For a park located in small-town Indiana, Paoli Community Park sure has a lot to offer. It encompasses a variety of sports venues, including fields for little league baseball, softball, football, and soccer, as well as a basketball court. Additional amenities include a lighted walking trail, a skate park, a shelter house, and a playground that’s perfect for those visiting Paoli Community Park with young, energetic children.
If Paoli Community Park is your team’s next destination, you’re probably wondering what kind of fun things you can all do together whenever they’re not competing. Well, you’ll definitely be glad to hear that, much like the amenities offered at Paoli Community Park, this area of Indiana is home to many more fun attractions and activities than you might expect. From go-kart racing to horseback riding, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in and around the quaint town of Paoli. The same goes for the area’s melting pot’s worth of restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for deep-dish pizza à la Chicago or traditional German cuisine, you’re bound to find a restaurant to suit your tastes right nearby.
Things to Do
Wilstem Ranch
Located just a little over three miles away from Paoli Community Park, Wilstem Ranch is practically within walking distance. Its convenient location isn’t the only reason why you and your team should visit however. Another reason why is because of the variety of can’t-miss experiences you can enjoy at this beautiful historic ranch. These exciting experiences include up-close encounters with exotic animals like elephants, giraffes, and kangaroos, as well as zip-lining, horseback riding, and guided ATV tours. Wilstem Ranch has been providing guests with fun experiences and lasting memories for over a century since it first opened in 1915. One visit is all it will take you to understand why it’s revered as one of the area’s most popular and timeless entertainment destinations. 4229 W US Hwy 150, Paoli, IN 47454
Paoli Peaks
Another entertainment destination enjoyed by both Paoli locals and tourists alike is Paoli Peaks. Opened in 1978, this popular ski resort has been the place to go for fun in the snow for over 40 years. Activities that can be enjoyed at Paoli Peaks include skiing, snowboarding, and even snow tubing! There are currently 15 trails and two terrain parks offered at Paoli Peaks, along with five chair lifts, two surface lifts, one rope tow, and a beginner’s area. Paoli Peak’s snow tubing facility, Arctic Blast Snow Tubing, is located just a short drive from the resort.
No matter which snowy activity you and your team decide to take part in at Paoli Peaks, you’ll have to take a break eventually. When it comes time to wind down and warm up, head on over to Paoli Peak’s 45,000-square-foot day lodge. Inside the lodge you’ll find Peaks Pizzeria & Grill, a bar, concession stands, a pro shop, and more. You can also rent skis, snowboards, and other equipment in the lodge if you weren’t able to cram your own gear into a suitcase. 2798 W County Rd 25 S, Paoli, IN 47454
Shotz Miniature Golf and Lazer Tag
It’s always a good idea to have a couple of indoor attractions in mind just in case the weather happens to take a turn for the worse during your trip. For a fun time rain or shine, take your team to Shotz Miniature Golf and Lazer Tag. This state-of-the-art entertainment facility is located just over a 10-minute drive from Paoli Community Park.
Shotz features an indoor laser tag arena decorated to make players feel as if they’ve stumbled across the ruins of an ancient civilization in the middle of the jungle; a nine-hole indoor miniature golf course as well as an 18-hole outdoor course; Lazer Frenzy, a maze attraction that disorients players with effects like fog and strobe lights; and an arcade. If that’s not enough to satisfy your team’s designated thrill seekers, Shotz also offers a 32-foot-tall rock climbing wall and a three-station bungee trampoline. These attractions definitely aren’t for the faint of heart! 8529 W St Rd 56, French Lick, IN 47432
French Lick West Baden Indoor Karting
Named for the two towns it’s located on the borders of, French Lick West Baden Indoor Karting is the place to go for high-octane fun during your stay in Paoli. The facility’s main track is a 1,200-foot-long grand prix-style raceway. Racers zip around the track in top of the line Sodikart go-karts capable of reaching speeds up to 40 miles per hour.
Little speed demons between the ages of four and eight race on the Falcon Raceway. Safety is key on this small, oval-shaped track, which features four Falcon electric go-karts equipped with a steering wheel-mounted accelerator and brake handles. These go-karts travel at approximately three miles per hour, making them perfect for young children who are still getting acclimated to being behind the wheel of a vehicle.
After you’ve all had your fill of high-speed thrills, wrap up your visit to French Lick West Baden Indoor Karting in the Family Fun Center. This newly-opened area of the facility features an arcade with 25 games ranging from classics like skee-ball and milk jug toss to state-of-the-art racing simulators; a ticket redemption center with lots of fun prizes; and a bounce house area. 8331 W St Rd 56, West Baden Springs, IN 47469
The Stables at French Lick
Tucked away behind the historic West Baden Springs Hotel, The Stables at French Lick Resort are home to over 25 friendly horses. These horses have been carefully selected and trained for a minimum of two years in order to be used for activities such as journeying through the countryside on horseback and leisurely rides in horse-drawn carriages.
