By: Deborah Amar

Palm Springs is a famous town for film festivals, golfing, celebrities, and ideal weather. In addition to a lot if the events and main attractions, there are also other great places to go and things to do in the city of Palm Springs. The desert and neighboring cities are full of wild attractions, art and cultural centers, great food, local events, and much more. Here are some great places to go and things to do in Palm Springs from a Palm Springs inhabitant who has been a desert rat for over two decades.

Scenic things to do in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Aerial Tram

View the Coachella Valley from the world’s largest rotating tramcars while ascending 2 1/2 miles to a beautiful wilderness above the city of Palm Springs. The tram leads to the top of Mt. San Jacinto State Park where visitors can enjoy a full range of seasonal activities, including skiing, snowshoe hiking, camping, scenic restaurant dining, and shopping. The tram ride lasts only a few minutes each way and utilizes sturdy cables and strategically engineered weight compensation to carry passengers up and down Mt. San Jacinto. Summer passes are a great deal and allow visitors an opportunity to escape the desert hear while enjoying fresh mountain air and a view from the top of the Coachella Valley. The tram closes for maintenance from September 12 – 25, 2009. Visitors are not allowed to bring pets to the aerial tram. It is possible to buy and print tickets online in advance from the Palm Springs Aerial Tram Website.

Tram ticket only
Adults $22.25

Tram ticket with meal
Adults $35.50

Palm Springs Aerial Tram Hours

Approximately every 30 minutes a new tram car goes up.

Beginning Memorial Day Weekend (May 23rd, 2009) the last car up is 9pm with the last car down at 10:30pm. This will last until the beginning of Labor Day Weekend (September 5th, 2009), when the last car will be 8:00pm and the last car down will be at 9:45pm.

Palm Springs Aerial Tram Location

The River (Ranch Mirage, neighboring city)

Shops, restaurants, and a high ceiling movie theater. The main shops include Borders Book Store, The Cheesecake Factory, Yard House, PF Chang’s, Babe’s, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and an abundance of small shops ranging from designer eye wear, jewelry, unique gifts, and chocolate shops. Most of the small shops close at 9:00pm, but the theaters and restaurants remain open until much later. In addition to a beautifully flowing human-made river and pond, The River has sitting areas for both dining and enjoying the scenery. The River also offers occasional free live performances and some of the shops offer free samples, including wine tasting, fragrances and lotion, and sweets. The River is an ideal location to bring all age groups for a pleasantly lively and scenic experience in the desert. Since the River is located off of Highway 111, it is a great place to visit while exploring other shops and locations as well.

The River Store Hours (Movies and Restaurants are usually open until midnight or later)

The River Location

Zoos

The Living Desert (Palm Desert, neighboring city)

This wild animal park and botanical garden in the desert has remarkable plants, animals, hiking trails, and interactive animal and plant exhibits. View natural phenomena associated with deserts and learn how The Living Desert is helping to interpret and protect them. Animals include elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, zebras, bighorn sheep, owls, live animal shows, petting zoo, butterfly garden, animal encounters, Native American exhibits and more. This is a great place to explore nature and help support research to help animals. Becoming a member is inexpensive and a great deal for those planning to visit the park more than three times a year and bring a friend. Membership is only $45 for an individual and includes two free guest passes, special members-only privileges, discounts on gifts and garden purchases, and free or reduced admission price to over 200 other Zoos, Aquariums, Gardens and Arboreta.

The Living Desert is offering a $1 off coupon for up to six admissions.

General Admission $12.50

The Living Desert Hours

The Living Desert Location

Ritzy & Fancy Things to Do in Palm Springs

El Paseo Shopping District

The Palm Springs/Palm Desert version of Rodeo Drive. El Paseo has over 300 shops including fancy restaurants, shopping, as well as original artwork galleries throughout the strip and on display on the streets. Heading East down El Paseo will lead to a street called San Pablo, which turning right onto it will lead to The Gardens on El Paseo. At the Gardens are more shops, including Williams-Sonoma,  Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., and more. El Paseo is a great place to take a scenic stroll in Palm Desert while seeing the visiting the different shops and restaurants located around El Paseo.

El Paseo can be reached from Highway 111 and extends to Portola Avenue. Store and restaurant hours vary.

Palm Springs Art Museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum has a great collection contemporary art with featured artists and exhibits in addition to ancient culture and early American artwork. They are connected to the Annenberg Theater, which has an array of performances and shows throughout the year. Behind the museum is a hiking trail that leads to a great view of the desert and an exhilarating experience to hike and enjoy nature. The museum has various themes for its exhibits throughout the year and offers a great variety of collections that would be of interest to all age groups.

Adults $12.50 (FREE on Thursdays between 4:00pm – 8:00pm)

Palm Springs Art Museum Hours

Palm Springs Art Museum Location

Exceptional Places to Eat in Palm Springs

Original Las Casuelas Restaurant

The amazing Mexican food and great service is why the Original Las Casuelas located in Downtown Palm Springs is a place every Mexican food-lover should try. Their Guacamole Especial is nacho dish that is arguably one of the best appetizers on the menu. The Ranchero sauce combined with hot tortilla chips, fresh guacamole, melted cheese, and other well-balanced toppings are the reason this appetizer is tops. Make sure not to confuse the Original located on 368 North Palm Canyon Drive with the Las Casuelas located on the South side at 222 South Palm Canyon Drive. Visitors in the past have found that the food tastes different at the South Palm Canyon location in comparison to the North location. The service in the North location is also exceptional.

The North Palm Canyon Las Casuelas has parking available on the streets, but there is also a parking lot hidden behind the restaurant on a street called Indian Canyon. See below for driving directions to get to the parking lot.

Original Las Casuelas Hours

Original Las Casuelas Restaurant Location

Getting to the Las Casuelas parking lot

Indian Canyon is a one-way street, so you will need to continue down Palm Canyon until you reach Amado Road. Turn left and then turn left again onto N. Indian Canyon Drive. Get in the left most lane as you will need to turn left after about 500ft/0.2km. There will be a small sign on a poll that says “Las Casuelas Parking” on the left. It is the parking lot right after the entrance to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car building.