Cool Things To Do in Palm Springs

In Style

By Marissa Willman

Cool Palm Springs Pools

From sleek, modern resorts to retro-chic hideaways, Palm Springs offers a variety of poolside retreats. Whether you seek a serene escape surrounded by swaying palms and mountain vistas or a vibrant social scene with poolside cocktails and live music, Palm Springs’ cool pools embody the essence of laid-back luxury and desert sophistication, making them an essential stop for any traveler seeking to unwind in style.

Day Passes at Drift Hotel

This summer, experience one of the newest pools in town at Drift Hotel. If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can still enjoy the sun-soaked pool scene with a day pass for $30. Grab a lounge chair and enjoy poolside tacos, ceviche, and cocktails from Maleza while enjoying sunny skies and views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Or stay cool in style with a cabana rental for up to four people, which includes fresh fruit, chilled towels, fruit-infused water, a fan, and misters.

284 S Indian Canyon Drive

Palm Springs Surf Club

Speaking of new pools, why not make a splash at the newly opened Palm Springs Surf Club? PSSC has quickly become a must for a trip to Palm Springs, offering a lazy river, lounge pool, splash pad, and water slides. This family-friendly water park also provides a light and refreshing menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, plus specialty cocktails that pair perfectly with summer.

1500 W Gene Autry Trail

Ace Hotel & Swim Club

Take a daycation at the retro-chic Ace Hotel & Swim Club. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool, relax in the hot tub, or soak up the California sunshine from a comfy lounge chair. When hunger hits, partake in bites and drinks poolside. Or, head to a refined roadside diner, Kings Highway, and The Amigo Room for delicious dishes, craft cocktails, beer, wine, live music, and more while celebrating the bohemian spirit of the wide-open west.

701 E Palm Canyon Drive

Cool Palm Springs Spas

 Palm Springs is renowned for its luxurious spa retreats, offering a blend of relaxation, refreshment, and relief from the hot temperatures. Whether you are looking for a quick refreshing facial or an all-day wellness retreat, these spas ensure you stay calm, relaxed, and rejuvenated even in the desert heat.

Estrella Spa at Avalon Hotel

Located in the heart of Palm Springs, Estrella Spa offers a serene escape focusing on holistic wellness. Their Cooling Cucumber and Aloe Vera Wrap is perfect for hydrating and soothing sun-exposed skin. The spa’s lush garden setting and outdoor relaxation areas provide a tranquil environment to unwind and beat the heat.

415 S Belardo Rd

 Palm Springs Yacht Club

White cotton terry robe, flip flops, a key to the private locker room, and their thimble of cucumber-infused vodka set you on your way to one of their 15 private treatment rooms. The Rain massage is a unique practice based on methods used for centuries to rejuvenate the body and mind, inspired by Native Americans’ traditions. The Rain massage helps to bring balance and harmony to the body by combining targeted massage techniques with distinctive energy approaches.

4200 E Palm Canyon Drive

The Spa at Saguaro Palm Springs

The Saguaro Spa offers a vibrant and colorful setting with various cooling treatments that are perfect for a hot day. The Resort, Refresh, Revive message includes CBD-infused oil to speed up recovery and improve circulation. After your treatment, relax by the pool or shaded garden areas to enjoy the spa’s laid-back vibe.

1800 E Palm Canyon Drive

 Cool Indoor Art & Culture

The Lofts Art District

The Lofts Art District is downtown at the Sun Center and includes five galleries. Escape the heat as you discover the established and emerging artists who call Palm Springs home. You’ll enjoy photography, mixed media installations, sculptures, paintings, and more throughout the featured galleries. They have an Art Walk on the 2^nd Saturday of every month.

610 S Belardo Road

Backstreet Art District

Backstreet Art District is a thriving arts center with galleries, working studios, and art-related services in one central arts district. Enjoy an immersive art experience as you explore artisans in their studios. This unique opportunity to meet the artists and learn the stories behind their work offers a unique opportunity to see various display mediums, including jewelry, ceramics, and lithography. Backstreet Art District hosts an Art Walk from 5-7 pm each month on the first Wednesday.

2600 Cherokee Way

Superbloom

For a more hands-on experience this summer, head to Superbloom, an immersive art experience where you can express your creativity or shop their signature styles. Here, you can create a stylish souvenir with their “Full Bloom” paint splatter on sneakers, bucket hats, clutch purses, and more. No matter what you choose, you’ll create the perfect accent for your summer wardrobe. Guests are also invited to bring their own items to customize through Superbloom’s art experiences.

