Orange County: Nature and History

Orange County offers several distinct focuses for a trip: old-growth forest southeast of Paoli, historic sites and collections, and the French Lick Scenic Railway. There are also winter activities, wine, and an annual event. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, it helps to decide which outings to prioritize first. A railway ride, a museum visit, and a day in winter appeal to different interests and each require their own planning.

Forest and Railway

Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest lies southeast of Paoli. This 88-acre tract of old-growth Central Hardwood forest provides a clear nature-focused option alongside the county’s historical attractions. Its location is a useful reference point when planning to include the forest in your trip.

The French Lick Scenic Railway departs from the historic limestone depot in French Lick, dating to 1907. The 1-hour-and-30-minute ride passes through Hoosier National Forest and Burton Tunnel, Indiana’s second-longest railroad tunnel. The set ride duration makes it easy to plan as a dedicated block of time; the depot, forest route, and tunnel each give the trip a different character.

Local History and Sightseeing

Paoli Historic District is a National Register historic district with 144 contributing buildings. A ceremonial marker for the Initial Point stands on the lawn of the Orange County Courthouse in Paoli. The original Initial Point itself is about 5.5 miles south of Paoli and is accessible via E. Pivot Point Road. Parking and a short path are available there. The marker at the courthouse and the original point are therefore two different reference points for anyone interested in the history of the Initial Point.

The Orange County Historic Museum displays artifacts and historically significant objects from Orange County, Indiana. Re-created rooms include a one-room schoolhouse and a doctor’s office from an earlier era; they add vivid examples of everyday life to the collection. The museum is open during the 2026 season. It is usually open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with additional times available by appointment. Check the seasonal hours before your visit if you plan to make the museum a fixed part of your itinerary.

The Thomas Elwood Lindley House can be visited by appointment only and dates to around 1852. It has been restored to reflect its use as a farmhouse from the mid-1850s through the 1860s. The date of around 1852 and the period of use depicted refer to different points in time: one dates the house, while the other describes the use conveyed by its restoration.

Winter, Events, and Tasting

Activities at Paoli Peaks include skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Winter conditions and hours vary; check them if you plan to include a visit in your itinerary. The Bear Hollow Block Bash takes place annually in French Lick, but event dates change from year to year. If the event affects your travel dates, check the dates for your travel year.

French Lick Winery offers food and wine tastings for groups of up to 50 during regular business hours. Tours of the Spirits of French Lick distillery next to the winery are available by appointment. The distinction is useful when planning: food and wine tastings are limited to regular business hours, while a distillery tour requires an appointment in advance.

A dated stop in the history of recreation can also be noted: in 2014, a nine-section zipline course called French Lick Ziplines was established on the grounds of Wilstem Wildlife Park.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Stay

When choosing a hotel, compare the locations of your planned outings: the Scenic Railway and the annual Bear Hollow Block Bash are associated with French Lick; the Historic District and courthouse are in Paoli, with the forest to the southeast. This can help you decide which destinations matter most for your trip. Then compare specific hotel addresses with your plans and organize your stay around the experiences you’d like to prioritize.

Discover more destinations: French Lick, Henry County, Vanderburgh, Benton County, Lawrence, Porter, Jennings County, Putnam County

For the broader travel overview: Indiana.