There are two restaurants, viewpoints, and over 50 miles of trails to explore. The oppressive heat keeps things pretty quiet in the summer, but no matter the time of year you can embark on fun home tours, visit botanical gardens and have loads of fun on one-of-a-kind tram rides if you just follow our very own guide. These 100-ton Brontosaurus and T. Rex sculptures once beckoned motorists on their way to Palm Springs to a 24-hour diner. Desert climates mean extremes. Since we started rock climbing, Jtree has easily become our National Park. We’ve made notes below with the details we could find. Don't worry, it's a few times a month and not spammy. Dinny is 150 feet long and Mr. Rex is 65 feet tall making it easy to spot as you drive by. Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. We have reviews of the best places to see in Palm Springs. Learn more about us here and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. We’ve only been to Palm Springs twice despite having lived in both LA and San Diego. Unfortunately time machines still don’t exist as far as we know, but Jim Ruddy’s General Store Museum can take you back in time. Palm Canyon Drive, between Indian Canyon Drive and Belardo Road, turns into a pedestrian street fair with over 180 vendors. You can even climb up Mr. Rex all the way to his mouth. Trek a couple of minutes onto Tramway Road as you roll into Palm Springs and you’ll come across this classic canyon-hugging gondola ride. Not only did we take our anniversary photos here, but it’s where we almost lost our Airstream awning. Hi. Be sure to reapply throughout the day. The most popular things to do in Palm Springs with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: The Leading Hotels Of The World in Palm Springs, Hotels near (PSP) Palm Springs Municipal Airport, Hotels near Kaplan College - Palm Springs, Hotels near California Nurses Educational Institute, Hotels near Champion Institute of Cosmetology, Hotels near International School of Beauty, Things to do near Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Things to do near The Mod Squad Variety Show, Things to do near Palm Springs Municipal Airport (PSP), Things to do near Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, Things to do near The Saguaro Palm Springs, Things to do near Palm Canyon Resort & Spa, Things to do near The Riviera Palm Spring, See all attractions in Palm Springs on Tripadvisor, See all outdoor activities in Palm Springs on Tripadvisor, See all kid friendly things to do in Palm Springs on Tripadvisor. Any history or WWII buff needs to stop by the Palm Springs Air Museum. There are outdoor displays of beautiful desert plants and a greenhouse with cacti and succulents. When Albert Frey and Robson Chambers’s retro design was slated for the wrecking ball in the ’90s, it was saved and turned into a visitors center. The San Gorgonio Pass is one of three major wind farms in California and one of the windiest places in SoCal. In the middle of the desert? The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. Now that we’re back in the Southwest, we can’t wait to be pool hopping in Palm Springs. Déjà vu! Palm Springs can be a great base for exploring Joshua Tree, especially if you want luxury accommodations. Pro Tip for RVers: We heard a lot of RVers lose their awnngs in this area, so be sure you secure it tight before coming through. It has a great permanent collection of works by western, contemporary, and glass artists. The best outdoor activities in Palm Springs according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Palm Springs with kids? By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in October. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. The 10 minute ride takes you over 2.5 miles along the Chino Canyon, giving you great views of the cliffs, vistas, and the valley below. Besides the drive, the Palm Springs area is full of art galleries, antique shops and furniture stores to check out during your visit. Call ahead for reservations and to double check their schedule. In this 15 mile long section of Indian Canyons, you will find the largest Fan Palm Oasis. Have you been? There’s even some bouldering in the area, and you can camp over night with advanced registration. The 10 minute ride takes you over 2.5 miles along the Chino Canyon, giving you great views of the cliffs, vistas, and the valley below. The family-owned garden dates back to the 1930s and harbors more than 3,000 specimens of desert plants from around the world, grouped by region. Thanks for subscribing! We’re Esther & Jacob. Pro Tip for Photographers: Bring a wide lens and long lens to give you options. The Thousand Palm Oasis is also a popular stop. On the plus side, the fee keeps the trail impeccably maintained, unlike many of L.A.’s graffiti-filled waterfalls. This is a for-profit blog and contains occasional affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. YOUR GUIDE TO THE NEW DISNEY STAR WARS LAND, “Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust. Note: The Tram is currently closed and no open date has been announced yet. At the end, you’ll get to enjoy the beautiful Tahquitz Waterfall. Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center (300 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, RoboLights (closed on Jan 2 for an eventual relocation to a commercial property). Local Tip: They offer discounted Ride ‘n’ Dinner combos, which will save you money if you plan on eating at the Pines Cafe. Also, travel safe and wear masks! Ever since, it’s been beckoning visitors with its arid landscape, golf courses, handsome midcentury vacation homes and excellent restaurant scene. We are ATLiens who explore a new city every year. Don't worry, it's a few times a month and not spammy. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Note: The Visitor Center is currently closed with a tentative open date of July 1. You’ll find more than 40 flyable and static planes across three warehouses, from the B-17 flying fortress to the F-4 fighter jet, as well as a couple of aircraft on the tarmac, like the C-47 and PBY Catalina Flying Boat. How We Made Over $30.9K in May – Travel Blog Income Report, All the Best Things to Do in West Texas Road Trip Guide. The museum showcases pristine products from the 1930s in their original boxes and tins. Highlights include the. All copyrights to photos, graphics, and text are owned by Local Adventurer and cannot be used without permission. But cruise around some notable neighborhoods, from Tennis Club to Araby Cove, and you’ll spot plenty or architectural gems along the way. Today, they guard the entrance to a Creationist-themed dino museum with an interesting take on the facts. Whether it’s your first or hundredth visit to Palm Springs, the Visitor Center is always a great resource for the most up-to-date info. Ranger-led hikes are also available. Hi. Local Tip: There is very little shade on this hike, so bring plenty of water, dress appropriately, and wear sunscreen. Palm Canyon Drive is in the heart of the city, where you’ll find shops, art galleries, restaurants and more. Located a couple of miles outside of Palm Springs, the largely outdoor locale is broadly split into North American and African environments. Photograph: Courtesy CC/Wikimedia/Bryanb7, Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Caitlyn Willows, Photograph: Courtesy CC/Wikimedia/RufusTeleStrat, Photograph: Courtesy Palm Springs Art Museum, Photograph: Courtesy Don Zevchek/Coachella Valley, Photograph: Courtesy Moorten Botanical Garden, Photograph: Courtesy Marion Brenner/Sunnylands, Palm Springs is brimming with handsome midcentury modern homes. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Heads up! This mid-size museum houses a collection of contemporary paintings, sculpture and art glass from the likes of Henry Moore, Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler as well as West Coast artists like Sam Francis, Mark di Suvero and Edward Ruscha. But cruise around some notable neighborhoods, from Tennis Club to Araby Cove, and you’ll spot plenty or architectural gems along the way. Stop by downtown Palm Springs to visit the local museum. A great place to start is at the Preserve’s visitor center in the Paul Wilhelm Grove. Starting from the Visitor’s Center, you will climb 350 feet in elevation over steep terrain and giant steps. Besides enjoying the art, they also run art classes and workshops for kids and adults. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Even if you don’t need any information from the official Palm Springs welcome center, this distinctive spot is worth a stop to admire its architecture. Palm Springs sprouted into a resort destination in the early 20th century. The long lens will compress the photo and make you look closer to the windmills. Sign up to get access to our library of resources, travel photography tips, exclusive giveaways, and inspiration to be a Local Adventurer. The museum also operates a satellite location in Palm Desert (free) as well as an architecture and design center in downtown Palm Springs ($5). True to its name, this zoo looks just like a living slice of the Sonoran Desert.