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Museums
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Palm Springs · Around $10 adults
Things to do
How to spend your days in the desert
Start with the category that matches your energy: floating in a pool, climbing a canyon, or touring the architecture that made this valley famous.
- Pools & day passes
- Hiking & trails
- Mid-century architecture
- Museums & galleries
- Golf
- Spas & hot springs
- Shopping
- Parks & outdoors
- With kids
- Bars & nightlife
In the valley
Things to do in Greater Palm Springs
Everything here is inside the nine-city Coachella Valley — usually 30 minutes or less from a Palm Springs hotel.
Hiking
Indian Canyons
Palm Springs · $12 adults; $7 seniors 62+ and students with ID; $6 ages 6–12; ages 5 and under free. Qualifying military, first responders and members of federally recognized Native American tribes enter free with required ID. Check current ticket eligibility.
Architecture
Midcentury Architecture Self-Drive
Palm Springs · Free
Attractions
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs · $36.95 adults; check current child and senior prices when booking
Museums
Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs · $26 adults 18–64; $24 teens 13–17, seniors 65+ and eligible veterans/retired military. Kids 12 and under free with paid adult admission. Family packs: $68/$84/$99 for two adults plus one/two/three teens. Active-duty military and immediate family free under posted policy. Flights and special events are separate.
Museums
Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs · General admission: $25 adults; $23 seniors 62+; $17 students/teachers. Covers the main museum and Architecture and Design Center. Free under 18, active-duty military and families, and qualifying NARM/ROAM participants. Thu 5–8pm free with advance registration requested.
Architecture
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Rancho Mirage · Free
Events
Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City
Cathedral City · Free
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Spas
Agua Serena Spa
Indian Wells · Treatments; price not published
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Hiking
Art Smith Trail
Palm Desert · Free
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Spas
Azure Palm Hot Springs Day Spa Oasis
Desert Hot Springs · Day spa access; price not published
Hiking
Bear Creek Oasis Trail
La Quinta · Free
Family Activities
Big League Dreams Sports Park
Cathedral City · Varies
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Golf
Big Rock Golf Club at Indian Springs
Indio · Call for current green fees
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Hiking
Boo Hoff Trail
La Quinta · Free
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Hiking
Bump and Grind Trail
Palm Desert · Free
Museums
Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Desert Hot Springs · Around $15 for a guided tour
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Hiking
Cathedral Canyon Trail
Cathedral City · Free
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Golf
Cimarron Golf Resort
Cathedral City · Seasonal green fees
Museums
Coachella Valley History Museum
Indio · Around $10
Arts
Coachella Walls
Coachella · Free
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Hiking
Cove Oasis Trailhead
La Quinta · Free
Spas
Desert Hot Springs Mineral Spas
Desert Hot Springs · Day passes from around $25
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Golf
Desert Willow Golf Resort
Palm Desert · Seasonal dynamic green fees
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Spas
El Morocco Inn & Day Spa
Desert Hot Springs · Day-use fee waived with a 60-minute or longer treatment
Arts
El Paseo Art in Public Places
Palm Desert · Free
Events
Empire Polo Club
Indio · Varies by event
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Golf
Escena Golf Club
Palm Springs · Seasonal dynamic green fees
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Spas
Estrella Spa
Palm Springs · Massages about $210-$298
Events
Fantasy Springs Special Events Center
Indio · Varies by event
Arts
Fountain of Life Plaza
Cathedral City · Free
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Golf
Indian Palms Country Club & Resort
Indio · About $30-$40 for 18 holes, $25 for nine
Golf
Indian Wells Golf Resort
Indian Wells · Green fees vary by season
Sports
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
Indian Wells · Varies by event
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Golf
La Quinta Resort & Club Golf
La Quinta · Resort guest and package pricing
Outdoors
Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park
La Quinta · Day use fee around $5
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Golf
Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club
Palm Desert · Seasonal green fees
Arts
McCallum Theatre
Palm Desert · Varies by show
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Spas
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa Pool Day Pass
Desert Hot Springs · Pool day pass; confirm current price
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Hiking
Mission Creek Preserve Stonehouse Trail
Desert Hot Springs · Free
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Golf
Mission Lakes Country Club
Desert Hot Springs · Seasonal rates - see 2025-2026 rate sheet
Attractions
Moorten Botanical Garden
Palm Springs · $7 adults and seniors; $3 children ages 5–12
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Hiking
Museum Trail
Palm Springs · Free
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Hiking
North Lykken / Skyline Trail
Palm Springs · Free
Shopping
Old Town La Quinta
La Quinta · Free
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Spas
Palm Springs Yacht Club
Palm Springs · Treatments; price not published
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Golf
PGA WEST
La Quinta · Resort and package pricing
Beyond Palm Springs
Day trips outside the valley
Joshua Tree, Pioneertown, Idyllwild and the Salton Sea sit outside Greater Palm Springs. Each one is a half-day or full-day drive, not a quick stop.
Attractions
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree · $30 per vehicle, 7 days
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Hiking
Barker Dam Trail
Joshua Tree · Joshua Tree National Park entrance fee
Arts
Bombay Beach
Salton Sea · Free
Hiking
Devil's Slide Trail
Idyllwild · Free
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Hiking
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail
Idyllwild · Free
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Hiking
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail
Joshua Tree · Joshua Tree National Park entrance fee
Outdoors
Idyllwild Nature Center
Idyllwild · Around $3
Outdoors
Keys View
Joshua Tree · Included with park entry
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Hiking
Lost Palms Oasis Trail
Joshua Tree · Joshua Tree National Park entrance fee
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Hiking
McCallum Trail
Free
Arts
Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
Joshua Tree · Free
Historic
Pioneertown Mane Street
Pioneertown · Free
Hiking
Pipes Canyon Preserve
Pioneertown · Free