Things to do in Palm Springs

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Palm Springs
Palm Springs showing landscape views and a park
Palm Springs showing a house, landscape views and fishing
Palm Springs which includes mountains, landscape views and a lake or waterhole
Palm Springs Art Museum featuring interior views

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Palm Springs must see attractions

1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Francis Crocker’s vision for the Aerial Tramway first came about in the mid-1930s, although construction didn’t commence until 1960. Helicopters undertook more than 20,000 missions to deposit materials and workers on the mountain during the 26 months of construction. Since then, this engineering wonder has carried over 12 million visitors to the lofty heights of San Jacinto Mountain.
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Palm Springs Aerial Tramway showing tranquil scenes, views and landscape views

2. Indian Canyon

First settled by Native Americans centuries ago, Indian Canyons was transformed into a natural recreation park in the late 19th century. Its beauty and historic sites have been lovingly preserved and it’s now a popular hiking network.
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Indian Canyon featuring a gorge or canyon and landscape views

3. Palm Springs Art Museum

Established in 1938 in a small room, the Palm Springs Art Museum has since evolved far beyond what its founders likely imagined. The permanent collection alone now numbers over 20,000 pieces. The building’s modern architecture perfectly complements the surrounding sparse, desert landscape.
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Palm Springs Art Museum which includes interior views

4. Palm Springs Air Museum

The Palms Springs Air Museum is one of the world’s most extensive collections of World War II aircraft and memorabilia. Perched on the edge of Palm Springs International Airport, you’ll find a celebration of classic combat aircrafts, and a memorial to the men and women who kept them flying.
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Palm Springs Air Museum showing aircraft

5. Mount San Jacinto State Park

Mount San Jacinto State Park and Peak offers 54 miles (86 kilometers) of hiking trails and awe-inspiring scenery, accessible from the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway’s Mountain Station. From the moment you step off the tramway, there are incredible views across the San Gorgonio Pass and Coachella Valley — and this is just the beginning.
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Mount San Jacinto State Park showing forests and hiking or walking as well as a couple

What to do in Palm Springs

Discover the most popular places to visit in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway showing tranquil scenes, views and landscape views

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

4.5/5(1,006 reviews)

Glide over cliffs, wildlife and several vegetation zones as this glass-enclosed ride carries you up dramatic mountainsides.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The photo was shot at the Palm Springs convention center at dusk. The mountain cat which appears so real was the silhouette of a bronze sculpture. The beautiful backdrop made for a surreal image.

Palm Springs Convention Center

4/5(299 reviews)

Learn about the events happening at 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
Indian Canyon featuring a gorge or canyon and landscape views

Indian Canyon

4.5/5(443 reviews)

Hike in the footsteps of the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians on ancient walking trails through cool, palm-dotted canyons and timeless rock formations.

Indian Canyon
Palm Canyon

Palm Canyon

4.5/5(851 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 relaxing area, or seek out the hiking trails.

Palm Canyon
Palm Springs Art Museum which includes interior views

Palm Springs Art Museum

4.5/5(356 reviews)

The story of the West and famous faces from the past all come alive at this Palm Springs institution.

Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs Air Museum showing aircraft

Palm Springs Air Museum

4.5/5(410 reviews)

Imagine taking to the skies at one of the largest collections of World War II aircraft in the world.

Palm Springs Air Museum
Mount San Jacinto State Park showing forests and hiking or walking as well as a couple

Mount San Jacinto State Park

4.5/5(98 reviews)

Take the ride to Southern California’s rooftop to hike through forests of pine and white fir, and experience views that will stay with you forever.

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

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

5/5(1 review)

This community-spirited museum preserves the history of Palm Springs’ native people, the Cahuilla, while celebrating their contemporary arts and society.

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
This neighborhood has oodles of modernist houses worth cruisin by with cool street plans from another era. Elvis' pad wasn't particularly cool compared to other pads nearby but it ain't too shabby.

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

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Art Museum which includes interior views and art

Downtown Palm Springs

4.5/5(1,565 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 which includes wildflowers

Baristo

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

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 which includes wildflowers

Midtown

Though Midtown might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Agua Caliente Casino and Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.

Midtown
Look up #villaroyale #palmsprings #lifeatexpedia

Tahquitz River Estates

4/5(183 area reviews)

Though Tahquitz River Estates might 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
You know you want this #marshmallowlatte #ernestcoffee #lifeatexpediagroup

Uptown Design District

4.5/5(421 area reviews)

Uptown Design District is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Las Palmas or San Jacinto Mountains.

Uptown Design District
Light and shadows on the east face of Mt San Jacinto. I love the mountain as the sun touches it differently throughout the day. Dancing in and out of the crevices and shadows. Never grows old. #culture. #weekend getaways

Warm Sands

4/5(109 area reviews)

Warm Sands might not have many top sights, but Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and Agua Caliente Casino are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Warm Sands

Popular day trips from Palm Springs

Desert Hot Springs

Desert Hot Springs

Cathedral City

Cathedral City

Sunnylands Center and Gardens which includes golf and landscape views as well as a small group of people

Rancho Mirage

Idyllwild

Idyllwild

Photo by Jeannie Ace

Cabazon

Photo by Nunes_world

Pine Cove