Photo: Patrick Pelster · CC BY-SA 3.0Travel guide
Discover the best things to do in Palm Springs, from the Aerial Tramway and Indian Canyons to midcentury modern homes, pools, VillageFest and day trips.
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Palm Springs is a desert resort city at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains, and the best things to do in Palm Springs range from riding a rotating tram up to cool pine forests to hiking palm-filled canyons, touring midcentury modern homes and lounging by a pool under a bright blue sky.
You can spend a morning in the Indian Canyons, an afternoon at the Palm Springs Art Museum and an evening strolling the Thursday night street fair on Palm Canyon Drive.
What makes Palm Springs special is its blend of nature, design and Hollywood glamour. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has lived here for centuries, and much of the city sits on its reservation, established in 1876.
In the twentieth century, movie stars escaped Los Angeles for the desert, and architects such as Albert Frey, Richard Neutra, Stewart Williams and William Krisel built the homes, banks and hotels that now draw design lovers from around the world, especially during Modernism Week each February.
This guide is built to be comprehensive, whether you have a single weekend, a family week or a long getaway with friends.
We organize Palm Springs by mood and traveler, with fun, free, family-friendly, adults-only, romantic, nighttime and indoor picks, then move through the seasons and the neighborhoods so you can build a trip that fits the way you like to travel.
📍 Chino Canyon
Opened in 1963, the tramway carries visitors in rotating cars, added in 2000, from the Valley Station at about 2,600 feet to the Mountain Station at about 8,500 feet in roughly ten minutes. At the top, trails wind through the pine forests of Mount San Jacinto State Park. Bring layers, as it is often much cooler.
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📍 South Palm Springs
Owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Indian Canyons include Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon, with streams, rock formations and groves of California fan palms. Trails range from easy walks to longer hikes, and rangers lead guided hikes in season. Check the seasonal hours before you go.
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📍 South Palm Springs
This sacred canyon of the Agua Caliente people is home to a seasonal waterfall at the end of a rocky loop trail of about two miles. The visitor center has exhibits on Cahuilla culture. Start early, carry water and check the hours, as the canyon is managed by the tribe.
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📍 Downtown
Set at the foot of the mountains, the museum displays modern and contemporary art, glass, Native American and Western art, along with architecture and design exhibitions. Admission is free on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m., funded by the city.
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📍 Downtown
Part of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, this museum tells the story of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians through exhibits, art and an oasis-inspired garden. It is open Tuesday to Sunday and sits next to the Spa at Séc-he.
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📍 Downtown
This large day spa, owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, draws on the Agua Caliente hot mineral spring that gave the city its first name. Soak in mineral pools, book a treatment and relax in the gardens of the cultural plaza.
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📍 Citywide
Palm Springs has one of the best collections of midcentury modern architecture in the world. Drive, cycle or join a guided tour to see Albert Frey's Tramway Gas Station, the Alexander homes of Vista Las Palmas, Stewart Williams' banks and the Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra from the street.
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📍 North Palm Springs
The city's visitor center occupies the former Tramway Gas Station, a 1965 building by Albert Frey and Robson Chambers with a dramatic swooping roof. It is a classic first stop for maps, advice and photos.
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📍 Rancho Mirage
The former winter estate of Walter and Leonore Annenberg hosted presidents, royalty and celebrities. Its visitor center and desert gardens are free to visit, while tours of the historic house require tickets sold online. It closes for the summer.
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📍 South Palm Springs
This family-run garden displays thousands of desert plants, cacti and succulents from around the world, along with a cactarium greenhouse. It is a short, charming visit on South Palm Canyon Drive.
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📍 Airport
Next to Palm Springs International Airport, this museum displays World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War aircraft in hangars, along with exhibits and occasional flights. Allow a few hours.
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📍 Downtown & Uptown
The city's palm-lined main street runs through downtown and the Uptown Design District, with restaurants, patios, hotels, galleries, vintage furniture and design shops, and the stars of the Walk of Stars underfoot. It is the best place in town to stroll, shop and graze.
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📍 Downtown
Every Thursday night, Palm Canyon Drive closes to cars for a street fair with artists, crafts, food vendors and music. It runs from 6 to 10 p.m. from October to May, and later in summer.
