palm springs tourist office

11 of the best things to do in and around Palm Springs

Nov 17, 2021 • 7 min read

From following local hiking trails through landscapes, to getting nude at a resort, here are the top things to do in and around Palm Springs © constantgardener / Getty Images

While deserts may be more closely associated with barren, dry characteristics, Palm Springs and the broader Coachella Valley are flush with things to do. In recent years, the region has attracted far more than retirees and Coachella fans.

Whether you’re wanting to slow down and unplug with a rejuvenating sound bath or race something fast, southern California ’s Palm Springs and surrounding cities have got you covered. 

1. Hike through culturally rich desert canyons

Explorers of all levels will find a trail to love in culturally significant Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyons . Indian Canyons has more than 60 miles of walking and hiking trails that include encounters with native plants like honey mesquite and yucca (once used by the Cahuilla Indians— the region’s original inhabitants — for food, medicine, and dyes). Tahquitz Canyon features a strenuous hike to get to a 60ft-tall waterfall. There’s room to picnic, meditate, and ride horses, too.

Daily admission fees range from $7–15, and daily interpretive hikes led by park rangers depart from the visitors' centers.

2. Unplug with a sound bath at the Integratron

Tap into resonant, live sounds of quartz crystal singing bowls while sprawled face up in the acoustically impressive, dome-like structure of the Integratron . The wooden dome was built in Landers in 1958 by George Van Tassel using the joinery technique – without nails or screws – and features views of the desert from its windows. Supposedly, the structure also sits at the center of geomagnetic vortices.

Van Tassel believed in the metaphysical and built Integratron as an attempt to extend human life. These days, the dome is owned by three sisters. Their Sound Bath experience attracts curious and enthusiastic folks chasing relaxation and reflection most Thursdays through Sundays – head here for a brief pause to your frantic daily realities. 

3. Book a Warbird flight at Palm Springs Air Museum

Reserve a seat on WWII, Korea, and Vietnam War–era aircraft at Palm Springs Air Museum . The museum is arranged across four hangars, and many of its docents once flew the planes exhibited there, including the B-17 multi-engine combat plane and C-47 Skytrain used in military transport.

Palm Springs’ aviation history includes Palm Springs International Airport’s former life as an airbase. During WWII it was used for military training and aircraft maintenance before it was sold to the city following the war.

4. Buckle up at the BMW Performance Center

If you prefer your machinery on land, head to BMW Performance Center in Thermal. Its driving experiences range from two hours to full-day group or private instruction and time on the track. The Performance Drive experience gets you behind the wheel of several vehicles, such as the X and M series, to navigate tight corners and zippy straightaways, plus an opportunity for an accelerated lap with an instructor – drifting included.

5. Explore a desert-wide outdoor art exhibition 

Local and international artists use the Coachella Valley’s desert landscape as inspiration to create oftentimes large-scale works as part of the biennial outdoor art experience Desert X  — from billboards to a completely mirrored ranch-style house, plus towering cubes fashioned out of yellow plastic water gallons. These commissioned pieces aim to challenge our past and future possibilities across universal themes like climate change and the interpretation of home.

Most of the dozen or so installations are free, and typically on display between February through May.

6. Cruise up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Ascend 8500ft in a rotating tram car to the top of Mount San Jacinto via Palm Springs Aerial Tramway , which claims to have the world’s largest rotating tramcars. From above, check out expansive desert views and walk or hike more than 50 miles of trails. 

The ride takes 10 minutes, travels 2.5 miles and temps drop nearly 30°F compared to the valley floor. Looking for snow? During winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow camping (permit required) are possible.

7. Stay at a clothing-optional resort 

When it comes to public nudity, American culture skews more conservative than others, which makes clothing-optional hotels and resorts that much more of a novelty. Palm Springs is well-known among the naturist community and is home to a number of clothing-optional boutique hotels and resorts. For example, Desert Sun Resort hosts three swimming pools, a tennis court, a full spa, fire pit areas, and a restaurant. Its original building was constructed in 1943 by actor Errol Flynn. Other options include Tuscany Manor , which opened in 2019, and Desert Paradise Resort for gay men located in Warm Sands neighborhood.

These secluded retreats (both clothed and clothing-optional) became a go-to for the Hollywood crowd in the 1950s, where actors could escape without breaching their studio contracts, which often prohibited travel more than 100 miles from Hollywood without permission. Palm Springs clocks in at 99 miles from Hollywood. 

8. Explore desert tiki culture

America’s tiki (a Maori word for a carved figure) culture dates back to the 19th century. The rise of vaguely Polynesian-themed bars encompasses an exaggerated perspective of Oceania that became an escape for Depression-era Americans following WWII, especially among US soldiers returning home from the South Pacific.

And while the movement isn’t without criticism of cultural appropriation, Palm Springs establishments such as  Bootlegger Tiki , Tonga Hut , and Toucans Tiki Lounge and Cabaret  – that also offers weekly drag shows – celebrate the cultural phenomenon with kitsch and tropical layered-rum drinks (though rum was originally a Caribbean thing).

9. Party at Palm Springs Pride

What began as the LGBTIQ+ community's nationwide organization for social equality and acceptance during the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and '90s has grown to one of the most widely recognized celebrations around the world. 

Palm Springs’ Pride is no exception. Its initial iterations began as song and dance performances as part of the “Sizzle” event at the Riviera Hotel. Now in the fall revelers can expect a full week packed with a parade, parties, and events from a golf tournament to rainbow art installations, and a children’s garden hosting arts, crafts, and games.

Similarly, Dinah Shore Weekend is arguably the world’s largest lesbian and queer women event. The music festival began in the early '90s and has since hosted a number of famous musical acts like Salt-N-Pepa, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry. It’s also held in the fall.

If you’re planning travel in the fall, book accommodations well ahead and expect to make restaurant reservations as well.

10. Feed giraffes at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Feed a towering, gentle giraffe, observe zebras, jaguars and more at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. Its Rhino Savanna habitat is expected to open in 2022, which will include space for two African black rhinos, antelope, and a variety of birds across four acres. Parking is free, and the last admission is at 1pm during summer months, and 4pm all other months.

The zoo’s partnership with KultureCity offers resources for guests with sensory needs such as bags filled with fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones and weighted lap pads. “Headphone Zone” and “Quiet Zone” areas are also located throughout. The Zoo requests a two-week notice for guests who require extra accessibility. 

11. Get yourself in hot water at Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza 

When it opens, visitors to Downtown Palm Springs will have more opportunities to experience indigenous history and culture at Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza . Relax at The Spa at Séc-he (meaning boiling water), where geothermally heated water from nearby, magnesium-rich Agua Caliente Hot Spring is pumped in for various treatments. These waters have collected underground for more than 12,000 years and were originally used by the Cahuilla Indians for bathing, healing, and communicating with spirits. 

A 48,000-sq-ft museum will also house cultural artifacts, an art gallery, education center and garden. The Plaza is still under construction and expected to open in 2022.

You might also like: Why winter brings out the best in Palm Springs    The best neighborhoods in Palm Springs for foodies, architecture lovers and shoppers    Explore Southern California on these top 5 day trips from Palm Springs   

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Palm Springs Visitor Center

Top ways to experience Palm Springs Visitor Center and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Palm Springs Visitor Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Palm Springs   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Allard Schager | Getty Images

16 Best Things To Do in Palm Springs

Updated Feb. 6, 2024

This isn't a place where you should pack your schedule: Embrace Palm Springs' relaxed mentality by enjoying time by the pool and at the spa. But if you're interested, there's more to do than just sunbathing and unwinding with a

• All Things To Do

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The city of Palm Springs rests in the shadows of the San Jacinto Mountains. The towering, snow-topped peaks of Southern California's second-highest mountain range are beautiful to behold from the valley floor, but many visitors say that a mountaintop experience is incredible. To reach the summit, you'll take a 10-minute ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Once you rise 8,516 feet to the top, you can hike (there are more than 50 miles of trails, including to San Jacinto Peak ), or snowshoe and cross-country ski during the winter, before heading back down the mountain via its rotating tram cars.

To avoid waiting in long ticket lines, several travelers recommend purchasing your tram passes in advance on the attraction's ticket page. If tickets are not available online for your arrival date, you will need to buy them on-site. Adults will be charged $28.95 for standard tram tickets; tickets for children ages 3 to 10 cost $16.95. Keep in mind: The weather at the top is typically 30 to 40 degrees cooler than the desert floor, so you'll want to wear layers to stay comfortable.

Coachella Valley Preserve Coachella Valley Preserve free

The Coachella Valley Preserve may seem like a barren desert, but keep your eyes peeled and you'll see that its 20,000-plus acres are more than just sand and brush. The preserve encompasses the smaller, 880-acre Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, which boasts more than 25 miles of hiking trails. Along the trails you'll spot rare wildlife, such as the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, lush palm woodland oases and desert wetlands, which at different times of the year blossom with wildflowers.

Previous visitors said a stop here is worth a few hours of your time to view the unique geography of the Thousand Palm Oasis and to hike the trails. Reviewers also appreciated the free admission. Additionally, some suggested arriving early before temperatures become unbearable and the small parking lot fills up.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is part zoo and part botanical garden, all in the extraordinary setting of the desert. Along with animals like rhinos, bighorn sheep and meerkats, there are a handful of gardens that showcase more than 1,600 species of plants, including multiple varieties of cacti, prickly pear and agave. If you're visiting between October and May, you can also explore the attraction's three trail loops.

Past visitors enjoyed seeing The Living Desert's animals, but recommended arriving early, since the park offers little shade and temperatures often rise above 100 degrees in the summer. Many also suggested paying an extra $8 to feed the giraffes, and if you're traveling with little ones or don't want to walk between exhibits, consider purchasing a ticket for a two-hour private tour. Passes start at $79 for adults and $49 for children between 3 and 12 and include general admission, a guide and a shuttle.

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Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is an oasis in the center of the desert. From Hidden Valley (which features a nice, easy hike) to the Cholla Cactus Garden (home to many a photo-op at sunset), Joshua Tree caters to a variety of active travelers. Meanwhile, with its perch in the Little San Bernardino Mountains, the Keys View lookout is another great place for a spectacular view of the Coachella Valley.

Whether you're planning on hiking or just driving through, the park rangers recommend bringing plenty of water – this is the desert, after all. What's more, recent travelers suggested bringing food to enjoy at one of Hidden Valley's picnic tables.

