Looking to explore some unique things to do in Palm Springs? I’ve got you covered.
Being just two hours from Los Angeles, Palm Springs has long been a favorite weekend getaway of mine when I want to escape the city.
Palm Springs is one of the most unique places to visit in California in my opinion. Between the scorching desert heat, next level mid-century architecture and quirky retro vibes that characterize the city, Palm Springs has a stamp all its own.
In this post, we’ll go beyond the epic pool parties to share some of the most fun and unique things to do in Palm Springs on your next trip.
But first…are you planning a trip to Palm Springs? Here are my top picks for places to stay:
- Yara Hotel for stunning boho desert vibes in the heart of downtown.
- Korakia Pensione for a romantic couple’s getaway.
- ARRIVE Palm Springs for a lively, social scene.
- Parker Palm Springs for a luxury stay and classic Palm Springs ambiance.
Quick Tips for Visiting Palm Springs
- How to Get to Palm Springs: If you’re flying, you can fly right into Palm Springs International Airport or fly into LAX (Los Angeles) and drive from there. If you’re driving, it’s about a 2-hour drive to Palm Springs from LA or San Diego or 4 hours from Las Vegas or Phoenix.
- Accommodation: Your accommodation is half the experience of a visit to Palm Springs (in my opinion)! Some spots cater to more romantic vibes, some are quintessential, mid-century Palm Springs style, and others are perfect for rowdy pool parties, so do a little research to choose a place that matches the vibe you’re looking for.
- Dinner Reservations: I recommend booking restaurant reservations ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend or in high season.
- Itinerary Planning: Palm Springs loses light about an hour before the listed sunset times because it’s in the valley and shaded by the canyon. Keep that in mind as you plan your adventures if you’re doing any hiking or photography excursions.
- Seasonal Schedules: Note that because it gets so hot in the summer and is less busy, some places have reduced schedules in the summer months. Double check the hours before visiting any spots and you won’t run into issues!
- High and Low Season: High season in Palm Springs runs from January to April, while low season is in the late spring through summer due to the intense heat. If you want to avoid skyrocket high prices, avoid visiting the area during Modernism Week (February) and during festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach in the spring.
23 Most Unique Things to Do in Palm Springs
It might be in the middle of the desert, but that doesn’t equate to “the middle of nowhere” when it comes to Palm Springs. Trust me, there is no shortage of things to do in this colorful town.
Between plenty of outdoor hikes, fun shopping, amazing bars and restaurants, and funky art installations, and you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. Plus, Palm Springs has a lot of quirky activities and unique elements that you won’t find anywhere else in California.
Take a Desert Modernism Architecture Tour
Palm Springs is known the world over for its mid-century modern architecture, as the city has one of the most expansive concentrations of preserved structures from this style. Thus, taking an architectural tour here is a must.
Palm Springs Mod Squad offers a few different architecture and design tours: one that will show you all the essential highlights, another where you can actually go inside a few of the homes, and a fun tour where you check out some of the homes of the biggest old Hollywood stars like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Marilyn Monroe.
I also love the idea of this history and bike tour which allows you to get active while learning about the incredible architectural icons of the city.
And if you don’t want to sign up for an official tour, you can embark on your own self-guided architecture tour and check out some of the most famous buildings and homes on your own time.
Here’s a list of some architectural highlights that are worth checking out during your visit:
- Kaufmann Residence (pictured above)
- Dinah Shore residence (which was bought by Leonardo DiCaprio)
- Palm Springs Visitor Center
- Kaptur Court home
- Palm Springs Art Museum
- Frey House II
Grab Drinks Inside a Plane at PS Air Bar
This kitschy in-flight themed cocktail bar is super discreet located through an outdoor shopping mall area, but once you go inside, it’s fully decked out to look like a plane.
Think airplane seats instead of bar seats, walls lined with fake plane windows, and servers dressed as pilots.
PS Air Bar is definitely an experience and one of the more quirky and unique things to do in Palm Springs for sure. For bonus fun, go on karaoke night where all hell breaks loose!
Hike to Tahquitz Falls
In such a dry, desert oasis you wouldn’t necessary think waterfalls, but in fact there is one just five minutes from Downtown Palm Springs.
Tahquitz Falls is a relatively easy, 2-ish mile hike that leads to a 60 ft. waterfall. Along the trail, you’ll hike through some fun boulders, cross over a stream and get panoramic views of the valley.
To access the trail, you need to buy a day-hike ticket from the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center for $15. The center also has restroom facilities on site. We also watched a short film on the legend of Tahquitz, which provided some fun mythology and context to the hike.
Pro Tip: There’s no shade on the trail, so do it in the morning or on a cloudy day if you want to escape the sun.
Bring Your Dog to Eat at Boozehounds
If you’re traveling with your furry friend, then you need to check out Boozehounds—a unique restaurant that caters to dogs (and people too, don’t worry).
Their tagline is literally “where dogs bring their humans,” which I love.
The design at Boozehounds is super stylish, the food is Southern California plates, the cocktails are top notch, and there’s even a separate dog menu with items like beef and spinach bites.
