Photograph by: Elizabeth

Best Things to Do in Palm Springs

Featured Palm Springs Travel Tips
  • Plan an afternoon at the golf course or driving range
  • Take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park
  • Visit the Moorten Botanical Gardens
  • See the windmills in the desert
  • Capture memories on a Flytographer photoshoot

Since 2013, Flytographer has captured millions of vacation photos all around the globe and know our customers have the best travel tips to share! Explore their favourite things to do in Palm Springs, best restaurants in Palm Springs, and general travel tips to get fresh inspiration and start planning your trip to Palm Springs.

View Palm Springs Photographers

arrow_right_alt Explore all travel tips
Nancy's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

For breakfast we love Kings Highway at the Ace Hotel, dinner at Birba and sweet treats at Ice Cream & Shoppe.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Hiking! From trails that meander inside an oasis of Palm Trees to scaling the side of Mt. Jacinto, there is something for every skill level.

What is your best overall travel tip for Palm Springs?

Waking up at sunrise. Watch as the mountain changes color from a deep orange to purple, there is nothing like it.

Hometown Shoot in October

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Caroline in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Isa's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

We love to cook our own fabulous meals at our VRBO

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Tram up the mountain and hikes

Visited Palm Springs in May

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Amber in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Pulak's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

We enjoyed ice creams at Lammerts.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

We enjoyed so much! The aerial tramway, the zoo, Joshua Tree Park.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Palm Springs?

Be flexible and patient. Bring lots of snacks and sunscreen. And snow boots if you go to the top of the mountain!

Visited Palm Springs in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Melissa in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Charlene's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

We love tiki cocktails and would highly recommend Bootlegger Tiki. Great drinks, funky vibe, and the bar team know their tiki drinks!

Visited Palm Springs in December

Photo Shoot Location: Palm Springs Windmills

Daniel and Noi in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Jessica's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Koffi- the lavender tea freeze is my go to.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Moorten Botanical Gardens, tramway, windmills, Andreas Canyon (an oasis!), Saguaro for pool time, bike riding through the neighborhoods. And more. :)

Visited Palm Springs in October

Photo Shoot Location: Moorten Botanical Gardens

Jamie in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Mindy's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Lulu California, Tonga Hut, The Reef, Bootlegger Tiki, Las Casuelas Terraza, Grill A Burger

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Red Jeep Tours, Then Living Desert, Cabazon Dinsoaurs, Palm Springs Mod Squad Tour with Kurt - exploring stores and architecture

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Palm Springs?

Just a ton for families to do together and renting a house with a pool was a huge plus!

Visited Palm Springs in August

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Daniel and Noi in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Alex's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

High Bar at The Rowan. Such a fun atmosphere, and the best bartenders!

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

The Saguaro. So fun, really good strong cocktails

What is your best travel tip for Palm Springs?

Bring sunscreen and be willing to walk

Visited Palm Springs in May

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Jamie in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Annemarie's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

El Mirosal (at the curve) has the best Chile Verde and staff that we come back to year over year.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Palm Springs?

Kid sunglasses really help with the cool factor for photos in Palm Springs

Visited Palm Springs in May

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Jamie in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Alexa's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

4 Saints Farm French Miso Cafe

Visited Palm Springs in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Jamie in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Tiara's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Fresh Agave. Amazing food, great service, and good drinks.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Joshua Tree National Park, the zoo, and pool time at the Renaissance Inn.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Palm Springs?

Do your activities in the morning and pool time in the afternoon after naps. For sure hit the zoo!

Visited Palm Springs in April

Photo Shoot Location: Moorten Botanical Gardens

Jamie in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Alyssa's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Cafe: Cafe La Jefe

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Hidden gems: Indian canyon neighborhood Tours: botanical gardens Place to go if you like wine: Temecula

Visited Palm Springs in March

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Melissa in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Justin's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

We checked out Boozehounds for the first time and really enjoyed it there. We went to Boozehounds because they are very dog friendly. They even have a dog menu, so our dachshund was able to enjoy a salmon teriyaki bowl at the table with us. The human food and drinks were excellent too!

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

The Moorten Botanical Garden was a treat, and leashed dogs are welcome. Definitely make time to check out Joshua Tree National Park too.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Palm Springs?

We thought Joshua Tree National Park was a perfect baby-friendly activity. It takes quite a bit of time to get through, so if you have an infant, they can get a nap in while you are able to still sightsee a bit. There is so much to see from inside the car, or from the side of the road. If the kids are mobile, there were many stops where you could hop out and explore that is not too far from the car.

Visited Palm Springs in December

Alexandra's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Palm Springs?

Living desert zoo, cabazon dinosaurs, empire polo club drive through Christmas lights

Visited Palm Springs in November

Photo Shoot Location: Moorten Botanical Gardens

Daniel and Noi in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Isabel's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Trattoria Tiramasu, we've been twice. The food is absolutely amazing and the service superb.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Our Flytograph experience was excellent. We also enjoyed the Chillbar show.