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📍 Downtown
Part of the Palm Springs Art Museum, this center occupies a former savings and loan building designed by Stewart Williams, with exhibitions on architecture and design. It is a natural starting point for an architecture tour.
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📍 Downtown
Nearly 500 stars set into the sidewalks of Palm Canyon Drive and nearby streets honor celebrities and local figures with ties to Palm Springs, from Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley.
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📍 Downtown
Opened in 1936, this historic theater reopened in late 2025 after a restoration of about $34 million, with its starfield ceiling restored. It hosts performances, films and events in the heart of downtown.
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📍 Joshua Tree
About an hour from Palm Springs, this national park is famous for its twisted Joshua trees, giant boulders and starry skies. Go in the cooler months, bring plenty of water and plan a full day.
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📍 Palm Desert
About 25 minutes away in Palm Desert, this zoo and garden is devoted to desert animals and plants from around the world, with giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos and a large Australian area.
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📍 Downtown
Built in 1884, this adobe is one of the oldest buildings in Palm Springs and now houses the Palm Springs Historical Society, with photos and stories from the city's pioneer and Hollywood years. Ask about its downtown walking tours.
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📍 Cabazon
West of Palm Springs along Interstate 10, two giant roadside dinosaurs, Dinny and Mr. Rex, have been a classic road trip stop for decades. They are fun for a quick photo on the way in or out of town.
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📍 Mount San Jacinto
Reached by the Aerial Tramway, this mountain wilderness offers miles of trails through pine forests, meadows and granite peaks, with snow in some winters. Wilderness permits are required for some hikes, available at the ranger station.
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📍 Thousand Palms
This preserve protects palm oases along the San Andreas Fault, with easy trails through fan palm groves and desert scenery. It is a peaceful alternative to the busier canyons.
📍 View on Google Maps →The most fun things to do in Palm Springs combine the outdoors with a playful sense of style. Few places make it so easy to ride a tram up a mountain in the morning, swim in a pool in the afternoon and end the night at a tiki bar or a drag brunch.
These picks mix classic attractions with activities that locals actually enjoy, so you can sample the city's playful side whatever your budget and pace.
Ride a rotating tram car up to the cool pine forests of Mount San Jacinto.
Book a day at a hotel pool and soak up the sun with mountain views.
Stroll Thursday night's street fair on Palm Canyon Drive.
Ride into the desert and along the San Andreas Fault with a local guide.
Catch a wave in the middle of the desert.
Cycle past celebrity homes and midcentury houses.
Sip tropical cocktails at a classic Palm Springs tiki lounge.
Tour homes and join parties celebrating midcentury design in February.
Pose with giant roadside dinosaurs west of town.
Join one of the country's biggest Pride celebrations in November.
There are many free things to do in Palm Springs, from street fairs and museums to architecture drives and desert preserves. The Palm Springs Art Museum is free on Thursday evenings, VillageFest is free to stroll, and Sunnylands Center & Gardens charges nothing for its gardens.
These picks prove that some of the city's best experiences cost nothing at all.
Free admission from 5 to 8 p.m., funded by the city.
A free Thursday night street fair downtown.
Free gardens and exhibits in Rancho Mirage, closed in summer.
See the Alexander homes, the Frey gas station and midcentury banks.
Admire Albert Frey's swooping gas station roof.
Spot nearly 500 stars along Palm Canyon Drive.
Browse vintage furniture and design stores.
A shady downtown park for a picnic break.
Free trails through palm oases.
A steep, free hike from behind the art museum with city views.
A shady park with tennis courts and lawns.
Snap a photo of the giant Marilyn Monroe statue downtown.
A small park in the heart of downtown with public art.
Free holiday parade on Palm Canyon Drive in December.
Enjoy dark desert skies away from the city lights.
Palm Springs is a fun destination for families, with a mountain tram, desert hikes, aircraft, a zoo nearby and pools everywhere. Many attractions are best in the cooler months, while summer days are best spent in the water.
These picks cover toddlers to teens, with options for every budget.
A rotating ride up the mountain, with snow in some winters.
