Palm Springs is a great desert getaway destination, especially popular in the winter and spring. I would recommend:
3 days: This is enough time to get a quick feel of Palm Springs and enjoy some highlights. Spend Day 1 exploring downtown Palm Springs, including the Walk of Stars, Palm Springs Art Museum and dining/shopping on Palm Canyon Drive. Day 2 take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up Mt. San Jacinto and hike the scenic trails. Day 3 visit nearby Joshua Tree National Park for stunning desert scenery and rock climbing. 3 days allows you to experience the essence of Palm Springs but at a fast pace.
4-5 days: For a balanced Palm Springs vacation without rushing from place to place, 4 to 5 days is ideal. In addition to the activities in the 3-day itinerary, you can:
-Relax poolside at your hotel or visit local hot springs like Desert Hot Springs. Palm Springs has legendary resorts and spas.
-Take a tour to see celebrity homes of the Rat Pack era and beyond.
-Visit extra attractions like Moorten Botanical Garden, Coachella Valley History Museum and Tahquitz Canyon.
-Take day trips to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Idyllwild or Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.
-Browse the Uptown Design District’s shops and art galleries. Palm Springs has a vibrant art scene.
-Experience Palm Springs’ nightlife along Palm Canyon Drive and at the Casinos like Agua Caliente and Morongo.
1 week or longer: For a truly relaxed Palm Springs escape with time for all the area has to offer, I would recommend 7 days or more. At this length, you can experience it all without feeling rushed, including:
-All of the above recommendations at a leisurely pace.
-Day trips as far as Joshua Tree National Park, San Diego or Los Angeles.
-Time to lounge at resort pools, hit golf courses, get spa treatments and de-stress.
-Opportunity to stargaze in one of the world’s best spots for it! The desert offers prime nighttime views.
In summary, 3 to 5 days is a perfect introduction to Palm Springs allowing you to experience the highlights. But the desert oasis vibes and abundance of things to do make Palm Springs an ideal getaway for a week or longer. Have an amazing trip!
Itıneraries
1. Trip Plan
Day 1: Art and Architecture
Morning
Start your day with breakfast at King’s Highway, a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. After fueling up, head to the Palm Springs Art Museum, the crown jewel of Palm Springs’ art scene. Explore the museum’s three floors of painting, photography, and sculpture, as well as its impressive collection of American mid-century architecture and design.
Afternoon
For lunch, try Rooster and the Pig, a highly recommended restaurant offering a unique fusion of Vietnamese and American cuisine. After lunch, take a stroll through Downtown Palm Springs and discover the city’s growing public art collection. Keep an eye out for commissioned works decorating hotels, restaurants, shops, and even benches.
Evening
In the evening, dine at Workshop Kitchen + Bar, a James Beard Award-winning restaurant known for its modern concrete interior and contemporary small plates. Enjoy your meal on the spacious patio under the olive tree, cooled by refreshing misters. After dinner, explore the Backstreet Art District, home to a dozen artist-owned galleries featuring contemporary paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more.
Day 2: History and Culture
Morning
Begin your day with breakfast at Townie Bagels, a local favorite for freshly baked bagels and delicious coffee. After breakfast, visit the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, which showcases the history of the Cahuilla Nation in Palm Springs and features artifacts from their ancient past.
Afternoon
For lunch, head to Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, a vegetarian-friendly spot offering delicious and healthy options. After lunch, explore the McCallum Adobe-Cornelia White House Museum, the oldest building in Palm Springs and the oldest adobe house in the upper Coachella Valley. The museum houses paintings, photographs, and early telephones used in Palm Springs.
Evening
In the evening, enjoy a fine dining experience at 4 Saints, a rooftop restaurant located at the Kimpton Rowan Hotel. The sleek and sultry dining room offers incredible mountain views and a show-stopping patio. The menu features modern American cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
Day 3: Outdoor Activities and Shopping
Morning
Start your day with breakfast at Peninsula Pastries, a charming bakery offering a variety of delicious pastries and coffee. After breakfast, head to Indian Canyons, a beautiful natural area perfect for hiking and exploring the unique desert landscape.
Afternoon
For lunch, visit Birba, an al fresco dining spot known for its modern Italian dishes and cocktails. After lunch, spend the afternoon shopping and exploring Palm Canyon Drive, a vibrant area filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
Evening
End your trip with a memorable dinner at Bar Cecil, a chic bistro and bar offering a decadent menu with equal attention to quality, flavor, and presentation. Enjoy dishes like caviar, homemade pasta, and wagyu steak in a stylish and elegant atmosphere. Throughout your trip, be sure to indulge in the local food scene, explore the rich art and history of Palm Springs, and enjoy the beautiful desert landscape.
2. Trip Plan
Day 1: Immerse Yourself in the Magic of Disney
Morning: Start your day at Keke’s Breakfast Café, known for its delicious Floridian French toast and pancakes. Then head towards the iconic Walt Disney World Resort. Start with the Magic Kingdom Park, home to Cinderella’s Castle and the enchanting lands of Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Frontierland.
Lunch: Take a lunch break at the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. Enjoy French-inspired cuisine in an enchanting setting inspired by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Afternoon: Spend your afternoon exploring EPCOT. Here you can discover exciting attractions, enchanting international pavilions, and award-winning fireworks.
Dinner: Dine at the California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Magic Kingdom while savoring dishes made from the freshest ingredients.
