The Best Things To Do in Palm Springs, California: A 3-Day Guide
Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley is known for its hot desert climate and its numerous golf courses, resorts, and spas. That’s not all Palm Springs is known for though! The city is home to some of the most famous mid-century modern architecture in the world and a thriving art scene worth envying.
If you’re looking for things to do in Palm Springs, California, this 3-day guide will have you exploring all that this charming city has to offer. We spent a fun three days here and in this post, we’ll be giving you all the best things to do in Palm Springs.
Day 1: The Best Things To Do in Palm Springs
Explore farms, contemporary art, and downtown architecture
Everything in Palm Springs and the neighboring areas is spread out. We recommend renting a car to explore the area. Alternatively, you can drive your own car like we did to save time and money. Spend day one basking in the sun at the date garden and exploring the mid-century modern architecture.
Walk through Shields Date Garden
You can easily explore the area and see the various farms that make up this region. Be sure to stop by Shields Date Garden, which is a local favorite in Indio.
For almost a century, Shields Date Garden has been a destination for visitors interested in learning more about date cultivation. You will be greeted by every type of date-containing product imaginable as soon as you enter the store.
Shields has an iconic 1960s shake counter where you can enjoy a delicious date shake full of flavor (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)! If you’re interested in learning more about dates, they have a movie that runs repeatedly on “The Romance & Sex Life of the Date.”
You can sample many different kinds of dates grown and harvested by them at their sample counter or grab a bite at their Cafe, which serves great breakfast and lunch options with several containing dates.
Don’t forget to take an audio-guided tour of their 17-acre date grove and floral garden, which features 23 handcrafted sculptures depicting Christ’s life. This is a beautiful walk and can be emotional as well. Watch the video below to get a preview of the walking tour.
📍80225 US Hwy 111, Indio, CA 92201
Discover Contemporary Art at The Block in Downtown Palm Springs
After you’ve finished at the Shields Date Garden, we recommend driving to downtown Palm Springs and checking out The Block.
The Block is a contemporary art space that features rotating exhibitions by local and international artists. The current collection displays works by artists Gonzalo Lebrija, David Cerny, Colette Miller, and John Seward Johnson II.
This is a great place to spend an hour or two and get a feel for the art scene in Palm Springs. You will love the ‘History of Suspended Time’ the car suspended over a dark liquid pool. This was our favorite!
After that, stroll over to the Starbucks Reserve and enjoy custom-made drinks while relaxing under a soothing stream of mist. Then spend some time at the Palm Springs Art Museum viewing contemporary art.
Tip: Admission to the Palm Springs Art Museum is Free on Thursdays from 5 -7 pm.
You will still be required to make a reservation online before arriving at the Museum, including for Free Thursday Nights.
📍201 N Palm Canyon Dr 110 N Palm Canyon Dr, 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Explore Mid-Century Modern Architecture around Downtown Palm Springs
Did you know the city is home to some of the most famous mid-century modern architecture in the world? You can explore the buildings on your own, or take a guided tour to learn more about the history and significance of these buildings.
Points of Interest:
- Hotel California
- Royal Hawaiian Estates
- Moorten Botanical Garden
- Saguaro Hotel
- Palm Springs City Hall
See all hotels in Palm Springs
Day 2: Explore Greater Palm Springs and Mid-Century Modern Architecture
The second day is all about exploring Greater Palm Springs. The Greater Palm Springs area is home to nine cities— Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Indio, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Rancho Mirage.
This is a great opportunity to see some of the varied landscapes and wildlife that the different areas have to offer.
Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert
The Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert is a great place to start your day. The museum features a variety of rotating exhibitions, as well as a permanent collection of art from the American West.
Tour the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden
The Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden was definitely a sweet surprise for us since we didn’t even know about it going in.
It’s located in the back of the Galen, the same lot as the museum. The garden is a beautiful well-maintained oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle.
There’s a fountain and a rushing stream that create this soothing white noise that helps mask traffic noise from the nearby Hwy 111. The walk in the garden is truly serene and a respite from the scorching sun, especially during Summer!
