Are you planning a family vacation to Palm Springs? This desert oasis in Southern California has plenty of fun attractions to keep the kids entertained. Here are some of the top family-friendly activities we enjoyed during our recent trip to Palm Springs.
1. Visit Joshua Tree National Park
Just an hour away from Palm Springs is the unique and otherworldly landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. We spent a day hiking the kid-friendly trails, rock scrambling, and looking for the famous twisted Joshua Trees.
The Discovery Trail (0.8 miles) is perfect for little legs, and we loved using the trail guides to spot the different plants and animals.
Everything you need to know about visiting National Parks with kids
After visiting 20 National Parks with our kids and experiencing their unique beauty, we have put together a guide detailing the essentials of planning and participating in park programs to ensure a rewarding family adventure in the National Parks.
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The rock formations seemed to stretch as high as the sky and made us feel like we were exploring another planet! We had a blast climbing up and squeezing through some of the boulders.
Do not miss the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail, located about 12 miles south of the park’s north entrance. This flat, 0.25-mile (0.4 km) loop takes hikers through nearly 10 acres of land dominated by the teddybear cholla!
💡Good to know
Entry to Joshua Tree National Park is $30 per vehicle.
If you plan to visit more than 3 National Parks in 12 months, we recommend investing in the America the Beautiful Annual National Parks pass for $80 to save money on entrance fees!
We highly recommend visiting Joshua Tree National Park among the things to do in Palm Springs for a fun day of adventure and exploration with kids.
2. Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
When in Palm Springs, soar up the cliffs of Chino Canyon in the world’s largest rotating tram car of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway! At the top, you’ll be over 8,500 feet above sea level, with access to hiking trails, observation decks, and a restaurant.
💡Good to know
Tram tickets to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway are $30.95 for adults and $18.95 for kids 3-12.
Only a limited number of pre-booked reservations are available. If your chosen day is unavailable, tickets for that day can still be purchased at the Tram’s Valley Station upon arrival.
The views at the top station take your breath away. Kids would likely love the thrill of the tram ride spinning through the air. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take the ride this time due to a more than 2-hour wait, but it is definitely on our list as a great attraction for combining indoor and outdoor fun.
3. Check out the iconic roadside attraction – Cabazon Dinosaurs
Get ready for a mega dose of dinosaur fun! Cabazon Dinosaurs, an iconic roadside attraction, includes two giant dinosaur statues: Mr. Rex and Dinny the Dinosaur. We were amazed when we saw Mr. Rex, the massive dinosaur, towering overhead. The girls couldn’t wait to go inside his mouth and shout “Roar!” at the top of their lungs (yes, you can climb all the way into the mouth of a T-Rex!)
💡Good to know
Admission to see other dinosaur exhibits and climb into T-Rex mouth is:
Adult (13-55) $15.00, Child (3-12) $13.00, Senior (55+) $11.00
The Cabazon Dinosaurs were perfect for dino-obsessed younger kids.
Time spent: 1 hour
Kids can also explore other outdoor dino exhibits, gemstone mining, exhibit rooms inside, and trails.
4. Visit the Living Desert Zoo
While we didn’t have the chance to visit the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens on this trip to Palm Springs, our friends with three young kids spent an entire 7-hour day there and raved about it. This unique zoo highlights the deserts of the world, with exhibits showcasing flora and fauna from arid environments. They said the highlights were getting up close with the giraffes, watching the hilarious antics of the meerkats, and exploring the elaborate model trains winding through recreated desert landscapes.
Their kids particularly enjoyed the nature discovery centers with hands-on activities and the freedom to explore over 1,200 acres of hiking trails immersed in the stunning desert scenery. Based on their enthusiastic reviews, the Living Desert is definitely on our must-visit list for our next trip to the Palm Springs area to get an in-depth educational and entertaining look at desert life.
5. Take a Murray Canyon Trail to Seven Sisters Waterfall
Pack plenty of water and snacks for this moderate 4.5-mile out-and-back hike through Murray Canyon in the Indian Canyons. Our hike began in classic Palm Springs desert terrain, leading to a stunning fan palm oasis with a creek.
We highly recommend this trail for adventurous families looking to explore a beautiful desert canyon. Keep hiking past the oasis to reach the narrow canyon and reward of cascading waterfalls! It’s an incredible sight amidst the arid desert landscape.
💡Good to know
- The Indian Canyons park is open until 5 pm, so start your hike early to avoid cutoffs
- Entrance fees are $15 for adults, $7 for kids
- Bring ample water, snacks, and sun protection as it gets very hot in summer
- Sturdy hiking shoes are a must for navigating the rocky terrain
6. Walk the Palm Springs Walk of Stars
No trip to Palm Springs is complete without visiting the iconic Walk of Stars along Palm Canyon Drive. We had fun trying to guess which stars our favorite celebs would have on the walk before finding them.
The girls did great imitating Marilyn Monroe’s famous pose! It’s free to stroll and see the Golden Palm stars honoring celebrities like Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Lucille Ball.
