Things to Do
Explore Palm Springs attractions, desert scenery, museums, shopping and easy day-trip ideas.
Start with Palm Springs
One destination today, built to expand cleanly as more city guides are added.
Palm Springs travel guides
Plan the destination from three angles — where to eat, where to stay and what to do.
Build a day that is realistic, not overloaded
Attraction lists are easiest to use when you group stops by location and by the time of day they make sense. Outdoor viewpoints may be more comfortable earlier in the day, while museums, shopping and indoor stops can fit the hottest hours or unexpected weather.
Current destination guide
Our active activity coverage currently focuses on Palm Springs. See 11 Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs for desert scenery, culture, shopping and nearby day-trip ideas.
A simple planning method
- Choose one “must-do” attraction for the day.
- Add one nearby flexible stop instead of crisscrossing the city.
- Check timed-entry, parking and seasonal access before leaving the hotel.
- Leave extra time for heat, traffic and scenic detours.
You can also use the Palm Springs guide hub to connect activities with hotel and restaurant ideas in the same trip.
Check the practical details first
Before you commit to a long drive or a timed stop, confirm the official address, opening hours and any reservation requirement. Desert destinations can also have sharp temperature changes between daytime and evening, so an activity that looks easy on a map may still need extra water, sun protection or a warmer layer.