Summer is a limited-time offer. Blink, and it'll be time for back-to-school sales and the Labor Day summer wind-down.
So whether you've already got a trip planned to French Lick Resort, or are thinking about getting one on the books, here's 10 things to look forward to on a summer getaway:
Fourth of July
First things first, since a lot of people have been asking: Yes, our big Fourth of July fireworks display is a go for this year, and yes, it’s open to both resort guests and the public! Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for the big show, and be sure to stop by the Parking Lot Party in the Green Lot from 7 to 11 p.m. with food trucks, a cash bar and live entertainment.
Leading up to Monday’s fireworks, we’ve got plenty more in store for the rest of Fourth of July weekend including patriotic music, poolside parties and cookouts, and even a pie eating contest.
Summer Concerts: Old Crow Medicine Show & Grand Funk Railroad
What’s summer without a good concert? Catch Old Crow Medicine Show on August 13, and make plans for a 3-day weekend when Grand Funk Railroad rolls through French Lick on September 2 during Labor Day weekend.
Murder Mystery Weekend
It can be elusive if you don’t act fast enough.
Murder Mystery Weekend has quickly become one of our most popular events, and to get in on this whodunit, book soon because it always sells out. A great part about this three-day interactive murder mystery weekend (August 5-7) is there are ample windows of free time where you can explore West Baden Springs Hotel. A little sleuthing, a little relaxing.
Hot Seat Blitz & Golden Hot Seat Giveaway
Lucky for you, our version of hot seats doesn’t involve leather car seats on a 95-degree day.
Our spin on hot seats means that you go home from French Lick Casino with some cool hard rewards. We’re talking $250 in free play in the Hot Seat Blitz (June 17, July 15, August 19 & September 16) or $50 in rewards during the Golden Hot Seat Giveaway (every Tuesday). The best part about Hot Seat Blitz is that winners are selected from an individual table game or cluster of slot machines — so if you bring a whole crew and play alongside each other, everyone can potentially win big.
Twilight Tours
Even if you’ve toured West Baden Springs Hotel before, you haven’t seen it quite like this. Join one of these Saturday evening tours told by costumed characters from the hotel’s early era. Hear about the hotel’s history from the perspective of golfer Walter Hagen, mobster Big Jim Colosimo, palm reader Mademoiselle Louise, the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown and more. (And don’t worry, these tours end well before the hotel’s universal 10 p.m. bedtime of the early 1900s.)
Behind the Scenes Tour
Speaking of tours, this is another one with a twist that you won’t want to miss. Our two-hour Behind the Scenes Tour lets you see spaces at West Baden Springs Hotel not normally open to the public. Discover the history of areas that served the hotel’s first guests — including the kitchen, garage, ice cream plant, laundry and printing office — and see how these spaces have been repurposed for the hotel’s operations today. You’ll also see some of the hotel’s modern luxuries, including Table One (a private dining room), the Presidential Suite, hotel rooms furnished in vintage décor, and a stunning atrium view from a sixth-floor balcony room.
Looking for a Good Weekend to Visit?
The weekend of August 11-14 would make for a prime end-of-summer getaway. There’s a wide variety of experiences all weekend:
• Jazz Under the Dome Weekend, with 20 hours of live jazz at West Baden Springs Hotel
• Old Crow Medicine Show concert on Saturday night
• Behind the Scenes Tour on Thursday
• Wine & Canvas on Saturday
• Hoosier Masters Artists Paint Out (Friday & Saturday) — see local artists performing their craft, and maybe even go home with a custom work of art
• And of course, Afternoon Tea which is a staple of every Saturday afternoon
Shooting Range
This is definitely one of French Lick Resort’s lesser-known treasures, but you’ll definitely want to pencil in an experience at the shooting range during your summer trip. Our 75-acre shooting range near The Stables has expanded to include archery in addition to sporting clays. No prior experience needed for either — beginners and seasoned shooters all welcome.
Fun with Friends Valley Golf Ladies League
Girls, this night’s just for you.
Every Wednesday through the end of August, join us at ValleyLinks Golf Course for a fun, pressure-free evening of golf. We’ll start with light instruction at 5:30 p.m., and tee off for nine holes at 6:00. Call (812-936-8042), sign up, or simply show up by 5:30 p.m., and enjoy the best part of golf — our friends! Open to resort guests and the public.
DJ Pool Party & Dive-In Movies
Bringing the kids? They can live at the pool this summer. Hit the DJ Pool Party for music, games, contests and prizes, every Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. in June and July. Then, finish the day with Dive-In Movies every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Fun for them — and good for mom and dad, too, since they’ll sleep well after a long day in the pool.
