City: Louisville, KY

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (888) 936-9360

Address: 8670 West SR 56

Description: A little more than an hour’s drive from Louisville, out in the middle of the rolling countryside of southern Indiana, you’ll find something you wouldn’t expect: two old hotels keeping alive the grand resort tradition of the 1800s. On one end of the main drag is French Lick—hometown of NBA great Larry Bird—and its beautiful turn-of-the-20th-century grand hotel, which recently underwent a $500 million historic restoration; a mile down the road is West Baden Springs and a stunning circular hotel with an enormous dome and fanciful minarets that was touted as the “eighth wonder of the world” when it opened in 1902. Today the two hotels have joined forces to form a beautiful retreat with a scenic environment where visitors can stroll shaded walkways and visit the famous gazebo housing the Pluto Mineral Spring. Although a variety of activities can be enjoyed year-round, the most popular draw is the new casino that has revived the local economy.