65 Best Things to Do in Palm Springs, California (2026 Guide)

Easy & Secure Booking with Boletoxpress

Palm Springs sits in California’s Coachella Valley, in Riverside County, at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains, making it one of the region’s top mountain getaway destinations, and about two hours by car from Los Angeles and San Diego. . The city grew around hot mineral springs that were sacred to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians long before it existed, and the tribe’s reservation still covers part of the city today. It became a health resort in the late 1800s, then a Hollywood getaway, and is now known for mid-century modern architecture, desert canyons, and spa culture.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

The best things to do in Palm Springs are a ride on the Aerial Tramway, a waterfall hike in Tahquitz Canyon, a walk through the palm oasis at Indian Canyons, a Thursday night at VillageFest, and a slow drive through the mid-century neighborhoods. Joshua Tree National Park is the big day out. Around those sit spas, date shakes, golf, Pioneertown, a surf pool, and a few dozen smaller stops, all covered below.

Our position is simple. Palm Springs is a heat problem before it is a sightseeing problem. A visitor with a good plan for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will have a better trip than one with a longer list of attractions. Hike or visit a garden before 10, spend the afternoon at a museum, spa, or pool, and go out again after sunset.

Which Palm Springs attraction is right for you?

If you want	Choose this
Cool air and big views	Aerial Tramway
A palm oasis and a ranger-led walk	Indian Canyons
A waterfall hike under two hours	Tahquitz Canyon
A cactus garden in one hour	Moorten Botanical Garden
A full day of boulders and Joshua trees	Joshua Tree National Park
Design and retro homes	Mid-century architecture drive
Planes and shade on a hot day	Palm Springs Air Museum
Art in the middle of town	Palm Springs Art Museum
A free evening out	VillageFest
A quick photo stop	Forever Marilyn
A date shake	Shields Date Garden
A spa day	The Spa at Séc-he
An Old West movie set and live music	Pioneertown
Free gardens	Sunnylands Center & Gardens
A day with kids and animals	The Living Desert

What are the best outdoor things to do in Palm Springs?

Start here if you came for the desert itself. Whether you pack light or follow a comprehensive travel backpack guide, every stop in this section needs sun protection and water, and most are better before 10 a.m. than after noon.

Stop	Effort	Plan on	Shade	Check first
Aerial Tramway	Easy, no hiking needed	A half day	Pines at the top	Closed November 11 and November 23 to 30
Indian Canyons	Easy to moderate	2 to 3 hours	Good, palms and rock walls	Ranger walk Friday to Sunday at 10 a.m.
Tahquitz Canyon	Moderate, rocky loop of 1.8 miles	Under 2 hours	Limited	Open daily 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 1 to July 4, and Friday to Sunday only from July 5 to September 30; no pets
Araby Trail and Museum Trail	Strenuous, steep	1 to 2 hours	None	Start at first light from May to September
Moorten Botanical Garden	Easy	About 1 hour	Some	Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Wednesdays
Thousand Palms Oasis	Easy to moderate	1 to 2 hours	Palm groves	About half an hour from downtown
Whitewater Preserve	Easy to moderate	1 to 2 hours	Shaded picnic areas	About half an hour northwest
Mount San Jacinto State Park trails	Easy loops to a serious 11-mile peak day	1 hour to a full day	Forest	Free wilderness permit for hikes beyond the visitor area

1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

A normal cable car does not turn under your feet; this one does. The tramway says its cars are the world’s largest rotating tramcars, so nobody fights for a window seat. Built in 1963, the ride takes about 10 minutes. It’s much colder at the top than in town, and Visit Palm Springs says it gets snow in winter. Please bring a jacket, even in July.

We suggest buying a twilight ticket. From 4 p.m., it costs $31.95 for adults and seniors and $15.95 for children ages 3 to 10. A Ride ’n’ Dine ticket with dinner at Pines Café costs $41.00 for adults and seniors and $27.50 for children. Booking online adds a $2 processing fee. These are the tram’s February 2026 notice prices, so confirm them before you buy.

Plan around closures. The tram’s annual maintenance closure has ended, but it also closes on Veterans Day (November 11) and from November 23 to 30. First tram times change by season, so check the tram’s site before you go.

Tram or Joshua Tree?

Pick the tram if you have a half day, no car, or a hot afternoon to beat. You pay per person, and you do not need to hike. Pick Joshua Tree if you want a full day of driving and wandering, and you pay per vehicle there. If you can only do one, we would ride the tram.

2. Indian Canyons

The canyons lie on Agua Caliente Cahuilla land, and the tribe’s reservation covers 31,500 acres, about 6,700 of them inside Palm Springs. Palm Canyon holds the world’s largest fan palm oasis, and the canyons are on the National Register of Historic Places. Three canyons make up the visit. Palm Canyon has the big grove and a trading post. Andreas Canyon is the easiest, with a stream and rock walls near the parking area. Murray Canyon requires a longer walk and rewards you with quiet.

You can find ancient rock art, house pits, and irrigation ditches. Follow the trail and leave everything as you find it.

The ranger-led walk runs Friday to Sunday at 10 a.m. It covers 1 mile in about 1.5 hours and is free with paid admission. Monday to Thursday, rangers give a 30-minute talk instead. Guests must be 18 or older to enter alone. Buy tickets at the toll gate, 38520 S. Palm Canyon Dr., or at the Agua Caliente counter in the Palm Springs Visitor Center, 2901 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Hours change, so check before you drive out.

