Top Things to Do in Greater Palm Springs

Shopping

EL PASEO SHOPPING DISTRICT

The El Paseo Shopping District located in Palm Desert, spans nine blocks, offering over 300 shops from high-end retailers to local boutiques and features more than a dozen restaurants from quick bites to fine dining. 

THE RIVER AT RANCHO MIRAGE

The River at Rancho Mirage is another must-see premier shopping and dining location. Spend the day shopping and dining at familiar favorites, or, catch a movie at Century Theatres and test your skills at Escape Games at the River. 

OLD TOWN LA QUINTA

Photography by Mel Bell Photography

Old Town La Quinta is a vintage lovers’ paradise. This historic village features an incredible collection of unique boutiques, restaurants and fun foodie finds like NitroInfusions, a local ice cream shop that uses liquid nitrogen to create over 30 flavors.

Dining Scene

GRAB A DATE SHAKE

Speaking of fun foodie finds, a date shake from Shields Date Garden in Indio is a must-try! Their shakes are made with locally grown dates and you can actually stroll through the gardens of date palms while you’re enjoying one.

DINE WITH A VIEW

There are many more unique foodie finds throughout Greater Palm Springs but the views you can experience while dining are just as celebrated as the food itself. Be sure to dine at a few restaurants with amazing views during your visit.

Art & History 

PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM

The Palm Springs Art Museum is located in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs with the stunning San Jacinto mountains as its backdrop. The museum houses over 12,000 objects of modern and contemporary art and showcases examples of mid-century modern architecture throughout. The exhibits rotate out regularly and their famed Annenberg Theater offers events and performances throughout the year. 

PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM

Find one of the world’s largest collections of vintage aircraft that date back to the WWII, Korea and Vietnam era at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The museum is a fun activity for the whole family to experience and kids under 12 are free. Warbird rides are also available on weekends!

SUNNYLANDS CENTER & GARDENS

The historic Sunnylands Center & Gardens, which has been visited by several U.S. presidents and world leaders, is free to visit and is a 200-acre estate with a nine-acre beautiful garden with walking paths to stroll through. Visitors can tour the home and its rotating exhibits and learn of the attraction's meaningful history.

PUBLIC ART

This Southern California oasis is also filled with public art installations and wall murals at every turn. Learn a bit about the history and culture that runs throughout each of the nine cities by exploring public art in Greater Palm Springs. 

Spa & Wellness

SOAK IN THE HOT SPRINGS

A trip to Greater Palm Springs is never complete without a day relaxing in Desert Hot Springs. Desert Hot Springs is home to a variety of resorts and spas with freshwater hot springs to soak in. One of the most well-known and beloved resorts is Two Bunch Palms, where mineral water flows from a 600-year-old natural spring. Palm and tamarisk trees enclose the property, making it a secluded and relaxing experience. Take a trip down to the all new The Spa at Séc-he where you can enjoy the sacred healing waters of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Featuring 22 private mineral baths, The Spa at Séc-he offers 15 spa treatment rooms; a cryotherapy (cold) chamber, two float pod suites, two halotherapy salt caves, a “grounding” room, an acoustic wellness lounge, a menthol dry sauna and eucalyptus steam room, a tranquility garden and the Málmal Cafe.

Outdoor Adventure

PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY

Take a ride on the world’s largest rotating tramcar to the 8,516-foot Mountain Station at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Enjoy over 50 miles of hiking trails, take in jaw-dropping views of the entire Coachella Valley, explore the history museum and be sure to grab a souvenir from the gift shop before you leave! And, if after all that exploring you've worked up an appetite, you’re in luck. Grab a bite to eat at one of two dining options offered.

THE LIVING DESERT

The Living Desert is home to over 500 animals representing over 150 species. Fill your morning or afternoon here by feeding a giraffe, petting the goats, riding on the carousel and walking among the wallabies at the Australian Adventures exhibit. Also, be sure to stop by and say hello to the zoo's newest residents, Jaali and Nia, two African black rhinos who now call the Rhino Savanna exhibit their home.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, where you’ll find yourself in the midst of thousands of these otherworldly trees that look like they're straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. Take a scenic drive through the park, hit the hiking trails and journey through the vast desert landscape and gigantic boulders or spend the night camping beneath the bright stars. 

HIKING & GOLFING

Greater Palm Springs is also home to more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails and over 100 renowned golf courses. Explore these top hiking experiences and golf courses for ideas and inspiration. 

Live Events

Although Greater Palm Springs is most often associated with the world famous festivals such as Coachella Music & Arts Festival or Stagecoach, this does not mean that there is any shortage of year round, top tier entertainment. Casino venues such as The Show at Agua Caliente, Showroom 29 and the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center offer guests opportunity to hear world class music, comedy and more throughout the year. Plus, brand new in 2022 is Acrisure Arena which lands the spot as Greater Palm Springs largest capacity indoor venue with over 11,000 seats. This new venue for entertainment will be home to countless events ranging from sporting events, concerts, to family shows and everything in between to fill out the calendar year.