Indio

Dubbed the City of Festivals, Indio has become a favorite destination for foodies and music lovers, attracting more than 1 million people each year for its multiple mainstream events, including the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Get your tickets in advance to see top artists perform on stage at the Empire Polo Grounds, or check out the local music scene on weekends at The Date Shed, a date repository-turned-hip, live music venue.

Eats & Treats

For an authentic taste of the valley, don’t miss the Indio International Tamale Festival, where dozens of homemade tamales with creative flavors (hello pumpkin, vegan green chile, and chocolate cherry!) delight. And of course, there’s the date shake. Many local eateries serve up creamy, ice-cold shakes made with the Coachella Valley’s favorite fruit — our preferred way to chill on a warm desert day. Sip yours while strolling through the date groves and citrus trees at Shields Date Garden & Café, an Indio mainstay since 1924.

History & Entertainment

Other must-see Indio attractions include the Coachella Valley History Museum, home to the world’s only date museum; the Riverside County Fairgrounds, host site of the Riverside County Fair and Date Festival; the Empire Polo Grounds, where, when music festival season isn’t in full swing, weekly polo matches are held January through April (bring your blanket and picnic lunch and call it a date); and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, one of the most luxurious hotels in Indio known for its 2,000-plus slot machines, a regular lineup of touring acts, and late-night laser bowling.

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