28 Things To Do In Palm Springs, California
Published Aug. 2023 | Updated Dec. 2025
There is no shortage of things to do in Palm Springs! It’s a unique desert town in Southern California, set against the majestic San Jacinto Mountains, with a fun and friendly culture that makes it one of my favorite places in California.
Palm Springs is best known for mid-century modern architecture, colorful hotels with fabulous pools, and eccentricity that can only be found here. With scorching summers and mild winters, Palm Springs is the perfect winter destination in California.
The wonderful thing about Palm Springs is that it’s ideal for all types of travelers! Bachelorette parties, family vacations, romantic couples getaways, or a fun group of friends, everyone can enjoy the uniqueness of Palm Springs.
As a lifelong Californian who has traveled almost the entire state, it’s hard to pick my top destinations. Santa Barbara will always be number one, but Palm Springs definitely makes the top five.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway from Los Angeles or spending a full week in the desert, this is my list of the best things to do in Palm Springs.
Explore Moorten Botanical Garden
I love visiting botanical gardens wherever I travel. Palm Springs has a small, family-run botanical garden with an Instagram-famous succulent/cactus greenhouse. It’s not a large garden, but it has a nice variety of plants.
There’s a $7 fee per adult to enter, paid at the entrance when you first walk in. Many of the plants here are cacti and other desert plants, categorized geographically in different exhibits.
The founders of the garden arrived in Palm Springs in 1938 and purchased the property you can visit today. They were skilled landscape designers, hired by celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby to design their backyards. Even Walt Disney hired them for help with Frontierland in Disneyland!
Need some greenery? Purchase a desert plant of your own from their nursery!
Parking is available on the street or in the small lot across the street from the botanical garden.
Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum
This three-level art museum is home to 28 galleries of paintings, sculptures, photography, and more. They focus on both visual and performing arts, with two lovely outdoor sculpture gardens, four classrooms, a theater, a lecture hall, a store, and a bistro.
They also have frequent special exhibitions in addition to their permanent collection. When we visited, the temporary exhibit was a collection of incredible light installations.
When you walk up to the front, you’ll see a giant sculpture of a vintage car standing vertically on its nose, appearing to float above a pool of water. It was created by Mexican artist Gonzalo Lebrija and is one of the most impressive displays.
It costs $25 per adult, with discounts for seniors, students, and teachers. Children under 18 get in free!
Check Out the Marilyn Monroe Statue
You’ll know you’re at the art museum when you see the giant statue of Marilyn Monroe out front. This statue, called Forever Marilyn, is by Seward Johnson.
There are often people around the base taking photos with it, but most people take turns to let everyone take their photos.
Explore the Mid-Century Modern Architecture
One of the things Palm Springs is most famous for is their incredible mid-century modern architecture. Take yourself on a tour of the neighborhoods to admire the gorgeous houses.
If you have access to a bike (some hotels and airbnbs provide them to guests), these neighborhoods are fun to explore via bike. Don’t have a bike? You can rent one from Big Wheel Tours, then book the Modernism Architecture & History Bike Tour.
Keep in mind that these are real neighborhoods where people live. Don’t be disruptive, stay off the property, and be courteous to any neighbors you come across. Respect all signage—you cannot take photos standing in front of the pink door.
If you want to tour homes of famous people (like Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe), you can take a Legends and Icons tour by car or a Celebrity Homes tour in a golf cart!
Visit the Don’t Worry, Darling Houses
I watched the movie, Don't Worry, Darling, for the first time while I was in Palm Springs. The next morning, we biked to the houses from the movie at Azul Circle in Canyon View Estates.
It was surreal to be in the same court where the characters lived in Don’t Worry, Darling. This is also a real neighborhood where people live, so please be respectful and do not trespass or be disruptive.
I recommend walking or biking to the houses, as you cannot/should not park in the neighborhood.
Hike in Tahquitz Canyon
This is a 1.8-mile round-trip hike that passes a 60-foot waterfall halfway through. It is a strenuous hike with a decent amount of uphill, rocky trail, and almost zero shade.
The waterfall was gushing when we hiked this in April! It’s seasonal, though, so don’t expect to see it in the hot summer months.
Go early in the morning to avoid the sun beating down on you during the day, and bring lots of water with electrolytes. It is required to bring water for each person to hike the trail. I recommend at least a 32-oz Owala water bottle fully filled up.
There are no restrooms or water fountains once you leave the visitor center, so be sure to use the restroom there! It costs $15 per person for a day-hike admission, which is worth it when the waterfall is flowing.
Find Palm Trees at Indian Canyon
There are tons of hikes you can do within Indian Canyon of all different lengths. Within Indian Canyon, there are three separate canyons: Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon.
