What to do in Palm Springs, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Palm Springs
Palm Springs which includes a garden and landscape views
Palm Springs featuring fishing, landscape views and a house
Palm Springs featuring a lake or waterhole, landscape views and mountains
Palm Springs

Places to Visit in Palm Springs

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Palm Springs, California while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Palm Springs attractions from NZ$27, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Palm Springs tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 30 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Palm Springs. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Recommended things to do in Palm Springs

Number of things to do
30
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: NZ$27
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Palm Springs

Discover the most popular places to visit in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Convention Center

Palm Springs Convention Center

5/5(2 reviews)

Learn about the events happening in Palm Springs Convention Center during your trip to Palm Springs. Discover the area's spas or seek out its golf courses.

Palm Springs Convention Center
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

5/5(11 reviews)

Climb aboard the world's largest rotating tramcar up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon to see Palm Springs from above.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Canyon

Palm Canyon

4.5/5(8 reviews)

Palm Canyon is just one of the places to see in Palm Springs, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the lively festivals in this family-friendly area or seek out the hiking trails.

Palm Canyon
Indian Canyon which includes a gorge or canyon and landscape views

Indian Canyon

4/5(8 reviews)

Follow historic walking trails wending their way through gorges and along streams, like the many Cahuilla Indians who have trodden here before.

Indian Canyon
Palm Springs Air Museum featuring aircraft

Palm Springs Air Museum

4.5/5(2 reviews)

See World War II aeroplanes up close in hangars, or even taking to the skies.

Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs Art Museum featuring interior views

Palm Springs Art Museum

5/5(2 reviews)

Marvel at everything from Mesoamerican artefacts to contemporary glass art at this sizeable, accomplished museum.

Palm Springs Art Museum
Mount San Jacinto State Park

Mount San Jacinto State Park

4/5(1 review)

Journey to the highest point of the San Jacinto Mountains, and be rewarded with excellent hiking trails and superlative views.

Mount San Jacinto State Park
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum showing interior views as well as an individual male

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Discover the fascinating history of Palm Springs' native inhabitants, the Cahuilla.

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway

Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway

Learn about the local history of Palm Springs when you take a trip to Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway. Take in the lively festivals and mountain views in this relaxing area.

Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway

Explore areas of Palm Springs

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Downtown Palm Springs

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Join the many Angelenos that flock to Downtown Palm Springs to quench their vacation thirst in the Sonoran Desert.

Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Springs showing wild flowers

Baristo

While visiting Baristo, you might make a stop by sights like Plaza Theatre and Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center.

Baristo
Palm Springs showing wild flowers

Midtown

While Midtown may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Agua Caliente Casino and Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.

Midtown
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Tahquitz River Estates

5/5(4 area reviews)

Though Tahquitz River Estates may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium and Tahquitz Canyon.

Tahquitz River Estates
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Sunrise Park

If you're spending some time in Sunrise Park, Palm Springs Mall Shopping Center and Palm Springs Swim Center are top sights worth seeing.

Sunrise Park
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Warm Sands

When in Warm Sands, you can plan a visit to Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and Agua Caliente Casino, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Warm Sands

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Palm Springs

Desert Hot Springs

Desert Hot Springs

Cathedral City

Cathedral City

Rancho Mirage

Rancho Mirage

Idyllwild

Idyllwild

Photo by Jeannie Ace

Cabazon

Photo by Lone Coyote Studio

Mountain Center

Frequently asked questions

Is Palm Springs worth visiting?
From shopping to outdoor pursuits and history, there are plenty of great things to do in Palm Springs. Remember to discover the area's mix of awesome sights, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Palm Springs?
After you've visited top attractions like Palm Springs Air Museum and Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, spend some time discovering Palm Springs's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the top tourist attractions in Palm Springs and deserves a place on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Palm Springs?
Three days will be enough time to check out many city highlights, like Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs Air Museum and Palm Springs Art Museum. The average stay in Palm Springs is two days. If you have the time to extend your getaway, Palm Desert isn't far away.
Is Palm Springs a walkable city?
Some top sights in Palm Springs, such as Palm Springs Air Museum and Palm Springs Art Museum, are within walking distance. You can also discover several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.16 kilometres from the city centre of Palm Springs is Downtown Palm Springs and Midtown is 0.97 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Palm Springs with kids?
If you're searching for sights and activities for all ages, check out these terrific ideas for what to do in Palm Springs with kids.

What to do in Palm Springs for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Palm Springs, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway or Desert Memorial Park.
Are there free things to do in Palm Springs?
One of the best ways to find free things to do in Palm Springs is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can enjoy without taking your wallet out. Tahquitz Canyon is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.