3. Tahquitz Canyon

The path is a 1.8-mile loop to the waterfalls. These waterfalls are seasonal and vary throughout the year; dry conditions in August will differ from March. The visitor center shows a short film, “The Legend of Tahquitz Canyon,” and has an observation deck. The canyon is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 1 to July 4, and Friday to Sunday only from July 5 to September 30. The last hiker must start on the trail by 3:30 p.m. Pets are not allowed, and you should wear comfortable shoes.

Tahquitz Canyon or Palm Canyon?

We would choose Tahquitz because it has a clear goal and a trail ending at a waterfall. We would also choose Palm Canyon for its shade, giant palm oasis, and rangers who explain the area’s natural history. Entry to Tahquitz is $15, and entry to Indian Canyons is $12.

4. Araby Trail and the Museum Trail

Palm Springs has two free hikes that start inside the city. The Araby Trail climbs from the south side of town into the hills above the neighborhood where Bob Hope’s John Lautner house sits, and it gives you a long view down the valley. The Museum Trail starts behind the Palm Springs Art Museum and climbs steeply. Both lack any shade. Start early in the morning from May to September, take more water than you think you’ll need, and go back when you are tired, not when you are in trouble.

5. Moorten Botanical Garden

The one-acre, family-owned garden houses over 3,000 varieties of desert plants. It opens daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closes on Wednesdays, and has shorter hours in summer. Chester ‘Cactus Slim’ Moorten came to Palm Springs in 1938 as a cactus salesman; this garden became famous as having the world’s first ever “cactarium” with rare plants in a greenhouse. It is located on South Palm Canyon Drive, the same route that takes you to Indian Canyons.

Moorten or Sunnylands?

Both are desert gardens, but Moorten is one acre, and Sunnylands has nine. Choose Moorten if you want to stay in town or it is summer, since Sunnylands is closed then. Choose Sunnylands if you want more room to walk and free admission.

6. Thousand Palms Oasis (Coachella Valley Preserve)

The San Andreas Fault bisects this reserve, which is why these palms exist. The fault collects groundwater and directs it to the surface, creating a fan of palms in sandy terrain. Short hiking trails wind through the palm groves, and longer trails venture into the nearby hills. It is one of the few places where you can stand on a fault line and see its effects on plant life.

7. Whitewater Preserve

The Whitewater River flows from the San Bernardino Mountains here, and the preserve offers a river, shaded picnic sites, and trails that connect to the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s a great choice for answering the question, “Where is the water?” About half an hour northwest of Palm Springs, it makes a perfect breakfast stop on the way to or from Joshua Tree.

8. Mount San Jacinto State Park trails

The tram drops you into another world. Short loops around the Mountain Station, like the Desert View Trail, are relaxed and offer pines and an expansive view of the valley. The Long Valley and the longer hikes are for those who know what they are doing. The round trip from the tram to San Jacinto Peak is 11 miles and a strenuous day hike. Check the weather above the clouds before you commit, and remember the tram will not wait for you.

What are the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park?

Joshua Tree is its own trip, not an add-on. As one of the most famous national parks in the region, it sits about an hour from Palm Springs, and a half-day visit mostly shows you parking lots. These stops are ordered the way a driving day tends to go.

Stop	On foot	Effort	Best light	Know before you go
Hidden Valley Nature Trail	About 1 mile loop	Easy	Morning	Popular, come early
Skull Rock	Roadside, optional 1.7-mile loop	Easy	Any time	Cholla Cactus Garden is the better use of time
Cholla Cactus Garden	Quarter-mile loop	Easy	Late afternoon	Stay on the path; cholla sticks to anything
Keys View	Short spur road, no hike	None	Clear days	Sits at 5,185 feet
Barker Dam	A little over 1 mile round trip	Easy	Dawn or dusk	Water depends on recent rain
Stargazing	None	None	Clear, moonless nights	International Dark Sky Park

9. Joshua Tree National Park

The West Entrance Station, near the town of Joshua Tree, accepts credit, debit, or digital park passes but not cash. The visitor centers at 6554 Park Boulevard in Joshua Tree and 6533 Freedom Way in Twentynine Palms take cash or card. You need a car or a guided tour here. Fill the tank before you enter, assume your phone will drop out, and carry a gallon of water per person.

10. Hidden Valley Nature Trail

This is a loop of about a mile through a valley ringed by rock. The trail’s story is that cattle rustlers used it as a hideout. Whatever the truth, it is a good first walk in the park because it shows you the Joshua trees, the boulders, and the scale of the place all at once. It is also popular. Come early.

11. Skull Rock

Skull Rock sits right beside Park Boulevard, and the rock really does look like a skull. A nature trail loops from it for about 1.7 miles. We would take the photo, skip the loop unless you are already in the area, and spend the time at the Cholla Cactus Garden instead.

13. Keys View

Keys View sits at 5,185 feet at the end of a short spur road. On a clear day, you can look down over Palm Springs, the San Andreas Fault, the valley floor, and sometimes as far as the Salton Sea. After a few hours among boulders, it explains the geography you have been driving through.

14. Barker Dam

A little over a mile round trip leads to a reservoir that ranchers built in the early twentieth century. Whether it holds water depends on recent rain. Wildlife tends to turn up here at dawn and dusk.

15. Joshua Tree stargazing and guided tours

Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Park, and the Milky Way is easy to see on a clear moonless night. A guided stargazing tour handles the driving and brings equipment. Guided daytime tours help if you want an explanation of the geology and history or don’t have a car.

What can you do in Palm Springs besides hike?

A quarter-mile loop on Pinto Basin Road winds through a dense field of cholla, and the spines glow when the sun sits low behind them. Keep to the path and keep kids and dogs close. Cholla segments break off and stick to anything they touch, which is where the nickname “jumping cholla” comes from.

Good news for anyone who burns easily. Most of these stops are in town, and several are indoors.

Stop	Setting	Plan on	Cheapest window	Pairs with
Palm Springs Art Museum	Indoors, 150,000 square feet	About 2 hours	Thursday 5 to 8 p.m.	VillageFest
Architecture and Design Center	Indoors, in a 1960 bank	About 1 hour	Check psmuseum.org	The main museum, 300 S. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs Air Museum	Covered hangars	3 hours recommended	Kids 12 and under free with a paid adult	A hot afternoon
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum	Indoors, downtown	About 1 hour	Check with the museum	Indian Canyons or Tahquitz Canyon
Camelot Theatres	Indoors, dark	A two-hour film	Standard tickets	A 108-degree afternoon

16. Palm Springs Art Museum

The main building is 150,000 square feet and sits in downtown Palm Springs. Inside, you will find modern and contemporary art, architecture and design, and art of the American West, according to Visit Greater Palm Springs. The museum began in 1938 as the Palm Springs Desert Museum, per NBC Palm Springs. Thursday hours run from noon to 8 p.m. The city pays for the free evening, and advance registration is recommended. Our pick for Thursday: museum at 5 p.m., then walk down Museum Way to VillageFest.

17. Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center

The Architecture and Design Center is just down the street from the main museum, at 300 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in a building that was itself a 1960 bank designed by E. Stewart Williams. Exhibitions cover the architects who shaped the desert, and it is a good indoor stop before you drive the neighborhoods.

18. Palm Springs Air Museum

The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and February 6. It recommends at least three hours, and we agree. The collection covers World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and its hangars make it one of the valley’s best places to escape the sun. The Air Museum also offers rides in vintage warbirds. Ask at the gift shop for current prices. The museum says it is pet friendly.

Air Museum or Art Museum?

Pick the Air Museum if you have kids and a car. Pick the Art Museum if you are downtown without a car, or if it is Thursday evening and you want it free.

19. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians runs a cultural museum in downtown Palm Springs. It puts the canyons you hike into a living history, and it is a better way to understand why Palm Springs exists than any trail plaque. Confirm hours before you go.

20. Camelot Theatres

Camelot Theatres, at 2300 E. Baristo Road, is an independent cinema that shows art-house and festival films. When it is 108°F outside, a two-hour film is a legitimate itinerary item.

What is the best mid-century modern architecture in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs has more significant mid-century houses and civic buildings than any town this size should. The best way to see them is to drive slowly in the morning, when the light is soft, and the streets are quiet. Most are private homes, so look from the street and keep your voice down.

Stop	Designer	Year	Access
Palm Springs Visitor Center	Albert Frey and Robson Chambers	1965	Free, open hours
Kaufmann Desert House	Richard Neutra	1946	Private, view from the street
Twin Palms estate	E. Stewart Williams	1947	Private, tours only
Architecture and Design Center building	E. Stewart Williams	1960	Open as a museum
Frey House II	Albert Frey	1964	Limited visits through the museum
Aluminaire House	Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher	Designed in 1931	Open during Palm Springs Art Museum hours
Doors and neighborhoods	Various	Various	Free, sidewalk only

21. Self-guided mid-century architecture drive

Visit Palm Springs publishes a self-guided mid-century architecture tour. Our tip: pick six stops from the list instead of chasing all of them. Want the full experience? Modernism Week has a fall edition on October 15 to 18, 2026, marking it as one of the premier fall events in North America this year, with more than 50 activities. The 11-day main festival runs February 11 to 21, 2027. Both dates come from NBC Palm Springs.

22. Palm Springs Visitor Center (the Tramway Gas Station)

The visitor center at 2901 N. Palm Canyon Drive was a gas station before it was a tourist office. Albert Frey and Robson Chambers designed it in 1965 with a dramatic folded roof, and it is the right place to begin a tour. Pick up a map, then drive south.

23. Kaufmann Desert House, Twin Palms and the celebrity homes

Richard Neutra designed the Kaufmann Desert House in 1946, and it is often called the most photographed house in Palm Springs. Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms estate dates from 1947. Elvis and Priscilla Presley stayed at a Palm Springs rental in 1967, and that house now runs tours. These are private properties. A guided tour handles access and gives you the stories. Driving past is free, but you will see mostly hedges.

24. Frey House II

Albert Frey built this small house into the hillside above the museum in 1964 and lived in it until his death. The museum owns it now, and visits are limited and arranged through the museum. If you can get on a tour, take it.

25. Aluminaire House

Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher designed this steel and aluminum house for a 1931 exhibition in New York. Rescuers reassembled it at the Palm Springs Art Museum, where it is open during regular museum hours. It reminds us that Frey’s desert work grew out of modernist ideas that started elsewhere.