Indian Canyons Indian Canyons

Located 6 miles south of central Palm Springs, these canyons, which consist of Palm Canyon, Murray Canyon and Andreas Canyon, sit on the reservation lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. All three canyons offer hiking trails with breathtaking desert scenery, but other activities are also available. At Palm Canyon, purchase authentic Native American artwork or pottery at the trading post. Andreas and Murray canyons, meanwhile, are best for wildlife-watching; if you're lucky, you may even spot endangered species like the Peninsular desert bighorn sheep and the Least Bell's Vireo bird while exploring Murray Canyon. The new Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, Tahquitz Canyon and three resorts – Indian Canyons Golf Resort, the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage and Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs – are also situated on or near the reservation.

According to recent travelers, the Indian Canyons are "peaceful" and "stunningly beautiful." Some, however, cautioned that temps often soar above 100 degrees in the summer, so bring lots of water and sunscreen. Many also recommend wearing comfortable closed-toe shoes and skipping the Murray Canyon Trail if you don't want to get your feet wet as it ends at the Seven Sisters Waterfall.

Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Springs Art Museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum, which was founded in 1938, contains a stunning collection, like works from the landscape painter Thomas Moran and glass artist Dale Chihuly. You'll also find an ever-changing list of rotating exhibits, which have included studies of impressionism, contemporary sculpture, pop and graphic art, and architecture. The facility's permanent collection is not to be missed either as it contains more than 12,000 works across its 28 galleries. The museum also owns the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, which sits less than a mile south of the art museum, as well as Frey House II, the longtime residence of architect Albert Frey.

According to recent visitors, the Palm Springs Art Museum is a "cultural oasis" with "wonderful" exhibits. Many also appreciated its small size, adding that it's easy to see everything in an hour or two. Plus, the property offers free entry every Thursday evenings, no reservations required.

Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs Air Museum

The Palm Springs Air Museum boasts an extensive collection of aircraft from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, including aircraft that range from the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress to the Grumman F7F Tigercat to the Douglas DC-3 Skytrain. The aircraft are positioned throughout the museum, not unlike the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C .

Several previous visitors said this attraction was "one of the best museums in Palm Springs" and served as a "great place to beat the heat," adding that its kids area, where children can sit in airplane cockpits, is a must if you're visiting with little ones. What's more, many appreciated the property's informative and friendly volunteers.

Tahquitz Canyon Tahquitz Canyon

For stunning scenery and a look at Native American history and culture, check out the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indian's Tahquitz Canyon. Situated less than 2 miles southwest of downtown Palm Springs, this area of the reservation boasts the 60-foot Tahquitz waterfall (accessible via the Tahquitz Canyon Trail), rock art and a variety of flora and fauna. You'll also find the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center, where you can watch a movie about the canyon, peruse various artifacts, buy souvenirs and take a guided walk. Additional facilities, including three resorts, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (opening soon) and the Indian Canyons , can be found on or near the reservation as well.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love hiking the nearly 2-mile-long Tahquitz Canyon Trail, which past visitors said was relatively easy to traverse, despite its lack of shade and occasional changes in elevation (as much as 350 feet). What's more, temps can climb into the 100s at times, so pack plenty of water. Several previous travelers recommended carrying at least one liter of water per person.

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Palm Springs Golf Courses Palm Springs Golf Courses

With 300 days of sunshine and more than 100 courses – many designed by celebrity architects like Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus – Palm Springs is a golfer's paradise. No matter where you decide to play, you'll be surrounded by stunning mountain and desert vistas and towering palm trees.

Some of the top-rated courses include Indian Wells Golf Resort , which offers 36 holes and sits next to the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, originally founded in 1957 by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Players say Indian Wells is in excellent condition and enhanced by the incredible views. For golfers staying in downtown Palm Springs, the Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort offers two 18-hole golf courses that recent visitors called challenging.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens Sunnylands Center & Gardens free

For a curated desert landscape that hosted royalty, world leaders and old Hollywood stars, explore Sunnylands Center and Gardens, the 15-acre parcel that's part of the 200-acre Rancho Mirage estate of former ambassador Walter Annenberg and his wife, Leonore. The Sunnylands Center and Gardens features a 9-acre garden with reflecting pools and more than 50,000 arid-adapted plants, some from North and South America, Africa and the Mediterranean. Along a 1.25-mile walking trail, visitors can enjoy views of the nearby mountains and several free audio tours are available for download on smartphones. The Sunnylands Center and Gardens features free activities throughout the year, such as a guided 60-minute birding walk on Friday mornings from November to May. The main house, a midcentury modern classic, is located within the 200-acre estate that also includes 11 human-made lakes and a nine-hole golf course. The home is open by tour only (reservations are required several months in advance) and other guided tours are also available.

Recent visitors marvel at the precision of the gardens, where " no flower or bush or cactus is out of place." Other visitors added that the Sunnylands Center and Gardens offered lots of bird-watching opportunities, in addition to plenty of benches for resting. Reviewers also encouraged visitors to plan ahead and book tickets to the home tour well in advance, as tickets are often sold out.

Palm Canyon Drive Palm Canyon Drive free

With shoulder-to-shoulder restaurants (many with outdoor dining), designer boutiques, locally owned shops and galleries, Palm Canyon Drive is a pedestrian-friendly destination in downtown Palm Springs. Anchoring downtown, Palm Canyon Drive is also the home to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, a collection of more than 400 granite squares embedded in the sidewalk bearing the names of celebrities and well-known locals. Sprinkled along the Palm Canyon Drive sidewalk, artists have painted more than 50 concrete benches for a splash of color and a place to sit. Palm Canyon Drive also hosts the weekly street fair known as VillageFest, where vendors take over the street and the thoroughfare is closed to cars every Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Nearly every visitor enjoyed walking up and down Palm Canyon Drive seeing the sights and window-shopping. However, reviewers warn that drivers need to take care when parking in the area as parking limitations are strictly enforced.

Cabot's Pueblo Museum Cabot's Pueblo Museum

Drawing inspiration from the Hopi Native American tribe, Cabot Yerxa, a homesteader in the area that became known as Desert Hot Springs, spent decades creating a four-story, 35-room pueblo. Using reclaimed and found materials from the surrounding Coachella Valley, Yerxa did everything from dismantle abandoned cabins to craft adobe-style sun-dried bricks. Visitors are drawn to the home not only because of the meticulous craftsmanship, but also because of the artifacts on display. The home is filled with Native American art and artifacts, souvenirs of Cabot's travels and Cabot's own works of art. Another highlight of Cabot's Pueblo Museum is Waokiye. Lakota for "traditional helper," Waokiye is a 22-foot-tall sculpture made from donated Sequoia redwood.

A self-guided, 45-minute audio tour is accessible on mobile devices. The tour guides visitors through the building while explaining how it was constructed, as well as Yerxa's role in developing Desert Hot Springs.

Moorten Botanical Garden Moorten Botanical Garden

Established in 1938 by former actor Chester "Cactus Slim" Moorten and his wife, Patricia, Moorten Botanical Garden is a 1-acre privately owned botanical garden and plant nursery. When not tending to their botanical garden, the couple designed gardens for a who’s who of Palm Springs, including Walt Disney. Meander the garden's nature trail to marvel at more than a dozen biodomes and more than 3,000 desert plants. For gardeners, the plant nursery is located on the property and offers a knowledgeable staff.

Recent visitors enjoyed the setting of Moorten Botanical Garden and felt it offered an escape from the surrounding development. Others described the attraction as small and not worth more than an hour of your time.

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San Jacinto Peak San Jacinto Peak free

As the backdrop to the Coachella Valley, San Jacinto Peak is part of the San Jacinto Mountains and the second-tallest peak in Southern California. Unique to this summit – and a benefit to mountaineers – is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway that carries hikers up nearly 6,000 feet on the way to the 10,834-foot summit. When climbers exit the tram at the mountain station at 8,516 feet, the elevation gain is just over 2,300 feet to the summit.

After exiting the tramway's mountain station, hikers start their 5.5-mile one-way hike to the San Jacinto Peak as they enter Long Valley. After hiking along Long Valley, hikers enter Round Valley, a more open section of the trail. Wellman's Divide is home to the steepest section of the trail, with a 600-foot elevation gain over one mile. According to past visitors, the San Jacinto Peak Trail is well marked to the summit.

Cabazon Dinosaurs Cabazon Dinosaurs

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Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert

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Palm Springs

• 1.1 Climate
• 1.2 Visitor information
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 3.3 By bike
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge

Palm Springs is a resort city in the California desert . It became a destination during the 1950s and 1960s when Hollywood movie stars flocked there in droves. Nowadays, the area offers entertainment for all ages, although the most common demographics consists of retirees. Palm Springs offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities. Known for its hiking, mid-century modern architecture, stunning natural beauty and sparkling pools, Palm Springs has the perfect blend of outdoor activities and casual relaxation.

Palm Springs is a favorite for gay travelers, naturist communities, and many other people.

Visitor information

• 33.823 -116.547 2 Palm Springs Visitor Center ( Welwood Murray Memorial Library ), 100 S Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-323-8296 . 10AM-6PM daily, except Th 10AM-8PM . ( updated Aug 2022 )

Amtrak has a station at 300 North Indian Canyon Drive ( 0.6 mi / 1 km south of Interstate 10 ), ☏ +1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245) . Amtrak's Sunset Limited route connects Palm Springs with Los Angeles and with Arizona and points eastward with three westbound and three eastbound trains per week (arriving Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). Amtrak also provides Palm Springs with connections to and from the San Joaquins trains, which run up California's Central Valley to the Bay Area and Sacramento, via multiple daily Amtrak Thruway motorcoach runs to and from Bakersfield. Rental car agencies do not provide shuttles to the Amtrak station in Palm Springs and there is no public transportation available there. The "station" is an open platform without any building. Taxis from the Palm Springs Amtrak to the Palm Springs airport (where the rental cars are available) is $40-50 (2019). The 33.82334 -116.54545 3 Amtrak bus station is at 200 E Taquitz Canyon Road, and is the preferred method to get to Palm Springs via Amtrak. The LA/Orange County line runs through Fullerton and has only one stop between there and Palm Springs, at downtown Riverside . Another option is to take the Surfliner train to Fullerton. Then, take an Amtrak motorcoach to Palm Springs Airport or downtown Palm Springs. The 33.82464 -116.54544 4 Amtrak bus stop is at 190 North Indian Canyon Drive.

