What to do and see in Greater Palm Springs, California Desert: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

April 25, 2022 Joeann Galban

Greater Palm Springs is an oasis for art, culture, adventure and relaxation. Take in the views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, before exploring exhibits at the Palm Springs Art Museum and its Architecture & Design Center. Visit the Empire Polo Club, home of the Coachella Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Dozens of spas in Desert Hot Springs let you soak in the healing mineral waters that flow beneath the city.
Restaurants in Greater Palm Springs

1. San Jacinto Mountain

Mountain Station, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA +1 909-659-2607 http://www.parks.ca.gov/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 928 reviews

San Jacinto Mountain

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. Antique Galleries of Palm Springs

505 E Industrial Pl, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92264-0659 +1 760-322-8740 http://antiquegalleriespalmsprings.com/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 56 reviews

Antique Galleries of Palm Springs

Reviewed By jackiea833 - Fremont, United States

Amazing assortment of all things mid century modern including bar ware, small accessories, hard to find lamps with fiberglass lamp shades! A must stop if your visiting Palm Springs! Great prices something for everyone

3. Marvyn's Magic Theater

46630 Washington St, La Quinta, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92253-2439 +1 833-627-8967 [email protected] https://www.marvynsmagictheater.com/
Excellent
93%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 134 reviews

Marvyn's Magic Theater

World-Class Magic, Comedy and Variety acts from Broadway, Las Vegas and across the globe in a state-of-the-art, intimate, luxury 129-seat theater with NEW SHOWS WEEKLY! 75-minute performances with pre-show music and magic in the lounge. Come early to enjoy!

Reviewed By seattlebarb - La Quinta, United States

Great theatre and great entertainment, Ive been twice . They change the show every week and have a different type of act everyday . We took out of town guests and they loved it. Fun way to do spend a couple of hours in the evening.

4. Palm Springs Art Museum

101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92262-5659 +1 760-322-4800 [email protected] http://psmuseum.org
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,691 reviews

Palm Springs Art Museum

Located in downtown Palm Springs (with a branch location in Palm Desert, CA), the Palm Springs Art Museum offers compelling art exhibitions from national and international artists. The museum's extensive permanent collection includes significant works by modern and contemporary artists, western, contemporary and glass artists, and features several temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The museum is open free every Thursday night and the second Sunday of every month. It also offers a range of theatrical and musical performances in its Annenberg Theater. Throughout all these programs, the museum is dedicated to creating memorable and inspiring interactions through educational and cultural opportunities.

Reviewed By PSforever - Palm Springs, United States

Right in the middle of downtown Palm Springs..this little museum packs a big punch..An eclectic collection of art, a beautiful sculpture garden with a lovely cafe..It also contains the Annenberg Theater which is a beautiful venue for music. Don't miss it!

5. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92262-1828 +1 760-325-1391 [email protected] http://www.pstramway.com/
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,203 reviews

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

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!

6. Palm Canyon Drive

268 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92262-5510 +1 760-333-6820 [email protected] http://www.PalmCanyonDrive.org
Excellent
50%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 685 reviews

Palm Canyon Drive

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.

7. Children's Discovery Museum

71701 Gerald Ford Dr, Rancho Mirage, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92270-1934 +1 760-321-0602 [email protected] http://www.cdmod.org/
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 169 reviews

Children's Discovery Museum

An interactive museum with hands-on exhibits allows children to explore and learn.

Reviewed By NYTravelerBD - Larchmont, United States

We visited this wonderful children's museum with a group of children ranging in age from 4 to 8, and they all had a blast. The museum is highly interactive and does a great job of offering activities/exhibits that are geared to younger children as well as kids who are closer to 8 to 10. There isn't a whole lot to do for children in Palm Springs, so this made for a very nice day with our 6-year-old daughter.

8. Palm Springs Air Museum

745 N Gene Autry Trl, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92262-5464 +1 760-778-6262 [email protected] http://palmspringsairmuseum.org/
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,004 reviews

Palm Springs Air Museum

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 .

9. Agua Caliente Indian Canyons

E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92264-1642 +1 760-323-6018 http://www.indian-canyons.com
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 529 reviews

Agua Caliente Indian Canyons

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

10. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-6156 +1 760-346-5694 [email protected] http://www.livingdesert.org/
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,006 reviews

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit, accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ensuring the highest standards of all aspects of animal care, education, conservation, public service, and operations. The Zoo is active in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the world, as well as in its own community. The Zoo has been a top attraction in the Palm Springs area for nearly 50 years. The Living Desert is located at 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

Reviewed By LaurieStory - Santa Monica, United States

Lovely desert gardens, fabulous model train display (huge), lots of interesting animal chats, free tram around the park, and wide selection of animals in large natural enclosures. I could happily spend several days there. Lots of places to sit in the shade and have a snack, good bathroom facilities (and plenty of them), nice combo of sunny and shady pathways. Not to be missed!

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