Palm Springs is gorgeous year-round, but when those triple-digit days hit, heading inside is the ultimate power move. Luckily, the city is packed with fun, enriching, and totally cool indoor attractions. If you’re looking for the best indoor things to do in Palm Springs, here are the top spots to help you beat the heat while still making the most of your trip.
Explore Museums and Cultural Attractions
Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs is a hub for art and culture, with several must-visit indoor attractions that will keep you cool while offering enriching experiences. Step inside the Palm Springs Art Museum, the cornerstone of the art scene. It is a renowned cultural institution located in the heart of downtown. It features a diverse collection of contemporary art, modern works, and pieces from the American West, along with notable exhibitions in photography, architecture, and design. It's a perfect indoor activity for art lovers.
Architecture and Design Center
The Architecture and Design Center is part of the Palm Springs Art Museum. It is a dynamic space that showcases the city’s rich midcentury modern architectural heritage. It hosts a variety of exhibits, programs, and events that celebrate design innovation, from groundbreaking architecture to furniture design. It is also located in an architecturally significant midcentury modern building.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Discover the area’s heritage at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, which highlights the history, culture, and traditions of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Through exhibits, educational programs, and cultural events, the museum offers a deeper understanding of Native Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Air Museum
Fly into the Palm Springs Air Museum to wander through a vast collection of aircraft, from fighter jets to cargo planes. It houses the world's most extensive collection of operational WWII aircraft. You can even book a flight and earn your wings!
Palm Springs Cultural Center
The Palm Springs Cultural Center is a vibrant venue that serves as a hub for arts, entertainment, and community events. It hosts a wide range of performances, film screenings, and cultural programs, fostering creativity and cultural exchange.
Go Gallery Hopping
The city has numerous art districts, galleries, and studios showcasing contemporary and modern works. Palm Springs is home to an extensive art scene and many artists.
Backstreet Art District
The Backstreet Art District is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood in a city known for its thriving arts scene. This district has a diverse collection of art galleries showcasing a unique range of artistic styles and mediums.
The Lofts Art District
The Lofts Art District is a vibrant and creative community of local artists celebrating the arts. Located downtown, this district is home to numerous art galleries, studios, and creative spaces.
Indoor Entertainment
Escape Room Palm Springs
If you’ve got kids in your crew, there’s no shortage of family-friendly indoor things to do in Palm Springs. Escape Room Palm Springs offers an exciting, immersive experience in which participants work together to solve puzzles and escape themed rooms within a set time limit. With seven challenging scenarios, it’s a fun and thrilling activity for friends, families, and team-building groups.
Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Visit the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs for adult activities indoors. From its exciting casino floor filled with slots and table games to its stylish lounges and bars. Visitors can indulge in world-class dining, relax at the full-service spa, or catch live performances and events at the resort’s intimate venues. With its lively atmosphere and range of activities, it’s an ideal spot for those seeking fun and relaxation all in one place.
Palm Canyon Axe Club
Looking for a group activity that’s fun, competitive, and totally memorable? Palm Canyon Axe Club offers private lanes, coaching, and a lively atmosphere ideal for celebrations, team outings, and friends’ weekends.
Unique Shopping Experiences
Market Market
Stay cool in all kinds of shops, from antique and collectible boutiques to trendy clothing stores. Market Market is a 40,000-square-foot emporium that offers an eclectic mix of fine vintage and repurposed goods. This sprawling marketplace is a paradise for anyone looking to explore a carefully curated collection of unique items that span various eras and styles. They are also pet-friendly.
Antique Galleries of Palm Springs
Palm Springs is home to vintage shopping stores, offering a wide range of items from retro clothing and furniture to rare collectibles, making it a treasure trove for enthusiasts of all things nostalgic. The Antique Galleries of Palm Springs is a good place to start. With over 40 vendors showcasing curated selections, visitors can explore a wide range of antique furniture, exquisite art pieces, vintage jewelry, and eclectic decor items.
Mojave Flea Trading Post
The Mojave Flea Trading Post is a 10,000-square-foot department store for makers and merchants from Joshua Tree, the Coachella Valley, and beyond. This eclectic marketplace offers a captivating blend of old and new, where local artisans and collectors come together to showcase their creations.
Uptown Design District
Along North Palm Canyon Drive, the Palm Springs Uptown Design District is one of the city's vintage hot spots. Dozens of consignment, resale, and antique boutiques line the avenue. And it's not just the items inside that are retro – many are housed in cool, vintage buildings worth exploring.
Rejuvenate Your Senses at a Local Spa
Discover the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation at Palm Springs' top spa, where tranquility and well-being await.
The Spa at Sec-he
The Spa at Sec-he is renowned for its healing waters, which Native Americans have used for centuries due to their therapeutic properties. With natural hot springs and a serene environment, the spa offers a rejuvenating experience that relaxes the body and soothes the mind. It is part of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza.
Estrella Spa (Avalon Hotel)
Book an appointment at Estrella Spa for tailored massages, facials, and exfoliating skin scrubs at the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows. The Palm Springs Yacht Club at the Parker offers a luxurious escape with indulgent treatments and a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for ultimate luxurious relaxation.
Palm Springs Yacht Club (Parker Palm Springs)
The Yacht Club is a luxe, whimsical spa experience with deep-relaxation treatments and an indulgent atmosphere.
Sante Spa (Riviera Palm Springs)
The Sante Spa at the Riviera in Palm Springs offers a tranquil and luxurious retreat, featuring a variety of rejuvenating treatments and stunning desert views. Guests can unwind in its serene atmosphere, enjoying everything from soothing massages to revitalizing facials in an elegantly designed setting.
Grounded Bodyworks & Salon 119
To embellish your lashes, brows, or nails, stop by Grounded Bodyworks or Salon 119 Beauty & Spa.
Start Planning Your Cool, Comfortable Palm Springs Getaway
When the sun is blazing, Palm Springs still delivers endless ways to explore, relax, and stay entertained—indoors. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and enjoy the best indoor things to do in Palm Springs all summer long
The Museum Store, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum