33+ EPIC & Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a wildly popular vacation destination only growing in popularity each year. Visitors from all over the country and world come to this desert oasis not just for Coachella, but also for a wide range of epic and fun things to do in Palm Springs.
Whether you’re in town to catch some sun and lay by the pool, hike in the desert mountains, or shop along Palm Canyon Drive, you’re sure to have a wonderful trip to this legendary SoCal town.
Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs
1. Explore Art and Sculpture at the Palm Springs Art Museum
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One of my favorite places in Palm Springs is the Palm Springs Art Museum. The permanent collection includes so many impressive works of art from some of the most recognized names in the art world — Mark Rothko, Ansel Adams, Man Ray, Edward Weston, and R.C. Gorman.
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The museum’s rotating exhibitions are equally as impressive. A visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum is a must if you love thought-provoking art!
2. Take a Walking Tour with the Palm Springs Historical Society
One of the best ways to get acquainted with Palm Springs culture and history is by taking a walking tour. The Palm Springs Historical Society offers several tours for a small fee throughout the city of Palm Springs. You can choose from tours of Frank Sinatra’s neighborhood, Golden Era Hollywood Homes, and more. A good one for history buffs!
3. Experience Mid-Century Modern Architecture
If you aren’t yet familiar, Palm Springs is renowned for its incredible display of mid-century modern architecture. Touring the city’s many awe-inspiring architectural wonders is a must-do during your first trip to Palm Springs.
Many historic homes in Palm Springs were originally built for celebrities back in the 1940s and 50s. For example, Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway is located in Palm Springs, but is now no longer available for tours. Elizabeth Taylor, Liberace, Bob Hope, and Lucille Ball are just a few celebrities who used to frequent the area.
Today, you can still take a self-guided architecture tour to see works by Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Donald Wexler, William Krisel, William Cody, Albert Frey, and more. The Palm Springs Visitor Center, Tramway Shell Station, and the Dinah Shore Residence are a few gems located on the tour.
4. Go Window Shopping Along Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Canyon Drive is the “main drag” of downtown Palm Springs. Strolling along Palm Canyon is one of the many fun things to do in Palm Springs’ downtown area. Many small local boutiques and well-known retailers alike are located on this street.
Have fun popping into Brandini toffee, H&M, West Elm, and Prickly Per Boutique. Then, grab a drink at Las Casuelas Terraza for delicious, authentic Mexican food.
5. Take Pictures from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
One of the most popular and fun things to do in Palm Springs among first time visitors is taking the aerial tramway up to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains. As the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world, the Palm Springs aerial tramway offers incredible views of the Coachella Valley and the incredibly detailed, rocky mountain terrain below.
Once you get up to the top of the tramway, you can check out the restaurants, natural history museum, and over 50 hiking trails in the area. Bring a jacket or coat – it can actually get quite chilly up there! Temperatures typically drop around 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit
The aerial tramway is one of the most popular activities in Palm Springs. I recommend booking your tickets in advance through GetYourGuide.
6. Get Up Close with Giraffes at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
Have you ever fed a giraffe? At the Living Desert Zoo, you can! For a small fee, you can give the giraffes a few leaves to chomp on.
Then, explore the rest of the zoo. Rated one of the 10 best zoos in the US by Condé Nast Traveler, the Living Desert is great for all ages. You can see over 500 animals, including rhinocero, kangaroo, emu, helmeted guineafowl and more.
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I love the Living Desert because it’s a zoo that operates by a strong mission of conservation. The zoo and its staff actively work on reintroduction and recovery efforts to help endangered species. Through financial grants and more support, the zoo is able to fund important field research and more.
7. Go to the Palm Springs Thursday Night Street Fair (VillageFest)
This one definitely tops the list of fun things to do in Palm Springs! The Thursday night VillageFest is an outdoor street fair that’s been going on for YEARS now.
Come out for live music, food, and vendors selling art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and more, many made by local artisans. If you like exploring markets much like me, this one is a must for your visit to Palm Springs.
8. Visit the Palm Springs Air Museum
This is a good one for anyone who loves exploring the world of aircraft and aviation. The Palm Springs Air Museum offers a remarkable collection of aircraft from as early as WWII to today.
