The Perfect 3 Day Palm Springs Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

While most people visit Palm Springs to soak in the desert sun and spent time at the pool, you probably landed on this itinerary because you don’t just want to visit Palm Springs…you want to experience it.

We spent several days in Palm Springs over Spring Break and discovered there is so much more to this town than retro vibes and palm trees. There are hundreds of years of history, a desert landscape that shapes the lifestyle, and a Hollywood connection that seeps into everything.

If you’re planning your first trip to Palm Springs, this itinerary will help you experience a little bit of everything, from Palm Springs glamour to outdoor adventure and more.

Quick 3 Day Palm Springs Itinerary

Before we dive into all the itinerary details, here’s an at-a-glance itinerary for you so you see what things you’ll be doing in Palm Springs!

Day One

Palm Springs Architecture Tour
Downtown Shopping/Browsing
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Day Two

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Shield’s Date Garden
Palm Springs Art Museum

Day Three

Palm Canyon Hike
Moorten Botanical Garden
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Where to Stay in Palm Springs

Modern white hotel or apartment building with glass balconies and tall palm trees in Palm Springs under a clear blue sky. The sleek desert style architecture and sunny weather create a relaxed luxury resort atmosphere. — We stayed at the Thompson Palm Springs and I loved the vibes here!

First, let’s talk about where to stay in Palm Springs. Because this city isn’t a place where you just want to book the cheapest and easiest hotel. This is a city where your hotel can help shape your entire experience. Style and architecture are big in Palm Springs, and you want your hotel to reflect that!

I recommend finding a hotel that carries the desert modernism and vintage vibes into their style and has a great pool.

We stayed at the Thompson Palm Springs and absolutely loved it! Our room was comfortable, the entire hotel was beautiful, and the pool was one of our favorite spots! It’s also right downtown, so it’s easy to walk to some of the highlights in Palm Springs.

But if you’re looking for other places to stay in Palm Springs, here are some options I wouldn’t hesitate to book:

Lucille Palm Springs — A small boutique hotel that looks beautiful and perfect for couples.
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs — I’ve loved Kimptons I’ve stayed at in the past, and this one looks like a lovely desert paradise!
The Saguaro — Budget-friendly and one of the most popular places to stay in Palm Springs because of their colorful, Instagram-worthy vibes.

Here’s a map of more places to stay in the Palm Springs/Palm Desert area:

Know Before You Go

Here are a few things you definitely need to know before you visit Palm Springs:

You will want to rent a car. While some things in Palm Springs are walkable from downtown (like the Art Museum) many of the best Palm Springs sights require some driving.
Be prepared for hot weather. Palm Springs can be notoriously hot. Bring sunscreen and make sure you carry plenty of water with you. If you’re hiking, I’d also recommend some cooling towels like this. We used these several times!
Plan for pool time. While we have lots of fun activities in this itinerary, note that I’ve also made space for pool time! You can’t go to Palm Springs and not spend time by the pool!

Day 1: Palm Springs History & Hollywood

Your first day in Palm Springs is all about leaning into the history of the city. But it’s not just about the Hollywood glamour most people picture. We’re going to go back further than that.

Breakfast at Lola Rose

Breakfast plate with two sunny side eggs, crispy bacon, roasted potatoes, and slices of seeded toast arranged on a dark dish. Small bowls of ketchup, butter, and creamy sauce sit alongside the meal with drinks and fruit bowls in the background. — Breakfast from Lola Rose at the Thompson Palm Springs

Let’s start our time in Palm Springs with a nice breakfast!

Lola Rose was the restaurant at our hotel, so we ate here most mornings. But you don’t have to be staying here to eat here!

I looked forward to breakfast every day because the food was SO good! The za’taar potatoes were one of my favorite things ever, but everything we got was so delicious.

Plus you can sit outside overlooking the pool and the mountains for classic Palm Springs views.

Morning: Palm Springs Architecture Tour

Mid century modern home in Palm Springs with bright yellow front doors, stone walls, and tall palm trees set against a clear blue sky, showcasing iconic architecture among things to do in Palm Springs. Desert landscaping with agave plants and a mountain backdrop adds to the classic California desert aesthetic. — One of the homes we saw on our Palm Springs architecture tour. We got to go inside too for our tour! But no pictures of that because these are private homes.

If there is one single thing you do in Palm Springs, I think taking an architecture tour should be it.

Palm Springs is known for its desert modernism architecture, and on a tour you can learn so much about what makes this architecture style unique and how the history of Palm Springs shaped its iconic style.

