14 Colorful Things To Do In Palm Springs (Pink Motels, Rainbow Doors and Sunset Trams)

I go to Palm Springs about once a year. Sometimes it’s a full girls’ trip, and sometimes I’m already out in Joshua Tree (my husband Robin and I go at least once a year) and I swing down for a Palm Springs day trip.

I was just back in September 2026 with my friends Sam and Molly, and so much has changed since I first wrote this Palm Springs travel guide that I rewrote the whole thing. This is my updated list of the best things to do in Palm Springs, plus where to eat, where to stay, and the travel tips I wish someone told me before my first visit.

Palm Springs is my happy place. Tucked away in the desert is a city full of midcentury modern architecture, rainbow doors, boutique hotels and colorful murals. It’s small, but it’s packed with fun things to do, unique areas to visit, awesome pools, cool hotels and more top-notch restaurants than one person can eat through.

At this point, I’ve spent a lot of time running around Palm Springs with Instagram and blogger friends to find all the best IG-worthy spots, and I’ve changed the format of this guide to make it easier to plan with. Bookmark it, because it’s a big one!

Palm Springs Travel Guide At A Glance

• Best time to visit: October through May. Summer regularly climbs past 100°F.
• How long to stay: Two or three days for the city, plus one more if you want Joshua Tree.
• Closest airport: Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), just a few minutes from downtown Palm Springs.
• Getting around: Bikes and Uber cover the city. A car helps for Joshua Tree and the Cabazon Dinosaurs.
• My top three: The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway at sunset, Thursday night VillageFest, and drinks at the Trixie Motel.

When visiting Palm Springs, you’re getting more than what you see on TV. Sure, there’s the midcentury modern architecture and beautiful hotel pools to get some sun, but greater Palm Springs is also home to one of the cutest downtown areas and a huge outdoors destination.

What Greater Palm Springs Has To Offer

Don’t let the “Palm Springs” label fool you. A lot of the best stuff is spread across the whole Palm Springs area, from shopping and eating in Downtown Palm Springs to hiking in Indian Canyons, Joshua Tree National Park and the San Jacinto Mountains (aka Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness).

Down-valley you’ve got Palm Desert and Indian Wells (home of the big spring tennis tournament), and the list goes on and on.

So let’s get into it!

14 Best Things To Do In Palm Springs

There are so many fun things to do in Palm Springs! I’ve been back multiple times, and I still haven’t done nearly all the things on my bucket list. This is a mix of the classics and some unique things to do in Palm Springs that are worth it even if you’ve visited Palm Springs before.

If you have questions or want tour recommendations, stop by the Palm Springs Visitor Center at the start of your trip. It’s in the iconic former Tramway Gas Station on North Palm Canyon Drive, right where you turn off for the tram.

1. Ride The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway At Sunset

My September 2026 trip with Sam and Molly was my first time ever riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and I’m gonna be honest with you, I’m blown away by how fun of a tourist attraction it is.

The tram is huge, like four times larger than a normal tram. It’s a big circular car and the floor slowly spins on the way up, so everyone gets a really good view of the mountain no matter where you stand.

They’re the world’s largest rotating tramcars, and the ride climbs about two and a half miles up Chino Canyon into Mount San Jacinto State Park, where you’ll be at more than 8,000 feet of elevation.

At the top, there’s a bunch of hiking trails, restaurants, gift shops and lookout points. I had no idea. We had dinner at Peaks Restaurant, and my order is the move: get the spicy jalapeño margarita and the steak flatbread and you will die happy. The sunset is phenomenal up there. You can see all of the Coachella Valley spread out below you.

Here’s the deal for planning it:

• Go around sunset on a weekday. The keyword here is sunset. Weekdays are calmer, and you get daylight on the way up and city lights on the way down.
• Get your tickets ahead of time. Adult round-trip tickets run about $37, and parking at Valley Station is $15. Screenshot your tickets so you’re not relying on cell data in the parking lot.
• Bring a jacket. It’s about 30 to 40 degrees cooler at the top of the mountain than it is down in the valley. I’m not exaggerating. Shorts weather at the bottom, jacket weather at the top.
• Check the dates in the fall. The tram closes every year for maintenance. In 2026 it shut down starting September 8 and didn’t reopen until October, so check the official tramway site before you plan a trip around it.
• Hours: The first car up is usually 10 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends, and the last car down is around 9:30 p.m.

