Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Palm Springs on the map
📍 Where Palm Springs is
Palm Springs sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Palm Springs Intl (~1 mi / 2 km). It's roughly 98 mi (158 km) from Downtown LA and 84 mi (135 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Palm Springs
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The world's largest rotating tramcars carry you from the desert floor to Mountain Station at 8,516 feet in about ten minutes, where it runs 30–40°F cooler than town. Bring a jacket even in summer, and go in the morning to beat the heat and crowds. The tram closes for annual maintenance early September into early October.
Adults $36.95, kids 3–10 $20.95
Palm Springs Air Museum
One of the largest collections of flyable WWII, Korea and Vietnam-era warbirds, with many aircraft you can walk right up to and volunteer veterans happy to share stories. Kids under 12 get in free, and much of the collection sits in air-conditioned hangars for a cool afternoon. Check the schedule for occasional flight demonstrations.
Adults $24; kids under 12 free
Indian Canyons
Managed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, these palm-lined canyons offer shaded, family-friendly hikes — Palm Canyon's easy trails wind past the world's largest California fan palm oasis and a seasonal creek. Go early and carry plenty of water; summer temps soar. In peak summer it's only open Fri–Sun, last vehicle in at 4pm.
Adults $12, kids $6, seniors/military $7
Moorten Botanical Garden
A charming, family-run 1938 garden packed with more than 3,000 desert plants along a short, stroller-friendly loop, including a greenhouse 'Cactarium' kids love. It's small, cheap and quick — an easy add-on to a morning downtown before the heat peaks. Summer hours are limited to weekend mornings, so plan around them.
Adults $7, kids 5–12 $3, under 5 freeFestivals & annual events in Palm Springs
What Palm Springs is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Día de los Muertos at Palm Springs Art Museum
The museum's annual community celebration of Día de los Muertos, built around altars and pathways that welcome home loved ones. Hours and admission are not confirmed here. Tip: check the listing for the program and timing before you go.
See Visit Palm Springs listing
Palm Springs Air Museum Halloween Chili Tasting & Car Show
A classic-car show starting at 10am, with chili tastings from 11am made from the museum volunteers' recipes, alongside the WWII aircraft hangars. Tip: kids can combine the cars with the airplane exhibits, so come around 10am to see the show cars before the lunch crowd.
See museum site
Scoop Palm Springs Ice Cream Festival (2nd annual)
A downtown ice-cream festival at Downtown Park with sweet treats and entertainment. Hours and pricing are not confirmed here. Tip: check the listing for tasting-ticket details before you go.
See Visit Palm Springs listing
Air Museum 30th Anniversary Air Fair & Veterans Day Celebration
A veterans celebration at the Air Museum that includes the dedication of what the museum calls America's first publicly displayed F/A-18 Super Hornet. Tip: kids who like jets should see the Super Hornet up close, but check the museum's page for admission, since it is not listed here.
See museum site
Palm Springs Pride
A three-day downtown street festival and Sunday parade run by a local nonprofit, with a 5K run and walk on the Saturday. One of the larger annual gatherings in downtown Palm Springs.
See site for admission
Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade (29th annual)
A downtown parade of about an hour, followed by a patriotic concert and a fireworks finale at Amado Road and Palm Canyon Drive. Tip: the fireworks come after the parade, so plan to stay for both.
Free to watch
Coachella Valley Filipino Festival
A free community festival at Palm Springs Downtown Park celebrating Filipino food, culture, music and art, from lechon and lumpia to live performances. Tip: go hungry, since the food is the main draw.
Free
City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting
The tree lighting at Frances Stevens Park, preceded at 4pm by the Holiday Banner Awards for local student artists, with the Mayor and City Council. Tip: it is the night before the Festival of Lights Parade, so you can do both.
Free
Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
An illuminated night parade down Palm Canyon Drive with lighted floats, marching bands and performing groups. Started in the early 1990s.
Free to watch
Snowtopia at the Palm Springs Air Museum (5th annual)
A winter-wonderland evening with real snow and Santa at the Air Museum. The museum's own calendar lists Dec 18-21, 6-9pm (Visit Palm Springs shows slightly different dates). Tip: buy the separate ticket in advance and bring light layers, since you will play in real snow in the desert.
Separate ticket required - see site
Palm Springs Holiday Market at VillageFest
An outdoor gift market on Palm Canyon Drive with local art, artisanal food, live music and treats. Tip: check the exact market nights before you go.
Free to browse
Palm Springs Retro Market (weekly)
A weekly vintage market on Sunday mornings at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, October through May. Tip: go early, since it wraps up at 1pm.
Free to browse
Jr. Ranger Expo at Indian Canyons
A free morning at Indian Canyons with educational booths on animals, plants, geology and safety, plus activities, demonstrations, bird singers and dancers, and ranger-led hikes. Tip: entry is only 10am to noon, so arrive at opening to fit in a hike.
Local restaurants in Palm Springs
Sherman's Deli & Bakery
New York-style deli and bakery at 401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs (a second location is in Palm Desert). Serves breakfast through dinner, with 40+ sandwiches and bread and desserts baked daily. Takeout and online ordering available.
Gelato Granucci
Made-fresh-daily gelato shop at 301 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 104, Palm Springs. Serves dairy and vegan gelato, gelato pops and gelato cannoli, with online pickup ordering.
Tyler's Burgers
Burger, hot dog and sandwich spot in a 1936 building at 149 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, with homemade potato salad and coleslaw. Open Tue-Sat 11am-4pm. It closes each summer and reopened Sept 4.
Seasonal & outdoors near Palm Springs
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Palm Springs.
More Inland Empire family guides
Palm Springs family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Palm Springs with kids?
Family favorites in and around Palm Springs include Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs Air Museum, Indian Canyons and Moorten Botanical Garden. Our guide lists 4 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Where can families eat in Palm Springs?
Local, family-friendly spots in Palm Springs include Sherman's Deli & Bakery, Gelato Granucci and Tyler's Burgers — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Palm Springs guide cover?
Our Palm Springs family guide includes 4 things to do and 3 local eats — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Book Palm Springs tours & tickets
Bookable via Viator · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)Bookable experiences, skip-the-line tickets, and tours in Palm Springs — reserved through Viator.
Free cancellationExplore Palm Springs Celebrity Homes in Style
Free cancellationJoshua Tree Open Air Hummer Adventure
Free cancellationJoshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour
Free cancellationPalm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket
Free cancellationProfessional Stargazing Tour in Joshua Tree
Free cancellationJoshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour
More experiences via GetYourGuide · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)
Where to stay in Palm Springs
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Palm Springs on one map — then book on your favorite site.