• From Los Angeles take Interstate 10 or CA 60 East towards Phoenix – 110 mi (180 km), about 2 hours.
• From San Diego take Interstate 15 north, Interstate 215 north to CA 60 East – 130 mi (210 km), about 2 hours.
• From Phoenix take Interstate 10 West – 270 mi (430 km), about 4 hours.
• From Las Vegas take Interstate 15 South to Interstate 10 East (via San Bernardino ) – 280 mi (450 km), about 4½ hours.

Additional bus stations and stops with Greyhound, El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express and Tufesa are only in Indio . Flixbus is the only intercity company that offers direct connections into downtown Palm Springs as well as Indio:

• 33.81901 -116.54688 6 Flixbus , (bus stop) Palm Canyon at Baristo ( Bus will board at the SunLine bus stop at Palm Canyon and Baristo (look for the bus bench and FlixBus sign). The stop is located by 301 S Palm Canyon Dr near BevMo and Orange Theory Fitness in downtown. ), ☏ +1 855-626-8585 . It provides affordable bus service to Palm Springs directly from the LA area and Arizona. Connects Phoenix/Tempe to Los Angeles via Palm Springs/Indio, Riverside and Ontario/Claremont. They also have an extra stop by the Chevron/Extra Mile station/sore on 6600 N INdian Canyon Dr. Check tickets and schedules. ( updated Jun 2018 )

Palm Springs has a pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors can enjoy the palm tree-lined streets along Palm Canyon Drive and Indian Canyon Drive. Boutique shops, outdoor restaurant and art galleries line the streets.

Rent a car at the airport, or if you want to splurge, numerous limousine services are available, including West Coast Transportation, Cardiff Limousine and A-1 Sahara Limo.

The main thoroughfares through downtown are one-way only between Alejo and Ramon. Palm Canyon Drive is the southern route, and the home to most restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues. Indian Canyon Drive runs north, and also has many, though fewer, attractions. California State Route 111 runs south from I-10, then east-west along the hill side and connects all the cities in the Palm Springs area. This road has stop lights and lots of traffic, so if you are going far, you should drive out and hop onto I-10 S.

Palm Canyon Drive is usually busy and can be hard to find a parking place on the weekends and at night. There is ample free parking in the many city owned parking lots and garages, except for Thursday through Saturday nights.

Most of the major car rental companies are represented at the airport.

• Sunline Transit ( Sun Bus ), toll-free: +1 800-347-8628 . Run by the city, has routes around the town and to some neighboring resort cities. Palm Springs is served by bus routes 1, 1x, 2 and 4. Pal Fares for one ride are: $1.00 for adults 18-59, 85¢ for youths 5-17, 50¢ for seniors 60+, with medicaid and disabled. A transfer that allows unlimited rides for two hours costs 25¢. A day pass for unlimited rides costs $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for youths between 5 and 17 years old, and $1.50 for seniors 60 years and older with a medicare card, DMV Driver License, Senior ID card, SunLine Half-Fare ID card. A 10-ride pass costs $10.00 for adults, $8.50 for youths and $5 for seniors.  

Palm Springs and the surrounding environs are mostly flat and dry and can make for good cycling during the cooler months. Numerous rental facilities can be found around town.

• Indian Canyons . 33.81002 -116.55274 1 Tahquitz Canyon , 33.73776 -116.53778 2 Palm Canyon , 33.76225 -116.53696 3 Andreas Canyon and 33.75959 -116.5476 4 Murray Canyon , were sacred Native sites, now open to the public for hiking.  

Year-round —

• Thursdays – Thursday Street Fair, downtown with craft and food booths, and during the spring season live music
• Saturdays - Farmers Market, 8AM–12:30PM adjacent to the Camelot Theatres at 2300 E. Baristo Road (2 mi (3.2 km) from downtown)

and a Saturday Flea Market in nearby Palm Desert

January–March —

• Palm Springs International Film Festival
• Modernism Week
• Desert Concours d’Elegance
• Festival of Native Film & Culture
• Tour de Palm Springs

April–June —

• Arthur Lyons’ Film Noir Festival
• Restaurant Week
• ANA Inspiration – One of the five major championships of women's golf, held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage and ending on the first Sunday of April.
• Girls Weekend (formerly Dinah Shore Weekend) – An annual gathering of lesbians (and those who sympathize with LGBT causes) that coincides with the ANA Inspiration. (The former name of "Dinah Shore Weekend" honors the late entertainer, who founded the golf tournament that once bore her name.)
• White Party

July–September —

• Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films
• 4 July Celebration
• Cinema Diverse Gay and Lesbian Films

October–December —

• American Heat Bike Show
• Exotic Car Show and Auction
• Greater Palm Springs Pride
• Festival of Lights Parade
• Veterans Day Parade
• Walk of the Inns
• Tree Lighting Ceremony at Aerial Tramway
• 33.8008 -116.48492 2 Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort . Consists of two spectacular 18-hole golf courses, both offer gorgeous views. Golf Digest has rated Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort as "one of the best places to play".  
• 33.78247 -116.5345 3 Indian Canyons Golf Resort .  
• 33.8268 -116.5325 4 Spa Resort Casino , 401 E Amado Rd , ☏ +1 760-883-1000 . Offers live entertainment, restaurants, a players club, and over 1000 slot machines.  
• Art . Palm Springs has more than a dozen art galleries featuring local artists and desert themes.  
• 33.92751 -116.81302 1 Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon , 48400 Seminole Dr, Cabazon . Large outlet mall with over 100 stores. ( updated May 2016 )

The annual Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week offers an opportunity to try a number of restaurants at a discounted rate.