You can see iconic aircraft like the P-51 Mustang, B-17 Flying Fortress, F-4 Phantom, and F-14 Tomcat. I haven’t personally visited the Palm Springs Air Museum myself because I’m not interested in aviation, but if you are, this is a very fun thing to do in Palm Springs!
9. Explore Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage
Sunnylands is located just outside of Palm Springs, in Rancho Mirage. Come here for a relaxing afternoon browsing the gardens, grounds, and art there. Formerly the winter residence of Walter and Leonore Annenberg (the magazine moguls behind TV Guide and Seventeen), Sunnylands is also a midcentury modern gem designed by architect A. Quincy Jones.
You can take a guided tour to learn more about the history, art, and significance of the estate. You’ll get to hear insider stories about the Annenbergs and their world-renowned guests. The Annenbergs worked to promote education, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, which makes Sunnylands a very special place in the Coachella Valley.
10. See Cacti at Moorten Botanical Garden
Moorten Botanical Garden is renowned for its diverse collection of desert plants from around the world. You can explore the garden’s many pathways and observe all the cacti, succulents, and more desert plants. It’s a small and charming place, where you could spend about an hour or maybe two wandering around.
11. Hike Tahquitz Canyon
Hiking in Palm Springs is a really fun activity in Palm Springs, especially because there are many trails throughout the area. Tahquitz Canyon is a gorgeous 1.8-mile loop trail that takes you through the canyon, where you can see rugged cliffs and rock formations.
The best part? Halfway through the trail, you’ll run into Tahquitz Falls – a waterfall! If you’re hiking on a particularly hot day, you can even dip your toes in the pool of water surrounding the waterfall. It’s so cold, but so refreshing!
12. Hike the Bump N Grind
Another great hike in the Palm Springs area is the Bump ‘N Grind trail. This trail is 3 miles long and has a variety of ups and downs, so come prepared with good hiking shoes. It’s a great workout – I’ve done this hike myself many times alone or with a hiking buddy – and offers great views of the city below.
13. Take a Tour of the Palm Springs Windmills
If you’re driving into Palm Springs from San Diego or Los Angeles, you’ll likely see the famous windmills dotting the landscape alongside the I-10 freeway. If you’re just as fascinated by these renewable energy devices as me, then I highly recommend you take a tour!
In the guided tour of the Palm Springs windmills, you’ll learn how these windmills harness the power of wind to generate electricity. You’ll also get the chance to take a closer look at the iconic windmills against the picturesque landscape of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains.
14. Pamper Yourself at One of Palm Springs’ Many Spas
Palm Springs is known for its luxurious spas, offering a variety of services from massages to facials, and more. Unwind and pamper yourself at one of the many spas in the area, like Well Spa at Miramonte Resort or The Palm Springs Yacht Club at Parker Palm Springs, a design lover’s dream.
15. Go to Joshua Tree National Park for the Day
Take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park for a hike surrounded by a beautiful desert landscape. You’ll be drawn to the out-of-this-world, odd, and even bizarre look of the Joshua trees scattered throughout this park.
You can also explore the cholla cactus garden, but watch out for the prickles! If you step on a fallen cactus bulb, it can be quite painful. Also, it’s not a good idea to bring your dog through this area (I learned this firsthand – my poor pup got cactus needles in his paws!).
16. Get a Selfie with the Cabazon Dinosaurs
If you’re a fan of roadside attractions and prehistoric creatures, then you won’t want to miss the opportunity to get a selfie with the Cabazon Dinosaurs! These towering sculptures of a T-Rex and a Brontosaurus are always a favorite among visitors ever since they were first constructed in the 1960s.
These two iconic dinos have even been featured in movies like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “The Wizard”! Strike a pose and have some fun with it.
17. Shop & Dine on El Paseo
El Paseo, which is actually in Palm Desert about 20 minutes from Palm Springs proper, is known as the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert. It’s a true shopper’s paradise, with over 250 shops and restaurants.
From high-end fashion boutiques to art galleries and jewelry stores, El Paseo is all outdoors, which makes for a lovely day shopping around and browsing the stores.
There are also many great restaurants on El Paseo. A few favorites I’ve been to multiple times include: The Fix, Thai Smile, Fresh Agave, Kitchen 86, and Armando’s.
