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Top Attractions in Palm Springs

Here are some of the best attractions in and around Palm Springs, with details and official website links. No pictures included.

1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Web Address: 1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States Phone: +1 888-515-8726

Address: 1 Tramway Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Best for: Mountain scenery, sightseeing, hiking, escaping the desert heat.

The rotating tram cars travel from the desert floor up to 8,516 feet at the Mountain Station. The approximately 10-minute ride passes through dramatically different vegetation and provides expansive views of the Coachella Valley. At the top, visitors can explore Mount San Jacinto State Park, observation decks, restaurants, and more than 50 miles of hiking trails. (Palm Springs Aerial Tramway)

Website: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway official website

2. Indian Canyons

Indian Canyons

Indian Canyons Web Address: 38520 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92264-9332 Phone: +1 760-323-6018

Address: 38520 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Best for: Hiking, palm oases, nature, Indigenous history.

Indian Canyons is an important cultural and natural area associated with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. It includes Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon, with trails passing through California fan-palm oases, rocky canyons, and areas with streams. (Visit Palm Springs)

Website: Agua Caliente Indian Canyons official website

3. Tahquitz Canyon

Agua Caliente Tahquitz Visitor Center

Agua Caliente Tahquitz Visitor Center Web Address: 500 W Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States Phone: +1 760-416-7044

Address: 500 W. Mesquite Avenue, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Best for: Hiking, waterfalls, Indigenous culture, desert scenery.

Tahquitz Canyon is close to downtown and features a hiking trail through a dramatic canyon environment. The trail leads toward a seasonal 60-foot waterfall, while interpretive information introduces visitors to the cultural history and traditions of the Agua Caliente people. (Visit Palm Springs)

Website: Tahquitz Canyon official website

4. Palm Springs Art Museum

Palm Springs Art Museum

Palm Springs Art Museum Web Address: 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States Phone: +1 760-322-4800

Address: 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Best for: Art, architecture, design, indoor activities.

The museum features modern and contemporary art, Western and Native American works, photography, sculpture, and exhibitions related to Palm Springs' design heritage. It also operates the Architecture and Design Center downtown. (Visit Palm Springs)

The main museum is currently open Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday noon–8 p.m., and Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; it is closed Monday–Wednesday. (PS Museum)

Website: Palm Springs Art Museum official website

5. Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum Web Address: Parking, lot 745 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States Phone: +1 760-778-6262

Address: 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Best for: Aviation, military history, families.

The museum focuses heavily on American military aviation and has an extensive collection of historic aircraft, including aircraft associated with World War II. It is designed as a hands-on, close-up museum experience, with aircraft displayed in hangars and historical exhibits. (Visit Palm Springs)

Website: Palm Springs Air Museum official website

6. Moorten Botanical Garden

Moorten Botanical Garden

Moorten Botanical Garden Web Address: 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States Phone: +1 760-327-6555

Address: 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Best for: Cacti, desert plants, a short relaxing visit.

Moorten Botanical Garden is a privately operated desert botanical garden and nursery featuring an extensive collection of cacti and other desert plants. The Cactarium greenhouse is one of its distinctive features. It is a good option if you want a relatively short attraction rather than a long hike.

Website: Moorten Botanical Garden official website

7. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Web Address: 140 N Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States Phone: +1 760-778-1079

Address: 140 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Best for: Native American history and culture.

This Smithsonian Affiliate museum focuses on the history, traditions, and living culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Exhibits use artifacts, maps, multimedia, and interpretive displays to explain the area's Indigenous history. (Visit Palm Springs)

Website: Agua Caliente Cultural Museum official website

8. Downtown Palm Springs & Palm Canyon Drive

Best for: Shopping, restaurants, architecture, public art, walking.

Palm Canyon Drive is the heart of Palm Springs, with restaurants, cafés, boutiques, galleries, hotels, and public art. Downtown is also a convenient starting point for exploring the city's famous midcentury-modern architecture. Palm Springs is particularly well known for the work of architects such as Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, Donald Wexler, and William Krisel. (Visit Palm Springs)

Website: Visit Palm Springs official tourism website

9. Sunnylands Center & Gardens

Sunnylands

Sunnylands Web Address: 37977 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92270 Phone: +1 760-202-2222

Address: 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Best for: Gardens, architecture, history, peaceful walks.

Sunnylands is a historic estate in nearby Rancho Mirage associated with philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg. The Center & Gardens provides visitors with landscaped gardens, architecture, exhibitions, and information about the estate. The public gardens are a particularly good choice for a quieter outing.

Website: Sunnylands official website

10. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Web Address: 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260, United States Phone: +1 760-346-5694

Address: 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Best for: Families, animals, botanical gardens, desert ecology.

Located about 20–30 minutes from central Palm Springs depending on traffic, The Living Desert combines a zoo with extensive desert gardens. It focuses on desert environments of North America and Africa, with animal exhibits, botanical collections, walking trails, and conservation programs.

Website: The Living Desert official website