26. Palm Springs doors and neighborhoods

The colorful front doors of neighborhoods such as Movie Colony, Vista Las Palmas, and Racquet Club Estates have become an attraction in their own right. Go early, shoot from the sidewalk, and do not walk up to a front door for a photo.

What are the most unusual things to do in Palm Springs?

If you have seen the museums and the canyons, these stops make a trip feel uniquely desert.

Stop	Time	Setting	Book ahead
Forever Marilyn	15 minutes	Outdoors	No
Palm Springs Walk of Stars	As long as you like	Outdoors	No
Ruddy’s General Store Museum	Short visit	Indoors	Check hours; they are limited
McCallum Adobe	About 1 hour	Indoors	Check with the Historical Society
San Andreas Fault jeep tours	Varies by operator	Outdoors	Yes in cooler months
Windmill tours	Varies by operator	Outdoors	Check the operator
Murals and public art	Self-paced	Outdoors	No
Hot-air balloon flights	Dawn departure	Outdoors	Yes, and stay flexible for weather

27. Forever Marilyn

The statue is 26 feet tall. Seward Johnson designed it in 2011, based on a scene from Marilyn Monroe’s 1955 film The Seven Year Itch, according to KTLA. She stood on Museum Way from June 2021 to February 2025, when the city moved her a short distance to Downtown Park, where a city agreement keeps her for the next 25 years. She has divided opinion in town for years. You may love her or roll your eyes. Either way, she is a quick walk from the Art Museum.

28. Palm Springs Walk of Stars

Golden, palm-shaped stars set into the sidewalks of downtown Palm Springs honor entertainers and public figures tied to the city. It costs nothing, takes as long as you want, and points you to the restaurants and shops along Palm Canyon Drive.

29. Ruddy's General Store Museum

Ruddy’s is a recreated 1930s general store, filled with thousands of authentic, unused items and packaging from the late 19th century through the 1940s. It is small, odd, and charming. Hours are limited, so check before you walk over.

30. McCallum Adobe and the Palm Springs Historical Society

The McCallum Adobe dates to 1884 and is Palm Springs’ oldest surviving structure. The Historical Society runs it and nearby buildings on South Palm Canyon Drive, and it tells a version of the town’s story that comes before the swimming pools.

31. San Andreas Fault jeep tours

Several Palm Springs operators run guided jeep tours onto the fault itself. Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours is one of the best known. A guide explains how the fault shapes the springs, oases, and canyons, and you see it up close. Book ahead in the cooler months.

32. Windmill tours

The wind farms north of Palm Springs hold more than a thousand turbines. Guided tours bring you in close and explain how they work and why the wind blows here. It is one of the few things to do in the valley that you will not find in a cactus garden.

33. Murals and public art

Murals, sculpture, and street art dot Palm Springs and other valley cities. Desert X, the large-scale outdoor art exhibition, has taken place across the Coachella Valley in odd-numbered years. Check its site for the next edition.

34. Hot-air balloon flights

Balloon operators in the valley fly at dawn, when the air is calm, and the light is gentle. From above, you see the palms, the golf courses, the mountains, and the wind farm. Weather can cancel a flight at short notice, so keep your schedule flexible.

Where should you eat and what should you try in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs has great food, and the best meals follow the same rule as everything else here: go early or go late. Lunch at 1 p.m. in July is a bad idea at any patio restaurant. We list stops that offer something you can’t get at home, then reliable places for a sit-down meal. Menus and hours change often, so confirm before you travel.

Stop	Order this	Area	Best time	Booking
Shields Date Garden	Date shake	Indio, about 35 minutes away	Any time	Not needed
Hadley Fruit Orchards	Date shake, dried fruit	Cabazon	On the drive to or from LA	Not needed
Cheeky’s	Seasonal short menu, bacon	Downtown	When it opens	Arrive at opening
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery	Deli classics, bakery case	Palm Springs	Lunch for groups	Check ahead for large groups
Workshop Kitchen and Bar	Modern American	Downtown, restored 1930s building	Dinner	Book ahead in season
Melvyn’s	Classic dining room, patio	Ingleside Inn	Warm evenings	Book ahead in season
Bootlegger Tiki	Elaborate tiki drinks	Palm Springs	Evening	Call ahead for busy nights
Koffi	Coffee	Several shops in town	Morning	Not needed

35. Shields Date Garden (Indio)

The Coachella Valley grows most of the dates in the United States, and a date shake is the valley’s quiet claim to fame: dates blended with ice cream into something thick, sweet, and faintly caramel. Shields Date Garden in Indio has been selling them since 1924, though its current location on Highway 111 opened in 1935. It also shows a 15-minute movie titled The Romance and Sex Life of the Date, which has been playing continuously in its theater for decades. The shake is rich enough to share. Indio is about 35 minutes from Palm Springs, so pair it with Joshua Tree’s south entrance or the Coachella Valley Preserve.

36. Hadley Fruit Orchards (Cabazon)

Hadley’s is a roadside shop in Cabazon with date shakes, nuts, dried fruit, and trail mix. It sits close to the Cabazon Dinosaurs and the outlet stores, so it works well as a stop on the drive in or out.