Visited Palm Springs in June

Photo Shoot Location: Moorten Botanical Gardens

Melissa in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Jana's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Modernism Week tours with Trevor as a guide - he is excellent. I loved the Indian Canyons tour and Las Palmas tour.

What is the best tip for solo travel in Palm Springs?

If you want to be right downtown, stay at The Kimpton Rowan, it's walking distance to many local places

Visited Palm Springs in May

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Daniel and Noi in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Megan's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

I loved Spencer’s for lunch. The patio is the most lovely place! And the food was great!

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

We had a great time on a horse trail ride at Smoke Tree Stables, everybody there was super nice and the ride was beautiful.

What is the best tip for celebrating your birthday in Palm Springs?

Get Flytographer to take some great pictures to remember the occasion!

Visited Palm Springs in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Ashley in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Katie's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

JJ’s Mexican had amazing margaritas! And you can get them for takeout!!

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Walking In Vista Las Palmas neighborhood seeing the mid century modern architecture! And the PS Air Bar was very kitschy and fun

What is your best travel tip for Palm Springs?

Plans days to relax in the sun!

Visited Palm Springs in March

Photo Shoot Location: Joshua Tree National Park

Melissa in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Erika's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Since we were all dressed up for pictures, my husband wanted to have a nice family dinner so we made a reservation at Lavender Bistro in La Quinta. What an amazing experience! A little expensive for a family of 5 but perfect for a special occasion. Delicious food and exceptional service.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

We now own a home in La Quinta so we no longer visit the popular sites but rather like to check out small local activities. The Sunday Farmer's Market in Old Town La Quinta is a favorite!

What is your best travel tip for Palm Springs?

September - May is the best time to visit but summer months are quiet if you can manage the heat.

Visited Palm Springs in November

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Amber in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Emilie's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

We loved Melyvn's and El Patio! Melvyn's was super fancy and felt like stepping back into time. El Patio was an amazing outdoor fiesta where we could relax, drink some great margaritas, and watch the futbol game.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

The Botanical Garden is really neat!

What is the best tip for celebrating your anniversary in Palm Springs?

Stay at the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows! It was a perfect spot.

Visited Palm Springs in November

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Jamie in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Donald's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Wandering around Joshua Tree was just amazing, so much to see and so much to capture

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

I recommend visiting Pioneertown after touring Joshua Tree (pioneertownsun.com)

What is the best tip for solo travel in Palm Springs?

Easy to navigate Joshua Tree solo, easy drive and beautiful spots for amazing views and photos captures, just follow the path once you are inside the National Park

Visited Palm Springs in October

Photo Shoot Location: Joshua Tree National Park

Melissa in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Donald's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Loved my dining experience at FARM (www.farmpalmsprings.com), it felt like I was in South of France, the ambiance and cuisine was great. Loved having coffee at Koffii www.kofficoffee.com. Also, loved the ambiance and décor at Workshop Kitchen + Bar workshopkitchenbar.com), I highly recommended

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

It was great to check out the The Palm Springs Art Museum and also the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, also visiting the The Moorten Botanical Garden. Also great to walk along all of the shops across Palm Canyon Drive and admire all of he beautiful midcentury architecture

What is the best tip for solo travel in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs is perfect place to wander solo around and walk through its scenery avenues and visit the museums and the shops and check out some of its beautiful hotels

Visited Palm Springs in October

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Amber in Palm Springs for Flytographer

lynne's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Mario's Italian

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Escape room

Visited Palm Springs in July

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Daniel and Noi in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Matt's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Fisherman’s landing at the Merriot hotel. Great fish, great drinks, great staff!

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Hiking local mountains, and traversing the rugged terrain at high speed in Joshua Tree.

Visited Palm Springs in June

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Melissa in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Malinda's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

The Reef tiki bar! Great food and fun cocktails, even non-alcoholic ones that my kids loved. The atmosphere feels straight out of something from the mid-century, but not because it's trying to be.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

We loved the PS Aerial Tramway--remember to bring a jacket for when you get to the top--it's cold and windy!

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Palm Springs?

Schedule lots of downtime. We stayed at the Saguaro Hotel, and they loved the bocce ball court, laying the hammocks, playing ping pong in the lobby, and of course being at the pool. If your kids are too young to really appreciate the great (and expensive) food in PS, then the $1 menu at DelTaco is your best friend.

Visited Palm Springs in May

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Caroline in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Lydia's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

Roy’s

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Golf

Hometown Shoot in December

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Melissa in Palm Springs for Flytographer

Nancy's Travel Tips for Palm Springs

What are the best places to eat and drink in Palm Springs?

For breakfast we love Kings Highway at the Ace Hotel, dinner at Birba and sweet treats at Ice Cream & Shoppe.

What are the best things to do in Palm Springs?

Hiking! From trails that meander inside an oasis of Palm Trees to scaling the side of Mt. Jacinto, there is something for every skill level.

What is your best overall travel tip for Palm Springs?

Waking up at sunrise. Watch as the mountain changes color from a deep orange to purple, there is nothing like it.

Hometown Shoot in October

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Caroline in Palm Springs for Flytographer

+ View More Travel Tips

Loading Tips...