An Oasis of Art

Known for its celebrated arts and culture scene, Greater Palm Springs offers visitors a chance to explore new, creative dimensions and visual inspiration at its many museums and galleries.

The Palm Springs Art Museum, located in downtown Palm Springs near several boutique and upscale hotels, features three floors of paintings, photography, sculptures, and other media, as well as an on-site theater and bistro. A few blocks away, the museum’s Architecture and Design Center highlights the architectural culture of the area.

A visit to the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum will teach visitors about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the original stewards of the land now known as Palm Springs, from time immemorial. Learn about the tribe's creation and migration story, land, self-determination, and future at the museum. Then take a peaceful walk along the Oasis Trail at the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, a re-creation of geological and water formations of significance to the tribe.

Other museums around Greater Palm Springs also spark curiosity and contemplation. The Palm Springs Air Museum displays more than 75 aircraft and shares information about planes from World War II to the present, while Cabot's Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs is a living time capsule of homesteading pioneer Cabot Yerxa's 1941 home. Sunnylands Center & Gardens hosts guided tours of the Annenberg Estate, the home of philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg who hosted political figures from Queen Elizabeth II to Barak Obama. Tour the third school build in 1909 in Indio to learn about the history of the area at the Coachella Valley History Museum, where Smiley-Tyler House tours, a museum dedicated to the date, and other learning exhibits pique curiosity.

It’s easy to spend a day—or two—discovering the destination’s diverse collections.

Things To Do

Attractions & Activities

Escapes - Art in Bloom

In Greater Palm Springs, creativity flows freely, spilling into streets, courtyards, and walls. From vibrant murals and galleries to live performances and cultural hotspots, inspiration here is everywhere you turn.

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Modern Muse

Step back in time while exploring the destination’s treasure trove of midcentury modern architecture and design. Discover some of the most iconic buildings designed by renowned architects like Albert Frey, Donald Wexler, John Lautner, and E. Stewart Williams—right here in Greater Palm Springs.

Experience midcentury modernism through guided architecture tours, at the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, or during Modernism Week, a biannual multi-day celebration featuring home tours, informative talks, and exclusive parties.