We did the Interior Tour with the Palm Springs Mod Squad and absolutely loved it! We got to go inside three different homes and learn all about the local architecture. I really cannot recommend this tour enough!

But if you would rather just see the outsides of the homes, they also offer an Essential Palm Springs Tour that I’m sure is also amazing (and is a little more budget-friendly).

Lunch: Tyler’s Burgers + Shopping Downtown

Storefront window of a bookstore with a colorful neon sign reading "the Best Bookstore" above shelves filled with books and displays. Reflections of parked cars and palm trees appear in the glass, blending the cozy interior with the sunny street outside. — The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs

After your tour, head downtown for lunch and shopping.

Start with lunch at Tyler’s Burgers which I thought was a fantastic burger spot! The seating is all outside (although it’s all covered and they had great fans going). And the burgers were juicy and delicious without being greasy.

Then spend some time strolling downtown and popping in the shops on Palm Canyon Drive. There are so many unique spots here! I of course loved The Best Bookstore!

A few other favorites included Destination PSP for retro style souvenirs (we bought a Christmas ornament here) and Crazy Shirt for some unique t-shirts.

You can also learn even more about Palm Springs history at Village Green. They have several history buildings including Ruddy’s General Store with vintage goods, The McCallum Abode with exhibits about Palm Springs history, and The Cornelia White House which is the home of an 1893 Palm Springs home.

Afternoon: Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Museum exhibit in Palm Springs featuring historic photographs, newspaper clippings, and cultural artifacts about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Large wall displays and framed exhibits highlight Indigenous history and land rights inside the interactive gallery space. — The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum tells the story the Agua Caliente Indians from ancient times to modern day.

For the afternoon, go all the way back into Palm Springs history by learning about the Indigenous People that have called this area home for thousands of years.

At the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, you can learn the native people and see exhibits of Indigenous artifacts. Your visit begins in a room that feels a bit like a ceremonial house where you watch a film that gives you a storytelling experience.

Then you get to explore the exhibits, which display the history of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians from ancient times to more modern times and their fight for their land.

This was a fascinating museum and I think it’s so important to understand this story of Palm Springs when you’re visiting!

Dinner: Downtown Dinner and Milkshakes

Hand holding a creamy chocolate milkshake topped with whipped cream, chopped chocolate pieces, and a frosted mini doughnut on the rim. The dessert drink is photographed outdoors beside a pastel colored food truck with blurred people and palm trees in the background. — Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake from Great Shakes.

For dinner, head back to Palm Canyon Drive downtown and have dinner. One option is Lulu California Bistro. This is a super popular spot with visitors because of it’s fun retro vibes! I’ll be honest though: The food was fine, but not overly impressive.

So if you’re looking for another option you might try Birba or Trio (two places that were on my list but that we didn’t get to).

After dinner, grab a milkshake at Great Shakes! These small shakes are the perfect size and are topped with a little donut. The most iconic thing to get here is a local specialty: the Date Shake. But I had a chocolate peanut butter shake and thought it was fantastic.

Evening: Pool Time!

For the evening, head to your hotel pool! There’s nothing better than ending a day in Palm Springs soaking in a pool.

Day 2: Animals & Art

Day two brings together to fun sides of Palm Springs: wildlife and creativity. From seeing animals at the zoo to exploring the city’s colorful art scene, today gives you a look at a more playful side of Palm Springs.

Breakfast at Your Hotel

This morning we’ll want to get an early start to our first activity. So grab a quick breakfast at your hotel. Or if you don’t want to eat at your hotel, stop by a spot like Elmer’s or Sherman’s Deli for a casual breakfast.

Morning: Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

A single giraffe stands on a grassy hill beside a tall fence under a wide clear blue sky. The distant mountains and open space around the giraffe create a peaceful desert landscape scene. — This giraffe posed just perfectly for me on the hillside at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens!

This morning, head about 30 minutes outside of Palm Springs to nearby Palm Desert to visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

This is such a fun place to visit, especially if you’re visiting Palm Springs with kids.

There are all kinds of standard zoo animals you can see here, but our favorite parts were seeing the animals native to the area!

There is an enclosure you can go inside in the Wild Prairies area where prairie dogs, roadrunners, burrowing owls, and a few other birds all live together. We spent so much time here watching the burrowing owls dig and the prairie dogs run around!

