Southern Indiana has beautiful scenery and many interesting places to see. We encourage you to explore the area and have planned some driving tours to get you started. But don't just stick with these, take some back roads on your own!
Below you will find turn-by-turn directions to some of the highlights around French Lick. For your convenience, at the bottom of this page, there is a document you can print out listing all the self-guided tours.
God and Country....Birdseye, Ferdinand, Huntingburg and the Abbeys of Southern Indiana
Southern Indiana is truly God’s Country. The Sisters of St. Benedict reside in the beautiful Monastery of the Immaculate Conception located in Ferdinand, Indiana.
The monastery's architectural magnificence has earned it the name "Castle on the Hill." The heart of the monastery is the church, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Also on the grounds are a Lourdes Grotto, outdoor Stations of the Cross, the Rosary Steps, a walkway for recitation of the traditional prayer, and Hildegard’s Labyrinth for walking prayer and meditation.
Tours of the cathedral and the grounds are available, as they are at Saint Meinrad. For a quiet afternoon of reflection and touring the inspiring grounds check out the website at www.thedome.org. 82 miles roundtrip
Saint Meinrad Archabbey was founded in 1854 by monks from Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland. They came to southern Indiana at the request of a local priest for assistance in addressing the pastoral needs of the growing German-speaking Catholic population and to prepare local men to be priests.
80 miles roundtrip or combine the two in under 90 miles round trip.
Holiday World and Splashin' Safari...Fun for all
Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari is home to three of the world’s top wooden coasters, Indiana largest water park, and the Pilgrims’ Plunge, the world’s tallest water ride. Guest enjoy free unlimited soft drink and free sunscreen. It is a great destination for the family and rated as one of the better amusement/water parks in the country. 72 miles roundtrip. www.HolidayWorld.com
Click here for driving directions to Holiday World.
Historic Beck’s Mill and Salem, Indiana
Beck’s Mill is a historic gristmill in Washington County, Indiana. It is seven miles southwest of Sale
m. It was built in 1864, one year after Capt. John Morgan demanded ransom for every Washington County mill he didn’t burn during his famous “Morgan’s Raid” upon Southern Indiana during the Civil War. The current mill is the third one on the property, and was the first to have two stories and furniture manufacturing. Of the 65 mills that operated in Washington County, it is the only one still standing and less that 200 still standing in Indiana. The restoration of the mill was completed in 2008---two hundred years after it first opened. 75 miles roundtrip. www.freindsofbecksmill.org
Click here for driving directions to Beck's Mill and Salem, Indiana.
Montgomery and the Amish Country...a Tour of the Gentle Life
Montgomery and the Amish Country. Natural beauty, expansive farmland, quality craftsmanship
, and the simple spirit of the Amish make Southern Indiana’s Amish Country and the Gasthof Amish Village so unique. The Gasthof Amish Restaurant and Bakery serves delicious, home-made Amish cooking and is even open on Sunday. Der Heuboden Shop offers unique items including Amish Quilts. Drive through the countryside and enjoy the Amish farms and experience a unique culture found in Southern Indiana. 85 miles roundtrip. www.gasthofamishvillage.com
Click here for driving directions to Montgomery and Amish Country.
Blue Spring Caverns...Voyage of the Center of the Earth
Blue Spring
s Cavern and Mystery River Voyage will take you into the center of the Earth. Guided Boat Trips aboard electric tour boats lead you into the depths of Southern Indiana. Search for rare blind cave fish. Hour long tours leave from the Colglazier Visitor in scenic Bluespring Caverns Park. Bluespring Caverns Park is located just ½ mile off US Hwy. 50 five miles south of Bedford, Indiana. 60 miles roundtrip. www.bluespringcaverns.com
Click here for driving directions to Blue Spring Caverns.
Spring Mill State Park and Pioneer Village
Explore one of Southern Indiana’s Natural Treasures....Spring Mill State Park. Visit the Limestone Grist Mill at the restored Pioneer Village, dating back to the 1800’s. Naturalist activities, camping, cave tours, fishing hiking, mountain, biking, pick-nicking and swimming anxiously awaits you. Take a boat ride into Twin Cave and hike into Donaldson Cave. The Grissom Memorial honors Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, one of the seven Mercury Astronauts. Drive through winding roads of the park and enjoy the wonderful home-cooking of the Spring Mill Inn buffet. Distance from French Lick is approximately 55 miles round trip. www.springmillinn.com
Click here for driving directions to Spring Mill State Park and Pioneer Village.
French Lick Winery and Vintage Cafe
Come in and experience the award-winning wines of French Lick Winery. Enjoy dining in the Vintage Cafe.
Turtle Run Winery
As you tour the area, you might travel south to Corydon. It is an interesting historical place to visit and, while there, stop by the winery.
For more information about the winery, events, and driving directions go to: http://www.turtlerunwinery.com
Also you will find the following websites of assistance in planning your trip to Southern Indiana
www.gibsoncountyin.org
www.visitduboiscounty.com
www.marengocave.com
www.perrycountyindiana.org
www.visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com
www.bigsplashadventure.com
www.limestonecountry.com
www.daviesscounty.net
www.patokalake.com
www.leavenworthinn.com
www.theoverlook.com
www.bearhollowindiana.com
www.pictureperfectcc.com
www.perrycountyindiana.org
www.thisisindiana.org
www.squireboonecaverns.com
If you have questions, please use the Contact Us form.
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