Autumn Romance at French Lick Resort

Bucolic summer picnics, Christmas under the mistletoe, Valentine’s Day romance. Why should the fall season miss out on all the romantic revelry?

Autumn doesn’t get all the love when it comes to being the season for romantic getaways. And that’s a darn shame, as far as we’re concerned. Now is the perfect time to duck away to French Lick Resort for a little alone time – even if it’s not a whole couple’s weekend, plan a stop for an afternoon or evening. There’s an array of activities and attractions resort-wide that can help get the romance flickering, and we’ve narrowed the list to a few favorites.


WINE EVENTS

Wine. Need we say more? (Fortunately, the answer is yes.) West Baden Springs Hotel is home to a couple wine-centered experiences, starting with the Wine & Dessert Soiree. It’s led by the resort’s wine expert, Derrick Miller, who will steer guests through the range of ports, ice wines and late harvest.  The first two are October 27 and November 24, with more sessions monthly from December to March.

November 10 is your next chance at the Wine Pairings event. (Likewise, if you miss the first one, more are planned monthly from December to March.) We’ll be serving up four to five hors d’oeuvres, each matched with a European or domestic wine. Presentations will be given highlighting each wine varietal.

Reservations are required for both wine events: (812) 936-5579. If you’ve got a couple days to invest, consider coming a day or two early to bask in West Baden’s serenity before the weekend traffic arrives. Nothing better than having a chaise lounge to yourself in the atrium with your special someone and simply relaxing in peace.


CARRIAGE RIDES

Perhaps nothing else encapsulates romance quite like horse-drawn carriage rides, which are available year-round at the resort. Daylight or moonlight rides lasting 20-25 minutes are available from 5 to 10 p.m. departing both the West Baden Springs Hotel (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) and French Lick Springs Hotel (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).

Carriage rides at West Baden add a little something special. The riding route there starts and ends on the hotel’s brick road and elicits the feeling of being transported into an old-time storybook.

Note that carriage rides are subject to weather conditions and availability. Reservations are also strongly recommended: (812) 936-9300, ext. 7246.


PATOKA LAKE WINERY

Less than a 20-minute drive from French Lick Resort is the new Patoka Lake Winery, which is ramping up for the fall while hanging onto some warm-weather offerings. You’ve still got time to try the wine cruise, which launches every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2:00 (until October 28). The two-hour boat ride on Patoka Lake includes plenty: 5-7 wine tastings, appetizers, plus two full glasses of your wine of choice.

Also ideal for a couples getaway is the Two for Tuesday: Buy a full tasting (eight tastes with a wine glass) and get a second full tasting for free on Tuesdays.

A must-try is the Biker’s Black and Blue, an artisan blackberry/blueberry wine. (Word is that even non-wine drinkers really like it.) More off the beaten path but highly recommended is the Das Apfel Riesling, a blend of apple and Riesling wines with note of cinnamon that makes for an apple pie flavor.

For something different, try a wine slushie or the mulled wine, an offering on days with cooler temps. Cigars are also sold for the non-wine drinking crowd. Check them out at patokalakewinery.com.


SUNSET DINNERS

As the days become shorter and the fall foliage hues intensify across the Valley, the picturesque union of the two happens at the Sunset Dinners at the Pete Dye Mansion. The final Sunset Dinners are set for the next three Sundays: October 15, 22 and 29.

The Dye Mansion sits near one of the highest points in Indiana, and even if you’re usually not one to be wowed by a room with a view, trust us: This view is spectacular, especially as fall hues start flickering. 
Seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m. are available and reservations must be made 24 hours in advance: (812) 936-5579.


TANDEM BIKES

If you’ve visited French Lick Resort before, you’ve probably seen couples wheeling around on tandem bikes. Admit it – you’d love to try it just once.

Make it happen by renting a 2-seater for just 8 bucks for the first hour and $7 for each additional hour you’d like to extend your ride. Rentals are available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through November 30 and picking up again March 1 of next year. You and your sweetheart can take a spin and feel like a kid again, hearkening back to those puppy love days.


To get started on a French Lick Resort adventure, check out the rundown of fall activities.