Small brown owl standing in a shallow dirt hollow beneath a tree with textured branches stretching overhead. A black bird perches on a branch above while green grass and rocks frame the quiet outdoor setting. — We loved seeing these burrowing owls at the zoo!

We also really enjoyed going inside the Wildlife Hospital and learning about a bit of behind-the-scenes work at the zoo. While there weren’t any operations going on that day, it was interesting to see and we got to see a spot where they were raising baby tortoises.

There are also lots of garden areas here, a splash pad for kids, and of course zoo programming all day long.

Lunch: Wilma and Frieda in Palm Desert

Close up of a thick cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing dripping over the sides and powdered sugar sprinkled on top. The soft pastry is sliced open to show swirls of cinnamon filling and melted chocolate inside. — This cinnamon roll at Wilma and Frieda was incredible!

After your morning at the zoo, head to Wilma and Frieda for lunch. While there is a location in downtown Palm Springs, there is also a location in Palm Desert just 5 minutes away from the zoo.

Wilma and Frieda is known for their breakfast and brunch foods, so you might decide to turn your lunch into a second breakfast. But they have some great standard lunch options too.

Be sure to get one of the cinnamon rolls though no matter what! This was one of my favorite things I ate on our trip!

Early Afternoon: Shield’s Date Garden

After lunch, you can head to Shield’s Date Garden which is just about 15 minutes away from Wilma and Frieda in Indio.

This is a classic tourist stop, where you can try a Date Shake, buy all kinds of date treats, and see a short film about dates.

There is also an outdoor area to walk through. I’ll be honest, I expected to go out back and be surrounded by a date garden. But that’s not really the case so I was a little disappointed.

If you want to try the most iconic Date Shake in the area, this is a must-do. But if you’re ambivalent about this, you can also easily skip this to be honest.

Mid-Afternoon: Palm Springs Art Museum

Bright modern museum interior with high ceilings, geometric skylight, and multiple levels of galleries displaying sculptures and artwork. Visitors gather around tables on the main floor while others explore exhibits along the upper walkways. — We loved the Palm Springs Art Museum! It’s not usually this busy though…we were there on a Family Day with special events!

Next, head back into Palm Springs and visit the Palm Springs Art Museum.

I absolutely loved this museum. And it didn’t hurt that we happened to visit on a Family Day, which takes place every third Sunday and where they have extra fun activities for kids and admission is free!

The Palm Springs Art Museum is full of both modern and ancient art. I loved the modern art areas, but there are also sculptures dating back hundreds of years. And I thought this juxtaposition was super interesting.

I also loved that this museum is such a manageable size. It’s easy to see all of it in just an hour or two, which is the perfect amount of art museum time for me personally.

And if you want to see the giant Marilyn Monroe statue “Forever Marilyn” in Palm Springs, it’s just across the street from the Art Museum near Belardo Road.

Dinner and Ice Cream Downtown

Hand holding a cup of chocolate ice cream from Lappert’s Ice Cream with a blue spoon sticking out of the scoop. The red cup reads “Lappert’s Ice Cream” and “Super Premium Ice Cream” with blurred palm trees and people in the background. — This ice cream from Lappert’s was my favorite ice cream of the trip!

After the art museum, grab dinner downtown. Here are a few great options:

Bongo Johnny’s — We ate here and I thought the food was pretty good, plus it’s very family friendly.
Birba — This was on my list to try but we didn’t make it. It’s known for wood-fired pizzas and Italian dishes.
FARM — A farm-to-table restaurant with a prix fixe dinner menu that looks to thoughtfully done.

After dinner, head to Lappert’s Ice Cream downtown for a treat. This was my absolute favorite ice cream I had on my trip! So even if there’s a bit of a wait, it’s worth it!

Day 3: Desert Adventure

One of the most unique things about Palm Springs is how closely connected the city is to the desert landscape that surrounds it. And today is all about experiencing the magic of the desert.

Morning: Palm Canyon Hike & Moorten Botanical Garden

Tall palm trees with shaggy brown and green fronds line a sandy path where people walk and gather beneath the shade. Sunlight filters through the dense grove, creating a warm and relaxed desert oasis atmosphere. — Entering the Palm Canyon Trail.

We’re going to skip a proper breakfast this morning because you’ll want to get an early morning start on the hike to avoid the heat! So this is a great morning to just grab a granola bar and maybe bring a few hiking snacks with you!

Head into Indian Canyons to hike the Palm Canyon Trail. This canyon is owned by the Agua Caliente Indians, so there is an entrance fee. There are also restrooms on the premises and a gift store!

