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Things to do in Palm Springs

Our most recommended things to do in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

From top to bottom, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway delivers a scenic and educational journey as you travel through 5 transitional zones. Some have compared it to taking a ride from Mexico to Alaska in just 10 minutes. See for yourself as you ride up to the top, where spectacular views await! The 2.5 mile (4 kilometer) ride from the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 feet, or 805 meters) to the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 feet, or 2,596 meters) transports you from the warm desert sands to cool mountain air, with temperatures that are generally 30-degrees cooler than on the ground. The tramway is the threshold of the 14,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park, a natural place with some of the last pristine wilderness in Southern California. In the winter, try cross-county skiing or snowshoeing. Rental equipment is available at the Adventure Cether, snow conditions permitting. During the summer months, camping, guided nature walks, and 54 miles (87 kilometers) of hiking are available. There are 2 dining options at the Mountain Station: Peaks Restaurant offers upscale contemporary cuisine with a spectacular view of the desert floor, and Pines Cafe is a cafeteria-style restaurant that offers a casual dining experience. Also at the top are gift shops, a Natural History Museum, and 2 documentary-style movies on the history of the tramway and the Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

Palm Springs Drag Brunch

2. Palm Springs Drag Brunch

The Saguaro Hotel presents PS Drag Brunch, the #1 show in town and the winner of 2022 Best Drag Brunch Award. You'll enjoy a lavish 3-course menu, served at a private table and accompanied by Bottomless Mimosas, Unlimited Champagne, and never-end soft drinks. While you dine, be entertained by one of the best drag experiences available anywhere. You'll see the top drag talent in California and beyond, a cast featuring Emmy Winners, nationally touring drag artists, and local celebrities. The show wows guests with the costumes, the dancing, the perfect makeup, and the precise lip-sync. Audiences are left alternatively gasping at the shade these queens can throw, or cheering the spectacle unfolding right beside their table. With 5 stars on every review website, PS Drag Brunch is always at the top of everyone's list of things they "must do" in Palm Springs. And with good reason: Nearly half guest testimonials use the word "amazing" to describe their experience. And even the most seasoned lovers of drag culture describe this as the "best drag show they've ever seen". Come and enjoy the most remarkable experience in Palm Springs. And leave with "that" photo, the one where you're posting with our cast, that will define your entire trip to Magical Palm Springs.

Palm Springs: Legends and Icons Tour

3. Palm Springs: Legends and Icons Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of Palm Springs and see the houses once occupied by the rich and famous, including celebrities from Hollywood’s golden years. Discover where current celebrities live and keep your eyes open for some star spotting. The glamorous movie colony of Palm Springs boasts more than 50 celebrity homes, including those of Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and the small house owned by Marilyn Monroe on Rose Avenue. Many stars built smaller getaways than their LA mansions, located just east of Palm Canyon Drive to Ruth Hardy Park. Visit the property known as “The Rat Pack Hideaway” and the location of the Liberace movie, “Behind The Candelabra,” starring Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, and Debbie Reynolds. Hear about the numerous Palm Springs landmarks, such as the Art and Air Museum, the Plaza Theater, The Indian and Tahquitz Canyons, the aerial tramways, historic inns, and many more. Dive back in time and learn about how the Cahuilla Indians lived in the area over 3,000 years ago, long before Hollywood arrived.

Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure

4. Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure

Riders will be treated to a geological extravaganza on this 20-mile (32 km) tour, descending through the heart of the San Andreas Fault zone on a paved road towards the center of grape country near Mecca. There are no cross roads, no turns, and very little traffic which makes this a relaxing sightseeing adventure. Riders will see the stark beauty of the desert as they descend a total of 1200 feet over the route. The course takes riders from the transition zone between the Colorado and Mojave Desert, winds its way through the narrow canyon walls of Box Canyon and finishes with spectacular views of the Salton Sea, Mt. San Jacinto, the All-American Canal, and the agriculture of the eastern Coachella Valley. Our guide will follow behind the group in a chase vehicle to ensure they are provided support when needed. Check out California's beautiful nature on this exciting downhill biking tour.

Palm Springs: Self-Driving Windmill Tour

5. Palm Springs: Self-Driving Windmill Tour

The Palm Springs windmill self-driving tour is an interactive, educational, and fun tour for friends and family. This tour will guide you along with an audio program provided through an app with clearly marked destinations throughout the first commercial wind farm in Southern California. After check-in at the Tour Center, you will see a 15-minute video before your self-driving tour. There are exhibits inside the Tour Center on wind energy. You will then be given a map and directed to where to start your tour. You will then take a journey through 10 marked stops, starting with a display yard of non-operating wind turbines. Learn about the successes and failures and visit a real generating wind turbine, where you can get up close and take pictures. Continue to a solar farm and end the tour with a stop at the old gas plant.