Guided trail rides offered at The Stables at French Lick can last for either 45 or 90 minutes approximately. A 45-minute ride makes this unique and memorable experience surprisingly easy to fit into even the busiest team travel schedules. These picturesque trails run for eight miles along the border of Hoosier National Forest, providing riders with glimpses of native Indiana wildlife such as red-tailed hawks, deer, and turkeys. Children must be eight years of age to ride. The Stables at French Lick also offers pony rides for children under the age of eight. The approximate length of a pony ride is 10 minutes and all young cowboys and cowgirls receive a colorful souvenir bandana to commemorate the experience. 8670 W St Rd 56, French Lick, IN 47432
French Lick West Baden Museum
Brush up on the history of the area at the French Lick West Baden Museum. This unique local attraction got its start in 2007 when it opened for a week as a temporary museum during the French Lick Sesquicentennial celebration. Due to popular demand, the museum opened permanently four years later in downtown French Lick.
The exhibits at the French Lick West Baden Museum cover subjects ranging from the area’s early settlements to the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus that wintered in French Lick from 1913 to 1929. Some of the most interesting things you’ll come across as you explore the French Lick West Baden Museum with your team include the world’s largest circus diorama, consisting of well over 150,000 pieces; and memorabilia from the legendary basketball career of West Baden Springs native Larry Bird. 469 S Maple St, French Lick, IN 47432
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Places to Eat
Chicago’s Pizza
Turns out you don’t have to drive five hours north to Chicago to enjoy authentic deep dish pizza. Simply head to Chicago’s Pizza, located just over a 10-minute drive from Paoli Community Park. This restaurant is part of a regional chain that specializes in bringing a taste of Chicago to towns and cities all across Indiana, including nearby French Lick.
On the menu at Chicago’s Pizza you’ll find perfectly shareable appetizers like freshly baked breadsticks and hot wings, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and of course, pizza! In addition to the deep dish pizzas synonymous with the restaurant’s namesake city, Chicago’s Pizza also serves traditional, thin-crust, and gluten-free pies. 8498 W St Rd 56, French Lick, IN 47432
Wok This Way
If you’re in the mood for delicious Asian cuisine, run, don’t walk, to Wok This Way. Actually, you’ll probably want to drive since it’s located about nine miles from Paoli Community Park. This Asian fusion restaurant offers popular dishes from a variety of Asian countries, including China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and more.
Start your meal off right with tempting appetizers like spring rolls, coconut shrimp, and chicken lettuce wraps. Entrée options include Chinese food favorites like General Tso’s chicken, Mongolian beef, and sweet and sour pork as well as specialties from all across Asia, such as pad Thai, pho, and teriyaki chicken. 8619 W Main St, French Lick, IN 47432
German Café
Continue your culinary journey around the world with a stop at German Café in French Lick. From the authentic décor on the walls to the traditional dishes on the menu, this quaint, family-owned café makes patrons feel as if they’re dining in the heart of Germany.
Whether or not you’ve tried German food before, you’re sure to enjoy whatever you choose to order from the menu at German Café. Popular entrée dishes include bratwurst and Wiener schnitzel. Picky eaters can enjoy more familiar options such as potato patties with applesauce, macaroni and cheese, and chicken nuggets. 452 S Maple St, French Lick, IN 47432
33 Brick Street
With Larry Bird memorabilia adorning practically every wall, there’s perhaps no restaurant more emblematic of French Lick than 33 Brick Street. This casual sports bar and restaurant features a menu full of fun appetizers and classic American comfort food dishes, making it a great place to go celebrate a big win with your entire team.
Whether you’re in the mood for a big, juicy burger topped with ingredients like smoky bacon, Cheddar cheese, crispy onion rings, and tangy barbecue sauce or a hand-cut steak cooked to order, 33 Brick Street has got you covered. Other menu items include seafood and pasta dishes, soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and more. 480 S Maple St, French Lick, IN 47432
If your team’s upcoming trip to Paoli Community Park will be your first time visiting this area of Indiana, you’re in store for a stay full of fun, unique experiences. While Paoli and neighboring towns like French Lick and West Baden Springs aren’t your typical tourist destinations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy there.
If you and your team like spending your time in the great outdoors, go horseback riding at The Stables at French Lick or zip down Paoli Peaks on skis, a snowboard, or snow tube. If the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor activities like those during your stay, check out any one of the many indoor attractions that can be found just minutes from the park. There’s so many ways for you and your team to have fun in and around Paoli!