37. Brunch and breakfast

Brunch is a Palm Springs institution. Cheeky’s is the best-known downtown spot, with a short, seasonal menu and a reputation for bacon. Arrive when it opens, or you will wait. Many hotel restaurants also serve outdoor brunch, and the better ones take reservations. If the forecast is over 100°F, ask for a table inside or under a misting system.

38. Sherman's Deli & Bakery

Sherman’s is a Jewish deli that has fed the valley for decades. The menu is long, the portions are large, and the bakery case is worth a look. It is one of the most dependable places in town to feed a group with different tastes.

39. Dinner downtown

Workshop Kitchen + Bar serves modern American food in a restored 1930s building, and it is the kind of place that makes people ask whether the architecture or the cooking is the better reason to book. Melvyn’s, at the Ingleside Inn, has a classic dining room, a Hollywood history, and a patio for warm evenings. Many people in town swear by one of them and have strong opinions about the other.

40. Tiki bars and cocktails

Palm Springs has a long tiki tradition, and Bootlegger Tiki is the one most often named. Expect elaborate drinks, low lighting, and kitsch used with real affection. If your hotel has a rooftop or poolside bar, call ahead, since some are open to non-guests and some are not.

41. Coffee and sweets

Koffi, a local roaster with several shops in town, is the easy choice for coffee. For something cold, look for shops on Palm Canyon Drive that sell ice cream and date shakes, and take it into the shade. A cold drink before a Tahquitz hike is not a luxury.

Where can you shop in Palm Springs?

Shopping is easy to overlook in a desert guide, but it shouldn’t be. Palm Springs is a good place to buy vintage furniture, mid-century lamps, ceramics, and clothes you will not find at home, because so many of the original houses are still in use.

Stop	What you will find	Distance	Best time
Uptown Design District	Galleries, vintage dealers, mid-century furniture	In town	Weekday morning
Downtown Palm Canyon Drive	Boutiques, galleries, gifts	In town	Thursday evening, shops stay open late
Modernism Show and Sale	Mid-century furniture, art, objects	In town during Modernism Week	October 15 to 18, 2026 and February 11 to 21, 2027
El Paseo	High-end stores, galleries, sculpture	About 25 minutes, Palm Desert	Daytime, pair with the Living Desert
The River at Rancho Mirage	Water features, restaurants, cinema, stores	Rancho Mirage	Evening
Desert Hills Premium Outlets	Outlet stores	About 25 minutes west in Cabazon	On the drive to or from LA

42. Uptown Design District

North Palm Canyon Drive runs through the Uptown Design District, where galleries, vintage dealers and mid-century furniture shops sit side by side. It is also a calmer walk than downtown. Go on a weekday morning, and you will have each shop to yourself.

43. Downtown Palm Canyon Drive

The downtown stretch near Tahquitz Canyon Way has the highest density of boutiques, galleries, and gift shops in town. On Thursday evenings, it merges into VillageFest, and the shops stay open late. For a souvenir with some character, look for local ceramics and prints rather than the shirt rack.

44. Modernism Show & Sale and vintage markets

During Modernism Week, a large show and sale of mid-century furniture, art and objects takes over a venue in town. Vintage markets and pop-ups run at other times of year, so check the local calendar before you travel. Bring measurements and a shipping plan, because it is easy to fall for a chair you cannot carry on a plane.

45. El Paseo (Palm Desert)

El Paseo is billed as the Rodeo Drive of the desert, and its stores, galleries, and public sculpture back it up. It is in Palm Desert, about 25 minutes from downtown Palm Springs, so plan a car. It pairs well with the Living Desert if you are already out that way.

46. The River at Rancho Mirage

The River is an outdoor center with water features, restaurants, a cinema, and stores. It is a practical stop if you are already in Rancho Mirage for Sunnylands or the Agua Caliente resort.

47. Desert Hills Premium Outlets (Cabazon)

The outlets in Cabazon sit about 25 minutes west of Palm Springs on the I-10, right where most Los Angeles traffic comes in. It is an easy stop to add after finishing your things to do in LA, so plan this for the drive, not as a day trip on its own.

How do you relax in Palm Springs?

The Coachella Valley sits on hot mineral water, and Palm Springs began as a health resort. The tradition survives, and a Palm Springs spa afternoon is the most civilized way to survive a 108°F day.

Stop	Setting	Location	Set aside	Ask before you book
The Spa at Séc-he	Mineral water facilities	Downtown Palm Springs	A half day	What is included, and book treatments ahead
Desert Hot Springs	Geothermal mineral water	About 20 minutes north	A few hours	Pool access, towels and meals
Resort pool day passes	Boutique hotel pools	In town	An afternoon	Minimum spend and real shade
Sound baths and classes	Studios, hotels, the desert	In town	One class	Sunrise or sunset sessions

48. The Spa at Séc-he (Downtown Palm Springs)

The Spa at Séc-he sits on Tribal land in downtown Palm Springs. Its sister property, Sunstone Spa, is at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino in Rancho Mirage. The name refers to a sacred hot spring of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla, and the spa uses mineral water in its facilities. Book treatments ahead, ask what is included, and arrive early enough to use the pools. Treat it as a half-day commitment.

49. Desert Hot Springs mineral waters

Desert Hot Springs, about 20 minutes north of Palm Springs, built its reputation on geothermal mineral water. Several hotels and spas there sell day passes or treatment packages. Two Bunch Palms is the best known. Ask what is included, since pool access, towels, and meals all vary.