If you’re not a dog person, the indoor seating area is reserved for dog-free dining, but you can go through the “doggy door” to enter the spacious outdoor atrium where you and your pup can dine together.
Visit the Moorten Botanical Garden
A family-owned arboretum that specializes in desert trees, plants, and cacti, Moorten Botanical Garden is a beautiful space to walk around and explore the local desert plant life.
The property features over 3,000 varieties of plants and is home to “The World’s First Cactarium” that houses a collection of rare desert plants. If you’re a plant daddy or mama at home, I promise you’re going to want to take so many plants home from here.
Good to know: This is one of those spots that has a reduced summer schedule (I’ve tried for years to come here and only just succeeded on a recent trip!), so double-check hours before visiting.
Take a San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour
Ever taken a tour of the San Andreas Fault? I’m guessing not! Lucky for you, Palm Springs is the place to do it. California’s legendary San Andreas fault is the place where the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate meet, creating a hightened level of earthquake activity.
On this San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour, you can dive deeper into all things California earthquakes with an expert naturalist guide who will teach you about the geology of the area, as well as the indigenous tribes and early settlers.
You’ll even get to walk around a desert oasis and drive through stunning canyons and rock formations. Tours run about 3 hours long and you can choose either a morning or afternoon departure.
Grab Vegan Bites at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
One of the most pleasant surprises on a recent trip to Palm Springs was our quick lunch pit stop at plant-based cafe, Tanya’s Kitchen. As a non-vegan, I can be picky about meat replacement items, but Tanya’s sandwiches truly taste like the real thing.
I was shocked by how delicious their pastrami sandwich was, but it’s also a great spot for items like salads, bowls, and quick grab-and-go snacks.
Vegans and meat eaters alike will love the food at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, trust me. You can order to go or grab a table at their little seating area next door.
Get an Aura Reading
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Palm Springs that air on the spiritual side, add getting an aura reading to your list. We did a couples reading at Soulglow Aura Studio after spotting it across the street while getting coffee—and it was spot on.
If you’re new to the idea of an aura reading, basically you’re photographed with a special bio-feedback camera that is said to capture an image of your aura.
You’re then given a reading that interprets the colors and their placement and what it all means—and you get to take the photo home with you for a super unique souvenir.
Buy Festival Tickets
Palm Springs is a great base for experiencing some of Southern California’s biggest music festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach, and there are a bunch of other festivals throughout the year too.
Whether it’s music, or film, or art, or Pride, the area has no shortage of fun gatherings.
Here’s a list of festivals to check out in the Palm Springs area:
- Coachella music festival (April)
- Stagecoach music festival (April/May)
- Joshua Tree Music festival (May)
- Greater Palm Springs Pride (November)
- International Film Festival (January)
- BNP Paribas Open (March)
- White Party (April/May)
Explore the Colorful Doors of Palm Springs
If Palm Springs is shy about anything, it’s definitely not color! You’ll notice that residents are all about painting their doors vibrant colors—many houses have even become photographic icons because of it.
If this is your kind of thing, you’ll definitely want to take a drive around the neighborhood south of East Palm Canyon Drive (between South Palm Canyon Drive and Toledo Avenue).
Here you’ll find tons of fun houses with these iconic colorful doors paired with beautiful Mid-century architecture. There’s even one that’s become famous for keeping a rotating selection of unique pool floaties on their front stoop.
Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car, and while it might be a little touristy, I definitely think it’s worth it.
It’s a 10 minute journey up the cliffs of Chino Canyon to Mount San Jacinto State Park where you’ll get spectacular views of the valley below. And since the tramway is rotating, you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in a bad viewing area!
Once you reach the top (at over 8,500 feet), there are observation decks, hiking trails, a natural history museum, and two restaurants to explore, but the views alone are reason enough to say yes to this experience.
Experience Robolights
This one might take the cake for unique things to do in Palm Springs and maybe across all of California. Robolights is a massive art installation at the home of artist Kenny Irwin that he has been building out since 1986.
Everything throughout the paint-covered sculpture park is made from recycled materials (think anything and everything you can imagine like dolls, old TVs, tires and even toilets). To me it felt like something you would find at Burning Man—but 10x more bizarre.
When we did research on how to see Robolights, the internet told us it was now closed to the public but that you can still visit by contacting Kenny directly to set up an appointment (note that the tour is free but at the end he will strongly sell you on his art as a contribution).
Definitely allot some time here as you could easily spend over an hour walking the endless rows of whimsical sculptures and curiosities. Check out the Robolights Facebook page for more information on how to visit.
Snag a Deal at the Cabazon Outlets
People trek to the Cabazon Outlets from all over Southern California for deals on tons of high-end designers and popular brands.
While it’s a little bit outside of Palm Springs, you won’t want to miss a day trip here if you’re a bargain hunter or in need of some retail therapy. Here you can find almost every major designer under the sun including Adidas, Fabletics, Gucci, Armani, Balenciaga, Tumi, Ugg, Vans and many more.
Don’t forget to check out the wacky Cabazon Dinosaurs while you’re there.
