Our family took a very special trip last week to French Lick, Indiana. Thanks to Visit French Lick our family spent two days adventuring around French Lick. I’ve shared day 1 here and today I’ll be sharing all the fun we had one day 2.
We woke up early (as you do when you have a toddler) and ordered breakfast to the room. The in-room dining options were amazing and we enjoyed watching cartoons while having breakfast together. After breakfast, we checked out and headed over to West Baden which is just 5 minutes away. We opted to drive but there is a trolley that runs between the two throughout the day.
West Baden
West Baden, first built in 1855 as the Mile Lick Inn, has gone through many ups and downs. At one point it was sold for only $1 during the depression. Through many different hands, it was finally revitalized in 2007 and restored to the magnificent resort it is today. Our favorite part of the hotel was the 200 ft. diameter atrium. When we went there was a massive Christmas tree in the middle and each balcony had a giant ornament hanging from it. I’m excited to check out the grounds when the weather is warmer but the holiday decorations are a must-see. Both West Baden and French Lick had stunning dioramas all throughout their properties. French Lick even had an 8 ft tall gingerbread house that they make on sight. The resort also offers a nighttime horse-drawn sleigh ride through the lights that decorate the grounds.
French Lick Winery- Vintage Cafe
We were hesitant to visit French Lick Winery because neither Jeffrey nor I like wine and we were with the girls. I’m SO glad we did though because it was our favorite meal of the trip! We started off with Pan Bigio and herb oil to dip it in. I could have just had an entire meal of that, it was so amazing! We’d heard how amazing the pizza was so we gave it a try. It was the best pizza I’ve ever had. The crust was made with a sourdough starter from Naples and I’ve never tasted better pizza crust. After lunch, we split a few desserts, including the chocolate lava cake and the rum cake. All I can say is that I wish they were bigger because they were so good!
If you’re not a wine drinker, they have lots of spirits that were made in house as well. I loved the Fizzy Pineapple vodka-based cocktail I had and Jeffrey loved his Pecan Bourbon cocktail. We didn’t do any tastings or tours but those are available. They also have a shop where you can buy their bottles of wine and champagne as well as other gifts.
French Lick West Baden Museum
Our next stop was the French Lick West Baden Museum where we learned more about the mineral water from the springs, the Monon Railroad (which is now a trail that runs through our town), basketball legend Larry Bird, and the French Lick and West Baden hotels. We also marveled at the world’s largest circus diorama. When we got there, the owner challenged Sophia to count every elephant in the diorama. She got the exact right number and was given a gift for her counting skills (and confidence in knowing she was right!) The owner said many adults waiver on the number so she was proud Sophia knew exactly how many elephants there were.
Wilstem Ranch
Our most exciting activity took place at Wilstem Ranch where we had hands-on experience learning about animals! The ranch has been featured as one of the top 10 best places to interact with large animals by USA Today. I agree!
While the ranch offers many activities, like horseback riding, zipline tours, ATV tours, and lodging, the animals are what we came to see this time. They offer animal encounters with giraffes and lemurs where you’re educated about the animals while you have a chance to feed and pet them. Jeff Watson from Animal Planet has his bears Bob and Screech there as well! During the warmer months, you can see an elephant get bathed and even have the opportunity to feed it breakfast! Be sure to check their website for appointment times.
Along with the big animals, you can get up close to kangaroos, porcupines, various birds, goats, and tortoise. This spring they’ve announced a brand new ride-through safari! We have Wilstem high on our list to visit when it’s warmer and the girls are a little older so we can spend a weekend doing all of their activities indoors and out. Their efforts in helping these animals stay off the extinction list are wonderful. Many of the animals they have are on the endangered species list and have short life spans in their natural habitats.
Brick Street 33
Our last stop before heading back home was Brick Street 33 for dinner. Upon entering we were greeted with signed sports memorabilia from many famous Hoosier players. Manning, Luck, Bird, Miller…all the names you’d recognize, and the entire place was full of them! After a long day, we were ready to drive home but the menu had us drooling for some delicious food! I got the fish tacos (slightly spicy), the girls got mac n’ cheese and a burger and Jeffrey got the fish and chips. The fish and chips were our favorites with the fish being lightly battered and fried to perfection! Definitely, a fun place to visit if you’re a sports fan or a family with kids.
Our trip to French Lick was one I’ll remember for a long time. What first started as just a ride on the Polar Express expanded to our first-time family bowling, staying at a magnificent hotel, feeding giraffes and already planning our return trip. We were pleasantly surprised with all that French Lick has to offer and we only saw a portion of the town. I highly recommend visiting this destination for the springs, the history, and the activities.
Related Posts to Family Fun in French Lick Part 2:
Family Fun in French Lick Part 1
The Polar Express in French Lick Indiana
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