31 Fun & Cool Things to Do in Palm Springs

There are so many things to do in Palm Springs — from couples massages and soaking in hot springs to gorgeous hikes and dinner with live jazz music. I’m a California local who’s made hundreds of trips to Palm Springs, and this guide will overview the can’t-miss spots in this low desert resort town.

Palm Springs is one of my favorite cities to visit when I’m looking for the purest form of rest and relaxation. I recommend bookmarking my guide to the top places to stay in Palm Springs, so you find the perfect accommodation for your trip.

Palm Springs is sure to be the retreat from suburbia you’re looking for. Here’s exactly what to do when you visit!

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31 Best Things to Do in Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs

Explore the area on an e-bike, attend a pop-up silent disco event, or catch a show at the Camelot Theater.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Downtown Palm Springs is a major draw because it has fine-dining restaurants, elegant high-end boutiques, and the bulk of Palm Springs attractions.

This area is a lively hub for entertainment. The bars and clubs are the places to be if you’re a fan of nightlife activities. And don’t miss the super fun drag brunch shows at places like Oscar’s and PS Drag Brunch! Prefer solitude? Mosey on over to one of two serene sculpture gardens on Highway 111. 

To get the most of your time downtown, I recommend renting an e-bike to explore the area, attending a pop-up silent disco event, or catching a show at the Camelot Theater.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Enjoy the scenic views of the San Jacinto Mountains.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 325-1391 | Website | Hours: 10 am-8 pm Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm Saturday-Sunday | Entrance: $30.95, adults, $18.95, children (3-10)

No trip to Palm Springs is complete without a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The tramway is a fun activity but great for those afraid of heights. 

The ride is about 10-15 minutes long and has scenic views of the San Jacinto Mountains and the Palm Springs Valley. It’s the perfect place to take photos too!

Many visitors visit the restaurant at the top and soak in the views with a hot cup of coffee or a satisfying burger. I like hiking to the top of San Jacinto from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway exit. The trail is 6 miles and 2,318 feet of gain to one of the highest mountains in California.

Palm Springs VillageFest

Enjoy the street performers or snag an ice cream cone at this family-friendly event.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 6 pm-10 pm Thursdays (October-May), 7 pm – 10 pm Thursdays (June-September) | Entrance: Free

I live just an hour from Palm Springs, so I grew up attending VillageFest. This Thursday night arts and crafts market is one of my favorite things to do here!

The Palm Springs VillageFest happens every Thursday evening in the downtown area. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s still a fun excursion. Enjoy the street performers dancing, making graffiti art live, or treat yourself to an ice cream and watch the passersby.

Palm Springs Air Museum

Get an up-close look at the fighting planes and bombers from Vietnam, WWII, and Korea at this top-rated air museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 778-6262 | Website | Hours: 10 am-5 pm, daily | Entrance: $23, adults, $21, teenagers (13-17), free, children 12 & under

Aviator fanatics congregate at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This highly-rated air museum gives visitors a rare chance to see actual fighter planes from major historical wars. Get an up-close look at the fighting planes and bombers of Vietnam, WWII, and Korea. 

The air museum employs workers and volunteers who are veterans. They give visitors first-hand information about their personal war experiences. The airplane simulators and the on-site cafe are other bonuses you don’t want to miss.

Palm Springs Art Museum

Browse the art exhibits at this historic museum founded in 1938.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 322-4800 | Website | Hours: 10 am-5 pm Friday-Monday, 12 pm-8 pm Thursdays, Closed Tuesday-Wednesday | Entrance: $16, adult, free, children 18 & under

The Palm Springs Art Museum is an attraction that is nearly as old as the town itself.

The permanent art exhibits showcase contemporary art glass sculptures. Featured exhibits house a wider variety of art styles. In addition to art, the museum also features art exhibitions and theater performances.

The Palm Springs Art Museum is free on Thursdays after 5 pm, so I recommend going during that time if you are traveling on a budget. The museum also has a high-end bistro you can indulge in after you’ve worked up an art-browsing appetite.  

Palm Canyon Drive

This area is a hub for restaurants, pubs, art galleries, and shopping.

📍 Google Maps

Palm Canyon Drive is famed for its palm tree-lined streets, which gave this California city its name. It is also home to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, commemorative plaques with the names of celebrities who either lived in Palm Springs or would frequently escape the bustle of LA to the desert town.

