7 Things You Can Strike Off Your Bucket List by Visiting Palm Springs

The 300 days of sunshine a year and desert beauty and mystique automatically make Palm Springs, California, a must-see destination. Additionally, it has a great deal of amazing opportunities for entertainment and excitement ranging from golf courses, museums, outdoor entertainment. There are many activities which can only be seen and done uniquely in Palm Springs, and are worthy of being on your bucket list!

Here are the top seven things that you can strike off your bucket list by visiting Palm Springs:

Palm Springs Art Museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum had humble beginnings. Started in 1938, the museum was originally a small room in La Plaza Arcade that was dedicated to natural science and Native American history. Today, is it an impressive building that is a piece of art in itself. The museum is built in style of modern architecture and is set against a striking backdrop of desert mountains. Museum visitors can learn about contemporary art and performing arts. Exhibits in the museum features the works of renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Marc Chagall, and Pablo Picasso. Staying true to its roots, it also features Native American and regional art.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Have you ever wondered what was truly lurking in the desert? This biome often inspires a variety of thoughts and emotions: freedom, emptiness, desolation, or even fear. Living Desert Zoo will dispel any misconceptions you have about the desert, provide you with a great deal of knowledge, and deepen your appreciation of the desert. The nonprofit zoo was established over 40 years ago, and was initially a museum meant to educate people about deserts around the world. In one trip to this zoo, you can see plants and animals from deserts around the world, from the Sahara to the Mojave. You can tick off several of the world’s major deserts off your bucket list just by visiting the Living Desert.

Indian Canyon

The Indian Canyons are located on Native American territory and consist of three canyons: Palm Canyon, Murray Canyon and Andrea Canyon. These have been sacred to the Cahuilla Indians, a tribe that was native to Southern California, for millennia. They believe the springs in the area have medicinal properties, and the Cahuilla permanently left their mark on the canyons in the form of rock art, house foundations, ditches, and so forth.  Visitors can see the canyons is a relatively easy one-mile hike. Because the path is not particularly rough or difficult, it can be hiked by most people even in warmer climates and novice hikers, provided that they have the appropriate clothing and water. You can experience the awe-inspiring desert and have a tribal guide tell you about the rich history of the area.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The world’s largest rotating tram is another item you can check off your list. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a massive tramcar that transports its passengers over two miles into the air above the Chino Canyon. Chino Canyon is a rather unusual desert canyon; it is one of the steepest canyons on the North American continent and boasts several springs and even a waterfall. Between the rotation of the car and the heights, you will get a spectacular panoramic view of the canyon, desert, and cliffs. After the ten-minute ride in the skies, you land at Mountain Station where there are restaurants, a museum, gift shops, and miles of hiking trails. 

Elvis Presley’s Honeymoon Hideaway

The fact that someone as legendary as Elvis Presley chose to live in Palm Springs is a testament to how amazing the area is. It is also fortunate for you because on your trip to Palm Springs, you can visit the home that Elvis shared with his wife Priscilla. Rumor has it that Elvis carried his new bride Priscilla over the threshold of the house while serenading her. You can step over that very same threshold and get a glimpse into the star’s life.  A tour guide can lead you throughout the eclectic home and tell you all that you need to know about the icon and the times that he spent in this home. 

Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium

Visit a different type of botanical garden. The Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium is a one acre, family-owned garden that features succulents and over three thousand desert plants.  It was originally started in 1939 by Patricia and Chester Moorten to display their personal collection of plants. In the present day, you can see a wide variety of plants from deserts in California, Mexico, Guatemala, and even Namibia! You can also spot some hummingbirds and tortoises as you browse the lovely garden grounds.

Sky Valley Resorts

Palm Springs is known for being a resort city, so one would be remiss in traveling to the city without having an exquisite resort experience! Sky Valley Resorts is ideal regardless of the season or the type of traveler. It can be a wonderful place to escape a harsh northern winter. During the spring and summer months, you can plan a relaxing retreat at the resort, rent a home, camp out in your RV or even join one of the long-term retirement communities. The opportunities are endless and practically guarantee and great time! Best of all, it is in the Greater Palm Springs area and Coachella Valley; however, it is in a quiet, serene area, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Essentially, you will be in a secluded, comfortable, and environmentally friendly park while also being close to all that Coachella Valley has to offer!

Is Palm Springs calling your name? Follow your heart and plan a trip to Palm Springs, so that you can experience the magic of the city and make amazing new memories! Best of all, it has so many one of a kind places and activities that you can hit several of your bucket list items in one trip! For more destination guides and accommodation reviews, hotels and vacation rentals, check out Trip101.