• 33.822047 -116.545822 1 Tyler's Burgers , 149 South Indian Canyon Dr . This small hamburger joint, famous for their sliders, is considered by locals to have the best hamburgers in Palm Springs. Only open for lunch. Be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait.  
• 33.821134 -116.547001 2 Kaiser Grille , 205 S Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-323-1003 . Good American food right in the middle of downtown Palm Springs.  
• 33.82281 -116.5499 3 Le Vallauris , 385 W Tahquitz Canyon Way , ☏ +1 760-325-5059 . Expensive, but good French food off of S. Palm Canyon Drive.  
• 33.830143 -116.547086 4 Riccio's Steak & Seafood , 495 N Palm Canyon Dr . Steak and seafood from an iconic restaurant family. Patio dining on Palm Canyon Drive.  
• 33.80287 -116.54533 5 El Mirasol , 140 E Palm Canyon Dr . Voted the best Mexican food in the desert by the readers of Palm Springs Life.  
• 33.81631 -116.54853 6 Melvyn's , 200 W Ramon Rd . Old world style featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. Live entertainment and happening bar scene.  
• Taco Catering Palm Springs , ☏ +1 760-289-3460 . Taco Catering Palm Springs is the perfect catering company for any event. We are excited to help you celebrate life’s most important moments with your family and friends. Whether it’s a large wedding, an intimate dinner party, a family event, or a corporate event with colleagues, Taco Catering Palm Springs can provide you with delicious tacos that will leave everyone satisfied. ( updated Dec 2021 )
• 33.8019 -116.54602 1 Best Western Inn at Palm Springs , 1633 S Palm Canyon , ☏ +1 760-325-9177 , toll-free: +1-800-222-4678 , fax : +1 760 325-9177 . Renovated guestrooms with features like a 24-hour outdoor pool, spa, and sundeck, and wireless broadband Internet access.  
• 33.82048 -116.5446 2 Best Western Las Brisas , 222 S Indian Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-325-4372 , toll-free: +1-800-346-5714 , fax : +1 760 320-1371 .  
• 33.813658 -116.54466 3 Motel 6 Downtown , 660 S Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-327-4200 , fax : +1 760 320-9827 .  
• 33.80061 -116.541953 4 Motel 6 East – E Palm Canyon , 595 E Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-325-6129 , fax : +1 760 320-9304 .  
• 33.83347 -116.5452 5 Los Arboles Hotel & El Mirasol Restaurant , 266 E Via Altamira ( I-10 to CA 111, left on Vista Chino, right on Indian Canyon Dr., left at Via Altamira. ), ☏ +1 760-459-3605 . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: 11AM . A charming boutique hotel near downtown, built in the 1930s with a distinctive Spanish Colonial style, Los Arboles was renovated in 2011. Has a heated pool, Jacuzzi, free Wi-Fi and indoor and outdoor special event space. On-site Mexican restaurant. $120–259 .  
• 33.84407 -116.54435 6 Desert Sun Resort , 1533 N Chaparral Rd , ☏ +1 760-322-5800 , toll-free: +1-800-960-4786 . PA nudist resort in the heart of downtown, offering hotel rooms and villas. There are three pools, spa service, a restaurant and bar and nightclub.  
• 33.84228 -116.54543 7 Palm Springs Rendezvous Bed and Breakfast , 1420 N Indian Canyon Dr ( From CA 111, Turn L on Vista Chino, Turn R on Indian Canyon Dr., L at Stevens. Located on the corner of Stevens and Indian Canyon Dr. ), ☏ +1 760-320-1178 , [email protected] . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: 11AM . Has a 24 hour pool and spa. All rooms feature a King bed, TV, DVD & CD players, mini-fridge and microwave. Some rooms have whirlpool tubs. $160–240 . ( updated Sep 2020 )
• 33.824 -116.53192 8 Courtyard , 1300 E Tahquitz Canyon Way , ☏ +1 760-322-6100 , toll-free: +1-800-321-2211 , fax : +1 760 322-6091 .  
• 33.84753 -116.54785 9 Days Inn , 1983 N Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-416-2333 . Offers comfortable rooms.  
• 33.80253 -116.53998 10 Villa Royale , 1620 S Indian Trail , ☏ +1 760-327-2314 , fax : +1 760 322-3794 . Features spacious guestrooms, a restaurant, two heated pools, and landscaped grounds with panoramic mountain views.  
• 33.82081 -116.55109 11 Old Ranch Inn , 220 S Patencio Rd , toll-free: +1 877-565-3726 . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: 11AM . Located in the Historic Tennis Club District, which is in the heart of the Downtown Village. $169-219 .  
• 33.8016 -116.54681 12 Vagabond Motor Hotel , 1699 S Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-325-7211 , [email protected] . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: 11AM .  
• 33.82612 -116.54733 13 Hyatt Palm Springs , 285 N Palm Canyon Drive , ☏ +1 760-322 9000 . ( updated Jul 2018 )
• 33.83129 -116.54505 14 Colony Palms Hotel , 572 N Indian Canyon Dr . A Moroccan themed hotel. Accommodation ranges from simple king rooms to jr suites and casitas with outdoor patios and tubs. The Purple Palm restaurant/bar is at the edge of the pool. Free Wi-Fi and self parking for guests, valet available on weekends. From $199 .  
• 33.82154 -116.54824 15 Holiday House Palm Springs , 200 W Arenas Rd , ☏ +1 760-320-8866 . Boutique style with pool.  
• 33.79523 -116.49983 16 Parker Palm Springs , 4200 E Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-770-5000 . A fancy boutique hotel with quirky art and fun modern design. Norma's is a five-star diner with a twist. $285–615 .  
• 33.824109 -116.538566 17 Renaissance Palm Springs , 888 E Tahquitz Canyon Way ( 3 blocks from Palm Canyon Drive and directly linked to the Convention Center ), ☏ +1 760-322-6000 , fax : +1 760-322-5351 .  
• 33.8019 -116.53239 18 Sparrows Lodge , 1330 E Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-327-2300 . Adults-only. $259 (Oct 2023) .  
• 33.8232 -116.5505 19 The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn , 412 W Tahquitz Canyon Way , ☏ +1 760-320-0771 . One of Palm Springs' 10 oldest sites. Hollywood history with modern comforts. AAA Four-Diamond Award. From $275 .  
• 33.8192 116.5482 20 Del Marcos Hotel , 225 W Baristo Road , toll-free: +1 800-676-1214 , [email protected] . Check-in: 3PM , check-out: 11AM . A 17-room boutique hotel that has been modernized and restored. It was built in 1947 out of native stone and redwood, surrounding a shimmering pool, featuring a U-shape plan which encourages socializing among guests. Designed by William F. Cody, the Del Marcos is one of the most photographed hotels in Palm Springs. Walking distance to downtown Palm Springs and nestled up against the majestic San Jacinto Mountains. The hotel features standard rooms to suites with full kitchens and private patios. Complimentary breakfast, happy hour, bikes, parking and wi-fi. $119-299 . ( updated Jun 2015 )
• 33.815595 -116.537106 21 All Worlds Resorts , 526 Warm Sands Dr , ☏ +1 760-323-7505 . Clothing-optional gay resort in the heart of the Warm Sands area. Two sparkling pools are the centerpieces of their courtyard gardens with mountain vistas. Has a steam room and sauna.  
• 33.8361 -116.54643 22 Canyon Club Hotel , 960 N Palm Canyon Dr , ☏ +1 760-778-8042 . 32 rooms surround the sun-drenched courtyard. Eight of the suites have fully-equipped kitchens, eight have private patios.  
• 33.814061 -116.53652 23 Desert Paradise Resort Hotel , 615 Warm Sands Dr , toll-free: +1 800-342-7635 . Clothing-optional gay men's resort at the center of gay Warm Sands.  
• 33.84189 -116.54475 24 Descanso Resort , 288 E Camino Monte Vista , ☏ +1 760-320-1928 .  
• 33.81539 -116.53789 25 El Mirasol Villas , 525 S Warm Sands Dr , toll-free: +1 800-327-2985 . Walled and gated, the resort is in the Warm Sands area.  
• 33.81432 -116.53615 26 Hacienda at Warm Sands , 586 S Warm Sands Dr , toll-free: +1 800-359-2007 . The Hacienda at Warm Sands is a member of the World's Foremost Gay Hotels.  
• 33.81392 -116.53555 27 Inndulge , 601 S Grenfall Rd , toll-free: +1 800-833-5675 . Gay men's resort in the heart of Warm Sands.  
• 33.80271 -116.542567 28 Little Paradise Hotel , 435 Avenida Olancha , ☏ +1 760-832-9025 , [email protected] . Located in the quiet Deepwell neighborhood, just two blocks from East Palm Canyon.  
• 33.80971 -116.54159 29 Santiago Resort , 650 E San Lorenzo Rd , toll-free: +1 800-710-7729 . Santiago Resort is a 24-room resort, marketed primarily to the gay male community.  
• 33.809171 -116.542513 30 Triangle Inn , 555 East San Lorenzo Rd , toll-free: +1 800-732-7555 . "The Clothing Optional Resort for Men". Romantic and relaxing or fun and frisky.  
• 33.81472 -116.53613 31 Vista Grande Resort , 574 S Warm Sands Dr , toll-free: +1 800-669-1069 . Has multi-level gardens, blue lagoon, waterfalls with ring of fire and a lively steam room.  
• Joshua Tree National Park – This desert park is a great day trip to take while at Palm Springs. There are two routes to the park, both about an hour drive: north on CA 62 to the north entrance in Joshua Tree Village, or east on I-10 to the south entrance direct off I-10. To loop through the entire park from north to south (or vis-a-versa), plan on a minimum of 4 hours. Camping is allowed as well as rock climbing.
• Idyllwild – A mountain resort approximately 45 minutes drive away on the beautiful Palms to Pines highway. It can also be reached by a scenic 10 mi (16 km) hike from the top of the Palm Springs Tramway.
• Salton Sea – Southeast of Palm Springs, California's largest lake formed when an irrigation canal burst in 1905 and flooded the Salton Basin for more than a year. This unusual area is home to geothermal features, a wildlife refuge, the partially built resort community of Salton City , and the "profoundly strange" artwork of Salvation Mountain in the squatter town of Slab City .

Other nearby desert resort cities include Cathedral City , Desert Hot Springs , Rancho Mirage , Palm Desert , Indian Wells , La Quinta and Indio .

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18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Palm Springs, CA

Written by Freddy Sherman Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Writer Freddy Sherman lives in Palm Springs and spends most days exploring different parts of the city with his Belgian Malinois Gretel.

Palm Springs is a vacation destination set in the Sonoran Desert surrounded by four different mountain ranges. The resort city is just a three-hour drive from San Diego and a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, making it popular for weekend getaways .

Known for mid-century modern style, its plethora of championship golf courses , warm weather, and a fun and welcoming vibe, the city, along with several surrounding communities known collectively as the Coachella Valley , is a popular winter destination .

Beyond the golf resorts and swimming pools there are still plenty of tourist attractions, things to do, and places to visit. You can take your pick from a wide range of activities downtown like shopping; dining; touring museums; or exploring the surrounding desert, mountains, and canyons.

When it's cold in most other parts of North America (approximately November through March), that's the high season for Palm Springs, and the population swells with visitors and snowbirds.

The city is home to a serious lineup of Hollywood celebrities each January during the annual Palm Springs Film Festival , and draws architecture and design fans from around the world during February's Modernism Week. The city is also crowded in April during the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals , held in Indio about 30 minutes from downtown.

For sightseeing ideas, see our list of the top attractions and things to do in Palm Springs.

1. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

2. take a photo with marilyn monroe, 3. visit the palm springs air museum, 4. take a canyon hike to a waterfall, 5. play golf, 6. visit the palm springs art museum, 7. explore the coachella valley preserve, 8. moorten botanical gardens and cactarium, 9. the living desert zoo and gardens, 10. check out the villagefest weekly street party, 11. palm springs art museum architecture and design center, 12. discover the city's history at the palm springs historical society, 13. visit the windmills, 14. discover sunnylands, 15. visit a date farm, 16. take a jeep tour of the desert, 17. ride a horse through a canyon, 18. fly in a vintage biplane, where to stay in palm springs for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in palm springs, ca.

Escape the heat of the desert with a quick ride into the mountains on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway . Standing on the edge of Palm Springs, Mount San Jacinto rises more than 10,000 feet above the desert floor and can be easily accessed with a ride on the scenic tramway.

The tramway, which opened in 1963, has the world's largest rotating aerial tram cars . The cars are suspended from cables, like a ski lift, and the cables are strung atop metal towers installed on the mountainside. From the top, the view out over the desert is fantastic, and on hot days, the cool air (sometimes 30 to 40 degrees lower than that at the desert floor) can be a refreshing treat. During the winter, there is snow at the top.

In less than 10 minutes, the tram will take you up Chino Canyon to an elevation of 8,500 feet. At the top, called the Mountain Station, there are observation decks, two restaurants, historical displays, and videos on the construction of the tram. From here, 50 miles of hiking trails run through the pine forests of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, including a trail to the summit of Mount San Jacinto (11 miles round trip). You can also camp in the park.

At the tramway entrance on U.S. 111, you'll find the Palm Springs Visitor Information Center. Housed in a striking mid-century structure (a former gas station) designed by celebrated architect Albert Frey, the center is a great place to stop for visitors.

It's fun to go swimming in Palm Springs in the heat of the desert, then drive to the tram, take it up the mountain and play in the snow, all within an hour.

Address: One Tram Way, Palm Springs, California

The "Forever Marilyn" statue is a 26-foot tall sculpture of the iconic Hollywood actress, now installed right in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum in downtown Palm Springs. The sculpture shows Marilyn with her billowing dress from the film "The Seven Year Itch", one of her most famous roles.

It was originally installed on Palm Canyon Drive from 2012 to 2014, then moved to New Jersey. Public demand brought it back to Palm Springs and it's now the most popular place in the city to take photos.

The area around the statue can be crowded with other visitors, so visit early in the morning or late at night for some alone time with the sculpture. Be sure to visit the adjacent pocket park, which has grass and rocking chairs for relaxing. There are also palm trees to shade you from the sun along with public restrooms, water fountains, and a doggie waste station with bags.

The Palm Springs Air Museum has a large collection of military aircraft, many of which still fly. Planes from World War II along with the Korean and Vietnam Wars are represented. It's a fascinating place to visit as most of the docents who provide tours are veterans themselves, with personal connections to the types of aircraft they talk about.

The aircraft are shown in static displays, and you can also get inside and tour some of them, including a massive B-17 bomber. Much of the collection is displayed inside air-conditioned hangars, so it's a great place to visit if you're looking for an escape from the city's extreme summer heat.

The Palm Springs Air Museum is located at the Palm Springs International Airport, about 10 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. For those wanting to get up into the sky, the air museum offers flights on some of their rare warbirds.

Address: 745 North Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, California

The Indian Canyons, located at the south end of Palm Springs, is a popular protected nature sanctuary comprised of three unique canyon environments. The area is part of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians reservation and is a great place for hiking and exploring some beautiful desert scenery.

