Day 1: Dessert First, Accessible Ease, and Fireflies at Dusk

Dessert first! Cheesecake

We arrived with road‑trip energy and that familiar mix of chaos and excitement that comes with traveling as a single mom and her mini‑humans. The car ride had been filled with music, laughter, and a few squabbles over who would get the last of the snacks, all part of the adventure. Dinner at Valley Bar & Grill was our first stop, and because I believe in joy over rules, I started with dessert, fully embracing the idea that life is too short to skip the sweet treats. The cheesecake was silky and absolutely worth the rebellion, each bite melting in my mouth and making me momentarily forget about the spills and messes that accompany our journeys. As my kids dug into their meals, their eyes wide with delight at the indulgence, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. This was what it meant to savor the moment, to prioritize experiences over expectations, and to create memories that would last long after the plates were cleared.

Our incredible driver Emily helping Elijah using the shuttle for the first time

Afterward, we boarded the accessible shuttle, and that’s when the tone of the trip shifted. There’s a particular kind of exhale that happens when a destination chooses accessibility on purpose. No scrambling. No problem‑solving. Just ease. The kind that lets you begin a trip without bracing for the next barrier. These accessible shuttles are free and available to take you anywhere in town and pick you back up and take you back to the resort any time.

Zero Entry Pool Our Favorite

The resort itself carries that timeless French Lick feeling, with wide porches, rocking chairs, art, architecture, and grounds that seem to hum with old‑world calm. The air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, painting a picturesque scene that invites guests to slow down and soak in the serenity. The kids splashed joyfully in the pool, their laughter echoing off historic walls, creating a symphony of happiness that seemed to mingle with the rustling leaves. Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, we wandered outside, entranced by the enchanting twilight. There, we watched fireflies drift across the lawn like tiny lanterns, illuminating the warm evening with their gentle glow, while the soft chirping of crickets serenaded us, making the night feel even more magical.

A slow evening on the porch

Inside, Valley Tower the night split into two adventures. The boys and I curled up with Harry Potter, their imaginations igniting as they whispered excitedly about the magical world of wizards and enchanted creatures, while the other two mini-humans grabbed their trusty flashlights and went ghost hunting through the dimly lit halls, their hearts racing with anticipation and a tingle of fear, as they ventured into the shadows, looking for hidden secrets and mysterious sounds, like they were starring in their own suspenseful mystery novel, navigating creaky floorboards and whispering tales of ghosts and ghouls, turning the ordinary evening into an extraordinary escapade filled with laughter and shivers.

It was the perfect beginning, gentle, magical, and rooted in the kind of peace only historic places seem to hold.

Day 2: Accessibility, Community, and the Unexpected Magic of French Lick

Breakfast

Morning arrived, and we excitedly headed to The Grand Colonnade Restaurant with the inviting smell of coffee and waffles drifting from the breakfast buffet, a simple pleasure that felt right at home in a town built on slow mornings and steady charm. The laughter of fellow diners added to the day’s cheerful ambiance. Once inside, the warm, welcoming atmosphere enveloped us, and we eagerly filled our plates, savoring the rich flavors of freshly brewed coffee alongside the fruit and made-to-order omelets. Each bite awakened our senses, reminding us of the joys of leisurely breakfasts.

Where Accessibility Meets Welcome: The Stables

Elijah meeting Eeyore

At the stables , Eore and Pepsi greeted Elijah like he was already part of their story, embodying the spirit of camaraderie that resonated in the air. The staff was warm, patient, and intentional, the kind of people who make accessibility feel natural, not negotiated, ensuring that everyone felt welcome and included, no matter their background or experience.

Accessible Trolly Ride

From there, we boarded an accessible trolley and rolled into town, passing historic buildings that seemed to whisper their own stories. The sunlight danced off the streets as we ventured deeper into the heart of the town.

Amanda and the staff at Brick 33 stopped for a picture with us

Lunch at33 Brick : Community in Action

Lunch at 33 Brick welcomed us with inherited hospitality, like generations of kindness have lived in the walls. Elijah made friends before we even sat down because that’s who he is.

The world’s Largest Circus Diorama

Circus History & Ice Cream Flights

The French Lick West Baden Museum was the epic adventure we didn’t know we needed. It really got my kids excited about learning! Old-time candy store vibes, friendly staff, cozy seating, and the world’s largest circus diorama.

A flight of Ice Cream

We wandered into French Licks Ice Cream & Coffee French Licks Ice Cream & Coffee and tried a flight of flavors. A flight. Of ice cream. Pure genius when traveling with four kids.

Trail Rides, Trolleys & West Baden Magic

Trail Ride

The trail ride was the slowdown I needed. The horses were calm and steady, the staff warm and patient, and the path wound through trees that felt like they were holding space for us. Isaiah rode with this mix of confidence and curiosity that made my heart swell. It was one of those moments where motherhood and magic meet simple, grounding, unforgettable.

Rail Trolly to West Baden

Afterward, we headed back to the hotel, rested for a bit, changed, and made our way toward the accessible rail trolley. Except… this one wasn’t actually wheelchair accessible. A single step separated Elijah from the experience. So we did what families like ours do we lifted the chair, made it work, and kept moving toward joy.

West Baden Dome

The trolley carried us to West Baden Dome , once the largest freestanding dome in the world, the “8th Wonder of the World.” Elijah’s laughter echoed through the space, bouncing off the curved architecture as if it belonged there. We explored the museum, soaked in the splendor, and played a few games of chess the kind of slow, thoughtful fun that makes a place feel lived in, a place where your imagination wanders.

The kids played a few games of chess

When we were ready to head back, an accessible shuttle returned us to French Lick Resort , where the evening softened into something cozy and perfect. We decided on a quiet night in pizza from Pluto’s Pizzeria, a stop in the arcade, and the kind of friendly conversations that happen naturally when Elijah is around. People stopped to say hello, and we made new friends without even trying.

Movie Night in our room

We walked and rolled back to the room, ending the night with a movie and a few rounds of cards simple joy, shared laughter, and the kind of togetherness that makes travel feel like home.

Day 3: Breakfast, Elephants, and a Story We’ll Never Forget

Our final morning began at Nila’s Place, a casual, family‑run breakfast spot that feels like stepping into someone’s kitchen.Strong coffee, warm eggs, the kind of place that fits perfectly into French Lick’s timeless rhythm.

Wilstem Wildlife Park Elephant Spa Experience

We got to get up close with two elephants

We headed to the Wilstem Wildlife Park Elephant Spa Experience, the moment that reached all the way back to my childhood. To a circus passing through my hometown and a baby elephant I never forgot.

Meeting an Elephant

Midway through bath time, the property lost water. A real‑life plot twist. But the staff pivoted with kindness and resilience, turning what could have been a disappointment into something more intimate, more human, more unforgettable.

They shifted everyone, including us, into the Educational Encounter, giving the mini-humans space to ask questions, touch the elephants, and connect with them in a way that felt deeper than any perfect itinerary could have.

More elephant fun

We learned. We laughed. We took once‑in‑a‑lifetime photos. We walked away with a story that will live in our family forever.

Burgers!

Lunch at The Super Burger

We ended our French Lick adventure at The Super Burger burgers, fries, shakes, nostalgic and exactly right.