Giraffes, cheetahs and desert animals in Palm Desert.
Historic warplanes up close.
Easy trails along streams and palm groves.
Surf lessons and pools.
Giant cacti and a cactarium.
Giant dinosaurs for photos.
Hands-on exhibits in Rancho Mirage.
Family-friendly resorts with big pools.
Street food and crafts on Thursday nights.
A desert adventure to the San Andreas Fault.
Palm Springs is a classic adult getaway, with poolside cocktails, spa days, golf, design tours and a lively nightlife, especially on Arenas Road and downtown. Many hotels are adults only. These picks focus on the experiences grown-up travelers will appreciate most.
Soak in mineral pools fed by the Agua Caliente hot spring.
Relax at a small resort with a pool and cocktails.
Home tours, lectures and parties in February.
Tropical cocktails in retro surroundings.
The heart of Palm Springs' LGBTQ+ nightlife.
Play one of the many courses in the valley.
Michelin-recommended restaurants include Workshop Kitchen + Bar and Bar Cecil.
A classic piano lounge and restaurant at the Ingleside Inn.
Gaming and entertainment downtown.
Catch a show in the restored 1936 theater.
Palm Springs is made for romance, with sunsets over the mountains, starry desert skies, intimate inns and candlelit dinners on patios. These picks highlight the city's most romantic settings for couples.
Watch the desert glow from the top of the mountain.
Book treatments at the Spa at Séc-he or a resort spa.
A Michelin-recommended brasserie with classic cocktails.
A romantic, Mediterranean-style retreat.
Watch the stars from the dark desert.
Stroll elegant desert gardens together.
Float over the Coachella Valley at sunrise.
Cocktails with mountain views downtown.
A morning hike to a seasonal waterfall.
Old Palm Springs glamour and a martini.
Palm Springs comes alive after dark, with warm evenings on patios, tiki bars, drag shows, piano lounges and a weekly street fair. These picks will help you plan evenings that suit your style.
Thursday night's street fair downtown.
LGBTQ+ bars and lounges.
Tropical cocktails late into the night.
Piano lounge and martinis.
Shows and films in a restored theater.
Gaming and entertainment downtown.
Cocktails with mountain views.
Free Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.
Dark skies just outside the city.
Catch a drag show or brunch around town.
With summer temperatures well above 100°F, Palm Springs visitors often look for cool indoor attractions. Fortunately, the city has museums, a spa, a casino, a restored theater and shopping. These picks will keep you busy whatever the weather.
Art, glass and design.
The story of the Agua Caliente people.
Mineral pools and treatments.
Aircraft in air-conditioned hangars.
Design exhibitions in a former bank by Stewart Williams.
Performances in a restored 1936 theater.
Gaming and dining downtown.
Local history in a historic adobe.
Hands-on play in Rancho Mirage.
Browse the Uptown Design District's stores.
Independent films and events.
Restaurants and exhibits at the cool top of the tram.
Palm Springs has a hot desert climate, with sunny, mild winters and extremely hot summers, when afternoon highs regularly pass 100°F (38°C). The high season runs from about October to April, when the weather is ideal for hiking, golf and outdoor dining.
Summer is quieter and cheaper, but plan outdoor activities for the early morning. Here's how to make the most of Palm Springs whenever you visit.
December brings sunny days, cool nights and holiday cheer. The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade lights up Palm Canyon Drive in early December, held on December 5 in 2026. It is a great month for hiking, golf and long lunches on a patio, and the top of the Aerial Tramway can be snowy, so bring warm layers.
January is one of the coolest and most popular months. The Palm Springs International Film Festival brings premieres and stars to town early in the month; in 2026 it ran from January 2 to 12. Clear skies make it a great time for hikes, tennis and pool days in the sun, though nights can be chilly.
February is the peak of the season for design lovers. Modernism Week fills the city with home tours, talks, parties and exhibitions; in 2026 it ran from February 12 to 22, so book tours and hotels early. Wildflowers can begin to bloom in the desert after winter rains, and the weather is ideal for exploring on foot or by bike.