Be sure to start with one of the main areas, Palm Canyon . This 15-mile long canyon, complete with a creek and waterfalls, is lined with large palm trees. In fact, the canyon is home to the world's largest grove of California fan palms . The canyon is home to a range of hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties. The Indian Canyons park has a trading post selling souvenirs, Indian art, and other tribal-related items.

Andreas Canyon , another canyon area within the Indian Canyons park, is also worth checking out and is known as a good place to see birds. In the same vicinity is Murray Canyon, with a less frequented hiking trail and better opportunities for spotting deer and other wildlife. There are many hiking trails in the park, and many of those trails take you into multiple canyons.

Tahquitz Canyon is another protected canyon area, also tribal land, located near but not within the Indian Canyons space. This canyon has lots of hiking trails and is home to a 60-foot-tall waterfall. There is a visitor's center with artifact displays, hiking information, and a small theater showing a documentary about the canyon.

Read More: Best Hikes in Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs and nearby cities like La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert have over 100 championship-level golf courses. Many of the city's best courses are public and accessible to anyone (waiting lists are long during popular periods).

The city is a very popular golf destination, as the weather is great for golf (an average of over 300 days of sunshine a year), especially during the winter months. Summer temperatures are extreme, making early morning games the only option.

Aside from the well-groomed and challenging courses, you also get the benefit of the beautiful scenery and desert backdrops. As you play, you're treated to a changing desert landscape with the area's different mountain ranges always visible in the distance.

Popular golf courses playable by the public in the area include PGA West (home to the American Express Desert Classic, formerly the Bob Hope Classic), the Indian Wells Golf Resort (home to the Renaissance Indian Wells, the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, and the Indian Wells Resort Hotel), Marriott's Shadow Ridge, and the Indian Canyons Golf Resort.

The Palm Springs Art Museum features a combination of fine art, natural history, and performing arts. The museum has been in existence since the late 1930s and formerly focused almost exclusively on desert subjects and artists, but over the years, the direction has shifted to a well-curated collection of modern and contemporary art, including Native American art.

In addition to fine art, the museum has a large collection of Native American craftwork and artifacts. There is also a natural science collection of animals and fossils on display, making the museum a great place to visit for kids and families.

Also on-site are two outdoor sculpture gardens. The museum's permanent collections include paintings, photography, glass, pottery, and architecture and design with a focus on American Western art and artists. There are also touring and changing temporary exhibitions and shows.

Providing a wide selection of year-round programming, the museum's large Annenberg Theater hosts an extensive series of music, dance, and theater productions and performances.

Address: 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs, California

The Coachella Valley Preserve is a large, protected outdoor space covering over 13,000 acres of raw desert and mountain landscapes. It's a partnership between federal, state, and private land-owners, allowing management and preservation of the natural environment.

Located east of Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley Preserve is home to a variety of wildlife. It's made up of three different preserve areas. The best one to visit is the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve area, near Palm Desert. There are 30 miles of hiking trails along with multiple oases.

Guided hikes led by volunteer docents are a great way to see the preserve and offer an excellent overview of the area. Like other outdoor activities in Palm Springs, hiking is best done in the fall and winter months as the temperatures climb to dangerous heights in the summer.

The Moorten Botanical Gardens and Cactarium is located just past downtown Palm Springs on the south end of Palm Canyon Drive. The unique nature space first opened in 1938 and offers an incredible display of cacti and desert plants that range from full-grown trees to plants just taking root. In the spring, when the desert is coming into bloom, and trees are starting to turn green again, the gardens are at their best.

Moorten is open year-round, but during the cooler months, from fall until spring, you can take a guided tour of the facility offered free with admission. Typical hours are 10am to 4pm and the gardens are closed on Wednesdays.

The gardens are also a commercial nursery, so in addition to being a botanical garden, you can purchase some of the plants to take home with you.

Address: 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California

What started 50 years ago as an idea to preserve some raw desert land as the surrounding area developed into a resort has become a world-class zoo. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in nearby Palm Desert offers a chance to see the flora and fauna of the desert and gain some insight into ecosystems from deserts around the globe.

The compact zoo also features a variety of animals from North America and Africa, including camels, coyotes, wolves, foxes, badgers, mountain lions, raptors, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, leopards, gazelle, and many other species.

The morning is generally the best time to visit, when the animals are still active before the heat sets in. Check the zoo's daily schedule to find out about guided nature walks, wildlife shows, and animal feeding times.

A highlight is to participate in the daily giraffe feeding. Guests can feed their herd of giraffes from a tower. It's done in the mornings during the summer and all day during the other months. You can also interact with the zoo's camels, working with keepers on feeding, grooming, or training them.

Address: 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, California

On Thursday evenings year-round, downtown Palm Springs turns into a giant street party, with more than 180 vendors set up along the city's main street for VillageFest . A quarter-mile stretch of Palm Canyon Drive is closed to traffic, and booths are set up along both sides of the street.

This is a fun evening out, where you can shop for arts, crafts, jewelry, and other interesting trinkets and also try some tasty snacks from local restaurants and artisinal providers. As you shop, musical performers, buskers, and other street artists provide additional entertainment.

The night market event starts early in the evening, around 6 or 7pm, depending on the season, and runs until 10pm.

Palm Springs is home to the world's largest collection of intact mid-century modern buildings in the world. The city celebrates the design movement each February with Modernism Week.

Design and architecture fans come from all over the world, and there are many events, including open houses, film screenings, and home tours of architecturally significant structures.

The Palm Springs Art Museum's Architecture and Design Center is a unique and free attraction that is worth a stop, particularly if you are interested in architecture or design. Located in a preserved 1960 mid-century modern bank building, similar in style to many other buildings in Palm Springs that still remain from this period, the structure itself is a protected historic site.

The Architecture and Design Center holds the architecture collections of the Palm Springs Art Museum and features temporary exhibitions, as well as a rotating display of material from the permanent collection.

The art museum also operates the Frey House II , an important modernist home in the mountains designed by iconic architect Albert Frey for his own family. The home can be visited on docent-led tours.

Address: 300 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California

The Palm Springs Historical Society has a small but comprehensive museum in the heart of the downtown area right on Palm Canyon Drive. It's housed in two preserved 19th-century buildings and has a free museum and other exhibits.

The society is also known for its many excellent walking (and biking) tours of the city, available with different themes. You can take a walking tour that explores the city's architecture, its Native American history, its many connections with the Rat Pack, or its many celebrity residents.

Address: 221 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California

Just outside of Palm Springs, the San Gorgonio Pass is one of the most windy places on Earth, which is why it's filled with windmills (well actually wind turbines). The pass, located on either side of the I-10 freeway as it enters the Coachella Valley, not only has extreme wind, it has constant wind, which is essential for power generation. Acres of wind turbines dot the desert and the hillsides, silently generating electrical power for the region.

You can view the wind turbines by pulling off the I-10 freeway at the Indian Canyon exit or by taking a tour. Palm Springs Windmill Tours has the only official tour that takes you "behind the fence" to get up close and personal with these giant machines.

Address: 62950 20th Street, Palm Springs, California

Sunnylands is an incredible, mid-century modern estate that was the home of billionaire businessman (and founder of TV Guide) Walter Annenberg and his wife. The vast 200-acre estate has hosted seven U.S. presidents and summit meetings with world leaders, serving as a West Coast Camp David for several presidents, including President Obama.

Designed by celebrated MCM architect A. Quincy Jones, the 25,000 square foot main house and its incredible art collection, along with its gardens, can be visited. Sunnylands is in Rancho Mirage, about 25 minutes from downtown Palm Springs.

Visiting the park-like grounds is free. Tickets can be purchased for docent-led tours of the house and art collection.

Address: 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, California

Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley has a rich agricultural history. One of the key crops is dates, and the area produces more than 90 percent of the dates grown in the U.S. This Middle Eastern fruit was first planted in the desert in the early 20th century, one of the few crops that can be grown year-round in the area's extreme weather.

The Shields Date Garden is in Indio, about 30 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. The almost-20-acre date farm has a café, a guided tour of the date groves, and even a theater showing a kitschy 1940s movie about date farming. They also serve date shakes, a must-drink date milkshake-like smoothie every Palm Springs visitor should try.

Address: 80225 US Hwy 111, Indio, California

What better way to explore and experience the desert landscape than in the back of an open Jeep. Most Jeep tours are two to three hours long (a six-hour Joshua Tree adventure is available). The off-road tours explore the local desert landscape and the nearby San Andreas Fault.

Some of the Jeep tours depart from downtown Palm Springs; others start at a ranch in Indio, about 30 minutes east of Palm Springs. The naturalist-guided tours include bottled water and granola bar snacks.

Another fun way to explore the local desert around Palm Springs in on horseback. Smoke Tree Stables has been operating since 1927 and offers trail rides into the local canyons. These are gentle, guided trail rides suitable for all ages and all levels of experience (including first-timers).

You can do a one-hour group trail ride, which starts at the stables and takes you through the desert along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Another option is a two-hour group ride through Indian Canyons. The ride goes from Andreas Canyon to Murray Canyon and back, along streams and through palm tree groves.

Palm Springs Biplanes , a company based at the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), offers rides in a vintage 1940 Stearman biplane aircraft. The three-seat planes mean the passengers sit next to each other (behind the pilot). The open-top biplanes allow you to see all around, and you wear a cool vintage aviator cap and goggles.

The basic 15-minute flight is only $349 for two people and offers a lot more excitement and memories than a fancy dinner, which costs about the same price. A 30-minute flight takes you across the Coachella Valley and over the Santa Rosa Mountains and the hour-long flight covers the entire region.