But back to the hike…it’s a really cool hike that goes down into a canyon with a palm oasis! It’s SO beautiful and most of it is pretty easy (aside from the steep uphill/downhill portion at the beginning to get into the canyon).

The entire hike is 2.7 miles, but you can turn around anytime you like.

Be on the lookout for wildlife here too! While we didn’t see any wildlife on the trail, we did see some bighorn sheep in the mountain across from the parking lot while we were leaving!

After the hike, head to Moorten Botanical Garden. This is a spot we almost skipped and I’m so glad we didn’t because I loved it! I’ve never seen so many different cacti in my life!

Narrow greenhouse tunnel filled with rows of potted cacti and succulents on raised beds along a sandy walkway. Sunlight filters through the curved translucent roof while a person stands in the doorway at the far end, adding depth to the warm desert plant setting. — The cactarium at Moorten Botanical Garden

This is a small privately owned garden dedicated to desert plants and home to the world’s first Cactarium.

It doesn’t take long to visit (we spent about 30 minutes here) but it is so beautiful and definitely a great stop on your desert-dedicated day!

Brunch at Cheeky’s

Assorted strips of crispy bacon served on a white rectangular plate with a tasting guide labeling flavors like “Nodine's Applewood,” “Grapefruit Sugar,” “Jalapeño,” “PB & J” and “Ginger Scallion.” One strip is topped with green peppers while the rest have caramelized edges and smoky seasoning. — This bacon flight at Cheeky’s was so much fun to try!

After your morning hike, head to brunch at Cheeky’s. This was one of my favorite spots we ate at in Palm Springs! But it’s also super popular so be prepared for a potential wait.

Pro Tip: Ask to sit at the bar for a shorter wait time!

The brunch food here is fantastic. My eggs were great and my scone was amazing. But the real star of the show is the bacon flight! There are different flavors like grapefruit and everything bagel (they change regularly though!) and we had so much fun trying and comparing them!

Mid-Day Pool Time

Cool down with some mid-day pool time! Do I need to say more about that? Just grab your swimsuit and some sunscreen and relax for awhile!

Late Afternoon & Evening: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

View from a mountain tram looking down over rocky desert cliffs and cable lines stretching into the valley below. Hazy mountains and a wide desert landscape fill the background beneath a pale blue sky. — Riding up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway!

For your last afternoon and evening in Palm Springs, head up to Mount San Jacinto on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway!

The Palm Springs Aeriel Tramway takes you 8,500+ up Mount San Jacinto in a gondola that also slowly rotates so you get 360 degree views of the desert.

If you’re afraid of heights, this one might be tough for you. But if you’re good to go, this is a can’t miss activity!

Pro Tip: Book your tickets ahead of time! This is a super popular activity and it can sell out and/or have hours long waits. Having your timed tickets ahead of time will prevent you from having to wait!

When you get to the top, the temperature will be about 30 degrees cooler than down in the valley and you can enjoy mountain top hiking trails though the forest and amazing views at the observation deck.

One of my favorite memories from our trip was just hanging out with my daughter by the mountaintop stream. It was peaceful and breezy, and it felt so good to stick our feet in the cold mountain water.

Shallow creek winding through a forest of tall pine trees with sunlight streaming through the branches and people walking along the sandy banks. Fallen logs rest in the water, creating a calm and natural woodland scene. — One of my favorite memories from our trip was relaxing by this mountaintop stream on top of Mount San Jacinto.

And end your evening with dinner up here! At the Mountain Station there is Pines Cafe for casual dining (purchase the Ride ‘n’ Dine package) and grab-and-go food along with Peaks Restaurant for finer dining (reservations recommended for Peaks Restaurant!).

Then ride the gondola back down. The last one leaves at 9:30 pm (10:30 on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer).

More Things To Do in Palm Springs

Have more time in Palm Springs? Here are some more activities you can add to your itinerary:

Hike Tahquitz Canyon — This is another super popular hike just minutes from downtown, but it is more challenging than the Palm Canyon hike.
See the Palm Springs Windmills — They are hard to miss as you are driving around! But you can also book a self-guided tour or golf cart tour to learn more about them.
Go Vintage Shopping — Palm Springs is heaven for vintage shopper!
Tour the San Andreas Fault — Yes, Palm Springs sits right by the San Andreas Fault, and you can take a tour of it and learn about the geology.
Take a Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park — Palm Springs is just one hour away from Joshua Tree and it’s an incredible National Park! It’s also a great park to visit in one day.