Palm Springs is known as a resort town, a former playground to the stars with 354 days of sunshine every year. With temperatures that average in the 70s, it’s easy to see why golfing, biking, swimming, and tennis are so popular. Should you decide to visit this glorious location, in addition to the marvelous weather, you should check out some of these great attractions in Palm Springs.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
After flying into Palm Springs and checking into your nearby Palm Springs hotel, come see the wonders of this amazing desert climate. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is 1,200 acres of protected lands with 450 wild animals and many plants representative of the desert environments of Africa and North America. You can stroll through the gardens, enjoy a tram ride, hike one of the many trails, take in one of the live animal shows, or visit the model train exhibit.
Palm Spring Aerial Tramway
For a scenic view and experience you’ll tell your friends about, hop on board the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. You can get there in a little as 14 minutes from the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, and enjoy an amazing ten-minute journey on the world’s largest rotating trams. You’ll pass through several climate zones as the tram scales the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon.
The top of San Jacinto Mountain boasts numerous activities. There is hiking and guided nature walks during the summer, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. The Pines Café and the Peaks Restaurant serve lunch and dinner while you look out over breathtaking views.
Though Palm Springs stays toasty, don’t forget it can get chilly at the top of San Jacinto Mountain.
El Paseo
Think of El Paseo as the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert.” This stretch of stylish blocks features awning storefronts, designer boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and manicured medians. It’s conveniently located just a mile from popular hotels like the Colony Palms Hotel, Hilton Palm Springs Resort, and the Andreas Hotel & Spa.
Both sides of the esplanade feature big names in fashion like Brooks Brothers, Kate Spade, and Ralph Lauren. Mainstream retailers such as Pottery Barn, Luluemon, and Anthropologie are also at El Paseo.
Get hungry while shopping? There are casual cafes and fine dining options on every block.
Palm Springs Air Museum
The Palm Springs Air Museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of functioning World War II airplanes, as well as an array of artwork, artifacts, and library sources related to WWII. In addition to the 27 flyable war planes, the museum has a large collection of vintage cars to enjoy. Guests can tour a working B-17 bomber or try their skills on a flight simulator. For a real time-travel experience, ask one of the docents (many of whom are WWII veterans) for first-hand accounts of their experiences.
You can discover more about Palm Spring Hotels at Hipmunk.com. You can also read the rest of my guide on Palm Springs on Hipmunk’s Hotels in Palm Springs Page.
