Free & Cheap Things to Do in French Lick

Iconic Landmarks

The 'Eighth Wonder of the World' — a 200-foot free-spanning steel-and-glass dome that crowns the lobby atrium of this 1902 spa hotel. From 1902 until 1955 it was the largest free-spanning dome in the United States. Saved from demolition by Indiana Landmarks in 1996, restored 2005–2007 to its full Gilded Age splendor. The atrium is free to walk into, photograph, and sit in; guided tours (paid, $18) cover the upstairs and history.

Address: 8538 W Baden Ave, West Baden Springs, IN 47469

Tip: The complimentary trolley shuttles between the West Baden and French Lick Springs hotels — hop on at either lobby. The atrium is most photogenic mid-morning when the sun hits the dome glass. Sunken Gardens and the surrey-bike rental concession are also free. Guided Indiana Landmarks tours run 2pm & 4pm Wed–Sat Jan–May, Tue–Sat Jun–Dec.

History & Architecture

The 1845 mineral-spring resort that gave French Lick its fame — host to FDR, John Barrymore, Bing Crosby, and seven Democratic National Convention delegates who chose Roosevelt here in 1932. Member of Historic Hotels of America, on the National Register of Historic Places. The Italianate-Mediterranean main building is free to wander, with the original Pluto Water spring still bubbling on the lower level (don't drink — it was once 'America's Greatest Laxative').

Address: 8670 IN-56, French Lick, IN 47432

Tip: The Larry Bird memorabilia at 33 Brick Street restaurant inside the hotel is worth a look; the restaurant is open to non-guests but exceeds the under-$20 cap. The 1932 Roosevelt nomination room is marked with a plaque on the second floor. Free trolley to/from West Baden every 30 minutes.

Outdoors

1-mile paved walking and biking trail connecting the two historic hotels — French Lick Springs to the south, West Baden Springs to the north — winding through resort grounds, an expanse of woods, and meadow before arriving at the West Baden atrium entrance. Easy gradient, stroller and wheelchair accessible, well-lit at night. The signature walk for any visit; pairs the two grandest hotels in the Midwest on foot.

Address: Trailhead at French Lick Springs Hotel, 8670 IN-56, French Lick, IN 47432

Tip: Best in spring (dogwoods bloom) and fall (canopy color). Allow 25 minutes one-way at a stroll. Surrey-bike rental at either hotel lets you cover the trail by pedal cart. The complimentary trolley runs the same route every 30 minutes if you want one-way walking and a ride back.

History & Museums

Local history museum in downtown French Lick covering the springs-resort era from the 1840s through the gambling-and-mineral-water boom, the segregated 'Pluto Water' bottling plant, the railroad era, Larry Bird's Springs Valley basketball legacy, and the 1996–2007 restoration that brought West Baden back from collapse. Includes the original Pluto Water bottling equipment and a substantial Larry Bird exhibit.

Address: 469 S Maple St, French Lick, IN 47432

Tip: Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sunday and Monday. Retired military gets the $8 senior rate. Plan 1.5 hours. The Larry Bird wing is the most photographed; the Pluto Water bottling room is the most surprising. Combine with the Larry Bird self-guided tour to round out the Springs Valley basketball story.

Quirky Landmarks

Free self-guided driving tour through Larry Bird's French Lick — his childhood home at S Washington and S Jefferson Streets, Springs Valley High School (where he scored 1,125 career points and averaged 31/21/4 as a senior), the bust outside the Springs Valley Teen Center on Larry Bird Boulevard, and the 33 Brick Street restaurant inside French Lick Springs Hotel (memorabilia donated by Bird himself).

Address: Start at S Washington & S Jefferson Streets, French Lick, IN 47432

Tip: The childhood home is privately owned — view from the street only. Springs Valley High at 215 S Larry Bird Blvd is on actual Larry Bird Boulevard (named for him in 1980). The Larry Bird Museum proper is in Terre Haute (90 minutes north, also free), not French Lick — don't confuse the two. Allow about 90 minutes by car.

Free Walking Tours

The official self-guided historical tour of French Lick and West Baden, run by the resort but free to anyone — starts at the Sunken Gardens of West Baden, traces the Pluto Water bottling plant, the Jesuit seminary years, the Army-hospital era, and the private-college period, then walks the Ferguson Trail south to French Lick Springs Hotel and the original mineral-spring source. Brochure available free at the Activities Center or West Baden Museum.

Address: Start at Activities Center, French Lick Springs Hotel, 8670 IN-56, French Lick, IN 47432

Tip: Mobile-app version (iOS/Android, search 'French Lick West Baden') gives audio narration at each stop. Allow 2 hours minimum. Best on weekday mornings before resort traffic picks up. The Sunken Gardens at West Baden are the photo moment — plan to linger there.

Quirky Landmarks

Indiana's longest-running tourist railroad — a 20-mile, 1-hour-45-minute scenic ride from the restored 1907 Monon Railway depot through the Hoosier National Forest aboard vintage coach and open-air cars. The depot itself, the locomotive yard, and the rotating equipment collection are visible free year-round from the public sidewalk and parking lot. Train rides are seasonal (April–November) and ticketed separately.

Address: 1 Monon St, French Lick, IN 47432

Tip: Depot-only visits are free anytime — walk the public lot to see the vintage locomotive, the 1907 Monon depot building, and the rolling stock. The actual rides exceed our $20 budget cap; mentioning here as a free exterior visit. Polar Express seasonal rides (Nov–Dec) are an even bigger upcharge.

Hiking & Outdoors

Free Hoosier National Forest day-use area 6 miles south of French Lick — 12-mile multi-use trail (hike, mountain bike, horseback) winding through hardwood forest with frequent Tucker Lake views and visible remnants of the historic Buffalo Trace (the pre-1840 buffalo migration route west). Tucker Lake itself is open to fishing and kayaking from the free boat launch. Vault toilets at the trailhead; no camping.

Address: Springs Valley Trail Trailhead, County Road 625, French Lick, IN 47432

Tip: From French Lick: IN-145 south 6.4 miles, left on Liberty Church Road, left on CR 475, bear right on CR 625, 1.5 miles to trailhead. Easy-to-moderate climbs; wide tread, no technical sections. Bring a bike or boat to extend the visit. Closed to overnight camping but day-use is open year-round, dawn to dusk.