Beyond the Desert: Art, Culture & Nature in Palm Springs

Art:

• Palm Springs Art Museum: Tucked right against the desert mountains, the museum is the perfect spot to swap your pool lounge chair for some incredible modern art. Even better, you can visit for free on Thursday evenings, making it an easy, fun stop for a night out with friends or the whole family.

• Desert X: If you are looking for adventure, the Desert X outdoor art exhibition scatters giant, mind-bending, and site-specific installations directly into the rugged Coachella Valley landscape. Because it only happens every two years, popping up for just a few spring months, catching these free, larger-than-life sculptures out in the wild is a truly unique experience the whole family will love.

• Sunnylands - For a true masterclass in mid-century modern design, Sunnylands lets you step into a stunning, glass-walled estate that has hosted everyone from U.S. presidents to British royalty. Beyond its historic walls and world-class art collection, you can explore the property’s architectural walking paths and vibrant, sculptural desert gardens completely free of charge.

Culture:

• Agua Caliente Cultural Museum: To truly connect with the soul of the desert, a stop at the state-of-the-art museum lets you explore the rich history, ancient artifacts, and vibrant living culture of the area’s original Indigenous caretakers. Located right in the heart of downtown, the stunning basket-weave-inspired building features a 360-degree theater telling the tribe’s creation story and a beautiful outdoor trail modeled after the local desert canyons

• Walking architecture tour: A self-guided walking architectural tour lets you stroll through historic neighborhoods packed with the world’s finest mid-century modern homes. You’ll get an up-close look at the iconic flat roofs, geometric breezeblocks, and colorful doors that defined “Desert Modernism” while hearing the glamorous stories of the Hollywood stars who lived behind them.
  
  Palm Springs VillageFest: Thursday night VillageFest transforms downtown Palm Canyon Drive into a bustling, pedestrian-only celebration that captures the true community spirit of the desert. This lively street fair brings together Indigenous artisans and local craftspeople, offering a vibrant taste of the region’s diverse artistic and culinary heritage.

Nature:

• Joshua Tree National Park: Joshua Tree National Park showcases a surreal landscape just a short, scenic drive from Palm Springs, making it the perfect day-trip destination where twisted trees and massive, sculpted boulder formations dominate the terrain. Visitors can spend their day hiking through hidden oases and scrambling over ancient rocks before settling in for some of the most spectacular, star-filled night skies in the country.

• Indian Canyons: A preserve located just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, where lush palm oases thrive against a backdrop of rugged rock walls. Visitors can hike along peaceful running streams, discover ancient rock art left by the Agua Caliente people, and explore miles of scenic trails that feel a world away from the city.

• Living Desert Zoo & Gardens: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens offers a fantastic look at the wild side of the Coachella Valley, seamlessly blending a world-class wildlife park with miles of pristine wilderness. Visitors can explore beautifully re-created desert habitats, then set off on unpaved hiking trails that wind through rugged canyons and native desert preserves for an up-close look at the area’s natural beauty.

Best breakfast

Wilma & Frieda serves up an incredible twist on nostalgic comfort food, putting a gourmet spin on childhood favorites right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. You can dig into dishes like blackberry custard French toast or short rib eggs benedict inside a hip, welcoming space that feels like a modern update to your grandmother’s kitchen.

Best brunch:

The Farm brings a charming taste of the French countryside to downtown Palm Springs with its intimate, garden-like patio hidden away from the main strip. Guests can enjoy a leisurely, European-style dining experience featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients, homemade pastries, and beautifully presented dishes that make breakfast feel like a special occasion.

Best burger:

The Heyday is my absolute favorite spot in Palm Springs, pairing nostalgic diner vibes with a modern flair to dish out incredible smash burgers alongside ice-cold, masterfully poured martinis. Cap off a laid-back meal with one of their legendary, freshly baked cookies for a truly unique neighborhood dining experience.

Classic Palm Springs vibe:

Rick’s Restaurant captures the nostalgic charm of a bygone era, serving up classic diner staples and savory Latin plates infused with the style of Old Palm Springs and classic Hollywood glamour. Hungry locals flock to the buzzing dining room for a laid-back lunch or hearty dinner where the vintage desert vibes run deep and the neighborhood energy is always high.

Favorite Mexican:

El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana serves up my absolute favorite Mexican cuisine in Palm Springs, treating diners to vibrant flavors inside a lush patio setting. Try pairing their legendary, scratch-made mole with a famously potent margarita for the ultimate sun-drenched desert feast.

Best ice cream:

Shop(pe) is the ultimate oasis when you’re craving sweet treats to cool down from the desert heat, wrapping a gourmet ice cream parlor and a curated gift boutique into one pastel-pink, retro-chic package. You can wander in to lick an inventive scoop of small-batch ice cream while browsing a colorful collection of quirky local souvenirs, pool party essentials, and mid-century modern-inspired trinkets.

Most Instagrammable:

El Patio brings a burst of vibrant color to the local dining scene, greeting guests with a festive courtyard that perfectly matches its bold Guadalajara-inspired flavors. Foodies flock here to snapshot and feast on the “Tacolgando”—a showstopping dish of crispy barbacoa and cheese street tacos suspended on a mini clothesline string.