Family-Friendly Things to Do in Palm Springs Beyond Water Parks
Water parks get all the attention in Palm Springs, and fair enough, the heat here earns it. But if your family has already done the lazy river and the kids are asking what else there is, the answer is a lot more than you’d think. Palm Springs sits at the base of a mountain range, backs up to a Native American canyon system, and shares a valley with a desert zoo, a working wind farm, and one of the country’s best-preserved roadside attractions. None of it requires a swimsuit.
The top non-water activities for families are the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, hiking the Indian Canyons, horseback riding at Smoke Tree Stables, go-karts and mini golf at Boomers, wandering the Moorten Botanical Garden, and a day trip out to Joshua Tree National Park. Most of these sit within a 20-minute drive of downtown, so a family can string two or three together in a single day without much backtracking.
Here’s the full rundown, with the practical details you actually need before you load everyone into the car.
Hike the Indian Canyons
Just south of downtown, the Indian Canyons sit on land belonging to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and they’re some of the most family-friendly hiking anywhere in the desert. Andreas Canyon offers an easy one-mile loop through a palm grove along a year-round stream, manageable for younger kids and grandparents alike. Palm Canyon and Murray Canyon both run a bit longer and offer more shade and scenery for families who want a real hike instead of a walk.
Rangers lead free guided hikes most mornings, and kids tend to love the chance to ask a real park ranger questions about local wildlife and Cahuilla history. Entry runs $12 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and $6 for kids ages 6 to 12, with active military free. The canyons are open daily from October through early July, and Fridays through Sundays only during the hottest stretch of summer. A short drive away, Tahquitz Canyon offers a different hike entirely, leading to a 60-foot waterfall, though that one runs a bit longer and costs slightly more at $15 for adults and $7 for kids.
Address: 38520 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Saddle Up at Smoke Tree Stables
For a slower, more old-school way to see the canyons, Smoke Tree Stables has been guiding horseback rides through the Coachella Valley since the 1930s, back when Palm Springs was still a Western guest-ranch town rather than a resort destination. Guides lead small groups along streams and palm groves, and the gentle trail horses make this approachable even for first-time riders.
Riders need to be at least 7 years old, and the stable enforces a 240-pound weight limit per rider for safety. Pricing depends on the ride. Shorter hourly trail rides run less, while the signature Murray Canyon ride, which trailers horses deep into the Indian Canyons, runs around $185 per person for roughly 90 minutes. Either way, book ahead, since the stable runs by reservation and rides fill up fast in the cooler months.
Address: 2500 S. Toledo Avenue, Palm Springs
Race, Putt, and Play at Boomers
When you need an afternoon that has nothing to do with desert scenery, Boomers in Cathedral City delivers go-karts, three themed mini golf courses, bumper boats, laser tag, batting cages, and a full arcade, all about ten minutes from downtown Palm Springs. It’s the kind of place where a four-hour unlimited pass covers most of the fun, with the arcade and a few specialty attractions sold separately.
Kids 13 and under need to be with an adult, and the park stays open later on weekends for evening visits once the heat lets up. It’s an easy, air-conditioned-adjacent break from sightseeing, and a reliable pick if the weather turns or the kids just need to run around.
Address: 67-700 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
This is the one almost every family ends up doing, and it earns the hype. The tramway’s rotating cars climb more than 8,500 feet up the cliffs of Chino Canyon in about ten minutes, and by the time you step off, the temperature has dropped 30 to 40 degrees from the desert floor below. In summer, that’s not just a nice view, it’s genuine relief.
At the top sits Mount San Jacinto State Park, where families can walk easy nature trails, picnic among pine trees, or build a snowman in winter. There’s a restaurant, a café, and a theater showing an 18-minute history of the tramway itself, which keeps younger kids entertained while the line moves. Tickets run $36.95 for adults and $20.95 for kids ages 3 to 10, with children 2 and under riding free. Dress in layers no matter the season, since the mountain station stays noticeably cooler than the valley.
Address: 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs
Wander Moorten Botanical Garden
This one’s small, quirky, and exactly the kind of place that makes for a great hour-long stop between bigger plans. Moorten Botanical Garden has been a family-run desert plant collection since 1938, with more than 3,000 varieties of cacti and succulents arranged by region, a handful of resident tortoises wandering the grounds, and the famous Cactarium, a greenhouse packed with rare and unusual specimens that’s become one of the most photographed spots in Palm Springs.
Keep a close eye on little ones here, since plenty of the plants are exactly as prickly as they look. Admission runs around $5 to $7 for adults and a few dollars for kids, with children under 5 free. The garden is closed on Wednesdays and keeps shorter hours in summer, so check before you go.
Address: 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Tour the Wind Farms
Drive into Palm Springs from the west and you’ll pass thousands of wind turbines spinning across the desert floor, part of one of the oldest wind farms in the country. A guided windmill tour gets you behind the fence for an up-close look, with interactive exhibits explaining how wind and solar power the Coachella Valley. Kids tend to find the sheer scale of the turbines fascinating, and parents appreciate that it’s genuinely educational rather than just a photo stop. Families can choose a self-guided driving tour or a golf cart tour, and children under 12 typically ride free on the guided options.
Stroll Downtown and Catch VillageFest
Downtown Palm Springs along Palm Canyon Drive is walkable, colorful, and full of easy wins for families: ice cream shops, date shakes, a 26-foot Marilyn Monroe statue, and the Walk of Stars honoring Palm Springs’ celebrity history. It’s also dog-friendly, if that matters to your crew.