Worth it if you’ve never been, even if you think you’re “not a tourist attraction person.” Skip it if you’re scared of heights, because the car swings a little when it passes the towers. You can also read more about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway before you book.

2. Grab A Drink At Barbara, The Bar At The Trixie Motel

The Trixie Motel is the motel created by Trixie Mattel, the famous drag queen, and it’s like pink threw up on it in the best way possible. Even if you can’t get a room, you can still go to the bar. It’s called Barbara.

It’s best to have reservations on a weekend, but you can do a walk-in. That’s what we did. We walked up and rang the buzzer. First, they take you to the gift shop (and yes, we bought some things), and then they walk you over to the bar, where you can stay for as many drinks as you want. It’s a tiny venue, and I really like how it’s full of historical photos with Trixie’s face on them.

Pro-tip: order the Trixie Motel House cocktail and a flatbread. If you’re staying overnight, I’ve put the motel in my hotel picks below.

3. Shop VillageFest On A Thursday Night

Every Thursday, Palm Springs has a downtown market at night called VillageFest. Palm Canyon Drive closes to cars between Baristo Road and Amado Road, and you can walk around, shop at artists’ booths and get some food. It’s free, and it runs 6 to 10 p.m. from October through May and 7 to 10 p.m. June through September.

We did VillageFest in September, and it’s just really nice to get some shopping done. I knocked out some holiday shopping and some birthday gifts in one night. If you’re only in town for one Thursday, plan dinner around it.

4. Rent A Bike And Ride Down Palm Canyon Drive

Palm Springs is pretty easy and safe to bike around. A lot of hotels even offer bikes to ride for free, but if yours doesn’t, Bike Palm Springs is where we rented our bikes last time. They have really cute vintage bikes and normal bikes that are pretty affordable for a day rate. You can just stop by in the morning, they give you a helmet, and you can bike all around town if it’s not really hot out.

It’s such a fun way to get around, do a self-guided tour or take photos. I recommend riding down Palm Canyon Drive through Downtown Palm Springs and hopping in and out of the shops, museums and more. Towards the end of Palm Canyon Drive is perfect for photo ops with the San Jacinto Mountains in the background! Ride early, then return the bikes before the afternoon heat kicks in.

5. Go Vintage Shopping In Downtown Palm Springs

As you can imagine, the vintage shopping and thrifting in Palm Springs is unbelievable and you’ll never know what you’ll find. Palm Springs shopping is a whole activity on its own, especially along North Palm Canyon Drive in the Uptown Design District, where the midcentury furniture and vintage shops cluster together.

Pro-tip: if you’re driving, leave room in the trunk. If you’re flying home with a carry-on only, stick to the small stuff.

6. Take A Self-Guided Palm Springs Door Tour

Palm Springs has the BEST doors! There’ll be one of every color in a neighborhood. Modernism is a very popular design style of homes here, and many owners paint their front doors bright, fun colors. Some even dress them up with floaties or other decor.

My favorite part of Palm Springs was biking around the Indian Canyon area to visit all the best doors, like that famous pink one! You can read my full Palm Springs door tour guide for the addresses and route.

If you love mid-century modern architecture, Palm Springs has one of the biggest concentrations of it in North America. Modernism Week happens every February with home tours, talks and parties, and it’s the best time to see inside the houses you’d normally only see from the sidewalk.

7. Explore Indian Canyons

Whether you’re taking a hike or trying to capture all the Instagram famous spots, Indian Canyons is a fantastic place to spend a day exploring. I have a full guide with all the essential hiking tips you need for visiting Indian Canyons. Nearby Tahquitz Canyon is another popular trail, and it’s a literal oasis!

What you need to know: Indian Canyons is on the land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and if you choose to visit, please give the land respect and love.

8. Visit The Moorten Botanical Garden

This cactus garden is such a fun place. It’s a family-run garden with a collection of more than 3,000 desert plants, plus a greenhouse that holds the title of the “world’s first cactarium.” It was only $5 when I first went, and it’s about $7 now, which is still a steal. It’s closed on Wednesdays, so plan around that.

If you’re driving, you can also buy cacti here! I took home a bunch of plants for my apartment. You can read more about Moorten Botanical Garden and see my photos in my full post.

9. Do Some Pool Hopping

Not all hotel pools are equal. Many allow outsiders into their pool area for a day fee. If your hotel pool isn’t that great, or you’re a little bored of sitting by the same one all week, grab your towel and start exploring Palm Springs via pools!

My picks for a pool day are the Parker (if you can’t afford a night there) and the Saguaro (great for photos, more on that below). Check day-pass availability before you go, especially on weekends.