This area is in the historic heart of the city. You’ll find ample pubs, art galleries, boutiques, and more. This is the perfect place to go window shopping or spend the day exercising your credit card.

This street is closed to cars for VillageFest every Thursday night from 6 pm-10 pm. It remains walkable, however, which is the best way to experience Palm Canyon Drive. 

Joshua Tree National Park

This national park with the largest concentration of Joshua Trees in the world is also famed for its rock climbing routes.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 367-5500 | Website | Entrance: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, Free, disabled

Getting to Joshua Tree National Park from Palm Springs is easy — it’s less than an hour away! Joshua Tree is one of nine national parks in California and has the largest concentration of Joshua Trees in the world.

Most people make a short side trip to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs but there are many campsites, hotels, and rental homes near the park if you decide to stay in Joshua Tree.

There are so many things to do in Joshua Tree National Park, but it’s famed for its rock climbing routes. Of course, non-climbers can enjoy the many hiking trails and informative nature exhibits around the park. Be sure to stop by the Coyote Corner on Park Avenue for a Joshua Tree souvenir on your way out! 

Coachella Valley Preserve

See some of the coolest sand dunes in California at this Nature Preserve.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

The Coachella Valley Preserve is a 17,000-acre sanctuary of native California desert plants and wildlife. This protected area of bluffs and mesas also has some of the coolest sand dunes in the state. 

Hike to one of the area’s palm oases or stop by the visitor center to learn about the geologic forces that shaped the preserved ecosystem. Keep an eye out for the fringe-toed lizard, found nowhere else in the world.

Also, be mindful of the time of year you visit California if you decide to come here. The summer temperatures in Palm Springs can be brutal. Bring enough water on the hiking trails and avoid excessive exercise if temperatures exceed 100 degrees.

Mt. San Jacinto

Enjoy the view of San Jacinto State Park and the San Jacinto Mountains from the summit.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (951) 659-2607 | Website | Entrance: Free to hike, Tram fee

Hiking to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto is one of my favorite Palm Springs activities (and one of the best things to do in California)! There are views of San Jacinto State Park and the San Jacinto Mountains from the summit.

The mountain trail is also accessible from the Idyllwild side, but the trail from Palm Springs is less steep and more favorable among many mountain hikers.

Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and begin your hike from the cafe at the top. The 6-mile trail winds through pines until the 10,834-foot summit. The first tram is at 8 am and the hike usually takes beginners 6-10 hours, so plan your day accordingly.

👉 Pro Tip: You will likely be out all day on this hike. It’s best not to arrange other plans for the same day and make sure you pack enough food and water for at least 6-8 hours.

Palm Desert

This Coachella Valley town is home to many golf courses, resorts, and country clubs.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Palm Desert is only 30 minutes from Palm Springs and has its own desert character. This Coachella Valley town is home to many golf courses, resorts, and country clubs.

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens is also in Palm Desert. Visit desert-dwelling wildlife such as cheetahs and camels from around the world. Looking for entertainment? Catch a music, comedy, or dance performance at the McCallum Theatre.

People who want to shop should head straight to the El Paseo Shopping District where you’ll find loads of popular store brands and restaurants.

Golfing

Golfing in Palm Springs is a golf lover’s dream.

📍 Multiple Locations | Website

Palm Springs is a golf haven. Odds are you’ve either golfed in Palm Springs, or it’s on your to-do list if you love the sport.

There are over 100 golf courses in the Palm Springs area, so golfers can choose the best one to suit their needs. Almost all courses have incredible, 360-degree views of the towering San Jacinto Mountains.

Every January, some of the top golfers in the world play at a 4-day PGA tournament in Coachella Valley. Even if you’re a novice and don’t qualify to play in the competition, watching the professionals do what they love is equally fun.

Indian Canyons

Pack a lunch and enjoy the picturesque hiking and horseback riding trails.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 323-6018 | Website | Hours: 8 am-5 pm daily | Entrance: $12, adults, $6, children (6-12)

Indian Canyons is a group of canyons in Palm Springs with picturesque hiking and horseback riding trails. Be sure to pack a lunch because there are various picnic tables scattered throughout the desert oasis, so you can spend a good amount of time here.

