Palm Springs Attractions for Families

Believe it or not, Palm Springs is actually a very family friendly vacation spot as there are numerous unique and exciting things to do in Palm Springs with your family.

Even more, Palm Springs has so many great resorts that are perfect for kids, too!

So, the next time you decide to pass on Palm Springs for your family vacation, you should think again.

The Palm Springs area is a fantastic vacation destination for families.

Find out some awesome Palm Springs Attractions for Families below.

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Palm Springs Attractions for Families

Downtown Palm Springs Sculptures and Walk of Stars

Take your family downtown Palm Springs for some fun photo opportunities. Downtown has a number of great sculptures, murals, and even the Walk of Stars to check out!

See the 1968 Chevy Malibu hanging with its hood in a pool of water. It is located near the Palm Springs Art Museum.

You also can’t miss the humongous “Forever Marilyn” statue of Marilyn Monroe. It is located on Museum Way which runs right into the Palm Springs Art Museum.

The kids had a blast taking pictures with this statue.

Additionally, check out the wings mural and PS (Palm Springs) I Love You sculpture. If you keep walking down Museum Way and cross Belardo Road, take a turn at Stout Burger and there is a brick/stone walkway which is where you will find both these photo ops.

As you are walking around downtown, you may notice some stars at your feet. This is the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. There are 329 of them in all!

There is definitely so much to see downtown Palm Springs with your family and many opportunities to take some memorable photos.

It is important to note that parking is free downtown. There is a mix of street parking as well as free parking lots available.

Chevy Malibu hanging with the hood of it almost touching a small pond of water

Enormous Marilyn Monroe statue with two boys standing underneath it

Palm Springs Art Museum building with the desert mountains in the background

Two boys and a baby posing with a red PS love you sculpture.

Boy standing and spreading his arms similar to the colorful wings painted on the black wall behind him

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

One of our favorite attractions in Palm Springs is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This attraction is a definite MUST DO!

You will get the opportunity to ride in the world’s largest rotating tramcar. This tramcar travels two and a half miles each way to Mt. San Jacinto State Park.

The ride takes about 10 minutes each way and the views are out of this world.

At the top of the mountain you will be at an elevation of 8,516 feet.

To add even more fun to your ride, the tramcar driver plays some awesome sing-along tunes that everyone in your tramcar may belt out.

At the top of the mountain, there are two restaurants–one is sit down and one is grab n go, a bar, tons of hiking, a gift shop, observation decks, and more.

I would plan on having lunch or dinner at Mountain Station which is where you arrive on your ride up.

You will likely spend anywhere from 1-3 hours depending here on if you add on some hiking.

For more on our visit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway click here.

Tramcar connected to cables going down a large canyon

View of a tramcar going down in a canyon with a yellow and pink sunset in the background

Boys looking out the window of a tramcar at the sunset views

Lower Palm Canyon Trail

Another must do activity for anyone visiting the Palm Springs area is to hike along Palm Canyon Creek and below the enormous palm trees.

This hike is so amazing, and you will feel like you have traveled to a whole different world. The area is so lush and spectacular.

These palm trees are so massive and walking underneath them is a magical experience.

The kids will love this hike too! You can go as far as you want and then turn around when you are ready or make your hike a loop by taking the Victor Trail back.

The hike begins and ends at the Trading Post.

You will have to pay a per person fee at the Indian Canyons tollgate and then proceed towards the Trading Post to begin your hike.

The kids will really enjoy this hike as well. They may even want to dip their feet in Palm Canyon Creek so it might be beneficial to be prepared for that.

Also, there are picnic tables under the palm trees if you want to bring a lunch or snack to have in this magical Palm Springs oasis.

Depending on how long you want to hike or if you want to have a picnic and play in the creek, you will likely spend anywhere from an hour (if you hike only a short distance) to 3 hours here.

Looking up through a forest of humongous palm trees

Road that cuts through a large rock on both sides

Brown sign that says Palm Canyon Trail with palm trees and wild flowers on the side of a mountain in the background

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is another one of the best things to do in Palm Springs with family.

There is SO much to do and see here!

I think this zoo is extra special because it has the gorgeous natural backdrop of the mountains surrounding it.

The kids LOVED the G-Scale Model Train and riding the Carousel.

My favorite thing was walking through all of the garden areas and seeing the gorgeous plants.

We also enjoyed being up and close to the wallabies, seeing the majestic giraffes, watching the grand Mexican wolves, and even giggling at the unique looking warthogs.

Your family will definitely enjoy a half day at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

Entrance and sign for the Living Desert Zoo and Garden

G scale model train with a mountain in the background

Two giraffes under some palm trees. One is eating

Joshua Tree National Park

Although Joshua Tree National Park is not exactly in Palm Springs, if you are in the area it is definitely worth driving 50 minutes to visit this amazing national park.

We loved Joshua Tree because it has numerous hiking trails that are perfect for families.

Additionally, this is a national park that if you do your research and efficiently plan your visit, you can see this park in as little as a half day or for sure a whole day.

Check out my post on Joshua Tree National Park for more information and some great family friendly hikes and advice.

Entrance sign for Joshua Tree National Park

Three boys hiking up some enormous boulders

Two boys hiking in the desert past some Joshua Trees towards some large boulders

Palm Springs Air Museum

Another fantastic Palm Springs attraction for families is the Palm Springs Air Museum.

This is a great attraction to visit on your last day in Palm Springs especially if you have a flight departing later in the day, and you need to be out of your resort or vacation rental.

The Palm Springs Air Museum is super close to the airport too!

Kids 12 and under are free at this museum with a paying adult admission so that is also a plus.

This museum has 3-4 hangars of aircraft to view plus a snack shop and a small kids area to play in.

It is super cool to be able to get up close to this amazing military aircraft that played such a major role in U.S. history.