Luxury Hotels:

• Located just a block from the heart of downtown, but worlds away, the Ingleside Inn has a private feel akin to staying at a friend's country estate rather than a hotel. With the San Jacinto Mountains as a backdrop, it is a posh adults-only hideaway with stylish rooms. Amenities include a restaurant, swimming pool, hot tub, and bike rental.
• Inspired by the desert surrounding it, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel is located downtown and offers 153 stylish rooms and suites. The hotel is inside a seven-story building and boasts the only rooftop pool and restaurant in town. The property is very dog friendly with no nightly charges for your pet. If you are traveling with kids, it is also a family-friendly resort.
• Colony Palms Hotel has been around since the 1930s and has hosted its share of celebrities over the years including Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, and Frank Sinatra. Today the 4-star luxury property is a boutique hotel with lots of flair to its rooms and suites. These come with colored mosaic tiles and bright fabrics and many also feature claw-foot bath tubs and fireplaces. Amenities include a saltwater swimming pool, hot tub, restaurant, and a spa. Unlike many Palm Springs hotels, the Colony Palms is family friendly.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Desert Riviera Hotel is a top mid-range choice. The vintage property has been recently renovated and features retro decor in its spacious rooms and suites. The adults-only property has a pool, hot tub, and bikes available for guests. A free breakfast is also served.
• Like many Palm Springs properties, Little Paradise Hotel is also adults-only. The luxe boutique hotel features plush rooms with comfy beds, 4K curved TVs, jet showers, and full kitchens. There is also a heated saltwater pool with sun-loungers.
• One of the few mid-range hotels that accepts kids, Palm Springs Tennis Club is within walking distance of the historic downtown. It has spacious, modern rooms and suites. Amenities include three swimming pools, tennis courts, and an on-site restaurant.

Budget Hotels:

• For a family-friendly hotel that is also easy on the budget, check out the Vagabond Motor Hotel . On the outskirts of downtown, it offers tidy and modern rooms. There is a free breakfast offered and parking is also free. If you're traveling with a dog, the hotel allows pets.
• Days Inn by Wyndham Palm Springs is another budget choice near downtown. It offers spacious rooms with balconies and welcomes families. There is a kid's wading pool, as well as an Olympic-size swimming pool on-site. Other amenities include a hot tub, workout room, restaurant, and free parking.

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Less than an hour's drive from Palm Springs is Joshua Tree National Park , one of the most interesting and beautiful parks in the Southwest. If you have time for only one side trip, this is the place to come. This park has some amazing sites, along with great walks and hiking trails . It also offers outstanding campgrounds , where you can park your RV or pitch your tent next to huge Joshua trees and giant rock formations.

If you are traveling around California and looking for new ideas, be sure to check out our articles on California desert tourist attractions and our list of great off-the-beaten-path attractions in California . For a more general overview of what to see throughout the state, see our article on the top tourist attractions in California .

More on California

The Ultimate Palm Springs Travel Guide

Less than two hours from los angeles, palm springs has long been the city’s popular desert getaway, welcoming both hollywood stars and less famous visitors..

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Majestic palms and the San Jacinto mountains set a dramatic scene in this storied desert getaway.

Photo by Lisa Corson, AFAR Media

The human history of Palm Springs dates back more than 2,000 years when the Agua Caliente Indians first settled in the area. Its history as a vacation destination goes back longer than many realize, too: The springs that are part of the city’s name and the dry desert climate drew the wellness travelers of the 19th century, and the Palm Springs Hotel (the first in the Coachella Valley) opened in 1886.

It was, however, in the 1920s and 30s that Hollywood royalty began to make the 100-mile drive from Los Angeles and in the process spread the city’s reputation beyond Southern California. Its mid-century modern buildings—many built as homes for Hollywood stars like Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra—continue to be a major draw for those interested in architecture.

For many Angelenos, Palm Springs is primarily a long weekend getaway, a place to lounge by a swimming pool with a good book in hand. The city, however, rewards those who make time for a longer visit. There’s downtown Palm Springs, with Palm Canyon Drive its major artery. There you’ll find the famous Visitor Center built in 1963 which is both an architectural masterpiece and a source of information for your stay, while the same street includes the Architecture and Design Center , part of the Palm Springs Art Museum . A trip on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to near the top of San Jacinto Peak provides bird’s-eye views of the area.

While Palm Springs may be the most familiar name, it is just one of nine towns in Greater Palm Springs. Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, and the area’s other communities all have their own highlights and attractions. Finally, one of the gems of the national park system, Joshua Tree , is just 45 minutes away by car.

What to do in Palm Springs

• If you are passionate about midcentury architecture, Modernism Week with its busy schedule of lectures and exclusive house tours takes place in late February.
• Whenever you visit, the Architecture and Design Center of the Palm Springs Art Museum provides an introduction to the city’s remarkable buildings. The museum’s main location in downtown Palm Springs has nearly 30 galleries displaying everything from centuries-old Native American pieces to recent works by contemporary artists.
• The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers stunning views of the desert landscape. A walk through Indian Canyons, an oasis dotted with palms, provides a glimpse of how the desert looked when the earliest Agua Caliente Indians arrived here.
• A very different stroll, along Palm Canyon Drive, can include stops at the lively bars and restaurants that are oases for today’s travelers.

Neighborhoods to Explore

Palm springs.

With Palm Springs’s long history that includes Indian Canyons and the city’s Hollywood connections, it is the best known of the nine communities in the Coachella Valley. Its downtown has many popular restaurants and resorts range from venerable favorites to gleaming new additions. It’s not the most populous of the cities in Greater Palm Springs, but it is the largest by area.

Palm Desert

This city’s El Paseo gives Palm Canyon Drive some competition when it comes to the title of the Coachella Valley’s best shopping street. With three different college campuses, there’s a definite student vibe here compared to other retiree heavy communities. A plus is restaurants that cater to the budgets of students—and those of frugal travelers. The fascinating Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Garden is also located in Palm Desert.

Cathedral City

Sitting between Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City’s family attractions include an IMAX theater and the Big League Dreams Sports Park. A vast city revitalization project begun in the 1990s included a new city hall and other projects. The effort paid off and Cathedral City now often appears on lists of America’s most livable communities.

The largest city of Greater Palm Springs in terms of population, Indio has become famous in recent years as the location of the Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival—simply Coachella, to many attendees. There are, however, many other events throughout the year in this self-described “City of Festivals.”

Rancho Mirage

Many Rancho Mirage residents live behind the gates of private communities, but the city does include a few stops of interest to travelers. Foremost among them is the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands , a beautifully designed conference center that is open for tours.

When to Visit Palm Springs

The population of Greater Palm Springs is decidedly seasonal. By some estimates there are four times as many residents in January compared to August. This is with good reason: Daily highs in July and August are usually above 100°. When the temperatures soar that high, the fact it is dry heat isn’t much of a consolation. In December and January, on the other hand, they are typically in the low 70s. Winter is undeniably more appealing though also more expensive. (Rain is not an issue in any season—this desert region typically receives less than two inches of precipitation each year.)

Food + Drink

Remember that many of Palm Springs’ visitors are coming from Los Angeles, where diners accustomed to farm-fresh produce prepared by celebrated chefs, and the excellence of the area’s culinary offerings makes sense as Palm Springs resorts and restaurants are in an ongoing competition. Finding a memorable meal is an easy task. Some currently popular options where you’ll want to reserve a table are Workshop Kitchen + Bar , in a repurposed 1920s movie theater; King’s Highway , a retro diner attached to the Ace Hotel ; and the adventurously creative Sandfish by Engin Onural .

Architecture dominates the cultural scene here. A variety of tours of mid-century modern sites are offered—the Visitor Center can lead you through options. The Palm Springs Art Museum has speaker and film series in addition to exhibitions. If you plan on attending Coachella , in late April, make your plans far in advance, but don’t overlook other events from the Stagecoach Country Music Festival (also in April) to the mouth-watering International Tamale Festival in December.

Getting Around Palm Springs

For a small city, Palm Springs is surprisingly well connected with the rest of North America. In the high season, there are non-stop flights from Boston, Chicago, New York, Toronto, and other northern cities with residents looking to flee the cold. From Los Angeles, it’s less than two hours by car. While there are public buses, their limited schedule and routes mean they are not ideal for exploring the area and may want to rent a car. Uber and Lyft, as well as local taxi companies, operate in the city, including at the airport.

Practical Information

Incidents of valley fever, a disease with flu-like symptoms caused by a fungus in the soil in parts of the Southwest (including Palm Springs), have been increasing in recent years. Travelers over 60, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems may want to discuss it with their doctor.

Local Resources

• The bookstore Just Fabulous has an extensive selection of guidebooks to the area, as well as coffee-table volumes of photos of mid-century modern buildings.

The Best Places to Stay

• Palm Springs Airbnbs
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Stephen Hiltner/The New York Times

The sculpted facade of a 2,000-year-old tomb glows in the late-afternoon sun at Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Crowds of Muslim pilgrims gather outside the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

Camels march through the desert on the outskirts of the Empty Quarter, the world’s largest sand sea.

For many years these Saudi Arabian scenes, including the lively open-air markets in Jeddah, were off limits to most travelers.

But not anymore. As it undergoes a profound transformation, Saudi Arabia is spending lavishly to lure tourists with its luxe new resorts ...

... its rich cultural heritage ...

... and its sublime natural beauty.

Can the Saudi government persuade would-be visitors to look past — or reconsider — its longstanding associations with religious extremism, ultraconservatism and human rights abuses?

Will the kingdom’s $800 billion bet on tourism pay off?

Supported by

Surprising, Unsettling, Surreal: Roaming Through Saudi Arabia

To witness the kingdom’s profound transformation and assess its ambitious tourism projects, a Times journalist spent a month on the road there. Here’s what he saw.

By Stephen Hiltner

An editor and photojournalist for the Travel section, Stephen Hiltner drove 5,200 miles and visited all 13 of Saudi Arabia’s provinces while reporting and shooting this story.

Wandering alone along the southern fringes of Saudi Arabia’s mountainous Asir Province, some eight miles from the Yemeni border, in a nondescript town with a prominent sculpture of a rifle balanced on an ornately painted plinth, I met a man, Nawab Khan, who was building a palace out of mud.

Actually, he was rebuilding the structure, restoring it. And when I came across him, he hadn’t yet begun his work for the day; he was seated on the side of the road beneath its red-and-white windows — cross-legged, on a rug, leaning over a pot of tea and a bowl of dates.

Two weeks earlier, on the far side of the country, a fellow traveler had pointed at a map and described the crumbling buildings here, in Dhahran al-Janub, arranged in a colorful open-air museum. Finding myself nearby, I’d detoured to have a look — and there was Mr. Khan, at first looking at me curiously and then waving me over to join him. Sensing my interest in the cluster of irregular towers, he stood up, produced a large key ring and began opening a series of padlocks. When he vanished through a doorway, I followed him into a shadowy stairwell.

This, of course, was my mother’s worst nightmare: Traveling solo, I’d been coaxed by a stranger into an unlit building in a remote Saudi village, within a volatile border area that the U.S. Department of State advises Americans to stay away from .

