Best Things To Do In Palm Springs

Palm Springs sits at the base of Mount San Jacinto, where tall palms throw morning shade and craggy slopes frame the horizon.

Early mornings wash the mountains in rose-gold light, afternoons hum with the soft splash of pool decks and the scent of creosote after a rare shower, and evenings settle into velvet skies studded with stars. Mid-century modern bungalows share the grid with Art Deco hotels and retro neon along Palm Canyon Drive, while bicycles glide past storefronts plastered with contemporary art posters. 

Compact enough for a carefree weekend yet dense with hiking trails, museums, and live-music patios, the city layers design history, desert ecology, and a spirited downtown scene into one easygoing package.

Downtown Palm Springs and Palm Canyon Drive offer the best casual and modern dining options.

You will find classic date shakes and diners near Palm Canyon Drive, alongside contemporary restaurants and coffee shops that cater to breakfast, late lunches, and dinner crowds.

Several top-rated spots headline recent “best of 2025” lists. Workshop Kitchen + Bar pairs seasonal California fare with an industrial-chic setting inside a 1920s theatre. Boozehounds is known for an Asian-leaning brunch menu and a dog-friendly patio, while Azúcar at La Serena Villas serves rooftop margaritas with mountain views. For a classic supper-club vibe, Mr. Lyons Steakhouse delivers prime cuts and vintage Palm Springs glamour. Rooster and the Pig rounds things out with Vietnamese comfort dishes praised for bold flavors.

These venues illustrate why national outlets now call Palm Springs a rising culinary destination.

Downtown and Palm Canyon Drive are the downtown area hubs for bars, live music, and seasonal outdoor events; the walkable stretch around the art museum and Plaza hosts evening art walks and rotating live sets. The scene leans toward lounge bars, late dinners, and venues that showcase jazz, classic rock, and DJ sets during festival weekends.

For something quieter, South Palm and boutique resorts offer relaxed evening patios and sunset views; during Modernism Week and other signature events, the nighttime programming expands with parties and architecture-themed gatherings.

If you are planning around a weekend, check event calendars for live music and special exhibits.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway rides from the valley floor up to Mount San Jacinto, delivering sweeping views over Chino Canyon and access to high-country trails at Mount San Jacinto State Park. The rotating tram cars make the roughly ten-minute ascent a highlight; once at the top, there are alpine trails and picnic areas that contrast sharply with the desert landscape below.

A short drive brings you to Joshua Tree National Park, where the landscape shifts to sculpted boulders and Joshua trees; the park’s visitor centers provide maps and safety guidance for day trips and hiking trails.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in nearby Palm Desert focuses on desert ecosystems worldwide and is a family-friendly option for a half-day outing.

Palm Canyon Drive is the downtown spine, known for its shops, galleries, and date-shake stands; it is a good starting point for architecture walks and contemporary art stops.

The Palm Springs Art Museum anchors the cultural district with rotating contemporary and Native art exhibitions and an architecture center in the downtown area.

Other notable landmarks include the Air Museum’s vintage aircraft hangars and Moorten Botanical Garden’s compact cactarium, which highlights desert plants and local botanical history. Many visitors also seek out notable mid-century modern homes and guided tours that point to the city’s architectural legacy.

Beyond Tramway hikes and Mount San Jacinto trails, Indian Canyons offers palm oases, San Jacinto-adjacent creek runs, and Cahuilla cultural sites for self-guided walks and interpretive trails. These canyon hikes vary from gentle oasis strolls to steeper canyon routes, and they show the contrast between desert floor and shaded palm groves.

Jeep tours, guided hikes into Chino Canyon cliffs, and organized desert adventures let visitors explore the San Andreas Fault region and broader Coachella Valley landscape; around Palm Springs, you can book everything from short nature walks to multi-hour desert adventures.

For cooler mornings and shoulder seasons, hiking trails around San Jacinto and Joshua Tree are especially appealing.

Palm Springs hosts several signature events, such as Modernism Week and regular First Wednesday art walks in downtown Palm Springs; these events draw architecture fans, collectors, and design professionals. Event calendars published by the city and regional visitor bureaus list seasonal festivals, concerts, and family events across the Greater Palm Springs area.

Large regional festivals such as Coachella and Stagecoach are part of the broader Coachella Valley cultural calendar, which influences weekend availability and booking patterns in Palm Springs and surrounding towns.

For up-to-date schedules and ticketing, consult official event pages and the Greater Palm Springs event listings.

Yes. Downtown self-guided architecture walks, visiting public art installations, strolling Palm Canyon Drive, and exploring the Palm Springs Village areas are all free. Many hotels and public plazas host free or low-cost events, and seasonal art walks often have no admission for casual visitors; check local event listings before your visit.

Public outdoor spaces like the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden (part of the museum campus) and neighborhood parks give easy access to desert plants, palms, and mid-century public art without an admission fee. For desert hikes, trailheads in Indian Canyons and public paths around Chino Canyon offer low-cost outdoor time, though some sites may have small parking or access fees.

If you are considering homes for sale in Palm Springs, you will notice that many are within easy reach of these same public amenities, making daily access simple.

Late fall through early spring generally gives milder temperatures and active outdoor programming. Summer months are very hot, so plan for shaded activities, early hikes, and pool or spa time.

The tram travels about 2.5 miles, and the ride takes roughly ten minutes from valley to mountain, with rotating cars that reveal the cliffs of Chino Canyon. Check the tram’s official schedule for seasonal hours and operational notices.

Yes, Joshua Tree National Park and its visitor centers make popular day trips from Palm Springs, and many itineraries combine a morning in the park with an afternoon back in the downtown area. Bring water, a map, and sun protection; the park covers multiple ecosystems and can be hot in the summer.

The Palm Springs Air Museum, Moorten Botanical Garden, and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens each offer interactive exhibits that appeal to visitors of all ages. Easy desert trails at Indian Canyons and public art walks downtown provide additional low-cost ways for mixed-age groups to explore together.

Download the official Modernism Week app for a self-guided map, or join one of the daily double-decker bus tours that highlight icons like the Kaufmann House and City Hall. Many homes open for limited tours during Modernism Week in February, so booking early is wise. Or, just hop in the car and drive around some of Palm Springs’ most popular neighborhoods.