Top-20 best things to do in Palm Springs

What is it?
A nature park with breathtaking landscapes, hiking trails, and landmarks connected with the local Native American tribe.

Why should you go?
One of the most popular attractions in Palm Springs, the Indian Canyons, is the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a large Southern California tribe who have inhabited the Palm Springs area for centuries.

The Indian Canyons include Andreas Canyon, Murray Canyon, and Palm Canyon — each one is a gorgeous territory with lush palm oases, rocky gorges and sandy terrains, streams and waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Choose a trail to your liking, and go hiking or horseback riding — or just find a tranquil spot and listen to the birds sing. Don't forget to check out the Trading Post, the local information center, and the gift shop.

Specialization
Nature reserve

Perfect for
Hikers

What is it?
The world's largest rotating aerial tram that connects Coachella Valley and San Jacinto Peak.

Why should you go?
Dating back to 1963, this aerial tram takes you from the floor of the Coachella Valley, through the rugged cliffs of the Chino Canyon, to the Mountain Station in Mount San Jacinto State Park, in about ten minutes. The tram car rotates slowly, allowing you to enjoy the view from all angles. At the top of the mountain, you'll come across two restaurants, observation decks, a tiny natural history museum, two documentary theaters, a gift shop, and, of course, hiking trails.

The really cool thing about the ride? Well, it's literally much cooler at the top of the mountain (2,596 meters above sea level) than it is at the bottom of the valley - keep that in mind for those really hot days!

Specialization
Aerial tramway

Perfect for
Tourists who are not afraid of heights

What is it?
The iconic roadside attraction featuring two huge dinosaur figures and dozens of their smaller companions.

Why should you go?
Drive west on Interstate 10, and prepare for one of the campiest sights possible: a couple of massive dinosaurs by the side of the road. These creatures made of steel and concrete actually have names: Dinny the Dinosaur (the 46-meter long Brontosaurus) and Mr. Rex. (the 20-meter tall T-Rex). Built by an amusement park sculptor in the 1960s-1980s, they used to guard the entrance to his Wheel Inn Restaurant (which was demolished in 2016).

These days, there's a gift shop literally inside Dinny's belly, which also used to host a creationist museum for some years. There's also a sprawling dinosaur garden with smaller figures near the giants. A trip here is certainly one of the best unique things to do in Palm Springs!


Specialization
Landmarks

Perfect for
Fans of kitsch and camp

What is it?
An interactive museum dedicated to military aircraft history from WWII to our days.

Why should you go?
Home to one of the world's largest collections of static and flyable aircraft from WWII to more recent history, this museum is located on the northeast side of the Palm Springs International Airport.

Informative and interactive, the exhibition is spread across five hangars. Inside, you'll see WWII aircraft used by the Navy in the Pacific and the European Theatres, the beautiful 1945 B-17G "Miss Angela" that you can tour, some planes and exhibits used during the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the more recent F-117A Nighthawk "Black Devil" that took part in military operations in Iraq and the Balkans. Aviation-related art, models, period uniforms, and memorabilia are also on display.

Specialization
Aviation museum

Perfect for
Aircraft geeks and military history buffs

What is it?
A giant statue of Marilyn Monroe in her iconic pose from The Seven Year Itch.

Why should you go?
Standing at almost 8 meters tall, this sculpture captures one of Monroe's most recognizable scenes from the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch, where a blast of air from the subway blows up her character's white dress. Created in 2011, it was displayed in a few cities until it was stationed in Palm Springs as its permanent location in 2021. Loved by tourists, the statue is not without its controversy: the local residents have protested against its 'sexist' nature and even filed a lawsuit against the City of Palm Springs, arguing that the sculpture obstructs the traffic.

For now, Monroe is still there and really can't be missed, especially with sites like Palm Springs Art Museum and the Walk of the Stars located nearby. Snap a photo while you can!

Specialization
Landmark

Perfect for
Fans of Marilyn Monroe and tacky public art

What is it?
Desert-themed art museum and the largest cultural institution in the Coachella Valley.

Why should you go?
Founded in 1938, this art museum is located in downtown Palm Springs, with a recognizable stainless steel sculpture in front of the entrance. Initially focusing on natural science and Native American exhibits, it gradually transitioned towards arts and culture.

Its current emphasis is on visual and performing art, so the venue has 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens, educational facilities, a theater, a store, and a bistro. The permanent collection includes more than 12,000 objects featuring Architecture and Design, Art of the Western Americas, Modern and Contemporary Art, Photography, and Studio Glass.
We also love that there's free admission on Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Specialization
Art museum

Perfect for
Art connoisseurs

What is it?
A walk of fame in the center of Palm Springs, featuring plaques and statues dedicated to celebrities who have lived here.