Explore the Palm Springs Art Museum
For a city that’s known for design, it’s no surprise that Palm Springs has a solid art museum. The Palm Springs Art Museum has 28 galleries and two sculpture gardens over four floors and they focus on design and contemporary art.
It’s a great activity for the middle of the day or during the summer when it’s scorching hot out. Just note that they’re closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Dine at an All-Pink Restaurant
It’s about 30 minutes outside of Palm Springs in Indian Wells, but a meal at the Pink Cabana at the Sands Hotel and Spa is worth the drive.
We stayed at this hotel for a couple nights on our last Palm Springs trip and loved every meal we ate here. The photo-worthy interior is just an added bonus!
Inside, it’s all retro Palm Springs vibes here with a vibrant pink and green interior and is wonderful for both dinner and breakfast.
On the menu, you’ll find Mediterranean cuisine with a Moroccan flair and the french toast is insane (it might not look like much, but the flavor is so good). If you’re visiting for dinner, don’t miss ordering the steak frites.
Explore More of Southern California
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Shop Vintage and Unique Goods
Shopping in Palm Springs is definitely a different vibe than anywhere else. You’ll find tons of unique vintage and antique shops, mid-century furniture stores, pop art galleries, and costume boutiques along with a typical selection of stores on offer.
My personal favorite spots I love returning to are Mojave Flea Trading, Market Market, Thick as Thieves, Super Simple, and Phylum.
Experience a Drag Show
Palm Springs is a very welcoming LGBTQ+ travel destination, and a drag show is an essential experience to add to your agenda while in town. This is one of the more popular activities for bachelorette parties in Palm Springs, but I don’t think you need to be on a bachelorette to have fun with it!
There are a number of different spots you can catch a drag show, but I recommend a night show at Toucans Tiki Lounge and the drag brunch at The Saguaro Hotel, which includes a 3-course meal and bottomless mimosas/champagne.
Try a Famous Date Shake
Around 95% of the country’s dates are grown in the Coachella Valley and there are a number of date farms in the Palm Springs area alone. For that reason, the date milkshake has become a Palm Springs staple and several places serve them around town.
While there are multiple options to choose from, I’ve always loved the ones at Great Shakes personally, or you can check out Shield’s Date Garden and wander through their 17-acre date garden and try all sorts of date treats including their famous date shakes. Beware though, because they are addicting!
Try the $50 Martini at Bar Cecil
Bar Cecil is a wonderfully hip restaurant that should be on your list when visiting Palm Springs. Named as an homage to artist and aristocrat Cecil Beaton, grabbing a table here feels like dining in a pop art gallery where a celebrity might pull up the chair next to you at any moment.
We ordered steak and cacio e pepe which were both delicious, but the most unique menu item at Bar Cecil is an outrageous $50 martini that comes with a deviled egg and caviar. I have yet to try it, but I do love a martini so it’s on my to-do list for a future Palm Springs trip if I can stomach the price tag.
Whether you order the martini or not, make sure to book reservations ahead of time and order the steak frites and chocolate chip cookies!
Check Out Modernism Week (Seasonal)
For the midcentury modern design obsessed, you’ll want to book your trip to Palm Springs during Modernism Week which falls in February. It’s an 11-day celebration of all things midcentury modern with over 350 events like home tours, films, fashion shows, lectures, parties and more.
And if you can’t make it in February, they have a shorter, four-day event in October which features a lot of the same type of activities.
This is absolutely one of the most unique things to do in Palm Springs and is worth booking a trip around!
Take a Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
If you’ve got a bit of time in Palm Springs and you’re looking to take a day trip, Joshua Tree National Park is only about an hour away and is one of the most beautiful landscapes in California.
The stark desert landscape is dotted with the park’s namesake Joshua Trees, and there are tons of great hikes and scenic drives to explore throughout the park. Downtown Joshua Tree also has many funky shops and cafes to explore. For more things to explore, read my full guide on Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park.
If you’d rather book a tour from Palm Springs out to Joshua Tree for the day, this off-road tour is a favorite and often sells out in advance!
Explore Desert X (Seasonal)
An outdoor contemporary art exhibit in the Coachella Valley, Desert X is put on by a non-profit organization about every two years to breathe new life into desert landscapes through unique art installations.
Site-specific art pieces by acclaimed international artists are installed for a short period of time outdoors amidst the stunning desert scenery, drawing visitors from all over the world.
It’s free, self-guided, and open to the public and definitely one of the more fun and whimsical activities to do in Palm Springs.
Visit an Old Western Movie Set
What was once an old Western movie set is now a funky little tourist hotspot complete with art galleries, apothecaries and even an amazing artisanal rug shop, Soukie Modern.
Pioneertown, California is definitely a one-of-a-kind place to visit in California, so if you have the time to visit while in Palm Springs, I’d recommend making the 45 minute drive out and ending your visit with some BBQ and beers at the iconic Pappy & Harriet’s next door.
Did this post give you some ideas on fun things to do in Palm Springs? Let me know in the comments!
Planning a trip right now? Make your life easier with this checklist of my favorite travel resources.
Booking Accommodations:
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