Hike to Palm Canyon, a quintessential Palm Springs hike that’s one of the most popular trails in Indian Canyons. The entire trail is 15 miles long, so most hikers choose to section hike parts of it.

Discover native flora and fauna along the way and learn which were the most important to the natives of the area, the Cahuilla.

Andreas Canyon is another popular hiking area in Indian Canyons. With over 150 species of plants packed in only 0.5 miles, it’s safe to say that this area is strikingly beautiful.

Living Desert Zoo

Admire wildlife and feed the giraffes at this non-profit zoo and botanical garden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 346-5694 | Website | Hours: 8 am-5 pm daily | Entrance: $39.95, adults, $29.95, children (3-17), free, children 3 & under 

The Living Desert Zoo is a non-profit zoo and botanical garden. It has over 500 animals and is always a hit with children!

The Living Desert helps preserve the desert ecosystem and has been focused on conservation for the last five decades. A family favorite activity at the zoo is feeding the resident giraffes.

Desert Hot Springs

Take a day trip to soak in the healing waters of the natural hot springs.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Taking a day trip to Desert Hot Springs is a must. Many inns and resorts around the city have pools and spas filled with natural hot spring water that’s fed from under the town.

Desert Hot Springs provides visitors with the ultimate relaxation. Soak in the healing waters and feel your muscle aches subside. Besides hot tub relaxation, you will also find an eclectic mix of boutiques and eateries in town.

Some of the top hot springs hotels in Desert Hot Springs include Tuscan Springs Hotel & Spa, The Good House, and Mi Kasa Hot Springs. The best time to visit for thermal water is in the winter, late fall, and early spring months. 

Tahquitz Canyon Hike

Check out the waterfall, rock art, and beautiful flora found along this popular hiking route.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 416-7044 | Website | Hours: 7:30 am-5 pm, daily (Oct 1-July 4), closed Monday-Thursday (July 5-Sept 30)

The Tahquitz Canyon hike features a waterfall, rock art, and beautiful flora along the way. It’s an especially refreshing hike in the summer months.

Start at the Agua Caliente Tahquitz Visitor Center, and hike through shaded palm oases to reach a 60-foot waterfall. This area is part of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation, so look out for historic archaeological features on your hike.

Check the official Tahquitz Canyon website before you go to monitor the waterfall levels. The area is a dry desert, so there are some seasons when the waterfall isn’t flowing. Try visiting the area in the spring if you’re set on swimming.

Palm Springs Visitor Center

Learn everything you need to know about Palm Springs at this visitor center with an iconic roofline.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 347-7746 | Website | Hours: 10 am-5 pm, daily

Get all of your questions answered at the hard-to-miss Palm Springs visitor center. The huge triangular roof is an iconic landmark that welcomes hundreds of visitors daily.

You can also purchase souvenirs, maps, and gifts from the center’s gift shop. This is a must for first-time Palm Springs visitors so they can get up to date with all of the need-to-know travel information.

Ask the employees about the best golf courses, their favorite restaurants, and the best hikes around town. Traveling to a new city for the first time can be overwhelming but the folks at the Palm Springs Visitor Center make it a priority to make you feel welcome.

Resort Lounging

Spend time lounging poolside at a luxury resort.

📍 Multiple Locations | Where to Stay in Palm Springs

A trip to Palm Springs isn’t complete until you’ve lounged by a resort pool. It’s the best thing to do here, especially in the summer when temperatures are well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Palm Springs has no shortage of 4 and 5-star resorts but you can also find more affordable options in the area. Some of the more luxurious resorts are equipped with full spas and classy bistros in-house.

🛏️ Looking for a luxury hotel? The Ritz Carlton is the most high-end resort in Palm Springs. The pool is immaculate, there are two restaurants in the hotel, and views of the mountains from every room. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort is another popular resort option.

Moorten Botanical Garden

Enjoy 1 acre of serene botanical gardens in California’s low desert.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 327-6555 | Website | Hours: 10 am-4 pm daily, closed Wednesdays | Entrance: $5, adults $2, children (5-15), free, children 4 & under

The main focus at Moorten Botanical Garden is cacti and other desert plants that thrive in Southern California’s scorching summer heat.

This is a popular place to take photos, so visit Moorten in your best dress. Many couples take wedding or engagement photos among the prickly pear and cholla of the botanical gardens.