Fun fact: Palm Canyon is the world’s largest oasis of California Fan Palms.
The various trails range from one mile to 18 miles, with varying degrees of difficulty. Be sure to bring plenty of water, electrolytes, and sun protection, no matter how short a hike you plan to do. The heat is intense in Palm Springs, and staying hydrated (with electrolytes/salt) is important.
Since we had already hiked Tahquitz Canyon that morning, we just stayed in the parking lot at Indian Canyon to admire the palm trees and take some fun photos as we walked around.
It’s a bit pricey at $12 per adult (not per car). I don’t think it would be worth it just to see the palm trees; get your money’s worth and do one of the hikes, too.
Indulge in Vegan Food at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
My absolute favorite restaurant in Palm Springs is Chef Tanya’s. It’s all completely vegan, but you would never know. Everyone loves Chef Tanya’s, whether they’re vegan or not!
Chef Tanya’s food is outstanding. Her burgers are my favorite go-to orders, but she also offers sandwiches, salads, sides, snacks, soup, and desserts. The gooey, flavorful vegan cheese is made in-house, along with the fresh tempeh and seitan.
There are two restaurant locations offering take-out only — one in Palm Springs and one in Palm Desert. You can also get Chef Tanya’s “grab n’ go” items, like sandwiches and salads, from several markets in this region.
You can also shop for specialty groceries, vegan goodies, and other things like stickers and apparel at the restaurant locations! They have some really cute stuff.
Even if you aren’t vegan, I highly recommend having at least one of your meals in Palm Springs from Chef Tanya’s.
Grab a Drink at the Trixie Motel Lounge
The Trixie Motel is a pink mod motel owned by the fabulous drag queen Trixie Mattel. She took her vision of a dream house motel and turned it into one of the cutest places to stay in Palm Springs.
If you aren’t able to stay at the Trixie Motel as a guest, though it’s worth the high price tag, you can still visit the gift shop and lounge!
The gift shop is tiny but has some really great Trixie-themed items and items from her makeup line, Trixie Cosmetics. The lounge serves drinks—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—and has a small food menu that changes seasonally.
You’ll also get to see the pool, though you cannot sit by it or swim without purchasing a pool pass or being a hotel guest.
Ride the Aerial Tramway
Take the aerial tramway 2.5 miles up to the peak of the San Jacinto Mountains! This is such a unique thing to do in Palm Springs and one of my favorite activities.
Temperatures at the top are often 30ºF cooler than Palm Springs weather. It’s the perfect place to escape the heat while still being outdoors.
When we visited in April, there was six feet of freshly fallen snow at the top! It was a winter wonderland, just a 15-minute ride from the hot desert. There is a cozy lodge at the top with food, a bar, and aprés ski vibes.
Book tickets online in advance to avoid long wait times at the station. Tickets can sell out ahead of time — the earlier you can book, the better! Each tram holds 80 people (!!), so they’re pretty large and do fill up all the way.
The aerial tramway closes for about a month for annual maintenance around September/October. Visit the website for current closure information if you’re visiting around that time of year.
Watch a Drag Show
A quintessential thing to do in Palm Springs is attend a drag show. Enjoy a drag brunch as you watch the queens perform, attend a drag bingo night, or check out an evening drag show for raunchier performances.
There are drag shows almost every day in Palm Springs, so you can easily attend one no matter when you’re visiting. If you want to combine a Palm Springs tour with a drag show, book a tour with Drag N’ Fly Tours!
Stroll the Palm Springs Walk of Stars
The Walk of Stars is in downtown Palm Springs and is very similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with stars lining the pavement bearing the names of icons and celebrities.
As you walk around downtown, look down as you walk over the stars! The Palm Springs Walk of Stars includes all the famous people who have lived in Palm Springs, like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Marilyn Monroe.
Shop in Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Springs has some incredible local shops downtown for you to peruse, in addition to larger stores like Sephora, Free People, and West Elm.
My favorite places to shop in Palm Springs:
The Shag Store for some classic Palm Springs art.
Peepa’s for amazing gifts, art, clothing, and jewelry.
Big Bud Press for incredible clothing, including their famous jumpsuits.
Windmill City Super #1 for incredible souvenirs from small businesses, like candles, clothing, and art.
Take Photos with the “Wings” Mural
There are wing murals painted by Collette Miller all over the world as part of her Global Angel Wings Project started in 2012. I’ve taken photos with her murals in Hawaii (Oahu), Los Angeles, and Palm Springs!
This beautiful wing mural in Palm Springs is easily spotted downtown at 100 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Pose with the PS I ♥️ U Sign
Adjacent to the wings mural are large, bright red letters spelling out “PS ♥️U” standing on the pavement, with space for you to stand where the “I” would go. It’s another fun photo op in downtown Palm Springs!
