Palm Springs
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Palm Springs - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Indian Canyons
The Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. While hiking three canyons open to the public, you can see remnants of their ancient life, including rock art, house pits and foundations, irrigation ditches, dams, and food-preparation areas. Trails vary in length from 1.2 to 4.7 miles long, are classified as easy or moderate, and are lined with palm oases, waterfalls, rock formations, and, in spring, wildflowers. Tree-shaded picnic areas are abundant. The Trading Post at the entrance to Palm Canyon, noted for its stand of Washingtonia palms, has trail maps and refreshments as well as Native American crafts. Endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep call Murray Canyon home. Fan palms and tall willows contrast with strange rock formations in Andreas Canyon. Ranger-led hikes and talks are included with paid admission, but only they occur from October through June. Note that no animals are allowed. While exploring the canyons, remember you are a guest amid the still-sacred tribal lands.
38520 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA760-323–6018Sight Details
Rate Includes: $12, Closed Mon.–Thurs. from July 5–Sept. 30 -
2. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
A trip on the world's largest rotating tram car provides a 360-degree view of the desert as it makes the 2½-mile ascent through Chino Canyon and up to an elevation of 8,516 feet in 10 minutes. On clear days, which are common, the view stretches 75 miles from Mt. San Gorgonio in the north to the Salton Sea in the south. In winter, stepping out into the snow at the top, a bit below Mt. San Jacinto's peak, is a treat. In summer, the summit's much cooler temperature is a welcome respite from punishing lower-elevation heat. Year-round attractions at Mountain Station include observation decks, two restaurants, a cocktail lounge, a gift shop, picnic facilities, a small natural history museum, and two theaters that screen movies on the attraction's construction and on Mount San Jacinto State Park, which is also on the mountain and has 50 miles of hiking trails. In addition, you can take advantage of free guided weekend nature walks, or rent skis and snowshoes at the Adventure Center. Ride-and-dine packages are available after 4 pm. To avoid long waits, buy tickets online in advance or arrive 30 minutes before the first car leaves in the morning.
View Tours and Activities1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA888-515–8726Sight Details
Rate Includes: From $30, Closed 2 wks in Sept. for maintenance -
3. Palm Springs Air Museum
This impressive collection of aircraft spans from World War II and Vietnam through the War on Terror and includes showpieces like a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, a King Cobra, F-117A Nighthawk, and Grumman cats. In addition to planes, there are cool murals and exhibits on women in aviation, the Tuskegee Airman, and important battles and military operations of the last 100 years including a Tom Brokaw–narrated Pearl Harbor diorama. There are no ropes, so you can crawl into or walk under aircraft and feel the metal. You can also watch mechanics rehab flying machines and see a flight demonstration. If you dare and can afford the splurge, take advantage of the museum's coolest offering: a flight in a vintage warbird like the T-28 Trojan, T-33 Thunderbird, and P-51 Mustang.
745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA760-778–6262Sight Details
Rate Includes: $22; free for active-duty military and their immediate family -
4. Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
This 24-hour downtown casino has 1,000 slot machines, as well as table games, a high-limit room, a coffeehouse, a steak house, and two bars—including a sports-theme one with mammoth screens displaying live games and matches. For dancing and live entertainment, head to the casino's Cascade Lounge.
401 E. Amado Rd., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA888-999–1995 -
5. Moorten Botanical Garden
In 1938, Chester "Cactus Slim" Moorten, an original Keystone Cop, and his wife, Patricia, opened this showplace for desert plants—now numbering in the thousands—that include an ocotillo, a massive elephant tree, and a boojum tree. Be sure to stroll through the Cactarium, the world's first as the Moortens coined the term, to spot rare finds such as the welwitschia, which originated in southwestern Africa's Namib Desert.
1701 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92264, USA760-327–6555Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5, Closed Wed. -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Morongo Casino
A 20-minute drive west of Palm Springs, this casino has nearly 4,000 slot machines, high-limit gaming, big-money tournaments, table games, a poker room, and some fast-casual dining options. It sits on 44 acres alongside a 308-room luxury resort, a pool with sandy beach and lazy river, a full-service spa and salon, a coffee shop, Cielo restaurant, 12,000 square feet of meeting space, and a state-of-the-art venue that draw big names in music and comedy.
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7. Palm Springs Art Museum
This world-class art museum, housed in a building by famed architect E. Stewart Williams, focuses on photography, modern architecture, contemporary glass, and fine art. Outside, you're greeted by several large-scale works, including Seward Johnson's 26-foot, 34,000-pound Forever Marilyn statue, which depicts the actress in the iconic, billowing-dress Seven Year Itch pose. Inside, 28 bright, open galleries contain permanent-collection works and photos by such artists as Dale Chihuly, Allen Houser, Deborah Butterfield, Ginny Ruffner, Mark Di Suvero, Julius Shulman, and William Morris. Other highlights include enormous Native American baskets, as well as furniture handcrafted by the late actor George Montgomery. A 433-seat theater and an 85-seat hall present plays, concerts, lectures, operas, and other cultural events while two gardens are filled with sculptures. There's a great gift shop for classier souvenirs. Free Thursday nights are accompanied by DJ performances. Note, too, that the museum operates a separate Architecture and Design Center ( 300 S. Palm Canyon Dr.), which, coincidentally, is housed within a former savings-and-loan office also built by Williams.
101 Museum Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA760-322–4800Sight Details
Rate Includes: $16, free Thurs. 5–8, Closed Mon.–Wed. -
8. Palm Springs Walk of Stars
More than 400 bronze stars are embedded in the sidewalks (à la Hollywood Walk of Fame) around downtown to honor celebrities with a Palm Springs connection. The Chairman of the Board, Elvis, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Dinah Shore, Ginger Rogers, Liz Taylor, and Liberace are among those who have received their due. Started on Palm Canyon Drive in 1992, stars have spread to Museum Way and Tahquitz Canyon Way.
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9. Tahquitz Canyon
Hikers who power through the strenuous 1.8-mile trail, 350 feet of elevation gain, and approximately 100 steep rock steps in this secluded restroom-less canyon on the Agua Caliente Reservation will be rewarded with a spectacular 60-foot waterfall, rock art, ancient irrigation systems, and native flora and fauna. Venture out on your own or join ranger-led walks (free with admission), which are conducted four times a day except during the summer when there is only one at 8 am. At the visitor center at the canyon entrance, watch a short video, look at artifacts, and pick up a map. Remember to be respectful as this is sacred tribal land.
500 W. Mesquite Ave., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA760-323–6018Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15, Closed Mon.–Thurs. from July 5–Sept. 30
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