Why should you go?
Less than five minutes walk from the Art Museum, the Walk of the Stars is a great place for a downtown stroll that honors over 400 celebrities and notable residents of the area. Among those are former US presidents, actors, authors, playwrights, and business and civic leaders.
Now, this is not the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and many of the figures commemorated here are of local significance. But you sure know Dwight Eisenhower and Barack Obama, Frank Sinatra and Elisabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, and Marilyn Monroe. Strolling down the street and exploring the names on the star-shaped plaques is on our list of outdoor activities in Palm Springs!

Specialization
Notable street

Perfect for
Celebrity fans

What is it?
Part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation and a picturesque hiking area with a waterfall.

Why should you go?
Owned and managed by the Agua Calientes Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Tahquitz Canyon has some gorgeous landscapes to offer. This is a great place to go for a hike. Start at the Visitor Center — check out their exhibits on display and the observation deck. Grab a walking stick and embark on the loop trail that leads to the spectacular Tahquitz Falls, an 18-meter waterfall — this is a great activity for nature lovers.

We recommend choosing a free ranger-led hike if you wish to learn something about the history of this area, the Native American tribes who inhabited it, and the local flora and fauna. It's a relatively easy hike, too!

Specialization
Nature reserve

Perfect for
Fans of hiking

What is it?
Weekly downtown street festival featuring arts, crafts, food, and performances.

Why should you go?
Looking for fun things to do in Palm Springs? We've got one more exciting suggestion for you: the VillageFest, a celebration of the city's vibrant culture that takes place every Thursday night on Palm Canyon Drive. The street gets closed to traffic and magically turns into a pedestrianized street fair. Vendor booths are set up, food stalls emerge, and artists and performers flock to the area. Grab a bite, buy some gifts and souvenirs, listen to live music, or just stroll along and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere: it's a great source of entertainment for families with kids and single adults alike!

Specialization
Street fair + market

Perfect for
Street market enthusiasts

What is it?
A new cultural space featuring a museum, a spa, a community hub, and a trail.

Why should you go?
The impressive brand-new Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza is a whole complex dedicated to the Cahuilla people and their heritage. The design of the space is inspired by the Agua Caliente traditional crafts and local natural landscapes.

The focal points of the area include the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, with a comprehensive collection dedicated to the local tribe, their history, art, and legends. Another feature is the Spa at Séc-he, a retreat celebrating the healing properties of the natural hot springs with water that is estimated to be over 12,000 years old. The green belt around the place recreates the geology and the plants of the Indian Canyons.

Specialization
Сultural complex

Perfect for
Local and Native American history buffs

What is it?
A family-owned arboretum specializing in cacti and other desert flora.

Why should you go?
Branding itself as the world's first Cactarium, this botanical garden was established in 1938 by the local Moorten family. Its main exhibits are representative of the area and feature over 3,000 various desert trees, plants, and mainly cacti of all shapes and sizes from all over the world. Birds are flying around, and tortoises roam the grounds, being a huge hit with visitors of all ages. If you have some space in your luggage, we recommend stopping by the Nursery and taking a little prickly baby home with you!

Specialization
Botanical garden

Perfect for
Сactus aficionados

What is it?
A midcentury modern structure housing architecture and design exhibitions, part of the Art Museum.

Why should you go?
Acquired by the Art Museum in 2011, the building originally belonged to the Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan bank, designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1960. It was reopened as the Architecture and Design Center in 2014. In addition to the local exhibition, the museum includes the Frey House II, the historically significant residence designed in 1963, and the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden with 14 sculptures and picturesque gardens.

Don't forget to drop by the museum store: it occupies the original bank vault, and visiting it is a unique experience per se.

Specialization
Architecture and design museum

Perfect for
Fans of desert modernism

What is it?
A self-built historic house museum in the Pueblo Revival style.

Why should you go?
In the 1940s, homesteader, artist, and enterprising man Cabot Yerxa built the Pueblo by hand using reclaimed and found materials from the Coachella Valley. With its four floors and 35 rooms, the Hopi-style structure is full of Native American and Alaska Native artifacts, art, including Cabot's own, and souvenirs from his travels around the world. Another impressive feature on site is the large Waokiye sculpture that was carved from a 750 years-old sequoia. The place should be on your to-do list, if only for hearing the story of Cabot whose biography really seems like an adventure novel.