1414 N Palm Canyon

Cool Afternoon Escape: Shopping

Palm Springs offers a captivating afternoon escape for avid shoppers seeking both relaxation and style. With our iconic palm tree lined streets and boutique-filled avenues, this oasis of chic charm beckons visitors to indulge in a sophisticated shopping experience. With trendy fashion boutiques showcasing the latest trends, Palm Springs combines the allure of luxurious shopping with the laid-back ambiance of a resort town.

Market Market

Start your shopping spree at Market Market, a sprawling 40,000-square-foot space where you can spend an entire afternoon wandering through racks of vintage finds and one-of-a-kind goods. Update your wardrobe with desert vintage or find midcentury modern furnishings to bring a piece of Palm Springs home. Market Market encapsulates all the wild and beautiful styles that make up the Palm Springs aesthetic, from tiki and disco to eclectic art, kitsch, and all things modern.

1555 S Palm Springs

El Tuggle

Find your summer aesthetic for your Palm Springs vacation at El Tuggle, known for designer resort wear featuring fun and unique prints. El Tuggle’s selection of swimwear, camp shirts, and dresses are vacation essentials for a Palm Spring summer.

388 N Palm Canyon

Trina Turk

Trina Turk’s signature prints and colorful styles are a staple of Palm Springs fashion, from midcentury-inspired dresses to one-of-a-kind caftans perfect for the cabana. The desert designer draws inspiration from the Palm Springs lifestyle, making this a must-stop during a summer stay in Palm Springs. Gentlemen, do not worry; you’ll find your next poolside ‘fit at Mr. Turk next door.

891 N Palm Canyon

Wil Stiles

Speaking of quintessential Palm Springs style, you’ll find modern fashions and unique pieces at Wil Stiles. This Palm Springs staple is known for its bold prints, chic desert designs, and high-quality fabrics and craftsmanship. Offering full lines for both men and women, Wil Stiles is a perfect stop to find cool outfits for a Palm Springs summer.

875 N Palm Canyon

 Enjoy a Cool 30-degree Temperature Drop

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Can you still enjoy the outdoors during the summer months? Absolutely! Take a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating tram in the world, and you’ll be whisked away to the natural beauty of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Here, temperatures average 30 degrees cooler, making this the perfect summer spot for enjoying the outdoors. Enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, and two onsite restaurants with views of the desert below.

Cool Evening Things To Do

The city’s vibrant downtown area comes alive with eclectic nightlife featuring live music, stylish bars, and trendy lounges.

PS Air Bar & Lounge

Grab your boarding pass and stay cool with a flight at PS Air Bar & Lounge, an aviation-themed speakeasy inside Bouschet. Stepping into Palm Springs Air Bar feels like boarding an actual flight, where you’ll sit on authentic 737 seats as staff in full flight attendant attire serve themed cocktails from a vintage bar cart.

In-flight entertainment includes one-of-a-kind drag performances, including Broadway Boozy Brunch on select Sundays and The In-Flight Experience on select Saturdays. Both events feature live entertainment and drag performances for a uniquely Palm Springs experience.

611 W Palm Canyon

V Wine Lounge

Cool off with live music, refreshing cocktails, and your favorite vintage at V Wine Lounge, where nightly entertainment options range from karaoke to game nights and lounge acts. This midcentury-inspired lounge is known for its vast wine selection, craft beers, and expansive martini menu with selections like Green Applini, Espresso-tively Diva, and the Lychee Berry. Pair your drink with a light charcuterie board or a fresh, homemade empanada and enjoy the evening’s entertainment.

600 E Tahquitz Canyon Way

Bootlegger Tiki

Hidden behind a discreet entrance, Bootlegger Tiki transports you to a tropical paradise. With its exotic decor and expertly crafted tiki cocktails, this bar is perfect for those looking to escape the ordinary. Try the “Painkiller” or the “Mai Tai” and let the island vibes wash over you.

1101 N Palm Canyon Drive

Truss & Twine

For a more contemporary vibe, head to Truss & Twine. This stylish bar is known for its innovative cocktail menu, divided into eras, each representing a different period in cocktail history. The “Prohibition” sections are particularly popular, offering a modern twist on classic concoctions.

800 N Palm Canyon Drive

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