10. Wander Around The Palm Springs Art Museum

I also find the desert attracts artists, which makes Palm Springs a perfect place to wander around the local art museum. The Palm Springs Art Museum is especially good if you’re visiting in the summer and want a reprieve from the hot summer sun!

11. Soak In The Hot Springs In Desert Hot Springs

In North Palm Springs, you’ll find the small town of Desert Hot Springs, where you’ll have your pick of hot springs to choose from! You already know I love hot springs, and there’s something special about soaking in hot mineral water in the dry Palm Springs air. It’s also where I recommend getting an Airbnb (more on that in the where to stay section).

12. Stop At The Cabazon Dinosaurs

The Cabazon Dinosaurs are about 20 minutes outside of the city, right off Interstate 10, and I always like to stop here and take a photo. True story: I brought Sam on this last trip, and she loved it.

The pink longneck and the green T-Rex are outside the gated area, so you can take photos with them for free, and there’s a gift shop inside the pink one. If you pay admission (about $15 for adults), you get into the park with dozens more dinosaurs and you can climb up inside the T-Rex. Let your inner kid out. You won’t regret a photo with a giant pink dinosaur.

13. Take A Day Trip To Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is about an hour away from Palm Springs, so it’s the perfect day trip to take (or flip it, like I do, and stay in Joshua Tree and take a Palm Springs day trip). Robin and I go at least once a year. I recommend visiting Skull Rock as a starting point. Go for just the sunset like we did, or bring hiking gear to explore the park more.

And, of course, I have a whole guide for doing a day trip to Joshua Tree to help you plan everything out in more detail, including tips on my favorite spots to eat!

14. Plan Your Trip Around Desert X

Desert X is a free art exhibition that takes place all over the desert. Art pieces are literally scattered around the Coachella Valley, so it’s like a big treasure hunt. I’ve gone with my girlfriends and it’s always so much fun to run around and find these art pieces.

Some are really surprising and cool. My favorite is from 2019, when there was a big rainbow sculpture in Cathedral City. It was so on brand for me and I had to take a million photos with it!

Mark your calendar: the next Desert X is the 10th-anniversary edition, and it runs from October 30, 2027 to May 7, 2028. That’s a much longer window than past editions, which only ran for a couple of months in the spring.

Things To Do In Palm Springs With Kids

If you’re traveling with little ones, these are the stops from this list I’d point you to first:

• Cabazon Dinosaurs: Giant dinosaurs you can climb inside. Need I say more?
• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Kids’ tickets are cheaper than adult tickets, and the spinning floor is a hit with all ages.
• Moorten Botanical Garden: Small, shaded in spots and quick to walk, with cheap kids’ admission.
• Ice Cream & Shop(pe): Ice cream and a gift shop in one stop (details in the food section).
• Bike Palm Springs: They rent kids’ bikes, so the whole family can ride Palm Canyon Drive.
• VillageFest: Free, walkable and full of snacks.

Things To Do In Palm Springs In October

October is the start of the season, and it’s one of the easiest months to plan a vacation in Palm Springs, California. Days are still warm enough for the pool and the evenings finally cool off. A few October-specific notes:

• VillageFest goes back to its 6 p.m. start in October, so you get an extra hour of shopping.
• Double-check the tram. The yearly maintenance closure can run into October, so look at the dates before you go.
• Desert X 2027 opens October 30, 2027, if you’re planning a year out.
• Pools are still open and the crowds are lighter than winter and spring.

Best Places To Eat In Palm Springs

Oh my, does Palm Springs have amazing places to eat! We try really hard to visit as many as possible every trip, but we could spend a whole month eating out. To keep it honest, I’ve split this into places I’ve actually eaten and places that came highly recommended by friends, locals and you guys in the comments.

Peaks Restaurant (At The Top Of The Tram)

Our sunset dinner spot from my last trip. Get the spicy jalapeño margarita and the steak flatbread, sit by the windows and watch the Coachella Valley light up. It’s a sit-down restaurant, so make a reservation if you’re going on a weekend.

King’s Highway

Located in the Ace Hotel, King’s Highway has major 70s vibes in all the right ways. I felt instantly relaxed, the best way to start the day. I loved my huevos rancheros and a hot cuppa coffee!

While you’re there, walk around the Ace Hotel. They have a wonderful sunshine mural and great big ACE letters in the parking lot, and the rooms are scattered around a property full of trees. I also have a friend who got married here and loves this hotel!

