What are the top Palm Springs attractions?

October 1, 2026|9 min read

Palm Springs, California, is a stunning desert oasis in the Coachella Valley. While the city is known as a hideaway and home to some well-known celebrities, it’s also a year-round resort destination offering an array of attractions and activities.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, upscale shopping, a peaceful retreat or a chance to explore arts and culture, Palm Springs has it all. Here’s a look at what to do in Palm Springs.

What you’ll learn:

Nature lovers can get their fill by visiting popular Palm Springs attractions like the Aerial Tramway and Joshua Tree National Park for a day of hiking and adventure.
A visit to the Moorten Botanical Garden or the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a must for travelers looking to learn more about Palm Springs’ unique desert landscape.
Art and history buffs can fit in a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Unwind with a trip to Palm Canyon Drive, where you can shop and dine at various top-notch local boutiques and restaurants. Or book a treatment package at The Spa at Séc-he.

Outdoor attractions in Palm Springs

About a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs is home to desert hiking trails, mountain views and stunning desert landscapes. Here are a few outdoor attractions that nature lovers can explore in Palm Springs and the surrounding area:

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway lifts passengers almost 6,000 feet in elevation along a 2.5-mile stretch from the Sonoran Desert floor to Mount San Jacinto State Park, home to one of the tallest peaks in Southern California. The tramway car rotates slowly during the 10-minute ride, letting passengers take in the spectacular view from every angle. After reaching the top, you can hike over 50 miles of trails—including one that leads to San Jacinto Peak.

Temperatures can drop dramatically the higher the elevation. It could be 40 degrees chillier once you get to the top, so be sure to pack a warmer jacket.

Joshua Tree National Park

No trip to Palm Springs would be complete without hitting Joshua Tree National Park for a day of hiking and photo ops. You can also camp overnight in the park or stay in a nearby resort if you need more than one day to see all the sights. After all, Joshua Tree spans nearly 800,000 acres across the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert.

From sightseeing to rock climbing, biking, hiking or stargazing, Joshua Tree offers something for just about every nature lover. It’s open year-round, 24 hours a day. You can come and go anytime during your trip to the Palm Springs area. But remember to bring plenty of water and some light refreshments to keep you going. Temperatures can soar into the triple digits in the desert. And while there are plenty of picnic areas throughout the park to sit and enjoy a bite, you won’t find any places to purchase food.

Joshua Tree National Park.

Moorten Botanical Garden

Family-owned Moorten Botanical Garden lets visitors stroll through over a dozen biomes and gardens featuring specimens that range from cacti and succulents to rocks, crystals and fossils. Established by an original Keystone Cop, Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten, and his wife, Patricia, in 1938, the gardens are now run by their son, Clark.

The garden is open every day but Wednesday from October 1 through May 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. When the heat swells in the summer, the gardens are only open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of a desert ecosystem. The zoo is home to a diverse collection of animals, including rhinos and giraffes in immense habitats. It also features an array of exotic plants, landscaped gardens and vibrant botanical displays. The zoo’s mission is to promote conservation through educational programs, and it’s designed to inspire visitors to take an interest in the environment.

The zoo recommends that you arrive early, no matter what time of year you visit. It can get crowded during the winter months, and temperatures can soar above 100 degrees during the summer.

Indian Canyons

The Indian Canyons are located just minutes from downtown Palm Springs and can be explored on self-guided or ranger-led hikes. Choose from Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon, each offering unique experiences and breathtaking landscapes.

Before hitting the trails, know that you’re required to bring your own water. The Indian Canyons are open daily October 2 through July 5. You can visit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. From July 6 through October 1, the trails are only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Indian Canyons.

Arts and history in Palm Springs

Palm Springs boasts two unique museums that will satisfy the art lovers and history buffs in your group: the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs Air Museum. Architecture fans can sign up for a guided tour to learn more about the famous mid-century modern style houses throughout the area.