Get Your Photo on a Cocktail at The Front Porch
Aside from The Front Porch at Farm having delicious food and drinks, they also offer cocktails with photos printed on them! You send them a photo of your choice, order your cocktail from their delicious drink menu, and it arrives with your photo printed on the top.
This would be a unique way to celebrate a special occasion, but it can also just be a novelty experience for fun!
Soak Up the Sun Poolside
Hot days in Palm Springs call for dips in the pool and relaxing in a chaise with a cocktail in hand. Staying somewhere with a pool isn’t usually high on my list when traveling, but it’s a must when visiting Palm Springs!
There’s almost an entire pool culture here, with poolside performances, events, and parties at some of the more party-centric hotels. If you’re not one for parties like me, plenty of hotels and stays have more peaceful pools.
Not staying somewhere with a pool? Many hotels offer pool day passes so you can swim, relax in a cabana, and enjoy a day poolside without being a guest.
Eat Fish Tacos at The Tropicale
Enjoy a delicious dinner in downtown Palm Springs at the popular Tropicale restaurant. Ask for outdoor seating to take in the tropical ambiance as you dine on fish tacos and sip on a delicious drink.
This place can book up in advance — I recommend making reservations to ensure you can be seated.
Attend the Palm Springs International Film Festival
Every year in January, the Palm Springs International Film Festival brings together movie stars, directors, producers, and fans for a 5-day event.
Attend movie screenings, watch presentations, go to a party, or just stay in town for a glimpse of someone famous! One year, my sister met Quentin Tarantino by chance at a coffee shop while visiting Palm Springs during the film festival.
In 2026, some of the stars and filmmakers attending the film festival are actors Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Rose Byrne, and directors Paul Feig, Guillermo del Toro, and Elvira Lind.
Tickets are required if you want to attend any of the events, and many sell out quickly.
Tour the San Andreas Fault in a Jeep
The San Andreas Fault is 250 miles long, running almost the entire length of California and crossing through Palm Springs. For a more adventurous activity, take a Red Jeep Tour of the fault zone to see the unique landscape created by fault activity.
You’ll be able to stop and get out to walk around, take photos, and admire the canyons created by the San Andreas Fault.
The Red Jeep Tour lasts about three hours and includes a knowledgeable guide, a tour of the fault line, and a desert tour.
Relax in Sunnylands Garden
Sunnylands Center & Garden is a gorgeous and tranquil garden that is free to visit. I first visited this garden during Desert X 2023 to see one of the temporary art installations.
They offer a few optional tours to explore the historic house and more of the garden for a fee if you want to see more than just the public garden area.
You can also sit and enjoy the gardens while eating snacks and light lunches with non-alcoholic drinks at their on-site cafe.
Take Photos of the Windmills
Palm Springs has a large windmill farm where you can actually take tours! You can take a self-guided tour in your car or sit back and enjoy a guided tour on a golf cart.
I just wanted to see the windmills up close and snap some photos, so we parked at the empty train station. It ended up being a perfect spot to get some cool windmill photos!
This should go without saying, but it is SUPER windy. The sand was whipping me in the face—just a small warning so you know what to expect!
Attend Modernism Week
The beautiful mid-century architecture, design, and culture of Palm Springs are celebrated each February for Modernism Week. It’s an 11-day festival with architecture tours, art shows, presentations, and much more.
All activities are open to the public, but tickets are required to attend events and tours. They can sell out months in advance, so book as soon as possible if you’re planning to attend.
Drive by the Volkswagen Spider Sculpture
A creepy sight for anyone with arachnophobia (hi, me), this 28-foot-tall sculpture sits in front of an old auto shop along the desert highway heading into Palm Springs. It’s realistic enough to give me shivers down my spine just looking back at photos of it!
Robert Miner ran this now-closed auto shop from the 1970s to the 1990s, during which he created this car-spider hybrid. Though the auto shop is no longer operational, the gigantic sculpture continues to guard it.
Park in the parking lot next door (it used to be a Jack-in-the-Box, but is now closed) if you want to get out and get a good look at the sculpture!
You won’t be able to enter the gate to the sculpture as it’s on private property, but you can take photos through the fence.
Have Fun at an Escape Room
Sometimes the heat in Palm Springs is just too much to bear, with scorching temperatures reaching over 110ºF in the summer. If you need somewhere to cool down while still having fun, go to an escape room!
It might not be one of the most unique things to do in Palm Springs, but Escape Rooms in Palm Springs get outstanding reviews with multiple room themes to choose from.
The rooms are all private, so it’s just you and your group solving the puzzles — no strangers!