Chef Tanya’s Kitchen

Someone in the comments let me know about Chef Tanya’s! I love it when you guys share your favorite places so I can add them to my list. This vegan deli serves up delicious sandwiches and salads plus tasty drinks. Vegan or not, you don’t want to miss out!

Trio

Craving some patio time? Stop by Trio! I think mainly locals come here, and I could see why. It’s not on many lists of top places to eat in Palm Springs, so I don’t think a lot of tourists swing by. The service was wonderful. We sat on the patio, which is great for people watching. Try the mac and cheese with a cold beer.

Ice Cream & Shop(pe)

Retro decor, tasty ice cream and outdoor seating. Need I say more? Ice Cream & Shop(pe) is a combination ice cream parlor and gift shop, so while you’re there you can grab something cute for back home or a gift for a friend!

On My List: Places Friends Recommended

I haven’t eaten at these yet, so take them as recommendations, not reviews.

• Mr. Lyons Steak House: Friends say it has the best steak in town and amazing cocktails. The Rat Pack used to hang out here back in the day, so the history of this little joint is off the hook.
• Birba: A date night spot with a beautiful patio, string lights and a big variety of Italian dishes. It’s dinner only, and it books up.
• Workshop Kitchen & Bar: If you’re looking to dress up a little and have a world-class meal, this is the place. It’s inside a converted 1920s building on North Palm Canyon and has earned Michelin recognition.
• The Tropicale: The name is giving me Café Tropical from Schitt’s Creek, and it might not be far off (except with better food)! Reviewers rave about the martinis at this local favorite, and I’m stopping by next time I’m in town.
• The Barn Kitchen: Part of Sparrows Lodge. As the name kind of implies, it’s farm-to-table with fresh local food on the menu.

Where To Stay In Palm Springs

It’s no secret that Palm Springs is a popular destination, and with that comes an abundance of places to stay. I’ve narrowed it down to my three favorite types of stays depending on your budget, plus one hotel I’d only visit for photos.

Best Boutique Hotel In Palm Springs: Trixie Motel

Of all the boutique hotels in Palm Springs, this is my pick. Trixie Mattel’s pink motel only has seven themed rooms and a really cute pool, so definitely get a room if you can. Rooms usually start in the mid-$300s a night, and they book up fast, especially on weekends.

Worth it if you want the most Palm Springs-y night of your life. Not the move if you’re on a budget, in which case just go for drinks at Barbara (see #2 above).

Best Luxury Hotel In Palm Springs: The Parker

A luxury hotel that’s full of yellow, my favorite color! The Parker is on the pricey side, but the decor and amenities can be worth it. If you can’t afford to stay the night here, make sure to at least visit the pool one afternoon or dine at one of their restaurants.

Best Airbnb Option: Stay In Desert Hot Springs

If you’re coming to Palm Springs with a bunch of friends, renting a whole house together is the way to go. Something with plenty of space to sprawl out, lounge by the pool all afternoon and hopefully an outdoor fire pit or hot tub for evening hangs. Vacation rental owners around here really go off with the midcentury and groovy 1960s themes!

Here’s the deal, though. There are Airbnbs in the city of Palm Springs, but they tend to be shared condos. I actually recommend getting one that’s cheaper in Desert Hot Springs. It’s about a 20-minute drive to Palm Springs, but Ubers are pretty cheap and plentiful, so you can easily Uber into town whenever you want and save a bunch of money. That’s what we did last time.

Great For Photos, Skip It For Sleeping: The Saguaro

This is the rainbow hotel image you see everywhere on Instagram, and it’s where I stayed during one of my first visits to Palm Springs. I loved the colorful walls, cute decor corners and the theme that carried into the rooms. Ours was a pink and purple room! Another nice thing about the Saguaro is they have cute bikes you can use for free.

Despite having all the visuals, I do have to mention our problems with staying here. Long story short, I’ve traveled all over the world, and the service and experience of staying here as a guest is probably the worst I’ve ever encountered.

They lost our reservation in their system more than once, so much that we were half expecting them to turn us away when we checked in. Each day we’d get a knock on our door at 8 a.m. asking when we’d check out, even though we were staying for almost a week.

Almost every day the front desk would deactivate our room cards because they thought we were checking out that day. When getting new ones, they never once asked for ID, which is a big safety red flag.

One faulty card is a mistake. Four times is bad service. I could list many more problems, but the bottom line is that the Saguaro has their decor game on lockdown, but not their service game. Stop by for an afternoon at the pool or photos, but stay the night somewhere else.

