Location: Palm Springs
Top Things to do in Palm Springs
Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Palm Springs, California (CA)
Looking to relax in the sun? Palm Springs, with 354 days of sunshine per year, might be the place for you. Relax poolside or visit one of the many area spas… or tour some fantastic examples of mid-century modern architecture.
Restaurants in Palm Springs
1. San Jacinto Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 928 reviews
Reviewed By 811raulg - Doral, United States
Returning to Palm Springs, after more than 20 years, was a unforgettable and splendid experience! The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon. It is a ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, allowing spectacular vistas of the valley below. At the Mountain Station, you will find two very good restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, gift shop and awesome trails! (over 50 miles of them!) .
2. Covered Wagon Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Experience a desert adventure into the old-west like our pioneer ancestors did, on a mule-drawn Covered Wagon! Journey into a 30,000 acre pristine, desert oasis wilderness preserve accessible and exclusive only to our Covered Wagon Tours! Your personable, on-board naturalist guide and Wagon Master will entertain you as you explore the rugged canyon landscapes of the San Andreas Fault, lush oases and the flora, fauna and geology of this ancient desert wilderness. Watch the colorful desert sunset sink over the Mountains as you return to camp where the aroma of a Chuck-Wagon BBQ and the sound of live western music welcomes you back to a time you might have dreamed of. Enjoy the magic of a desert evening listening to live music, dining on slow-cooked BBQ and relaxing under a desert sunset, moon and stars.
3. Brandini Toffee
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 322 reviews
What began in 2006 as a way to earn money for a student trip to Italy has grown into a thriving business. Brandini Toffee is more than the creator of the world's most delicious almond toffee. We're a family-owned company, handcrafting simple ingredients into sweet indulgences that make people say Mmm... Our Palm Springs store was ranked as the #1 Candy Store store in California by Business Insider, Top 50 Ice Cream stores in the country.
Reviewed By PSforever - Palm Springs, United States
First of all, there is usually someone outside the store giving samples of the toffee and toffee popcorn...Once you taste it you can't keep walking, you must go in and buy some...it is so delicious and it makes a wonderful gift!!
4. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,203 reviews
World's largest rotating Tram car. Opened in 1963, the Tram's 80-passenger cars travel along the beautiful cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 ft.) to the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 ft.) in approximately 10 minutes. At the top enjoy breathtaking views, Peaks Restaurant, Pines Cafe, a gift shop, nature exhibits, educational documentary theaters, and over 50 miles of hiking trails in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness.
Reviewed By robinb42018 - Seattle, United States
No surprise...Palm Springs is hot, hot, hot in August! The bummer is that many things are closed except on the weekends, but The Aerial Tramway and national park is not. It was an amazing experience and one I would highly recommend. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes (uh--not flip flops), and bring water. Even though the temp is up to 30 degrees cooler than down below, it is still plenty hot and dry. The ride up is a bit of a thrill, and if you are afraid of heights, I recommend sitting in the center section. At a minimum, take the Nature or Desert Trail hike at the top. It is only 1.5-2 miles and so beautiful. There are many viewpoints along the way. Tram starts at 10 a.m. and departs about every 10 minutes until 8:30 p.m. It is not cheap, but well worth it. Food, gift shop, and awesome viewpoints at the top!
5. Palm Canyon Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 685 reviews
Reviewed By janinnew - San Francisco, United States
Great shopping and wonderful restaurants, 250 stars to watch out for as you stroll along the main drag.
6. Palm Springs Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,004 reviews
Rated by CNN as one of the top 14 Air Museums in the World. This facility Gives visitors an up-close look at the legendary fighters and bombers of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
Reviewed By geoffreyh551 - Phoenix, United States
Everywhere we went in Palm Springs people told us to go here. You need to go here as soon as it opens ( open 7 days a week 10 Am until 5 PM). The Air Museum is very well set up . Airplanes are located in two hangars to the left as you enter and two hangars to the right. There are 9 people fully employed and 400 volunteers ( docents). All of the docents are veterans and have extensive information that they are ready to personally share with you. Plenty of on site parking. Admission is either $18 or $16 Senior/Military persons. You need to plan on spending many hours going from hangar to hanger-exhibitions of World War 2 and Vietnam. Many hands on exhibits that detail what specifics of the war was happening. Docents all over the area to assist and explain details as to what you are looking at. Don't forget to save time to go upstairs to the very extensive library. We looked up in the large collection of Life Magazines specific issues in our life time that were of interest to us. There is also a docent who will personally assist you on a Flight Simulator ' actually help you simulate a flight. Last visit an actual plane B-17 before you exit ( donation $5.00), but you can board it and walk through the entire plane. Highly recommend We spent 3 hours there .
7. Agua Caliente Indian Canyons
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 529 reviews
Considered sacred to the Cahuilla Indians and of historical importance to scientists and nature lovers, these canyons provide a range of outdoor recreational activities for visitors.
Reviewed By craigsearle - Ottawa, Canada
For an incredible desert experience, visit the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons -- especially Murray Canyon, Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon. Great views and wonderful hiking
8. The Mountain Station
9. Coachella Valley Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 727 reviews
Formed by a system of sand dunes, this 20,000-acre sanctuary is home to several species of rare wildlife and a number of palm oases.
Reviewed By JudyP1614
Come see how Palm Springs was named! My husband and I took an easy, leisurely walk with some friends through this preserve and were treated to sun, desert, gorgeous flowers following a recent rain, palm trees surrounding an oasis! A docent welcomed us to the trails and explained this particular area had more ecological diversity than most any other in the area! Another docent further up the trail explained the amazing array of flowers often not present. We extended our 2 mile loop an additional stretch to catch more wild flowers. It was well worth it. Although I have lived in the Inland Empire area for ten years this was my first time to savor the beauty of the springs. Wow! Nature gave us a spectacular morning! The whole experience was picturesque, pristine (not one piece of trash anywhere to be seen) with sand, water, palm trees and snow capped mountains in the distance. The beauty of this spot cannot be fully captured without feet in the sand and eyes to the sky. Thanks for an unforgettable preserve!
10. Demuth Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Tennis anyone? This city park offers four tennis courts for public use.
Reviewed By FellowTraveler823079 - Heber City, United States
Very nice pickleball courts with plenty of friendly locals and travelers to play with. Great playground for the kids as well.