Specialization
Art and local history museum

Perfect for
Adventure fiction junkies

What is it?
Downtown casino with dining options, drinks, live music, and shows.

Why should you go?
What to do in Palm Springs in the evening when you've got some spare cash? Naturally, head over to a casino. This 24-hour venue features slots, table games, and high-limit gaming. There's an award-winning steakhouse, a bar, and a lounge with dancing and entertainment options, including live music from jazz and blues to salsa and bachata.

The Palm Springs venue is one of the three owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, which also owns the world-renowned Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon hiking trails and the Indian Canyons Golf Resort.

Specialization
Casino

Perfect for
Gambling fans

What is it?
An old-school dinner club with live entertainment and some history to it.

Why should you go?
Dating back to the swinging sixties, this venue is famous for being the hangout of the Rat Pack. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and their pals would eat, drink, play, and have the best time of their lives here — so why not have some old-timey fun, too? Step inside the fancy room, grab a signature celebrity-inspired drink, order a shrimp cocktail, and enjoy the show: live jazz from Tuesday to Thursday and entertainers from Friday to Sunday. Remember: Happy Hour drink prices all night at the bar on Tuesday!

Specialization
Drinks, food, and live entertainment

Perfect for
A special date for strangers in the night

What is it?
A non-profit organization that operates two museums and a research center and offers tours of the city's historic neighborhoods.

Why should you go?
Founded in 1955, the Palm Springs Historical Society offers a wide range of things to do in Palm Springs whenever you fancy a history-infused stroll through town and its neighborhoods.

You'll get to learn about the local pioneers, notable residents, and celebrities who called Palm Springs their home, including The Rat Pack and Hollywood stars. Other tours are focused on the local architectural styles including Desert Modernism, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Hollywood Regency. Fancy a ride? Bicycle tours are available, too: explore the landmarks and the scenery using the bikes provided, and enjoy the sun and the fresh air.

Specialization
History and architecture tours

Perfect for
Local history enthusiasts

What is it?
A 36-hole golf facility at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Why should you go?
Palm Springs is known as the golf capital of the world, with over 100 courses for all skill levels, some of which were laid out by famed course designers. Another part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, the Indian Canyons Golf Resort offers gorgeous mountain views. The South Course is home to one of the best restaurants in the area to have brunch. The North Course is where celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Walt Disney used to spend their time. See if you can find their names on the lockers!

Specialization
Golf course

Perfect for
A nice sunny afternoon outdoors

What is it?
Former residence of Frank Sinatra, available for rent for parties and events.

Why should you go?
You've probably already figured out that Ol' Blue Eyes had a massive presence in Palm Springs. Well, his original estate, designed by modernist architect E. Stewart Williams in 1947, is right here and frequently gets featured in media articles that focus on local architecture.

The famed residence served as the scene of Sinatra's family life and was the site of celebrity gatherings, romance, and cocktail parties. With its four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and impressive piano-shaped swimming pool, this is one of the ultimate luxury destinations in California that can be rented, too (if you can splurge a few thousand dollars, that is).

Specialization
Celebrity residence

Perfect for
Well-heeled fans of old-school crooners

What is it?
A posh neighborhood with celebrities' homes, art galleries, and restaurants.

Why should you go?
Compact and prestigious, Old Las Palmas has an air of exclusivity about it. What used to be a citrus grove developed in a luxurious district in the 1920s. It is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of celebrity homes anywhere: Elizabeth Taylor, Kirk Douglas, Cary Grant, Judy Garland, Clark Gable, and Leonardo DiCaprio have had property here.

With its Spanish Colonial architecture and stunning modernist structures, the dramatic San Jacinto Mountains serving as a backdrop, various shopping locations, a stroll down the local equivalent of Beverly Hills is one of the best things to do in Palm Springs — ideally, finished over dinner at Copley's, a restaurant located in the former Cary Grant estate.

Specialization
Upscale neighborhood

Perfect for
Fans of luxury

What is it?
An annual film festival that helped put Palm Springs on the map as a tourism destination.

Why should you go?
Is Palm Springs worth visiting? We're pretty sure now that you've made it to the end of our list, the answer is yes. Yet we must mention one more highlight of the place. The Film Festival has been taking place in January every year since 1989 and has become a staple of local cultural life. It is run by the Palm Springs International Film Society, as is the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films (ShortFest).

Spread across a number of venues, the festival features international and American indie films and many foreign Oscar nominees. Major actors and directors appear here each year.

Specialization
Film festival

Perfect for
Cinephiles