There’s no shortage of things to do in Palm Springs in fall and winter, even these particular seasons and their historically unique public-health challenges. And we’ve got the perfect getaway for your Palm Springs adventures during the months ahead. At the Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn, you’ll find a tranquil and secluded paradise set amidst lush gardens and breathtaking desert scenery. With just seventeen luxuriously appointed guest rooms, you’ll find the intimacy you crave while being only minutes from the bustling heart of downtown Palm Springs, with its incredible range of things to see and do. Book a room today!
10 Things to Do in Palm Springs This Fall and Winter
- The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. Giraffes and cheetahs and zebras, oh my! Also, trains and trails and teaching opportunities. This awe-inspiring destination, commonly ranked among America’s top zoos, just outside Palm Springs truly has it all in its unique blend of African and North American desert environments. Check here for scheduling and visiting guidelines.
- Take a flight of imagination — or an actual flight — at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The stunning lineup includes more than 40 artifacts of combat aircraft history from World War II through the Korean and Vietnam conflicts (check out the full lineup here).
- Take in the breathtaking range of works on display at the Palm Springs Art Museum. This mid-size marvel specializes in exhibitions that focus on desert cultures and themes: the schools of the American West, Native American and Modernism.
- Take a drive to, and through, Joshua Tree National Park. This dazzling 790,000-square-acre blend of desert environments is a mecca for hikers, photographers, rock climbers, and with three entrances each a short drive from Palm Springs, many of its most awe-inspiring features can be taken in over the course of a single day.
- Want to see a waterfall in the middle of a desert? Check out Tahquitz Canyon within the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians reservation. A two-mile loop trail takes you a spectacular 60-foot waterfall, and you’ll get a look as well at rock art and native wildlife.
- In the spirit of the old-school roadside attractions that once lined Route 66 and other American highways of yesteryear are the Cabazon Dinosaurs. These creature features once welcomed weary road travelers to a 24-hour diner; today they stand sentry over the entrance to a Creationist-themed dinosaur museum with a creative interpretation of historical fact. Selfies here are a must, especially outside the gift shop, located in the belly of Dinny the Brontosaurus.
- If you’re fascinated by all manner of prickly plant life, a stop at the Moorten Botanical Gardens is a must. This family-owned destination is small — just one acre — but is packed with better than 3,000 desert plants grouped by region of origin.
- Palm Springs, largely a Mid-Century creation, is home to some of the most stunning examples of Mid-Century Modern home architecture anywhere, alongside an equally robust Spanish Revival design theme. One of the most fun things to do in Palm Springs is to treat yourself to a self-guided tour of some of the area’s most spectacular homes; try some expert suggestions here, here, or here.
- Fine dining is one of the finest things to do in Palm Springs, and Palm Springs has a first-class dining scene. Here’s one authoritative guide to the area’s top restaurants.
- Palm Springs is home to many great shopping venues, and if you’re interested in finding the kind of gifts you can’t find anywhere else, take in the Palm Springs Open Air Market. Here, you’ll find more than 100 vendors offering apparel, art, jewelry, prepared and packaged foods, health and wellness goods, home and garden items, and much more.
Where to Stay for Your Palm Springs Fall Getaway
The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn offers a breathtaking blend of the charms of the past with the pampering amenities of the present. And it’s close to everything on our list of things to do in Palm Springs this fall and winter. Reserve your room today!