By now, though, more than halfway through a 5,200-mile road trip, I trusted Mr. Khan’s enthusiasm as a genuine expression of pride, not a ploy. All across Saudi Arabia, I’d seen countless projects being built, from simple museums to high-end resorts. These were the early fruits of an $800 billion investment in the travel sector, itself part of a much larger effort, Vision 2030 , to remake the kingdom and reduce its economic dependence on oil.

But I’d begun to see the building projects as something else, too: the striving of a country — long shrouded to most Westerners — to be seen, reconsidered, accepted. And with its doors suddenly flung open and the pandemic behind us, visitors like me were finally beginning to witness this new Saudi Arabia, much to Mr. Khan’s and all the other builders’ delight.

Few countries present as complicated a prospect for travelers as Saudi Arabia.

Long associated with Islamic extremism, human rights abuses and the oppression of women, the kingdom has made strides in recent years to refashion its society and its reputation abroad.

The infamous religious police, which upheld codes of conduct based on an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam, were stripped of their power. Public concerts, once banned, are now ubiquitous. Women have been granted new rights — including the freedom to drive and to travel without permission from a male guardian — and are no longer required to wear floor-length robes in public or to cover their hair.

These changes are part of a broad set of strategies to diversify the kingdom’s economy, elevate its status in the world and soften its image — the last of which is a tall order for a government that has killed a newspaper columnist , kidnapped and tortured dissidents , precipitated a humanitarian crisis in Yemen and imprisoned people for supporting gay rights , among a number of other recent abuses .

Central to the transformations led by 38-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, is a major push for international visitors. It represents a sea change in a country that, until 2019, issued no nonreligious tourist visas and instead catered almost exclusively to Muslim pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities. In February, by contrast, my tourist e-visa was approved online in minutes.

Saudi Arabia has already transformed one of its premier destinations — Al-Ula, with its UNESCO-listed Nabatean tombs — from a neglected collection of archaeological sites into a lavish retreat with a bevy of activities on offer, including guided tours, wellness festivals, design exhibitions and hot air balloon rides.

Another project will create a vast array of luxury resorts on or near the Red Sea.

Still more projects include the development of Diriyah , the birthplace of the first Saudi state; the preservation and development of the coastal city of Jeddah ; an offshore theme park called the Rig ; and Neom , the futuristic city that has garnered the lion’s share of attention.

All told, the country is hoping to draw 70 million international tourists per year by 2030, with tourism contributing 10 percent of its gross domestic product. (In 2023, the country logged 27 million international tourists, according to government figures , with tourism contributing about 4 percent of G.D.P.)

At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the birthplace of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is now the centerpiece of the $63 billion Diriyah project, a new center of culture just outside Riyadh.

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on a remote island in the Red Sea, opened in late May. (A one-bedroom villa costs about $2,500 per night, excluding taxes and fees.) It is one of 50 properties scheduled to open in the area by 2030.

The preservation and development of Jeddah, a coastal city famous for its historic district built largely from blocks of coral, comes with a price tag of some $20 billion.

Al-Ula is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions. Part of the city’s Old Town, long crumbling in neglect, has now been painstakingly restored.

To get a sense of these projects and the changes unfolding in Saudi society, I spent a month exploring the kingdom by car. I traveled alone, without a fixer, driver or translator. Per New York Times ethics guidelines, I declined the government’s many offers of discounts and complimentary services.

Much of the time I felt I’d been tossed the keys to the kingdom. But there were moments, too, when I faced a more complicated reality, one epitomized by a road sign that forced me to abruptly exit the highway some 15 miles from the center of Mecca. “Obligatory for Non Muslims,” it read, pointing to the offramp.

To me, the sign broadcast the lines being drawn to compartmentalize the country, which is now marketing itself to two sets of travelers with increasingly divergent — and sometimes contradictory — expectations: luxury tourists at ease with bikinis and cocktails, and pilgrims prepared for modesty and strict religious adherence. It’s hard to know whether the kingdom can satisfy both without antagonizing either.

My trip began in Jeddah, where, after spending two days exploring its historic district, I rented a car and drove eight hours north to Al-Ula, a benchmark for the new Saudi tourism initiatives.

Saudi Arabia

Reporter’s route

Dhahran al-Janub

Wadi al-Disah

Red Sea Resort

The name Al-Ula refers to both a small city and a broader region packed with attractions: Hegra , the kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage site and its biggest archaeological draw, is a 30-minute drive north of Old Town, a maze of crumbling mud-brick buildings now partly restored. Between the two, and fanning out to the east and west, are several other archaeological sites, as well as a smattering of resorts, event spaces and adventure outfitters. Farther northeast, beyond Hegra, is the Sharaan Nature Reserve , a vast protected zone used for conservation efforts.

My first priority during my five-day stay in Al-Ula was a visit to Hegra.

Like Petra , its better-known counterpart in Jordan, Hegra was built by the Nabateans, an ancient people who flourished 2,000 years ago. The site contains more than 100 tombs that were carved from solid rock, their entrances adorned with embellishments. Most impressive among them, set apart and standing some 70 feet tall, is a tomb colloquially called the Lonely Castle.

Not long ago, visitors could hire private guides and wander the area on foot, climbing in and out of — and no doubt damaging — the many tombs. Not anymore: I boarded an air-conditioned tour bus and zipped past most of them, stopping at just four locations.

At the penultimate stop, we exited the bus and trudged several hundred feet along a sandy path to the front of the Lonely Castle. Even in the late afternoon, the heat was stifling. I craned my neck to take in the details of the sculpted facade, which emerged like a mirage from one side of a massive boulder: its four pilasters, the rough chisel marks near the bottom, its characteristic five-stepped crown. Ten minutes evaporated, and I turned to find my group being shepherded back onto the bus. I jogged through the sand to catch up.

A few miles north of Hegra, I hopped in the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser — accompanied by an Italian graduate student and his mother — for a drive through the sandy expanse of the Sharaan Nature Reserve.

The scenery was sublime: Slipping through a narrow slot canyon, we emerged into a vast, open desert plain, then settled into a wide valley enclosed by an amphitheater of cliffs. Occasionally our guide stopped and led us on short hikes to petroglyphs, some pockmarked by bullet holes, or to lush fields of wildflowers, where he plucked edible greens and invited us to sample their lemony tang.

Gabriele Morelli, the graduate student, had first come to Al-Ula a few years ago — a different era, he said, given how quickly the place had transformed. He described a version that no longer exists, rife with cheap accommodation, lax rules and a free-for-all sensibility.

Some of the changes, of course, have been necessary to protect delicate ecosystems and archaeological sites from ever-growing crowds. But several people I met in Al-Ula — Saudis and foreigners alike — quietly lamented the extent of the high-end development and the steady erosion of affordability. Many of the new offerings, like the Banyan Tree resort, they pointed out, are luxury destinations that cater to wealthy travelers.

These hushed criticisms were among my early lessons on how difficult it can be to gauge the way Saudis feel about the pace and the pervasiveness of the transformations reshaping their society.

I got a taste of Al-Ula’s exclusivity — and of the uncanniness that occasionally surfaced throughout my trip — at a Lauryn Hill concert in an event space called Maraya . To reach the hall, I passed through a security gate, where an attendant scanned my e-ticket and directed me two miles up a winding road into the heart of the Ashar Valley, home to several high-end restaurants and resorts.

Rounding the final bend, I felt as if I’d stumbled into a computer-generated image: Ant-size humans were dwarfed by a reflective structure that both asserted itself and blended into the landscape. Inside, waiters served hors d’oeuvres and brightly colored mocktails to a chic young crowd.

The surreality peaked when, midway through the show, I left my plush seat to join some concertgoers near the stage — only to turn and see John Bolton, former President Donald J. Trump’s national security adviser, seated in the front row.

Where else, I wondered, could I attend a rap concert in the middle of the desert with a longtime fixture of the Republican Party — amid a crowd that cheered when Ms. Hill mentioned Palestine — but this strange new corner of Saudi Arabia?

The mirrored facade at Maraya, a vast event space in Al-Ula, warps and reflects the surrounding desert landscape.

The building is in some ways a precursor to the kingdom’s most ambitious architectural design: the project at Neom called the Line, a 106-mile linear city that will also feature a mirrored surface.

Lauryn Hill performing in front of a large crowd at Maraya.

After Al-Ula, I drove to another of the kingdom’s extravagant schemes: the Red Sea project, billed as the “world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destination.” After weaving through a morass of construction-related traffic, I boarded a yacht — alongside a merry band of Saudi influencers — and was piloted some 15 miles to a remote island, where I disembarked in a world of unqualified opulence at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort .

I was chauffeured around in an electric golf cart — past 43 beachside “dune” villas and onto two long boardwalks that connect the rest of the resort to 47 “coral” villas, built on stilts over shallow turquoise water. Along the way, I listened to Lucas Julien-Vauzelle, an executive assistant manager, wax poetic about sustainability. “We take it to the next level,” he said, before rattling off a list of facts and figures: 100 percent renewable energy, a solar-powered 5G network , plans to enhance biologically diverse habitats.

By 2030, he said, the Red Sea project will offer 50 hotels across its island and inland sites. Citing the Maldives, he mentioned the kingdom’s plans to claim a share of the same high-end market.

Another prediction came by way of Keith Thornton, the director of restaurants, who said he expects the resort to legally serve alcohol by the end of the year. (While a liquor store for non-Muslim diplomats recently opened in Riyadh, the Saudi government has made no indication that it plans to reconsider its broader prohibition of alcohol.)

The hotel was undeniably impressive. But there’s an inescapable irony to a lavish resort built at unfathomable expense in the middle of the sea — with guests ferried out by chartered boat and seaplane — that flaunts its aspirations for sustainability.

Toward the end of my several-hour visit, I learned that every piece of vegetation, including 646 palm trees, had been transplanted from an off-site nursery. Later, reviewing historical satellite images, I found visual evidence that the island — described to me as pristine — had been dramatically fortified and, in the process, largely remade. Its footprint had also been significantly altered. It was, in a sense, an artificial island built where a smaller natural island once stood.

Something else struck me, too: The place was nearly empty, save for the staff and the Saudi influencers. Granted, the resort had just opened the month before — but the same was true at the nearby Six Senses Southern Dunes , an inland Red Sea resort that opened in November. Fredrik Blomqvist, the general manager there, told me that its isolated location in a serene expanse of desert — part of its appeal — also presented a challenge in drawing customers. “The biggest thing,” he said, “is to get the message out that the country is open.”

