Things to Do in Palm Springs: Travel Guide Full of Hidden Gems, Unique Stays & Local Favoritesthings to do in palm springs

If you’re planning a desert escape, this is your sign to save this Palm Springs travel guide. I’ve been to Palm Springs 30+ times (honestly, it’s one of my favorite easy getaways), and every trip I find new gems while still going back to my tried-and-true favorites.

This isn’t a rigid itinerary – it’s more like my personal map of what’s actually worth it: where to stay, what to eat, where to thrift, and what to do.  👀

Azure Sky Hotel Palm Springs Boutique Hotel

🏨 Best Boutique Hotels in Palm Springs

Palm Springs is all about design focused boutique stays. These are my favorites:

  • Casa Cody – historic, charming, very peaceful
  • Monkey Tree Hotel– retro mid-century vibes (rumor has it Marilyn Monroe & JFK used to rendezvous here)
  • Yara Hotel – minimal, modern, aesthetic
  • Villa Royale – moody, romantic energy
  • Les Cactus – colorful + fun
  • La Serena Villas – luxe and dreamy
  • The Parker – luxury & exclusive

💡 If you want a true reset: Hope Springs Resort has mineral hot spring pools and is so relaxing.

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🍴 Where to Eat & Drink (New Gems + Go-To Spots)

These are the spots I keep going back to — and a few newer finds I loved:

  • Lola Rose – Mediterranean restaurant inside the Thompson Hotel, super chic and newer
  • Bar Issi – Italian, colorful maximalist design, insane truffle fries (thin, crispy, actually generous with truffle)
  • Maleza – great dinner spot with a cool vibe
  • Rooster and the Pig – one of the most popular spots for a reason

☕ Coffee, Matcha & Health Spots

  • Mentosa Coffee – get the Icarus matcha + browse, they use house-made syrups (best matcha in the valley)
  • Nature’s Health Food & Cafe – organic + wellness staples – one of the best date shakes.
  • Makka Health Food – DELICIOUS, healthy grab-and-go – also one of the best date shakes & honestly everything on the menu was 10/10.

🛍️ Vintage Shopping & Thrifting

Palm Springs = vintage heaven. Don’t skip this.

  • REX
  • Estate Sale Co.
  • Revivals
  • Angel View Resale Store
  • Misty’s Consignment – technically in Rancho Mirage but still close:)

✨ You’ll find everything from mid-century furniture to designer pieces to unique finds of a lifetime.

🎶 Cool Spots, Books & Nightlife

  • The Village Pub & Rooftop 262 – for dancing
  • GRE Records & Coffee – vinyl + coffee moment
  • Music Heals Inc. – unique music shop
  • Best Bookstore – cute indie bookstore
  • Arenas District – lively nightlife area
  • Citizen – chic dinner + drinks
  • Reforma – dancing
  • Tonga Hut – iconic tiki bar

things to do palm springs

🌵 Activities to Book in Palm Springs (Worth Planning Ahead)

If you want to elevate your trip beyond just pool days and vintage shopping, booking one or two experiences in advance is so worth it, especially in Palm Springs where a lot of the best activities sell out.

For this trip, I recommend doing at least one guided experience to really see a different side of the desert.

🚠 Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (Book This in Advance)

One of the most iconic things to do in Palm Springs is riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and it’s 100% worth booking in advance.

👉 BOOK THE BEST DEAL HERE.

You’ll take a rotating tram ride up to 8,500+ feet, with insane views as you go from desert heat to cool mountain air in minutes. At the top: hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and a totally different vibe (bring a layer, it’s colder!).

✨ My tip: Go early or at sunset for the best experience and fewer crowds.

💄 Drag Queen Hosted Sightseeing Tour (So Fun & So Palm Springs)

If you want something actually unique, book this drag queen–hosted sightseeing tour – it’s part city tour, part performance, and honestly one of the most entertaining ways to see Palm Springs.

You’ll ride through Palm Springs while a drag queen host shares local history, celebrity stories, and iconic spots—with comedy, music, and full personality the entire time. Drag performances are all about entertainment, humor, and exaggerated glam, so expect this to feel more like a moving show than a typical tour.

✨ My tip: Do this early in your trip—it’s the most fun way to get your bearings and start the weekend with good energy.

👉 BOOK HERE.

🚲 Modern Architecture Bike Tour (Such a Fun Way to See the City)

If you want something active but still relaxed, book this modern architecture bike tour. It’s one of the best ways to actually see Palm Springs beyond the pool.

👉 BOOK THE BEST TOUR HERE.

You’ll cruise through iconic neighborhoods like Deepwell Estates and Twin Palms, passing mid-century homes, celebrity spots, and architectural landmarks while a guide shares the stories behind them.

The ride is easy, flat, and not intense at all, with plenty of stops so it’s more about the experience than the workout.

✨ My tip: Do this in the morning before it gets too hot – it’s such a fun, aesthetic way to explore the city.

palm springs things to do

Perhaps Joshua Tree?? Perhaps YES.

Joshua Tree is nearby and is another very unique place to explore. You can either book this Joshua Tree Hummer Adventure, go stargazing with a professional stargazer, a sightseeing tour, or do a soundbath underneath the stars in Joshua Tree.

🌵 Final Thoughts

Palm Springs is one of those places where you can go over and over and it never gets old. There’s always a new restaurant, new vintage find, or new hidden gem—but the classics are classics for a reason.

This guide is basically my personal edit of what’s actually worth your time 🙂 Save & share  for your next desert trip 🌴🪩

watch the full video I made about things to do in Palm Springs here.

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