Perhaps best known as the hometown of NBA legend Larry Bird, French Lick, Indiana also boats a vibrant history and great recreation that make it a popular destination for history buffs, families and gamblers alike.

French Lick began its days as a French trading post, before its natural sulfur springs made it a popular spa and casino town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today its history remains alive, with tour companies like the History of French Lick Tours taking visitors through the historic sites of the town and surrounding areas. The area’s railroad legacy is prevalent too, memorialized at the Indiana Railway Museum, and on the historic tracks of the West Baden & Southern Railway Co.

French Lick also boasts plenty of family-friendly recreation. The traditional Gasthof Amish Village is a popular destination, where visitors can taste the best of Amish cuisine at the Village’s restaurant, buy some goodies at the bakery and find a traditional Amish handicraft or two in the craft and antique shops. Aquatic fun abounds at the massive Patoka Lake, where sailboats, houseboats and party boats cruise past floating cabins that house weekend visitors. The whole family will enjoy horseback riding at the Wilstem Guest Ranch, or the water slides at Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park. But the slots, craps and blackjack at the historic French Lick Casino are strictly 18-plus.

Once you’ve booked a flight and found the right hotel, peruse our pages to create an itinerary inspired by fellow travelers to French Lick.