Things to do in Palm Springs

Activities, attractions and tours

Palm Springs
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Palm Springs showing landscape views, mountains and a lake or waterhole
Palm Springs
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Top places to visit

1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

To gain a bird's-eye perspective over some amazing scenery, take the 14-minute ascent on the Palm Springs Ariel Tramway, where passengers start in the desert and end up in an alpine forest. Electrical engineer Francis Crocker first proposed the Aerial Tramway in the mid-1930s, although work on actually building it didn't start until 1960. The only way up was via helicopter, and these undertook more than 20,000 missions to take materials and workers up the mountain during construction.
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Enjoy panoramic views over the Coachella Valley on the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world.

2. Indian Canyon

First settled in by ancestors of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Native Americans hundreds of years ago, who transformed the canyons into communities where they could thrive, Indian Canyons is now a recreational park. Made up of three distinct canyons, the park's popularity is down to its extensive hiking network and well-preserved historical sights.
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Indian Canyon showing landscape views and a gorge or canyon

3. Palm Springs Art Museum

Few visitors to this resort city would imagine that there was such a high-calibre art museum within the city limits, but don't overlook this well curated collection, located in a stunning building. Established in 1938, the Palm Springs Art Museum has grown immensely from a single room to a permanent collection of over 20,000 different works of art. Now in its third location, the museum has three main components: contemporary art, natural science and the performing arts.
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Palm Springs Art Museum showing interior views

4. Mount San Jacinto State Park

San Jacinto State Park and Peak offers 86 kilometres of hiking trails, and the sheer variety of the scenery on offer lures back hikers year after year. Few places can offer the contrasts seen at this range, from desert to alpine scenery. Easily accessible via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, there are unbelievable views across the San Gorgonio Pass and Coachella Valley from here, but head further into the wilderness and the views get even better.
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Explore the highest peak of the San Jacinto Mountains and hike through awe-inspiring scenery.

5. Palm Springs Air Museum

The Palms Springs Air Museum has a vast and varied collection of World War II aircraft and memorabilia. This highly interactive, non-profit museum can be found next to Palm Springs International Airport, and even non-aviation buffs will enjoy the huge variety of classic aircraft. The museum's volunteers are eager and willing to share with you the history of the planes, and through them, remember the men and women who kept them in the skies. There are group tours available, although you need a minimum of 15 people for them to go ahead.
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Palm Springs Air Museum featuring aircraft

6. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

There's a lot more to Palm Springs than its reputation for fun and frivolity suggests; the town has a strong association with its Native American past and present, and the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum does a great job in explaining the area's history. Since 1991, the museum has shared its vast collections of more than 50,000 artefacts with locals and visitors from all over the world.
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Agua Caliente Cultural Museum showing interior views as well as an individual male

What to do in Palm Springs

Popular places to visit

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

5/5(25 reviews)

Enjoy panoramic views over the Coachella Valley on the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs Convention Center

Palm Springs Convention Center

4/5(2 reviews)

Learn about the events happening in Palm Springs Convention Center during your trip to Palm Springs. Discover the area's spas or seek out its golf courses.

Palm Springs Convention Center
Palm Canyon

Palm Canyon

4.5/5(12 reviews)

Palm Canyon is just one of the places to see in Palm Springs, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the lively festivals in this relaxing area or seek out the hiking trails.

Palm Canyon
Indian Canyon showing landscape views and a gorge or canyon

Indian Canyon

5/5(7 reviews)

Hike along ancient walking trails through palm-dotted canyons at this stunning recreational park.

Indian Canyon
Palm Springs Art Museum showing interior views

Palm Springs Art Museum

4.5/5(3 reviews)

With more than 20,000 exhibits, this art museum has something for everyone.

Palm Springs Art Museum
Mount San Jacinto State Park

Mount San Jacinto State Park

4.5/5(9 reviews)

Explore the highest peak of the San Jacinto Mountains and hike through awe-inspiring scenery.

Mount San Jacinto State Park
Palm Springs Air Museum featuring aircraft

Palm Springs Air Museum

4/5(1 review)

Imagine life as a WWII pilot at this excellent museum with one of the largest collections of wartime aircraft in the world.

Palm Springs Air Museum
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum showing interior views as well as an individual male

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

This small but fascinating museum tells the history of Palm Springs' native people.

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium featuring a park

Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium

4.5/5(3 reviews)

This peaceful and family-run garden is one of Palm Springs' best-loved attractions.

Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium

Areas of Palm Springs

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Downtown Palm Springs

4.5/5(38 area reviews)

Join the many Angelenos that flock to Downtown Palm Springs to quench their vacation thirst in the Sonoran Desert.

Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Springs featuring wildflowers

Baristo

3/5(1 area review)

While visiting Baristo, you might make a stop by sights like Plaza Theatre and Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center.

Baristo
Palm Springs featuring wildflowers

Midtown

If you're spending some time in Midtown, Agua Caliente Casino and The Spa at Se-che are top sights worth seeing.

Midtown
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Tahquitz River Estates

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Though Tahquitz River Estates may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium and Tahquitz Canyon.

Tahquitz River Estates
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Uptown Design District

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

Uptown Design District is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Las Palmas and San Jacinto Mountains while in the area.

Uptown Design District
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Sunrise Park

If you're spending some time in Sunrise Park, Palm Springs Mall Shopping Center and Heritage Palms Golf Club are top sights worth seeing.

Sunrise Park

Frequently asked questions

Is Palm Springs worth visiting?
From shopping to outdoor pursuits and history, there are plenty of great things to do in Palm Springs. Remember to discover the area's mix of awesome sights, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Palm Springs?
After you've visited top attractions like Palm Springs Air Museum and Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, spend some time discovering Palm Springs's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the top tourist attractions in Palm Springs and deserves a place on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Palm Springs?
Three days will be enough time to check out many city highlights, like Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs Air Museum and Palm Springs Art Museum. The average stay in Palm Springs is two days. If you have the time to extend your getaway, Palm Desert isn't far away.
Is Palm Springs a walkable city?
Some top sights in Palm Springs, such as Palm Springs Air Museum and Palm Springs Art Museum, are within walking distance. You can also discover several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.16 kilometres from the city centre of Palm Springs is Downtown Palm Springs and Midtown is 0.97 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Palm Springs with kids?
If you're searching for sights and activities for all ages, check out these terrific ideas for what to do in Palm Springs with kids.

What to do in Palm Springs for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Palm Springs, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway or Desert Memorial Park.
Are there free things to do in Palm Springs?
One of the best ways to find free things to do in Palm Springs is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can enjoy without taking your wallet out. Tahquitz Canyon is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.