Spring is warm and busy. In March, the BNP Paribas Open brings top tennis players to Indian Wells, and in April the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals fill the valley around Indio; Coachella ran over two weekends, April 10 to 12 and 17 to 19, in 2026. Book hotels early for festival weekends. Desert wildflowers and blooming cactus make spring hikes rewarding, but start early as temperatures climb.
Summer is very hot, with highs often well above 100°F (38°C), so plan hikes and walks for sunrise and spend afternoons in a pool, a museum or the cool air at the top of the Aerial Tramway. Hotel rates drop, many restaurants keep shorter hours or close for a break, and Splash House brings pool parties to hotels in August. Drink plenty of water and avoid trails in the heat of the day.
Fall brings the season back to life. The heat eases through October, restaurants reopen after their summer break and Palm Springs Pride, one of the largest in the country, fills downtown in November, held from November 6 to 8 in 2026. The Aerial Tramway reopens after its annual maintenance closure, and hiking season returns to the canyons.
Palm Springs is a low-rise city spread along the base of the mountains, with Palm Canyon Drive as its main street. Downtown and the Uptown Design District hold most of the shops, restaurants and nightlife, while residential neighborhoods such as the Movie Colony and Vista Las Palmas are famous for their midcentury homes. A car or bike helps you get around. Here are six areas worth exploring.
Neighborhood
The heart of the city runs along Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive, with the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, the restored Plaza Theatre, Downtown Park and many hotels, restaurants and bars. Thursday night VillageFest closes the street to cars for a weekly street fair.
Neighborhood
North of downtown along North Palm Canyon Drive, this stretch is lined with midcentury buildings, vintage furniture stores, design shops, galleries and some of the city's favorite restaurants, including Workshop Kitchen + Bar and Cheeky's.
Neighborhood
East of downtown, this quiet neighborhood was a hideaway for Hollywood stars in the 1930s and later. Its streets are lined with walled estates, Spanish Colonial and midcentury homes and small boutique hotels such as Colony Palms.
Neighborhood
These neighborhoods at the foot of the mountains are known for celebrity homes and Alexander Construction Company houses with butterfly roofs and clerestory windows. They are a favorite for self-guided architecture drives, but remember that the homes are private.
Neighborhood
South of downtown, Warm Sands is home to many small resorts and inns, while nearby Arenas Road is the heart of Palm Springs' LGBTQ+ nightlife, with bars and lounges that stay busy late.
Neighborhood
The southern end of the city leads to Moorten Botanical Garden, Smoke Tree Ranch and the road to the Indian Canyons, as well as golf courses and quieter resorts. It is the gateway to the best hiking in the area.
See our full Best Hotels in Palm Springs guide for the best areas, and plan smoothly with our Palm Springs travel tips.
Downtown and the Uptown Design District are easy to explore on foot, and many hotels are within walking distance of Palm Canyon Drive. To reach the Aerial Tramway, the Indian Canyons, Sunnylands or other valley towns, you will need a car, a bike or rideshare. In summer, walking at midday can be dangerous in the heat.
Three days cover the highlights: the Aerial Tramway, a hike in the Indian Canyons or Tahquitz Canyon, the Palm Springs Art Museum, a midcentury architecture tour and plenty of pool time. With five days or more, add Joshua Tree National Park, Sunnylands and the Living Desert.
Palm Springs is known for its midcentury modern architecture, its Hollywood history, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the palm oases of the Indian Canyons, its pools and golf courses, Modernism Week, its welcoming LGBTQ+ community and its year-round sunshine.
Many experiences are free: Thursday night VillageFest, the Palm Springs Art Museum on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m., Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage, a self-guided midcentury architecture drive, the Palm Springs Walk of Stars and window shopping in the Uptown Design District.
Yes. The rotating tram cars climb from the desert floor to about 8,500 feet in roughly ten minutes, and the top is often much cooler than the city, with forest trails, viewpoints and restaurants in Mount San Jacinto State Park. The tram closes each year for maintenance, usually in September, so check before you go.
Summer is very hot, with highs often above 100°F (38°C), but it is also quieter and cheaper. Plan hikes for sunrise, spend afternoons by the pool or indoors, and avoid desert trails in the heat of the day. Some restaurants and attractions reduce their hours in summer.