We highly recommend this garden and the best part is it’s FREE and open 24/7.
📍 72567 CA-111, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Visit Sunnylands
Sunnylands is a 200-acre midcentury modern estate, opened to the public in March 2012 as a high-level retreat center, welcoming national and international leaders for retreats and meetings that address issues facing the nation and the world.
You can reserve tickets online but it seems they’re always sold out. Tickets are also available at the front gates but this will be a long shot.
It was closed during our visit so we took some quick photos outside of the gates with an aesthetic pink wall and cacti and made our way to the Palm Springs Air Museum.
📍 37977 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Walk the grounds at the Palm Springs Air Museum
The Palm Springs Air Museum is one of the largest collections of flyable World War II aircraft in the world.
The museum is located on the site of the former George Air Force Base, which played an important role in the history of aviation. The museum features a variety of displays and exhibits, as well as a number of restored aircraft.You’ll be free to roam the grounds but there’s a fee for the interior displays and tour.
📍 745 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Visit the luxurious mid-century homes + Self-Guided Door Tour
The most magnificent mid-century modern houses in Palm Springs are located in areas such as Vista Las Palmas, Old Las Palmas, and Movie Colony. These are simply a few of the neighborhoods with spectacular mid-century modern homes.
Architecture Not To Miss:
- Kaufmann House
- Twin Palms, the Frank Sinatra Estate
- Wexler Steel Houses
- Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway
- Parker Palm Springs
- Palm Springs Visitor Center
- Marilyn Monroe Estate
- Edris House
- Chase Bank
You can also do a self-guided tour of the numerous colorful doors in the neighborhood apart from visiting all the famous homes. We created a list of all the colorful doors including ‘That Pink Door’ along with most of their addresses as well.
Take a mid-day break in Downtown Palm Springs
Head over to Great Shakes to try their gourmet shakes, malts and floats. Some of their most popular shakes are the date/date walnut, banana caramel graham, oreo cookie with caramel swirl, oreo mint with fudge swirl, and salted caramel.
We became a little adventurous and got the cake shake! It did not disappoint, especially in the 105F heat. Usually, they have a line out the door but only a couple of people were there so we got a chance to sit by the window and people watch.
If shakes are not your thing, you can head over to the Starbucks Reserve on Palm Canyon Drive to taste their rare, ethically sourced, small-lot coffees and customized drinks.
📍 160 S Palm Canyon Dr A, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Get your Insta Photos with The Popsicles (Update: Taken down December 2021)
These Giant Popsicles are a temporary art installation by artist John Cerney. It features five hands holding up different flavors of popsicles. These popsicles are all over Instagram and we wanted a piece of them too!
You might miss them when you’re driving past but keep your eyes peeled. They’re installed in what seems like a deserted lot across from the little shop of treasures Antiques and next to Kennard’s Automotive.
Find the Best Places to Eat and Drink
Palm Springs has a great selection of fine dining, family, casual, bar, or even dog-friendly restaurants. Our personal favorite was Billy Q’s in Palm Desert.
After a long day of exploring, we worked up an appetite and Billy Q’s was calling our names! Billy Q’s is more than a laid-back Italian eatery with outside tables that serves hearty specialties such as pizzas, burgers, tacos, and gluten-free options.
Our eyes were on the 8″ fish tacos and there’s only one thing we’ll say- DOUBLE UP! These were the most delicious fish tacos we’ve had in a while. We highly recommend Billy Q’s for their tacos and pizzas. You won’t be disappointed if you have tastebuds like us!
📍36901 Cook St, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Day 3: Fun and Unusual Things to do in Palm Springs
Visit the Palm Springs Visitor Center
If you want to learn about the best things to do in Palm Springs, the visitor center is the place for you. The center offers a variety of services and information, including maps, brochures, advice on things to see and do, and more.
It has a small museum with exhibits on the history of Palm Springs and its residents.