How To Get To Palm Springs

Flying: Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is just a few minutes from downtown, which makes a weekend trip super easy.

Driving: From Los Angeles, it’s about 100 miles east on Interstate 10, roughly a two-hour drive without traffic. If you drive in, stop at the Cabazon Dinosaurs on the way.

Getting around: You don’t need a car inside the city. Uber is cheap and easy to find, and bikes are the most fun way to see downtown. You’ll want a car (or a long Uber ride) for Joshua Tree.

Best Time To Visit Palm Springs

The sweet spot is October through May. Summer is HOT (we’re talking 100 to 115°F), and some spots shorten their hours. A few dates to know:

• February: Modernism Week, the best time for architecture lovers.
• March: The big tennis tournament in Indian Wells brings crowds to the whole valley.
• April: Coachella and Stagecoach weekends book up hotels across the Coachella Valley, so plan ahead or avoid those dates.
• September and early October: Watch for the tramway’s annual maintenance closure.

How To Spend A Palm Springs Day Trip

If you only have one day (like when I come down from Joshua Tree), this is how I’d do it:

• Morning: Breakfast at King’s Highway, then rent bikes and ride Palm Canyon Drive while it’s still cool.
• Midday: Moorten Botanical Garden, then lunch and vintage shopping downtown.
• Afternoon: Grab a pool day pass or go for drinks at Barbara at the Trixie Motel.
• Evening: Ride the tram up for sunset and dinner at Peaks. If it’s a Thursday, swap in VillageFest.

What To Pack For Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert city, which means the days are hot and, unless it’s the dead of summer, the nights are cool. Pack warm weather clothes and some light jackets for the evening, and bring a real jacket if you’re riding the tram. This city is colorful and vibrant, so it’s the perfect place to pack those loud pieces! Check out my Palm Springs outfits plus a FULL beauty packing list.

More Palm Springs Travel Tips

• Drink more water than you think you need. The dry Palm Springs air sneaks up on you, even when it doesn’t feel that hot.
• Try a date shake. The Coachella Valley is date country, and a date shake is the classic desert treat. Shields Date Garden in Indio is the famous one.
• Book weekend dinners ahead. Birba books up, and Barbara is best with a reservation on weekends.
• Start early. Hike and bike in the morning, pool in the afternoon, tram at sunset.
• Text your group the plan. Downtown is small, so it’s easy to split up and meet back at VillageFest or a pool.

Palm Springs FAQ

Is Palm Springs worth visiting?

Yes! Palm Springs is worth visiting if you love midcentury modern architecture, pools, good food and the desert. Whatever type of trip you’re planning, there’s a lot packed into a small, easy city, and Joshua Tree is only an hour away.

How many days do you need in Palm Springs?

Two to three days is perfect for the top things to do in Palm Springs. Add a day for Joshua Tree National Park, or do a one-day Palm Springs day trip if you’re already in the area.

What are the top attractions in Palm Springs?

The top attractions in Palm Springs are the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Thursday night VillageFest, Moorten Botanical Garden, Indian Canyons, the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Cabazon Dinosaurs just outside the city.

Should I stay in Palm Springs downtown or outside the city?

Stay in Palm Springs downtown if you want to walk everywhere and you’re booking a hotel. If you want a whole house with a pool, look at Airbnbs in Desert Hot Springs. It’s about a 20-minute drive and usually much cheaper.

Where is the best Palm Springs shopping?

Palm Canyon Drive is the main shopping street, with vintage and design shops in the Uptown Design District and gift shops downtown. On Thursday nights, VillageFest turns it into a street market.

Do you need a car in Palm Springs?

Not inside the city. Uber, bikes and walking cover downtown Palm Springs. A car is helpful for Joshua Tree and the Cabazon Dinosaurs.

Which Palm Springs Trip Are You Planning?

If it’s your first time, do the tram at sunset and drinks at the Trixie Motel. If you’re coming with a group of friends, get a Desert Hot Springs Airbnb and plan your nights around VillageFest. If it’s a splurge trip, book the Parker and live at that pool. And if you’re coming from Joshua Tree, use the day trip plan above.

I hope this travel guide to Palm Springs helps you plan your trip! If you’re planning a desert road trip, my other California travel guides are linked throughout this post, so read those next. Leave a comment below if you have any questions or things to add (that’s how Chef Tanya’s ended up on this list!), and hit the share button to send this to whoever you’re traveling with.