If you liked this article, check out this one about another beautiful resort in Kentucky. To learn more about the French Lick Resort, visit their website here.
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