Find Fall Fun with 8 Things to Do in French Lick, Indiana

French Lick, Indiana, is well known as the home of basketball legend Larry Bird, but the town and its Orange County neighbors – West Baden, Paoli and Orleans – have been attracting and welcoming visitors for more than a hundred years. Guests flocked to the area in the 1920s, drawn by therapeutic mineral springs and a pair of opulent hotels. People seeking luxury and gracious hospitality still come today, but the area also offers diverse charms and attractions with its small town allure, natural beauty and outdoor activities galore.

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Fall is an especially ideal time to experience the area as autumn colors saturate the hills, and family fun, festivals and special events abound. A multitude of outdoor activities also beckon, including hiking, boating, kayaking, fishing, cycling or just kicking back to enjoy nature.

Check out these things to do in French Lick on an autumn adventure.

1. Explore a Wonder of the World

The iconic West Baden Springs Hotel remains a marvel of architecture and luxury. Completed in 1902, the hotel was nicknamed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” with its atrium being at that time the world’s largest free-span dome. Guided tours are available, highlighting the history of the hotel and surrounding area.

2. Hop on a Hayride

Head to the picturesque stables behind the West Baden Springs Hotel at French Lick Resort for a memorable fall afternoon at the old-time Hayride, S’mores & Pumpkin Patch. Take in autumn color aboard a hay-filled wagon, explore the pumpkin patch and warm up around the campfire with goodies in hand. And the resort has plenty more to offer everyone, from live music to dining to special events throughout the season.

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3. Sip, Spot and Cruise

Step aboard a custom tour boat to immerse yourself in colorful fall foliage along beautiful Patoka Lake, which covers 8,000 acres. The Fall Foliage Wine Cruises feature a relaxing afternoon on the water while sipping wine and enjoying paired goodies. Or take a scenic nature cruise for a unique opportunity to observe the lake’s eagles, ospreys and other dwellers in their natural habitat.

4. Wander Among Wildlife

The Fall Festival of Lights at Wilstem Wildlife Park promises festive fun and eerie excitement. Guests drive the 1.5-mile route to experience a fall-themed light show that includes animated dinosaurs and Halloween ghouls, as well as live animal encounters with the park’s elephants, giraffes and other exotic creatures. The park also offers regular driving tours through November to see animals freely roaming the fields.

5. Fall Festivals Abound

There’s no shortage of festive events throughout Orange County during autumn. The Orange County Pumpkin Festival is a five-day event that’s been a local tradition for more than half a century with live music, carnival rides, food and crafts, and the Great Pumpkin Parade.

The historic Congress Square is the site of the Orleans Fall Fun Fest, which features a harvest fair, classic car show, beer garden and a 5K walk or run.

Bledsoe Farms celebrates with its annual Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze offering activities for the whole family. Select a perfect pumpkin, take a hayride, navigate the corn maze, go gem mining and much more.

6. Ride the Rails

It’s all aboard at the French Lick Scenic Railway, where you don’t just look at classic trains but experience rail travel with a winding ride through Hoosier National Forest amid striking fall colors. Along the way, you’ll pass through the 2,200-foot Burton Tunnel, the second longest in Indiana. And when you’re ready to celebrate the Christmas season, the kid-pleasing Polar Express Train Ride begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 23.

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7. Crank Up the Chainsaws

Chips will fly at the Block Bash in French Lick, the Midwest’s premier chainsaw carving event, as artisans transform logs into astonishing works of art. There’s also live music, an artist market, and plenty of food and beverages. To meet a local legend, take a side trip to French Lick Cabins where the Bear Hollow Carving Team has created Otis, a 25-foot-tall Sasquatch who welcomes visitors with a friendly grin.

8. Farmers Market Fresh

The Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Markets on the town squares in French Lick and Orleans feature a generous selection of local goods, including produce, baked goods, meats and crafts, along with live music to keep things hopping.

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