Day 2: Adventure and Wildlife in Orlando
Morning: Kick off your day with a breakfast at Se7en Bites, a Southern-style bakery and café. After breakfast, make your way to the Universal Orlando Resort. Start with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an absolute treat for fans of the franchise.
Lunch: Enjoy a unique dining experience at the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley, featuring classic British fare.
Afternoon: After a magical morning, switch gears to a thrilling afternoon at Islands of Adventure, where you can explore Marvel Super Hero Island, Jurassic Park, and more.
Dinner: Wind down at CityWalk’s Hard Rock Cafe for a classic American dinner and a rock ‘n’ roll vibe.
Day 3: Exploration Beyond Theme Parks
Morning: Start your day with a refreshing breakfast at Briarpatch, a local favorite known for its brunch menu. Then, head to the Orlando Science Center. The center offers a variety of interactive exhibits that make learning fun.
Lunch: Head to Prato in Winter Park for some Italian fare. Their handcrafted pasta and pizzas are a hit with locals and tourists alike.
Afternoon: After lunch, explore the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, about an hour’s drive from Orlando. It’s a fascinating journey through the history and future of space exploration.
Dinner: Enjoy a final dinner at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. Known for its upscale dining, the restaurant offers fresh seafood, premium hand-carved steaks, and a notable wine list.
Orlando, Florida, is more than just theme parks. With its rich food scene and a variety of educational and recreational attractions, Orlando has something to offer for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy your 3-day trip to this sunny city!
3. Trip Plan
3-day itinerary for Palm Springs, CA.
Day 1: Experience the art and architecture of Palm Springs
- Start your day with a tasty breakfast at Cheeky’s, a popular spot that serves dishes like bacon flight, chilaquiles, eggs benedict and more.
- Join a Palm Springs Modern Tour and learn about the city’s famous mid-century modern architecture and design. You can see iconic buildings by architects like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey and John Lautner, as well as celebrity homes of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.
- For lunch, head to Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, a New York-style deli that serves sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts. You can also order their famous corned beef or pastrami.
- After lunch, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, which showcases a collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as Native American and Western art. You can also see sculptures by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Robert Therrien in the outdoor garden.
- Next, explore the Uptown Design District, a trendy area that features boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants. You can shop for vintage clothing, furniture, jewelry or art.
- For dinner, enjoy some Italian cuisine at Birba, a chic restaurant that serves pizzas, pastas, salads and cocktails. You can also dine al fresco in their patio with fire pits.
- End your day with some entertainment at The Purple Room, a retro-style lounge that hosts live music, comedy and cabaret shows. You can also catch a glimpse of the Rat Pack memorabilia on the walls.
Day 2: Enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor activities of Palm Springs
- Have a light breakfast at Koffi, a local chain that offers pastries, sandwiches, salads and coffee.
- Drive to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car that takes you to the top of Mount San Jacinto State Park. You can enjoy the views of the valley and the mountains from above, or hike, bike or snowshoe on the trails.
- For lunch, stop by Peaks Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant that offers panoramic views of the desert and the city. You can order dishes like salmon, chicken, steak or salad.
- After lunch, drive to the Indian Canyons, a series of canyons that are home to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. You can hike along the streams and palm trees, see ancient rock art and petroglyphs, or visit the trading post.
- For dinner, savor some Mexican food at Las Casuelas Terraza, a family-owned restaurant that serves dishes like enchiladas, fajitas, burritos and margaritas. You can also enjoy live music and dancing on their patio.
- End your day with some fun at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, a casino that offers slots, table games, poker and bingo. You can also watch a show at their theater or relax at their spa.
Day 3: Experience the culture and cuisine of Palm Springs’ diverse neighborhoods
- Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Farm, a charming restaurant that serves French-inspired dishes like crepes, omelets, croque madame and more.
- Take a short drive to the Palm Springs Air Museum, which displays one of the world’s largest collections of World War II aircrafts. You can see planes like B-17 Flying Fortress, P-51 Mustang and C-47 Skytrain. You can also take a flight in some of them.
- For lunch, head to Rooster And The Pig, a hip restaurant that serves Vietnamese-American fusion food. You can order dishes like spring rolls, banh mi, pho or curry.
- After lunch, visit the Moorten Botanical Garden, which features over 3,000 varieties of cacti and succulents from around the world. You can also see fossils, crystals and minerals in their Cactarium.
- Next, explore the Downtown Palm Springs, which is home to shops, restaurants, bars and attractions. You can stroll along the Palm Canyon Drive or visit the VillageFest every Thursday night.
- For dinner, treat yourself to some steak at Mr. Lyons Steakhouse, an elegant restaurant that serves prime cuts of meat, seafood and sides. You can also enjoy a cocktail at their lounge or speakeasy.
- End your day with some comedy at The Copa Nightclub, a nightclub that hosts stand-up comedians every Sunday night. You can also dance to live music or DJs on other nights.
I hope this itinerary gives you an idea of what to do in Palm Springs for three days. There are many more things to see and do in this city that I couldn’t fit in this sample itinerary. If you want more information or suggestions for your trip planning,
you can check out these websites:
- https://www.visitpalmsprings.com/
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/palm-springs
- https://www.bing.com/travel/place-information?q=Palm+Springs
Have fun in Palm Springs! 😊