Guided tours are available at the botanical gardens but they fill up quickly, so you will want to book in advance. Plants are also available for purchase, so make sure you visit with some cash.

Chino Canyon

Take in the views from above over one of the steepest canyons in the U.S.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Chino Canyon is a dense outcropping with thick palm tree oases and huge boulders.

This 5.5-mile-long canyon is one of the steepest in the United States. Soak in the views on your way to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and keep an eye out for the bighorn sheep that scale the canyon cliffs.

There are small hikes and waterfalls through the canyon and birds of prey soaring overhead. Chino Canyon is a good spot for bird-watching or going on a picnic with a loved one.

Thousand Palms Oasis

Come to this spot for hiking, bird-watching, or picnicking.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 343-1234 | Website | Hours: 7 am-5 pm daily, closed Mondays & Tuesdays | Entrance: Free

Head to this nature reserve if you are set on hiking, bird-watching, or picnicking while in Palm Springs. As the name implies, there are thousands of palms here.

The Thousand Palms Oasis is nestled at the feet of the Indo Hills, and the preserve encompasses over 20,000 acres of desert wilderness. Entrance is completely free for visitors and the area has a visitor center, the “Palm House,” that’s filled with informational goodness.

The area also has an equestrian center so you can take your little ones horseback riding through the desert hills. There may even be watering holes in the spring months, so be sure to bring a bathing suit and towel if you visit at this time.

Coachella Music Festival

See some of the world’s biggest artists at this annual music festival.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 863-4422 | Website | Hours: Seasonal

The Coachella Music Festival is one of the biggest festivals in California. Coachella is only 40 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. 

While the festival has risen in popularity in the past few years, it has actually been around since 1999. Today, you can see some of the world’s biggest artists at this annual music fest that typically lasts three days. 

Stay at Coachella’s Safari glamping campgrounds to experience desert luxury. Safari has canvas tents, yurts, and mini cabins available for festival-goers. They’re equipped with two double beds, clean towels, air conditioning, restrooms, and a pool lounge area.

Stagecoach Music Festival

Country music fans will love this annual music festival that takes place in the spring.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (562) 431-6299 | Hours: Seasonal

Country music lovers come to Stagecoach from all over America. This is one of the biggest music festivals in California, right behind Coachella. The annual music festival typically occurs the last weekend in April, so arrange your trip around that time if you are a country music fanatic.

Stagecoach Music Festival hosts some of country music’s biggest stars. Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Billy Ray Cyrus are some artists who have been at this multi-day festival.

Purple Room Supper Club

Listen to live music or comedy at this old-timey dinner club.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 322-4422 | Website | Hours: 4 pm-10 pm Tuesday-Thursday, 6 pm-10 pm Friday & Saturday, 5 pm-9 pm Sundays, Closed Mondays

The Purple Room Supper Club is an old-timey dinner club where you can listen to live music or comedy as you experience some of the finest dining in town. 

Celebrities and travelers alike congregate at the Purple Room, which opened in the 1960s, for the ultimate night out. Experience the elegance of the era as you listen to music from the 60s and earlier.

The dimly lit atmosphere is incredibly romantic, making it ideal for a date night. Be sure to try one of the house specialty cocktails and order a rideshare home to be extra cautious. 

Tennis

Check out top-of-the-line tennis clubs and the world-famous Paribas Open.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 200-8400 | Website | Hours: Seasonal, March | Entrance: Tournament packages start at $500

In addition to being a golf haven, Palm Springs is also known for top-of-the-line tennis clubs. Every March, the world-famous Paribas Open is hosted at the Indian Wells Tennis Center in La Quinta, only 20 miles east of Palm Springs.  

You’re in luck if you prefer to brush up on your tennis skills rather than watching the professionals. There are tennis courts everywhere you look in Palm Springs, from country clubs to public parks.

Agua Caliente Casino

Gamble or simply enjoy the 5-star spa and refreshing outdoor pools at this casino.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 999-1995 | Website | Hours: 24 hours

The Agua Caliente Casino is much more than a place to gamble. It’s also an acclaimed hotel with a 5-star spa and refreshing outdoor pools. A trip to this luxurious casino just might result in a lucky payout, making this destination a must for an adults-only getaway.