Time your visit for a Thursday evening and you’ll catch VillageFest, the weekly street fair that shuts down Palm Canyon Drive for art vendors, live music, and food stalls. Hours run 6 to 10 p.m. from October through May, and shift to 7 to 10 p.m. during the summer months. It’s free to walk through, though parking near the action can be tight, so arrive a bit early or plan to park a few blocks out.
Take a Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
If your family has more than two or three days in town, set aside one for Joshua Tree, about an hour’s drive from Palm Springs. The park’s twisted namesake trees and giant boulder formations make for some of the best climbing-and-exploring terrain kids will find anywhere, and trails like Hidden Valley and Barker Dam stay short and manageable for younger legs. Pack way more water than you think you’ll need, since shade is scarce and the heat sneaks up fast, even in cooler months.
A Few More Low-Key Options
If you’ve still got time on your trip, a few other stops round things out nicely. Civic Center Park in Palm Desert is free and easy, with two separate playgrounds split by age group, a duck pond, and shaded picnic areas, making it a solid pick for a low-key afternoon. Shields Date Garden in Indio offers a short walk through the date groves for around $5 (kids 12 and under free), followed by a date shake that’s become a Coachella Valley rite of passage. And if your kids love a good roadside photo op, the giant Cabazon Dinosaurs, about 20 minutes west of Palm Springs, let you climb into the mouth of a 65-foot T. Rex for a small fee, or just snap a free photo outside.
Tips for Planning a Non-Water Day with Kids
Mornings work best for almost everything on this list, both for cooler temperatures and shorter lines. Pairing one outdoor stop, like Indian Canyons or the wind farm tour, with one air-conditioned stop, like Boomers or a stretch of downtown shopping, keeps the day balanced and avoids overheating anyone in the group. Pack more water than feels necessary, since the desert air pulls moisture out of kids faster than most parents expect, and always check seasonal hours before heading out, since several of these spots run shorter schedules in summer to dodge the worst of the heat.
Where to Stay While You Explore
Most of these activities cluster within a short drive of each other across Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and Palm Desert, which makes a centrally located vacation rental a smart base for a packed family itinerary. A home with its own private pool means the kids still get their swim time after a morning of hiking or horseback riding, without needing a water park to do it. Alice Lodging’s collection of vacation homes across Palm Springs puts you close to the tramway, the canyons, and downtown, with the space and privacy that make a family trip feel like an actual vacation rather than a hotel room shuffle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What can you do in Palm Springs with kids besides the pool?
A. Beyond pools and water parks, families can ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, hike the Indian Canyons, visit The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, go horseback riding at Smoke Tree Stables, or spend an afternoon at Boomers for go-karts and mini golf. Downtown Palm Springs and the weekly VillageFest street fair also offer easy, low-cost evening options.
Q. Is Palm Springs a good destination for a family vacation?
A. Yes. Palm Springs combines outdoor adventure, like hiking and horseback riding, with kid-friendly attractions like the Air Museum, the Aerial Tramway, and The Living Desert, plus plenty of family-friendly resorts and vacation rentals. Many families pair a Palm Springs base with a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park.
Q. Are kids allowed on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway?
A. Yes. Kids are welcome on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and it’s a popular family-friendly attraction. The tram ride takes about 10 minutes, and at the Mountain Station, families can enjoy scenic viewpoints, hiking trails, a restaurant, and a theater, offering plenty to explore once you reach the top.
Q. How much does it cost to hike the Indian Canyons?
A. Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and $6 for children ages 6 to 12. Active military members enter free with a valid ID. An adult must accompany children 17 and under.
Q. Is Indian Canyons stroller-friendly?
A. Parts of Andreas Canyon and the trail near the Palm Canyon Trading Post are relatively flat and manageable with a stroller, though the terrain includes some rocky and uneven sections. A baby carrier is a more reliable option for younger kids on longer trails.
Q. What is there to do in Palm Springs at night with kids?
A. Thursday nights bring VillageFest, the downtown street fair with food, music, and crafts running until 10 p.m. The Palm Springs Art Museum also offers free admission on Thursday evenings, and several resorts host family movie nights or s’mores by the fire pit.
Q. How far is Joshua Tree from Palm Springs?
A. Joshua Tree National Park sits about an hour’s drive from downtown Palm Springs, making it an easy day trip. Many families enter through the West Entrance near Joshua Tree village, though the North Entrance near Twentynine Palms tends to have shorter wait times.
Q. What is the best time of year to visit Palm Springs with kids?
A. October through April offers the most comfortable weather for outdoor activities like hiking and horseback riding. Summer months bring intense heat, so outdoor plans should be scheduled for early morning, with afternoons reserved for indoor or pool time.
Q. Is downtown Palm Springs walkable with kids?
A. Yes, downtown Palm Springs along Palm Canyon Drive is flat, pedestrian-friendly, and lined with shops, restaurants, and photo-worthy art installations, making it an easy area to explore on foot with kids of any age.
Q. What should families pack for outdoor activities in Palm Springs?
A. Sun protection, refillable water bottles, comfortable walking shoes, and layers for cooler elevations like the top of the Aerial Tramway are all worth packing. Sunscreen and hats matter even in winter, since desert sun stays strong year-round.