The visitor center is truly under-rated and we’d highly recommend you stop by to get all the resources before exploring.
📍2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Check out the Palm Springs Sign
The Palm Springs Sign is located near the visitor center and provides a stunning view of the city’s gorgeous mountainous backdrop. The best time to visit is during sunset when the mountains are framed against the sky’s early evening hues.
Since we were at the visitor center midday, we decided to take some photos right then and head out.
📍 2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA
Take the Aerial Tramway for scenic views
If you’re looking for an easy and relaxing way to explore, we recommend taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to Mount San Jacinto State Park. This is a great way to get some incredible views of the desert without having to do any hiking. This experience is rated one of the best things to do in Palm Springs!
If you’re short on time like we were, you can take a scenic drive up the mountain to the aerial tramway.
📍 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Drive by the Palm Springs Windmills
The windmills are a must-see if you’re in the Palm Springs area. The San Gorgonio Wind Park in Palm Springs has over 2,700 wind turbines that have been part of the landscape since the 1980s, making it the United States’ oldest wind farm.
You can drive by and take some quick photos or take a full-on tour of the park to learn about these gigantic windmills and how they came to be. Go North on North Indian Canyon Drive (between the I-10 and W San Rafael Drive) and make a left on Garnet Ave. Keep going down the stretch for about 1 mile and you will find the windmills on the left. You can pull over on the side streets and get a closer look at the windmills.
📍701 Garnet Ave, Desert Hot Springs, California
Stop by the Windmill Market
Try a date shake one more time at the Windmill Market before leaving Palm Springs. The Windmill Market is a small family-run business where you’ll find produce, a deli, and one of the most delicious date shakes!
You can take snacks to go or enjoy out on their pretty patio.
📍 17080 N Indian Canyon Dr, North Palm Springs, CA 92258
End Your 3 Days Palm Springs by visiting the Cabazon Dinosaurs
Running out of things to do in Palm Springs? Take a short ride to nearby Seminole. If you’re looking for something quirky and fun to do, the Cabazon Dinosaurs are a great option! These giant dinosaurs were built in the early 1960s as part of a roadside attraction.
There’s no admission fee for the parking lot or the two dinosaurs outside but there is a fee to get into the park.
📍 50770 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230
Best Time to Visit Palm Springs
The best time to visit Palm Springs is between January and April when the weather is pleasant. In these months it will be warm and sunny but not too hot. The winter months between October and December are a great time to visit as well due to the low influx of visitors and tourists. Temperatures are milder than the summer heat and you’ll be able to travel throughout the city comfortably and take part in some of the best things to do in Palm Springs.
How to Get to Palm Springs & How to Get Around
Palm Springs is easy to reach by train, plane, bus, or car (our favorite).
Renting a car in Palm Springs is a great option if you won’t be driving in. Rent through this website for cheaper or all-inclusive rates. Book your rental car here.
You may easily drive to Greater Palm Springs as long as you can get on US Interstate 10 (I-10). The area is a surprisingly short drive from several major cities in the Southwest.
Driving Times from Major Cities:
- Los Angeles and San Diego ~ 2 hours
- Newport Beach and Anaheim ~1 hour 45 minutes
- San Bernardino and Riverside ~ 1 hour
- Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, Las Vegas ~ 4 hours
Due to the recent addition of new carriers servicing Palm Springs International Airport, travelers to Greater Palm Springs now have a wider range of air flights.
PSP now offers 13 airlines flying nonstop from over 30 destinations with connections from more than 500 destinations worldwide.
COVID-19 Testing
Testing is available at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). For more details, click here.
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
Take the opportunity to stay in one of the beautiful hotels or mid-century modern homes! Whether you’re on a budget or looking for something more luxurious, Palm Spring offers exceptional accommodations for every type of traveler.
We hope our 3-day travel guide helps you plan some of the best things to do in Palm Springs California. In just three days, you can explore the best of what Palm Springs has to offer. From giant windmills and date shakes to the incredible mid-century modern architecture, there’s something for everyone in this desert oasis.
