(Greater Palm Springs, CA) – May 19, 2015 - With summer hotel prices and packages starting in the double digits, free night options, complimentary resort amenities and epic deals on dining, golf, spas, adventures and attractions, what’s not to like about summer in Greater Palm Springs? Spend some time in one of our sparkling pools, and you’ll find it a breeze to navigate the chilling season like a local. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities—indoors and out—to keep the kids entertained for hours. Here’s your 2015 guide to summer family fun in Greater Palm Springs:
Surf in the Desert
Nothing screams school’s out for summer louder than a water park! Wet ‘n’ Wild Palm Springs has several slide rides and attractions suitable for all ages and thrill levels. Craving a fast but extreme adrenaline rush? Careen down a Tidal Wave Tower slide for an exhilarating, gravity-defying ride. Hang 10 with the Flowrider; let the kids loose in the super soaking Kahuna’s Beach House; and grab a tube for a lazy float down Sunset River. Private cabana rentals, as well as an assortment of food and beverages, are available for purchase. In July, Friday night Dive ‘n’ Movies are free with park admission. www.wetnwildpalmsprings.com
Play Ball
The boys of summer are back with evening games at Palm Springs Stadium. Cheer on the Palm Springs Power team, Southern California Collegiate Baseball League champs for four consecutive years. The team has an exciting season planned for fans with daily promotions, giveaways and postgame firework shows on four select nights. Enjoy $1 admission on Wednesdays for Family Appreciation night, and, on Saturdays, Kids’ Day, children 12 and under get in for only $2. For details and game schedule, visit www.palmspringspowerbaseball.com
Be Explorers
Explore The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, an extraordinary conservation park spread over 1,200 acres in Palm Desert and Indian Wells. Take the kids on a morning photo safari to snap pictures of the animals eating breakfast—they can actually feed the giraffes every day at 9 a.m. Wander at leisure or reserve a private guided tour. Be sure to stop in the Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center, an exceptional facility providing state-of-the-art health care for the park’s residents. Visit www.livingdesert.org for complete details including summer hours and admission fees.
‘Climb’ the Mountain
Chill a little with an exciting afternoon adventure into the mountain wilderness high above the desert floor where temperatures are often 30 degrees cooler. Board the world’s largest rotating tramcars at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a breathtaking 10-minute journey that carries you up to Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Go for a hike on one of the well-marked trails or take one of the complimentary 40-minute guided nature walks, a terrific opportunity for the kids to learn more about the natural environment. Before leaving for the return journey, stop into the Mountain Station, which houses a natural history museum, gift shop and two restaurants. www.pstramway.com
Bowling for Fun
Introduce your youngsters to the sport of bowling at Palm Springs Lanes in Cathedral City or Fantasy Lanes Bowling Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio. At Palm Springs Lanes, Friday Family Bowling from 5 to 8 p.m. features unlimited bowling for $9 per person, plus $1 sodas and hot dogs. The facility also offers friends and family group specials and pizza packages. The 24 lanes at Fantasy Springs have bumpers for bowlers-in-training, a video game arcade, snack bar and sports lounge. www.pslanes.com, www.fantasyspringsresort.com
Family Ice Chilling
Head over to the Desert Ice Castle in Cathedral City, rent skates and glide around the rink for the ultimate family chill time. The facility sports a well groomed, NHL sized rink and a wide variety of skating programs that cater to beginning and expert figure skaters and hockey players. The rink also offers free lessons on select days for children ages 4-17, and a summer camp that kids can attend by the day or longer.
More Summer Family Fun in Greater Palm Springs:
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, Palm Springs, www.accmuseum.org
Boomer’s Amusement Park, Palm Springs, www.boomerspalmsprings.com
Cabot’s Indian Pueblo Museum, Desert Hot Springs, www.cabotsmuseum.org
Children’s Discovery Museum, Rancho Mirage, www.cdmod.org
Desert Cinema UltraMaximum Experience, Cathedral City, www.ultrastarmovies.com
Indian Canyons, Palm Springs, www.indian-canyons.com
Palm Desert Aquatic Center, Palm Desert, www.desertymca.org
Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
The River in Rancho Mirage – Century Theatres, dining and shopping, www.theriver@ranchomirage.com