Palm Springs: City Highlights Scavenger Hunt Smartphone Game

6. Palm Springs: City Highlights Scavenger Hunt Smartphone Game

Looking for a way to turn Palm Springs into a giant game board? Urban Adventure Quest has created an interactive scavenger hunt that combines the fun of the Amazing Race with a one and a half hour sightseeing tour of Palm Springs. Guided from any smartphone, groups make their way among well-known and overlooked sights of this little town known as Hollywood’s Desert Playground, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. The adventure begins downtown at the Palm Springs Art Museum and the route leads you to outdoor sculptures and art murals, through the Walk of the Stars, past historic buildings, and delicious date shakes. You'll discover iconic sights and hidden gems of this desert oasis while learning why movie stars have been flocking here since the 1920s. The tour requires approximately 1.25 miles of walking. Using a smartphone as “the guide” allows participants to start when they want and determine their own pace of play. Stop to enjoy the beautiful scenery or grab a bite to eat along the way….why not, it’s your schedule? Available 365 days a year from Sunrise to Sunset. Offered at a fixed price for a group vs. per person pricing, this city tour/game offers a great value to those on a budget.

Palm Springs: Indian Canyons Hiking Tour by Jeep

7. Palm Springs: Indian Canyons Hiking Tour by Jeep

Begin your incredible journey in a 4WD as your tour guide takes you into the lush palm oasis of the magnificent Indian Canyons of Palm Springs. Visit the historical home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Learn about the history, culture, legends, and stories of the Cahuilla people. Along the way, discover Rincon Village and the Cahuilla’s amazing understanding and usage of desert plants.  Embark on a guided 1-mile hike on a peaceful trail up Andreas Canyon that winds along a beautiful stream of cascading waters shaded by a canopy of California Fan Palms. Discover ancient bedrock mortars and an array of desert flora. Once you reach the top of the trail, enjoy a breathtaking view of the steep cliff walls on the opposite side. Enjoy a short walk to a hidden water cave where the water flows most of the year. At the end of your adventure, relax, refresh, and shop for unique gifts and souvenirs at the Indian Trading Post which features Indian art and artifacts, books, jewelry, pottery, baskets, weavings, and more.

Palm Springs: Pink Panther App Guided Exploration Game

8. Palm Springs: Pink Panther App Guided Exploration Game

The Pink Panther Diamond has been stolen, and it's up to you to crack the case! This hilarious and fun Outdoor Adventure will navigate you to the hot spots, highlights, and best parts of Palm Springs, California, that we know you'll want to see. You'll discover new places, hidden gems, and charming spots you might want to return to, all while being entertained by the inimitable Inspector Clouseau. Hone your detective skills and deduce your way to solving the Case of the Missing Diamond. Start and end your adventure at the Palm Springs Art Museum, where you can immerse yourself in the world of art and culture. Throughout your journey, you'll be the star, so you should feel right at home exploring the sun-soaked streets of Palm Springs. Solve clues at the picturesque Moorten Botanical Garden, relax at the cozy Koffi South café, and enjoy the thrilling performances at The Purple Room Supper Club. Ascend to new heights on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, with its captivating views and free parking. Experience the vibrant charm of Downtown Palm Springs, with its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and galleries, then unwind at the fabulously unique and stylish Trixie Motel, plus much more. Whether you journey solo, with friends, or family, you will have the freedom to explore each location at your own pace. If you find a spot that you want to hang out in, no problem. The app will wait until you're ready to move on, whether it's in an hour or even the next day. Your adventure remains available to you until you complete it, so feel free to take your time. The Pink Panther and the Case of the Missing Diamond is the best way to discover the enchanting desert oasis of Palm Springs or even rediscover your hometown.

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What people are saying about Palm Springs

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 249 reviews

Richmond was an excellent guide, he was well prepared and extremely knowledgeable. He had visual aides to help explain certain items and was able to read his audience to make sure we all had an enjoyable and interesting time and would definitely recommend him to anyone. His good sense of humour added to his charm.

Recommend going early in the day so you can enjoy the scenery and walking around/hiking. Fun ride up with beautiful views and very cool ride down in the dark. There is a bar and restaurant to enjoy some cocktails food and views.

The experience was great but the dining is subpar. Eat before you head up to the mountain.

Amazing and thanks.... it was so easy getting a ticket thru your voucher

Wonderful experience for my family visiting from Singapore!