18. Grab a Date Shake at Shields
For a delicious and refreshing treat in Palm Springs, head to Shields for a date shake! This iconic roadside stand has been serving up date shakes since 1953, and they’re still just as popular today. Made with locally grown dates, vanilla ice cream, and milk, these shakes are a sweet and creamy delight. Yum!!
You can order a shake and then head out to a picnic table outside to enjoy the desert landscape. As you can imagine, there are also a variety of other date products available for purchase at Shields, like date bread, candy, and cookies, along with dates on their own.
You can even take a self-guided audio tour of the Shields date farm.
19. Have a Dutch Baby at Elmer’s
Hands-down the best place for breakfast in Palm Springs is Elmer’s. Anddd you gotta get a Dutch Baby. This classic breakfast dish is made with a light and fluffy pancake batter that’s baked in a cast-iron skillet until it’s puffed up and golden brown. Sounds good, right?
It comes out of the oven piping hot with a dusting of powdered sugar. You get a bunch of lemon slices you can squeeze on top of this delicious sugary creation.
Elmer’s has been a Palm Springs institution since 1960 and is known for its classic American comfort food and friendly service. A must for your first visit to Palm Springs!
20. Attend One of Palm Springs’ MANY Events
Palm Springs hosts literally SO many events and festivals throughout the year. A few include: the Palm Springs International Film Festival (January), Coachella Music Festival (April), Stagecoach (April) Modernism Week (February), and the Desert X art exhibition (every two years in April/May.
You could catch the BNP Paribas Open, an international tennis tournament which comes to Indian Wells every year in March.
21. Indulge in the Many Dining Options in Palm Springs
Foodies, get ready. Palm Springs is a paradise for those who love good food, offering a wide variety of dining options to suit every taste and budget. There are upscale options and casual coffee shops, too.
A few of my favorite restaurants in the Palm Springs area that I’ve been to personally: Lulu’s, Farm, Cheeky’s, Boozehounds, Azucar, Hadley Fruit Orchards (for a date shake if you can’t make it to Shields!), Bill’s Pizza, and Norma’s.
22. Get a Cupcake from Over the Rainbow Bakery
One of my favorite hidden gems in Palm Springs! Over the Rainbow is tucked away in the Smoke Tree Shopping Center on Palm Canyon Drive. You’d easily miss it if you didn’t know it was there!
Over the Rainbow has some of the BEST cakes and cupcakes I’ve ever had in my life. I ordered a custom cake here once for a friend’s birthday and it came out so good.
Their menu rotates daily, so be sure to check their website for the flavors of the day! Some of their most exciting flavors include rainbow funfetti, Southern red velvet, meyer lemon, and vanilla bean dream.
23. See the Famous RoboLights of Palm Springs
RoboLights is a unique art installation located in Palm Springs that features thousands of lights and sculptures. Created by artist Kenny Irwin Jr., RoboLights is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the area. You’ll be in awe of all the inventive and quirky sculptures here.
Robolights is free – there is no fee to enter, but you are encouraged to make a donation. However, keep in mind that you must make a reservation in advance (contact (760) 774-0318 or pigeonyolk@aol.com) for your visit.
Also keep in mind that the exhibit IS quite honestly a little bit creepy in some ways. Just a heads up.
24. Take a Gondola Ride at Marriott JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Although not quite as famous as the gondola rides of Venice, Italy, the gondola at the Marriott Desert Springs comes pretty close! The resort features a network of canals and waterways that wind through the property, and guests can board a gondola for a relaxing tour.
The gondolas are modeled after the traditional Venetian boats and are manned by expert gondoliers who will serenade you with Italian songs as you glide through the water. The ride is especially magical in the evening when the lights of the resort create a stunning ambiance!
25. Shop at The River in Rancho Mirage
The River in Rancho Mirage is one of the best places for shopping in Rancho Mirage. Because it’s all outdoors, you get a real California feel here. I can remember when The River first opened back in the early 2000s. A lot of restaurants and stores have changed over the years — there actually used to be a Forever 21 here!
Today, you can find a Yardhouse, Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s, Five Guys and a Ben and Jerry’s here. And of course, there’s a man-made water feature aka “river” that runs through the shopping center.