Since the country began issuing tourist visas, influencers have been documenting their experiences in places like Jeddah and Al-Ula, their trips often paid for by the Saudi government. Their breezy content contributes to the impression that the kingdom is awaiting discovery by foreign visitors with out-of-date prejudices. To an extent, for a certain segment of tourists, that’s true.

For many travelers, though, the depiction of the kingdom as an uncomplicated getaway could be dangerously misleading.

Speech in Saudi Arabia is strictly limited; dissent is not tolerated — nor is the open practice of any religion other than the government’s interpretation of Islam. In its travel advisory , the U.S. Department of State warns that “social media commentary — including past comments — which Saudi authorities may deem critical, offensive, or disruptive to public order, could lead to arrest.” Punishment for Saudi nationals has been far worse: In 2023, a retired teacher was sentenced to death after he criticized the ruling family via anonymous accounts. As of late 2023, he remained in prison.

Other restrictions are harder to parse. L.G.B.T.Q. travelers are officially welcome in the kingdom but face a conundrum: They might face arrest or other criminal penalties for openly expressing their sexual orientation or gender identity. As recently as 2021, an independent U.S. federal agency included Saudi Arabia on a list of countries where same-sex relationships are punishable by death , noting that “the government has not sought this penalty in recent years.”

When asked how he would convince a same-sex couple that it was safe to visit, Jerry Inzerillo, a native New Yorker and the group chief executive of Diriyah, said: “We don’t ask you any questions when you come into the country or when you leave.”

“Maybe that’s not conclusive enough,” he added, “but a lot of people have come.”

Female travelers might also face difficulties, since advancements in women’s rights are not equally distributed throughout the kingdom.

The changes were more visible in big cities and tourist centers. Ghydda Tariq, an assistant marketing manager in Al-Ula, described how new professional opportunities had emerged for her in recent years. Maysoon, a young woman I met in Jeddah, made extra money by occasionally driving for Uber. Haneen Alqadi, an employee at the St. Regis Red Sea, described how women there are free to wear bikinis without fear of repercussions.

Outside such places, though, I sometimes went for days without seeing more than a handful of women, invariably wearing niqabs, let alone seeing them engaged in public life or tourism. My photographs reflect that imbalance.

As an easily identifiable Western man, I moved through the country with an array of advantages: the kindness and cheery curiosity of strangers, the ease of passage at military checkpoints, and the freedom to interact with a male-dominated society at markets, museums, parks, restaurants, cafes. Not all travelers could expect the same treatment.

Roaming in the far north and south, I often found the earlier version of the kingdom — with lax rules and less development — that had been described to me in Al-Ula.

I trekked to the northern city of Sakaka to see an archaeological site promoted as the Stonehenge of Saudi Arabia: a set of monoliths called the Rajajil Columns thought to have been erected some 6,000 years ago but about which little is definitively known.

My heart sank when I pulled into the parking lot after a five-hour drive and found the columns blocked by a tall fence. Approaching on foot, though, I noticed that a section of the fence had been peeled back and that visitors were wandering freely among the stones, which protruded from the earth like isolated clusters of crooked teeth. I joined the small crowd, if hesitatingly, and was surprised to find no footpaths, nor anything to keep us a safe distance from the columns. In the end I wondered if our access had been officially approved or informally arranged.

My travel experiences were sometimes awkward in other ways, too.

Standing just outside the grounds of the central mosque in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried, I was detained by a stern member of the Special Forces. (Even after 2019, non-Muslim tourists remained barred from Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities. The ban was relaxed in parts of Medina in 2021.)

The guard interrogated me and, after calling a colleague to confer, demanded that I leave the area. “Go,” he said threateningly. Another traveler who witnessed the encounter scurried away to avoid a similar fate.

The unsettling exchange cast a pall over my time in the city, which few non-Muslims have seen. As far as I knew, I’d abided by the rules by staying outside the grounds of the Prophet’s Mosque — a boundary line that I’d confirmed with tourism officials beforehand.

Peering through the perimeter fence — the boundary line for non-Muslims — at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

The Mosque of Al-Ghamamah, one of the oldest in the holy city.

A sprawling maze of ramshackle residential buildings sits less than a mile from the Prophet’s Mosque.

A guide speaking to a group of visitors near the Hejaz Railway Museum, visible in the distance. (The museum was closed for renovations at the time.)

A group of young men, most of whose families emigrated from Sudan, playing soccer in a field just outside the center of Medina.

More than anything, family and friends wanted to know if I felt safe on my trip — and I did, almost without exception. Petty crime in Saudi Arabia is exceedingly rare. And while parts of the country are under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory , even my rambling itinerary was approved by a security expert.

Instead of fearing for my safety, I was often preoccupied with how I’d fairly portray a place that elicited such a range of conflicting emotions: joy and distress, excitement and apprehension, sincerity and doubt. So much lay hidden from public view — like the collective anguish over the war raging in Gaza . And so little was easy to categorize, in part because the warmth of everyday Saudis was strikingly at odds with the ruthlessness of their authoritarian government.

In Riyadh, a young man warned me not to speak openly with strangers. “People get arrested here for a tweet ,” he said. “Can you imagine?”

I could, actually. The Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi had chronicled his government’s increasingly draconian responses to criticism. “Repression and intimidation are not — and never should be — the acceptable companions of reform,” he wrote in The Washington Post in 2018, just months before he was killed and dismembered at his country’s consulate in Istanbul.

Were we to travel only where we feel comfortable and unchallenged, we’d all be poorer for it. But the question of whether to travel to Saudi Arabia is thornier than that.

It’s easy to see one response, “No,” as yielding to closed-mindedness at the expense of ordinary people — like the kindly vendor Abdullah, who served me local honey at his shop in the southern mountains.

But it’s easy, too, to see “Yes” as an affirmation that might makes right, that amusement outweighs morality, that princely wealth can wipe a stained slate clean.

Sunrise over the mountainous village of Fayfa, some six miles from the Yemeni border.

Abdullah Ghaleb Zaid, a honey vendor, at his shop atop a mountain pass near the southern city of Abha.

Sunset near Jabal Soudah, the kingdom’s highest peak.

Ten days into my trip, I ventured to Wadi al-Disah, a steep-walled valley where I’d booked a tent at a campsite I found on Airbnb. For an additional 300 riyals ($80), my host, Faisal, led me on a four-wheel-drive tour, departing the paved road and weaving through a path along the bed of an ephemeral river. Continually jolted by the uneven terrain, we eased past thick reeds, lofty palms and small bands of visitors who’d nestled into clearings.

As we left, I met a group of young men gathered for a picnic, their sandals scattered around a carpet on which they were preparing their dinner. Delighted to meet an American with a camera, they asked if I’d take a group portrait, then exchanged information with me so I could send them a copy — a scenario by then so familiar that I hardly thought anything of it.

A full day later, some 200 miles away, I was cruising along a lonely highway near the Jordanian border when a Land Cruiser blew past me at an astonishing speed. I felt my compact car rock from its turbulence — and then I watched with a twinge of dread as the car abruptly braked, slowing hard in the left lane until our front ends were aligned. It held steady there.

For a moment I stared straight ahead, hoping to avoid a confrontation. When I finally turned to look, I saw a group of boys grinning wildly and waving through an open window. Then I realized: Improbably, it was three of the young men I’d met the day before. Somehow we’d all followed the same route. And somehow, in the split second it took them to fly past, they’d recognized me. I lifted my camera from the passenger seat and snapped a photograph.

The picture shows three young Saudis on a precipice: endearing, erratic, captivating. I have a sense of where they came from but no certainty about where they’re going. Two are flashing peace signs, and none appears to be wearing a seatbelt. No one is watching the road as their car drifts out of its lane, careening a little recklessly into a hopeful and uncertain future.

Stephen Hiltner’s recent work includes a photo essay about his childhood in Budapest , an examination of A.I.-generated guidebooks and an investigation into the deaths of Russian soldiers in Ukraine . You can follow his travels on Instagram .

Got a question about this story? Drop a note in the comments section. Got a tip? Send him an email .

Stephen Hiltner is an editor, writer and photographer for the Travel section of The Times. More about Stephen Hiltner

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Discover the Palm Beaches unveils new campaign aimed at increasing summer tourism

In an effort to increase tourism to Palm Beach County during the summer off-season, Discover the Palm Beaches has launched “ The Palm Beach Collection ” campaign, a questionnaire visitors can fill out to create an itinerary curated to their niche interests.  

It’s part of a slew of initiatives launched by Discover the Palm Beaches aimed at improving the county’s tourism sector, CEO Milton Segarra told business leaders attending the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce members breakfast at The Breakers on Tuesday. 

As part of these improvements, Discover the Palm Beaches, a nonprofit corporation tasked with marketing the county as a tourism destination, has invested significantly into its technological capabilities, including the launch of a new website featuring a customer service live chat and improving the organization's marketing software, he said.  

Segarra noted that the organization also has plans for a Certified Tourism Ambassador program , an industry-recognized certification program that gives workers, business leaders, and officials the opportunity to become an expert guide on the county’s various entertainment offerings.     

Looking to the future, Segarra said Discover the Palm Beaches will work with the county’s Tourism Development Council and a yet-to-be-chosen private consultant to draft a Tourism Master Plan to set the long-term guiding principles for the tourism sector.  

With drafting expected to begin in July or August, he called on business leaders at the Chamber Breakfast to join in during the drafting process.  

"We want to listen to you, we want to know exactly what are your expectations, what are your recommendations— to make sure we can craft a plan that will define the path for tourism in the next 10 to 20 years,” he said.   

All these changes come after a record-breaking year for the county's tourism sector. Some 9.5 million tourists visited the county during 2023 — a gain of 300,000 over the previous year, Segarra said. That amounted to a total of $10.3 billion funneled into the county, with $7.08 billion directly spent at private businesses, he said, adding that the tourism sector makes up just over 11% of the county's economy.

Segarra also highlighted the sector's employment opportunities, noting that 85,000 residents are working in tourism-related businesses.  

“It’s important to understand the strategic and practical value of our industry in the big picture of the county’s economy,” Segarra said. 

Tuesday's breakfast also included a discussion on global affairs that featured Paula Dobriansky, a senior fellow at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, who has more than 30 years of experience working in high-level government positions, including as undersecretary of state for global affairs during former U.S. President George W. Bush's first term in office.

Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the  Palm Beach Daily News , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at  [email protected] .