Escape Rooms in Palm Springs:
Discover Art Installations at Desert X
Every other year (odd years) in April, Palm Springs and the surrounding areas become an interactive art installation called Desert X. There are usually a dozen or so outdoor pieces of art sprinkled throughout the area that you can drive around to visit.
It’s like a real-life treasure hunt to track down each art installation, which ranges from giant sculptures to interactive pieces you can walk through. Visiting the art is completely free, though donations are welcome.
The art installations made for Desert X are completely different each year, which makes it that much more fun! Use the Desert X app to find each installation.
I recommend saving the locations in Google Maps and downloading them offline, as some areas of the desert don’t get much reception.
Cool Off at Agua Caliente Casino
If you’re looking to escape the heat, check out the casino! It’s a small casino with machines and tables. You can also grab food and drinks as you play the machines.
I’m not a big fan of casinos in general, but visited to escape triple-digit heat in the evening and enjoyed a drink from the bar. You must be over 21 to enter, of course.
Get a Sweet Treat at Gelato Granucci
Eating an ice-cold cup of gelato as you stroll through downtown Palm Springs is one of the best experiences on a hot day.
Gelato Granucci serves delicious, authentic gelato made on-site in their downtown shop. The flavors change regularly, which you can check on their website before you go.
I’ve indulged in their gelato on a few occasions, and every flavor I’ve had has been incredible. They even offer vegan options!
Things To Do Near Palm Springs
These are additional activities that aren’t exactly in Palm Springs, but are close enough to do while you’re in town.
Joshua Tree Day Trip
Visit Joshua Tree National Park on a day trip or half-day trip from Palm Springs. It’s just an hour away, making it easy to visit while staying in Palm Springs.
Joshua Tree has stunning rock formations, sprawling desert views, and otherworldly landscapes. The surrounding area offers a variety of activities and attractions, including outdoor art, cool shops, and delicious restaurants.
Read my full Palm Springs to Joshua Tree Day Trip Itinerary for all the details!
Explore the Western Pioneertown
Pioneertown is a real-life town built in 1946 for use in movies and TV shows with cowboy/western settings. Since its creation, hundreds of movies and shows have been filmed here.
Some people actually live here, so be respectful as you explore the buildings, shops, and restaurants.
Walk around, take some photos, grab a bite to eat, and head back home. You could probably spend a couple of hours here if you stop to eat, but otherwise, it was about a 20-minute stop for us on the way back from Joshua Tree.
Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is a traditional Hopi-style building that you can actually go inside. It has artifacts and artworks that give visitors insight into the Native American and Alaska Native cultures.
The exterior almost looks like something you could find in Disneyland, or even in a Star Wars movie. It’s quirky, imperfect, and full of charm!
You can explore the outside of the pueblo for free, or pay $5 to see the museum inside.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
Two giant, steel dinosaur sculptures (65ft tall!) tower over what seems to be a random parking lot in Cabazon, California, just north of Palm Springs.
You can go inside one of the dinosaurs to visit the gift shop in its belly. If you don’t recognize these from Instagram, you may have seen them featured in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985).
It’s free to visit these two dinosaurs and check out the gift shop, but you must pay to enter the museum with 70 other dinosaurs.
Where To Stay in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a very seasonal destination with an empty off-season in the summer and a crowded high-season in the cooler months.
As with most destinations, the off-season can be significantly cheaper than the high season. If you want to go for a budget trip and don’t mind braving the heat, visit in the summer.
These are a few of the most iconic places to stay in Palm Springs!
Luxury
Terra Palm Springs: Adults-only 5-star hotel with a spa, sauna, 24-hour pool, outdoor fireplace, and sun terrace. Relax in this tranquil desert escape with views of the surrounding mountains.
El Noa Noa: Adults-only boutique hotel with an adorable pink-rimmed pool, spacious suites with spa baths and kitchens, and close to downtown. This is a fun stay for couples or friends!
Mid-range
Casa Palma Hotel & Bungalows: Mediterranean-style accommodations with white plaster exterior, bright rooms, and a large pool and jacuzzi. Stay here for a luxurious desert getaway surrounded by the picturesque mountains and palm trees.
Hotel California: Is there a better name for a hotel? Hotel California is a well-known place to stay in Palm Springs with a Spanish-style facade and rustic yet modern interiors.
Budget
The Saguaro Palm Springs: This hotel is famous for its rainbow exterior and rooms that look out to the central pool. They offer a free transfer service to both downtown Palm Springs and the airport, so no need to worry about car rentals or rideshares.
The Cactai: Adults-only hotel with a terrace, garden, and outdoor pool. The rooms are bright and clean with a charming property in a peaceful neighborhood.
Inn at Palm Springs: A colorful, simple inn with free bikes to ride during your stay, a pool to cool off in, and breakfast.
