Best Things to Do in Palm Springs

Palm Springs pairs effortless poolside relaxation and retro 1950s architecture with dramatic geological wonders along the San Andreas Fault and Mount San Jacinto. Here are the ten experiences that define a visit.

1. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to 2,596-Metre Mount San Jacinto. Board the world's largest rotating tramcar as its floor slowly turns 360 degrees during a 10-minute climb up sheer Chino Canyon to 50 miles of cool alpine pine trails.
2. Hike the fan-palm oases of Indian Canyons (Andreas & Palm Canyons) & 60-Foot Tahquitz Waterfall. Walk beneath thousands of native California fan palms beside rushing snowmelt streams on the sacred land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
3. Tour Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Vista Las Palmas & Twin Palms. Photograph Richard Neutra's 1946 Kaufmann House, Elvis's Honeymoon Hideaway, the butterfly roofs of Twin Palms and 'That Pink Door'.
4. Take a 45-minute day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Drive in through the West Entrance at Joshua Tree Village to hike Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Keys View and the Cholla Cactus Garden.

5. Soak in sacred geothermal waters at The Spa at Séc-he & visit the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Experience the brand-new downtown cultural plaza and private mineral soaking baths fed by 12,000-year-old hot springs.
6. Stroll Palm Canyon Drive, see the 26-Foot 'Forever Marilyn' Statue & join Thursday VillageFest. Walk the palm-lined downtown strip and step inside the Palm Springs Art Museum & Air Museum.
7. Feed giraffes at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens + Walk the Free Thousand Palms Oasis.
8. Explore the San Andreas Fault by Red Jeep or hike the slot ladders of Painted Canyon.

9. Photograph the Palm Springs Windmills & Giant Roadside Cabazon Dinosaurs.
10. Sip a creamy Medjool Date Shake at 1924 Shields Date Garden & tropical cocktail at Bootlegger Tiki in Uptown.