50. Resort pool days and day passes

Pool culture is Palm Springs culture. Many boutique hotels sell day passes, and the good ones fill up on weekends. Call or check online, ask about minimum spends, and pick a place with real shade. A hotel with misters and a good bar is worth more than a famous name.

51. Sound baths and desert wellness classes

Yoga, meditation and sound baths are easy to find in town, at studios, hotels and in the desert itself. Look for sunrise or sunset sessions. If you are already hiking before breakfast, a class in the afternoon is a decent way to wind down.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs at night?

Palm Springs nightlife is easiest to plan around Thursday, when three good options sit side by side. VillageFest runs until 10 p.m., the Art Museum stays open until 8 p.m., and the tram sells twilight tickets after 4 p.m. If you want city lights from above, take the tram at dusk. If you want food and crowds, go downtown.

Stop	Best night	Timing	Cost	Good to know
VillageFest	Thursday	6 to 10 p.m. from October to May, 7 to 10 p.m. from June to September	Free	Palm Canyon Drive between Baristo and Amado Roads
Arenas Road	Late evenings	Bars, clubs, cabarets	Cover varies	Palm Springs Pride is usually in early November
Casinos and shows	Any night	Check show times	Free entry, tickets extra	Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage and Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs downtown are nearest
Live music and theater	Varies by venue	Check venue calendars	Varies	Pappy and Harriet’s needs a sober driver and a late return

52. VillageFest

VillageFest takes over Palm Canyon Drive between Baristo and Amado Roads every Thursday. The city says it has nearly 200 booths, and downtown shops, restaurants, and galleries stay open late. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. from October to May. From June to September, it runs 7 to 10 p.m. to dodge the heat. Special events happen at the info booth on Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive. Our tip: go early, before the crowds thicken, and eat as you walk.

53. Arenas Road and LGBTQ+ nightlife

Palm Springs is one of the most visible LGBTQ+ travel destinations in the world, and Arenas Road is its center, with bars, clubs, and cabarets that stay busy late. Palm Springs Pride usually takes place in early November, so book ahead. Check the dates before you plan.

54. Casinos and shows

The valley has several tribal casinos. The nearest are Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage and the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs in downtown Palm Springs; Fantasy Springs in Indio and Morongo in Cabazon are a short drive away. All of them host concerts and shows, and some are worth planning a night around, especially if you are seeking indoor New Year’s Eve activities or late-night entertainment.

54. Casinos and shows

55. Live music and theater

The McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert brings touring musicians, dance companies, and comedians, and it is the valley’s most established performance hall. For a rougher, more rural night, Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown books national acts. See the day trips section.

What sports and water activities can you do in Palm Springs?

The valley is a golf town, a tennis town and, since a few years ago, a surf town. All three are worth knowing about even if you are not an athlete.

Stop	Season	Location	Who it is for	Book ahead
Golf	Winter is peak; ask about summer twilight rates	Across the valley	Players	Yes in high season
Indian Wells Tennis Garden	BNP Paribas Open each March	Indian Wells	Spectators	Yes, hotels fill early
Palm Springs Surf Club	Check the club’s site	Palm Springs	Surfers and beginners	Yes, reserve sessions
DSRT Surf	Sessions run Friday through Sunday, starting every hour	Palm Desert	Surfers and beginners	Yes, reserve sessions online

56. Golf

The Coachella Valley has well over 100 golf courses, and winter is peak season. Most golfers recognize PGA West in La Quinta, Desert Willow in Palm Desert, and Indian Wells Golf Resort. The American Express tournament, held in La Quinta each January, brings the PGA Tour to the valley. If you are traveling in summer, ask about twilight rates and play early.

57. Indian Wells Tennis Garden

The Indian Wells Tennis Garden hosts the BNP Paribas Open each March, one of the biggest tennis tournaments outside the four majors. Its main stadium is among the world’s largest tennis venues. Hotels fill up, and prices rise, so book early.

58. Palm Springs Surf Club

The Palm Springs Surf Club has a large wave pool, a strange and fun sight in the middle of the desert. Reserve sessions ahead, and ask whether spectators are welcome.

59. DSRT Surf (Palm Desert)

DSRT Surf officially opened to the public on September 26, 2026, making it the second operating surf park in the Coachella Valley. Surf sessions begin every hour, Friday through Sunday. First-time surfers can book a Learn-to-Surf Experience, which includes 30 minutes of land instruction followed by a 60-minute guided session in the water.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs with kids?

Pick stops where kids pay little or nothing, and plan the day around the heat. Many of the best kid stops are indoors or shaded.

Stop	Best age	Setting	Heat plan	Plan on
The Living Desert	All ages	Mostly outdoors	Book a morning slot in hot months	A half day
Children’s Discovery Museum	Under about ten	Indoors	Good for 105-degree days	A few hours
Cabazon Dinosaurs	All ages	Outdoors	Short stop only	Short, pair with Hadley’s or the outlets
Palm Springs Air Museum	All ages	Covered hangars	Shade all day	3 hours recommended
Aerial Tramway	Ages 3 to 10 have a kid fare	Cool air at the top	Bring a jacket	A half day

60. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The zoo and botanical garden is in Palm Desert. Its site says it has more than 50 gardens and roughly 1,200 plant species. In the main season, last admission is at 4 p.m. Summer hours start earlier, so book a morning slot in the hot months. Kids remember the giraffe feeding experience, and it costs extra. Plan a half day. Bring a hat and a refillable bottle.

61. Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert

The Rancho Mirage museum is built for kids under about ten, with hands-on exhibits and indoor space. It is a good choice when it is 105°F, and the pool isn’t enough.

62. Cabazon Dinosaurs

The two giant concrete dinosaurs beside the I-10 in Cabazon have been roadside landmarks for decades, and they appeared in the 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Kids love them. It is a stop, not a destination, so combine it with Hadley’s or the outlets.

Posted kid prices

Attraction	Kid price	Age
Aerial Tramway	$18.95 (February 2026 notice), or $20.95 online with the $2 fee	3 to 10
Indian Canyons	$6	6 to 12
Tahquitz Canyon	$7	6 to 12
Palm Springs Air Museum	Free with a paid adult	12 and under

If you are keeping an eye on budget family travel, we would pair the Air Museum with a morning at the Living Desert on a separate day. Both need a car.

What are the best free things to do in Palm Springs?

While it may not always be listed among the cheapest destinations in the US, you can still fill a long weekend without paying for a ticket; Thursday is best because the free museum hours and VillageFest overlap, giving you a full evening for $0 in tickets. The tram isn’t free, and neither is Joshua Tree, but the vehicle fee is cheap per person when four people share a car.

Free option	Best time	The catch
Araby Trail and Museum Trail	Sunrise	Steep, no shade
Thousand Palms Oasis	Morning	Check hours and parking rules
Whitewater Preserve	Morning	Check hours before you drive
Sunnylands Center and Gardens	Cooler months, Wednesday to Sunday	Closed early June to mid-September
Palm Springs Art Museum	Thursday 5 to 8 p.m.	Advance registration recommended
VillageFest	Thursday evening	Go early, before the crowds thicken
Forever Marilyn	Any time	A 15-minute stop
Palm Springs Walk of Stars	Any time	A sidewalk stroll, so avoid midday heat
Murals and public art	Morning	Self-guided
Mid-century architecture drive	Morning light	Private homes, view from the street only

What are the best day trips from Palm Springs?

The valley around Palm Springs is a string of towns, each with its own mood. These stops are in neighboring cities, so plan to drive or take a tour. Drive times are approximate.

Place	Drive from Palm Springs	Known for	Best season	Good to know
Sunnylands	Short drive, in Rancho Mirage	Nine acres of free gardens	Mid-September to early June	Open Wednesday to Sunday; house tours sold online only
Pioneertown	About 40 minutes	Old West movie set, Pappy and Harriet’s	Cooler months for walking, any season for a show	Plan a sober driver and a late return
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum	About 20 minutes	A hand-built, 35-room pueblo	Check the museum’s site	Pairs with a mineral water soak
Palm Desert and Indian Wells	25 to 30 minutes	El Paseo, Living Desert, McCallum, Tennis Garden	Winter for golf, March for tennis	If you plan one valley day, make it Palm Desert
Rancho Mirage	Between Palm Springs and Palm Desert	Sunnylands, the River, Sunstone Spa, Children’s Discovery Museum	Mid-September to early June for Sunnylands	A good base for a gardens, spa, and meal day
La Quinta	About 40 minutes	PGA West, La Quinta Resort, Old Town	Cooler months for the Sunday farmers market	American Express tournament is in January
Cathedral City	Right next to Palm Springs	Everyday restaurants, murals, public art	Year round	A sensible place to stay when downtown rates are high
Indio and Coachella	About 35 minutes	Dates, festivals, Shields Date Garden	February Date Festival, April festivals	Expect higher prices and heavy traffic in the East Valley
Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain	About 1.5 hours each way	A shrinking lake, a hand-painted hill	Winter	It is hot; bring water and expect the smell of the lake

63. Sunnylands Center & Gardens (Rancho Mirage)

The center is at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It closes to the public each summer, from early June to mid-September. You get nine acres of gardens and more than 1.25 miles of paths, per the Rancho Mirage Chamber listing. A free 20-minute film, A Place Called Sunnylands, plays in the theater. You do not need a reservation for the center and gardens. Tours of the historic house are ticketed and sold online only. Pets are not allowed. It is our favorite free stop outside town, and a quieter outing than most paid ones.

64. Pioneertown and Pappy & Harriet's

Hollywood investors, including Roy Rogers, built Pioneertown in 1946 as an Old West film set. Today, the false-front storefronts along Mane Street make it feel like a real small town, and the main reason to go is Pappy & Harriet’s, a legendary desert roadhouse serving mesquite barbecue and hosting live rock and blues acts. It is about 50 minutes from Palm Springs and outside the city, so plan on a driver who isn’t drinking and a late return.

65. Cabot's Pueblo Museum (Desert Hot Springs)

Cabot Yerxa built this 35-room, Hopi-inspired pueblo by hand from salvaged materials, and a guided tour explains how. It is about 20 minutes from downtown and pairs easily with a mineral-water soak.

What is the weather like in Palm Springs, and how much does it rain?