26. Cabot’s Pueblo Museum
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is a unique attraction located in Desert Hot Springs that’s worth a visit. The museum is housed in a large, hand-built structure that was created by Cabot Yerxa, a local artist and visionary.
You can explore the museum’s many rooms and galleries, which feature a variety of art and artifacts from the area.
27. Take a Look at the Baby On The Move sculptures
When you walk through downtown Palm Springs, head to Museum Way (the street with the Marylin Monroe sculpture). Look down and you’ll see the “Baby On The Move” sculptures. These are really thought-provoking sculptures of little babies crawling on the floor below.
You kind of have to see it to understand exactly what it is, if you know what I mean. It’s a fun thing to do in Palm Springs that makes a great photo opp!
28. Take a Selfie with the Sonny Bono Statue
The Sonny Bono Statue is a popular attraction located in downtown Palm Springs. The statue honors the late singer and politician, who was also the mayor of Palm Springs. Strike a pose and snag a selfie with Sonny!
29. Watch a Live Show at the McCallum Theatre
The McCallum Theatre is one of the largest performing arts venues located in Palm Desert. A fun thing to do in Palm Springs is attend one of the theater’s shows, ranging from Broadway musicals to classical music concerts.
Be sure to check the schedule and catch a live show during your visit to Palm Springs if you love the performing arts.
30. Check Out a Local Brewery
Palm Springs is home to several local breweries – a few include La Quinta Brewing Co, Coachella Valley Brewing Company, and Babe’s BBQ and Brewing.
I think it’s always fun to check out local brews wherever I travel to get a sense of the local flavors, quite literally.
31. Grab Happy Hour
I could probably write an entire blog post about all the best happy hours in Palm Springs (if you’d like to see that, let me know in the comments!), but for now, I’ll quickly mention a few.
- Boozehounds: My new favorite dog-friendly spot! Hours: Daily, 2 – 5pm; $4 beer, $7 cocktails.
- Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar: A hidden gem! Daily in the bar, 3 – 6pm; discounted drinks.
- El Jefe Desert Cantina: Located inside the Saguaro hotel. Mon. – Fri., 2 – 6pm. Taco Tues. & Thur. 6 – 9pm; $5 drink specials and tacos for $5 on taco Tuesdays.
32. Catch a Jazz Show at the Purple Room
The Purple Room is a classic Palm Springs destination that’s known for its live music and entertainment. Be sure to catch a jazz show at this iconic venue and enjoy a night of great music and good company!
33. Relax by the Pool
Why go far when you can just hang and soak up the sun at your hotel’s pool? Taking some time to relax, meditate, or read a good book by the pool is a must!
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
Mostly, you’ll be choosing between a vacation rental or a hotel. If you’re traveling solo, I recommend a boutique hotel, although it might be a bit on the pricey side. If you’re with a big group, VBRO is the way to go.
When you stay at a hotel, you’ll likely be able to enjoy the pool and possible onsite restaurants. However, a home rental will give you more space and privacy.
How to Get to Palm Springs
You can easily get to Palm Springs by car from San Diego or Los Angeles. If you’re flying in, you’ll fly to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) which offers flights from most major cities in the U.S. and Canada.
You could also take the bus from Los Angeles or San Diego via Flixbus, which I recommend if you don’t have a car, instead of taking the Amtrak train. The Amtrak is, unfortunately, unreliable and stops at odd times in the middle of the night in Palm Springs.
The Best Time to Visit Palm Springs
The best time to visit Palm Springs is during the fall, winter, and spring months when the weather is still mild and not too hot. Usually the temperatures range from the mid-60s to mid-80s. You can pack light and also take advantage of hiking and lounging by the pool with temps like these *almost* year round!
It’s not always a good idea to come to Palm Springs in the summer. From May to early September, it can get extremely hot, with temperatures often getting to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Yikes!
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
Want tips on the best hotels in Palm Springs? Check out my guides on the Most Instagram-Worthy Hotels in Palm Springs and the Most Romantic Hotels for Couples in Palm Springs.
Questions? Leave me a comment – I’ll get back to you!
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Planning a trip right now? Here are a few of my top resources I use to book every trip.
Booking.com for great deals on hotels.
Get Your Guide for incredible tours around the world.
SafetyWing for travel insurance for digital nomads and long-term travelers.
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Love this! Found you on Pinterest and I love your Content!
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