Some of the best Palm Springs restaurants are in the Agua Caliente Casino too, like The Steakhouse and Java Caliente. I recommend ordering the porkchop from The Steakhouse — it’s a mouthwatering delicacy. 

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

This cultural museum pays tribute to the Cahuilla peoples who have inhabited the area for hundreds of years.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 778-1079 | Website | Hours: 10 am-5 pm Tuesday-Sunday, closed Monday | Entrance: $10, adults, $ 5 children (6-17), free, children 5 & under

This cultural museum pays tribute to the Cahuilla people who have inhabited the area for hundreds of years. Come here to get to know the city’s history. Find this museum at the corner of Indian Canyon Drive and E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Downtown Palm Springs.

Witness cultural handicrafts like woven baskets and ceramic pottery at the museum’s exhibits. This is a great activity for the whole family to learn more about the Native cultures in the area.

Cathedral City

Take a short drive from Palm Springs to visit the second-largest desert city in Coachella Valley.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Cathedral City is the second-largest desert city in Coachella Valley. I highly recommend this day trip if you have multiple days in Palm Springs and want to get acquainted with the surrounding area.

Cathedral City is a desert oasis with Spanish-style architecture backdropped by the San Jacinto Mountains. Enjoy the town’s abundant display of art from street sculptures to galleries. Cathedral City displays creativity at its best.

There are also fun annual Cathedral City events like the Hot Air Balloon Festival and the Food Truck Fiesta. Check to see when these events are beforehand so you don’t miss out on the fun while you’re in town.

Ladder Canyon

You won’t believe you’re not in Utah with a trip inside the sandstone slot canyons of Ladder Canyon.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours

Painted Canyon to Ladder Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in California. Enjoy a 4.5-mile roundtrip trek through the Mecca Hills Wilderness just outside Palm Springs.

Take a trip inside the sandstone slot canyons of Ladder Canyon. Climb up steep ladders next to canyon waterfalls for a true adrenaline rush. 

Plan 2-3 hours to complete the hike and make sure to bring plenty of water, especially in the summer. 4-wheel drive is not required but it is highly recommended, as you will be driving on a dirt road to reach the Ladder Canyon trailhead.

San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour

Experience the palm oases from a unique perspective with a jeep tour over the iconic San Andreas Fault.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 641-4652 | Website | Hours: 8 am-4 pm daily | Entrance: $175 per person

Experience the palm oases of Palm Springs from a unique perspective with a jeep tour over the iconic San Andreas Fault. Be prepared for a bumpy ride as you traverse rocks and trudge through muddy canyons.

Be sure to bring sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, as many tours are 3-4 hours long and are in the exposed sun. Your tour guide will take you to remote parts of the Palm Springs Mojave Desert, and inform you about native flora and fauna as well as geological history.  

San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm

There are over 1,200 wind turbines here, making it one of the biggest wind energy farms in California.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

When California locals think of Palm Springs, we automatically think of the giant windmills that mark the entrance to the city. A trip to the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm will provide you with some of the best photos next to the white giants.

There are over 1,200 wind turbines at the farm, making it one of the biggest wind energy farms in California. You can explore the iconic windmills on your own or book an informational tour with a local.

Cabazon Dinosaurs

Don’t miss one of the most iconic roadside attractions in Southern California.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (909) 272 8164 | Website | Hours: 9 am-6 pm Monday-Thursday, 9 am-7:30 pm Friday-Sunday | Entrance: $15, adults, $13, children (3-12)

Small children (and adults!) adore visiting the Cabazon Dinosaurs. The dinosaurs are one of the most iconic roadside attractions in SoCal and have become a staple on the I-10 freeway in their 50 years of existence.

You can visit the museum and roam around a land of dinosaurs for only a small fee. Say hello to the famous dinosaurs, Mr. Rex and Dinny, who are usually dressed up decoratively for the holidays. 

The Cabazon Dinosaur exhibit is on the way to Palm Springs and is a great stop to switch drivers, stretch the legs, or have a roadside snack.

FAQs About What to Do in Palm Springs

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I hope you found my ultimate guide to attractions in Palm Springs helpful! Enjoy the fun and relaxation during your trip. Want even more ideas for where to go in the Golden State? Be sure to check out my guide on romantic getaways in California to help plan additional trips!