Palm Springs Art Museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum offers 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens, a lecture hall, a theater and more. Exhibits range from contemporary collections to Native American art and works from glass artists. Plus, the museum plays a key role in preserving the architectural history in Palm Springs. Frey House II was the longtime residence of architect Albert Frey, but keep in mind that to visit the house, you have to request a tour.

Palm Springs Air Museum

The Palm Springs Air Museum has one of the world’s largest collections of WWII airplanes, plus aircraft from the Korean War, Vietnam War and global war on terror. Inside the five air-conditioned hangars, guests can interact directly with the aircraft and exhibits. And visitors are welcome to speak with the docents, including many veterans who are happy to share their knowledge and experience.

Architecture tours

Palm Springs is known for its beautiful mid-century and desert modernism architecture. Book a guided architecture tour to gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for Palm Springs’ unique history and architectural style. Or take yourself on a self-guided tour through some of the area’s most famous neighborhoods, like Vista Las Palmas, Old Las Palmas and El Rancho Vista Estates.

Downtown Palm Springs

Downtown Palm Springs is the place to go for upscale shopping, farm-to-table restaurants and a day of pampering. Here are a few things to look forward to in downtown Palm Springs:

Palm Canyon Drive

Palm Canyon Drive takes you through downtown Palm Springs, where you’ll find vibrant boutiques and locally owned shops along with art galleries and plenty of restaurants. Bring your Capital One Savor card to earn extra rewards when you dine along Palm Canyon Drive. You’ll find that most of the shops are north of the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way, and dining options are available along the south end of the street.

VillageFest

Head to the VillageFest street fair via Palm Canyon Drive on a Thursday, when the streets are closed to traffic. At the fair, you can wander through an array of vendor booths selling everything from handmade crafts to gourmet treats. Shop for souvenirs while enjoying live music and fresh, locally made delicacies. Palm Canyon Drive is also home to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, which immortalizes celebrities—including Shirley Temple and President Ronald Reagan—who called Palm Springs home.

The Spa at Séc-he

The hot springs the city was named for are still actively bubbling and soothing the soul at spas throughout the region. If you’re looking for an ideal Palm Springs attraction for adults, purchasing a day pass to The Spa at Séc-he will give you the chance to indulge in a day of wellness and relaxation. Located in downtown Palm Springs, the spa was built on top of an ancient hot mineral spring 8,000 feet below the surface. The earth heats these waters to temperatures approaching 180 degrees, absorbing minerals along the way to the surface.

The Spa at Séc-he offers a variety of treatment packages, plus gourmet cuisine options right on-site. After your massage, facial or body scrub, you can relax by the pool with a refreshing cocktail and enjoy healthy small bites as you soak up the desert sun.

Make your Palm Springs getaway more rewarding with Capital One

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Travel benefits: Venture and Venture X cardholders can receive up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® when they pay the application fee with their card. And Venture X primary cardholders can enjoy premium travel benefits, such as complimentary access to Capital One Lounge and Landing locations, a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus.
Flexible rewards redemption: You can redeem Capital One miles for gift cards or cash in the form of a statement credit or check. You can also use miles to cover a recent travel purchase, shop online at Amazon.com or through PayPal, or redeem for tickets to thousands of events through Capital One Entertainment.
Travel-related coverage: Eligible cardholders have access to travel insurance coverage for things like trip cancellations and lost luggage. Check your card’s benefits guide to find out more.
Account security: Capital One offers security features to help you monitor and protect your account, including fraud alerts, card lock, $0 liability for unauthorized charges and virtual card numbers.

Key takeaways: Palm Springs attractions

Palm Springs is a true desert oasis, with picturesque scenery and engaging history around every turn. Soak up the sun and the lively atmosphere on your next escape to the Southern California desert.

No matter where you’re headed, a Capital One travel and miles rewards credit card can help you get there—and make your trip more enjoyable with exclusive benefits and elevated rewards.

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