Palm Springs weather is dry and sunny. Temperatures use NOAA climate normals for Palm Springs Regional Airport, as reported by Visit Palm Springs. Rain figures are 1991 to 2020 monthly normals in inches. Data checked October 2026.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Avg rain	Best move
January	71°F	48°F	1.36 in	Hikes and the tram
February	74°F	50°F	1.08 in	Modernism Week month
March	81°F	54°F	0.53 in	Easy canyon hikes
April	87°F	59°F	0.10 in	Start early
May	95°F	66°F	0.01 in	Mornings only
June	104°F	73°F	0.00 in	Morning hikes, indoor afternoons
July	109°F	79°F	0.25 in	Indoor afternoons
August	108°F	80°F	0.17 in	Indoor afternoons
September	102°F	74°F	0.21 in	Still hot, go early
October	91°F	65°F	0.21 in	Evening outings
November	79°F	53°F	0.24 in	Best all-round month
December	69°F	46°F	0.92 in	Bring layers at night

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020, Palm Springs

Rain is rare in Palm Springs, which is exactly why the desert is often considered one of the best places to travel in December and early winter. Annual totals are about 4.83 inches; January and February are the wettest months, and April through June each average under 0.1 inch. The city rarely sees snow, but the San Jacinto Mountains do in winter, so pack a jacket for the top of the tram.

What can you do in Palm Springs when it is hot?

July and August are rough for midday hikes. Average highs are 109°F in July and 108°F in August. Skip Tahquitz and Indian Canyons in the afternoon. Tahquitz is open only Friday to Sunday from July 5 to September 30, so check its hours before you plan a summer sunrise hike. Hike at sunrise, then spend the afternoon at the Air Museum’s covered hangars, the Art Museum’s galleries, a spa, a pool, or the cool air at the top of the tram. Camelot Theatres works too. VillageFest moves to a 7 p.m. start in summer for the same reason.

Which events change crowds and prices?

A few events change hotel prices and traffic enough that you should book around them.

Modernism Week. The fall edition runs October 15 to 18, 2026, and the main festival runs February 11 to 21, 2027, per NBC Palm Springs.
Golf and tennis. The American Express tournament in La Quinta is in January, making it one of the major winter events in the US, and the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells follows in March.
Coachella and Stagecoach. Indio hosts both in April, and the whole valley feels it.
Date Festival. The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival takes place in Indio in February.
Palm Springs Pride. It usually takes place in early November. Check the dates.
Tram closures. The tram lists holiday closures on November 11 and November 23 to 30, so if this is one of your chosen places to travel for Thanksgiving, you will need to plan alternative activities for those dates. Its annual maintenance closure has ended, so check the tram’s site before you plan a fall visit.

How do you get around Palm Springs without a car?

Downtown is the easy part. Because walking is the eco-friendly way to travel, it helps that the Art Museum, Forever Marilyn, and VillageFest sit close together around Museum Way and Palm Canyon Drive. Visit Greater Palm Springs says you can walk straight down Museum Way from the museum to VillageFest.

The rest is harder. Joshua Tree, Sunnylands, Pioneertown, and the Living Desert are far enough apart that we would not plan them without a car or a guided tour. Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons are on the south side of town, so plan a ride for those. Rideshare and taxis work in town but are slower and more expensive when you go out to the canyons or neighboring cities. Build your days around the downtown cluster and add one tour or rental car day.

Can you visit Palm Springs as a day trip?

Yes, if you keep it tight. The tramway says Palm Springs is about a two-hour drive, making it one of the most accessible day trips from Los Angeles or San Diego. A good day trip is the tram in the morning, lunch downtown, and an afternoon museum visit. Check your return time first. VillageFest ends at 10 p.m., so a Thursday night out needs a late ride home.

How many days do you need in Palm Springs?

Two full days cover the best things to do in Palm Springs, providing a solid base for your travel itinerary. Add a third for Joshua Tree, or for Sunnylands and the Living Desert together. We would not try all of the outside stops in one trip.

Day one. Start at Tahquitz Canyon when it opens at 7:30 a.m. Have a late breakfast downtown, then spend the hot part of the day at the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Architecture and Design Center. Drive the mid-century neighborhoods in late afternoon, and if it is Thursday, end at VillageFest.

Day two. Go to Indian Canyons and Moorten Botanical Garden in the morning. Eat lunch, rest, then visit the Air Museum in the afternoon. Take the tram at dusk with a twilight or Ride ‘n’ Dine ticket.

Day three, choose one. A full day in Joshua Tree. A valley day built around Sunnylands, El Paseo, and the Living Desert. A slow day with a spa visit, a pool, and dinner at Pappy & Harriet’s.

Quick answers

Is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway worth it?

Yes. The ride is about 10 minutes, the top is much cooler, and adult tickets are $34.95 as of the tram’s February 2026 notice. Twilight tickets are $31.95.

What is Palm Springs known for?

Mid-century modern architecture, desert hiking, spas, and its Hollywood history. Modernism Week celebrates the design side every February.

Is Palm Springs worth visiting for a weekend?

Yes. Two days cover the main things to do, and you can get around downtown without a car. Plan around Thursday night.

What is the best time to visit Palm Springs?

November is the easiest, firmly positioning the city among the best places to travel in November. The weather is mild, the canyons are open, and most attractions run full schedules.

What should you skip?

If you only have a day, skip Joshua Tree. A half day there shows you a parking lot, and the tram, a canyon, and the museums fill a day well.

Do you need a car?

For downtown, no. For Joshua Tree, Sunnylands, Pioneertown, and the canyons, yes, or book a guided tour.