5 Days · in Palm Springs
5 Days in Palm Springs: Desert, Design & the Valley
Five days gives you time to experience Palm Springs fully. The first three days cover the Aerial Tramway, the Indian Canyons and downtown. Day four is devoted to midcentury modern architecture, and day five explores Sunnylands, the Living Desert and the rest of the Coachella Valley.
Day 01
The Aerial Tramway & the Uptown Design District
Mountain air in the morning, design shops and a great dinner.
Morning
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Ride one of the first rotating tram cars of the day up to the Mountain Station, about 8,500 feet above sea level.
Late Morning
Mount San Jacinto State Park
Walk the Desert View Trail for views over the valley, or take a longer trail through the pines.
Lunch
Mountain Station
Have lunch at the top of the tram, with views down to the desert.
Afternoon
Uptown Design District
Browse vintage furniture, design shops and galleries along North Palm Canyon Drive.
Late Afternoon
Your hotel pool
Cool off by the pool as the mountains turn pink.
Evening
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
Have dinner at this Michelin-recommended restaurant in the Uptown Design District.
Day 02
The Indian Canyons & South Palm Springs
Palm oases, cacti and an evening of old Palm Springs glamour.
Morning
Palm Canyon
Arrive at the Indian Canyons at opening time and hike into the palm oasis of Palm Canyon.
Late Morning
Andreas Canyon
Walk the shaded loop along the stream and past the rock formations.
Lunch
Downtown
Grab a burger at Tyler's or a sandwich at Sherman's Deli & Bakery.
Afternoon
Moorten Botanical Garden
See giant cacti and the cactarium at this family-run garden.
Late Afternoon
Pool time
Rest by the pool during the hottest part of the day.
Evening
Melvyn's
Have dinner and a martini at the Ingleside Inn's classic restaurant and piano lounge.
Day 03
Downtown, Agua Caliente Culture & Art
The tribe's story, a hot spring soak, modern art and a street fair.
Morning
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Learn the story of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians at the museum, open Tuesday to Sunday.
Late Morning
The Spa at Séc-he
Soak in the mineral pools fed by the Agua Caliente hot spring, booked in advance.
Lunch
Juniper Table
Have a relaxed lunch at the Kimpton Rowan.
Afternoon
Palm Springs Art Museum
Explore modern art, glass and design, then photograph Forever Marilyn nearby.
Late Afternoon
Architecture and Design Center
See a design exhibition in Stewart Williams' former savings and loan building.
Evening
VillageFest or Bar Cecil
On Thursdays, stroll VillageFest on Palm Canyon Drive; on other nights, book dinner at Bar Cecil.
Day 04
Midcentury Modern Palm Springs
Butterfly roofs, celebrity homes and the city's design icons.
Morning
Palm Springs Visitor Center
Start at Albert Frey's former Tramway Gas Station, then join a guided architecture tour.
Late Morning
Vista Las Palmas
Drive or cycle past the Alexander homes, and see the Kaufmann House from the street.
Lunch
Cheeky's
Line up for brunch at this Michelin-recommended favorite.
Afternoon
Movie Colony
Explore the historic streets where Hollywood stars once hid away.
Late Afternoon
Palm Springs City Hall
Admire the midcentury civic building by Albert Frey and his partners.
Evening
Colony Club
Have dinner at the Colony Palms Hotel, a glamorous 1930s hotel.
Day 05
Sunnylands, the Living Desert & the Valley
A presidential estate, desert wildlife and a famous date shake.
Morning
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Visit the free gardens and center in Rancho Mirage, or book a tour of the historic house.
Late Morning
Sunnylands gardens
Walk the desert gardens, then drive on to Palm Desert.
Lunch
El Paseo
Have lunch on Palm Desert's shopping street.
Afternoon
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
See giraffes, cheetahs and desert animals from around the world.
Late Afternoon
Shields Date Garden
Drive on to Indio for a date shake at Shields Date Garden, selling dates since 1924.
Evening
Johnny Costa's Ristorante
Return to Palm Springs for a classic Italian dinner.