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Palm Springs isn’t all glitz and glam, pool parties and shopping. While it does offer all those things, there are so many more historical, architectural and cultural experiences to be had. Palm Springs and the greater Palm Springs area is a mecca of art galleries, captivating exhibits, contemporary art, mid-century modern design, and fine art.
The museums here cater to those looking for an escape from the heat and an opportunity to explore the connection of Native Americans to the land. Whether you’re visiting on a family vacation with kids, a couple on your honeymoon, a solo traveller or retiree, there’s certain to be a museum or an art gallery where you will be entertained and enlightened.
Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs Art Museum is a group of three museums, with two locations in downtown Palm Springs and the City of Palm Desert.
- Palm Springs Art Museum, located on 101 Museum Drive, is three levels of inspiring creativity from contemporary art to fine art encompassing local and world-famous artists all under the same roof. Also part of this cultural experience is the Annenberg Theater offering riveting and thought-provoking shows throughout the year.
- Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, formerly a mid-century modern bank, is dedicated to the artistry and brilliance of architecture and design. While you’re there, make sure to visit The Vault Store, located in the old bank vault full of design and architectural treasures for purchase.
- Frey House II, also a part of the Palm Springs Art Museum, is Albert Frey’s home, one of the most significant and iconic mid-century modern architects of our time and is available for tour.
- Sculpture Gardens, located on Hwy 111 in Palm Desert, is an excursion you won’t want to miss. For free admission, you can wander through the beautifully landscaped and peaceful grounds while taking in the stunning sculptures. This exhibit is a photographer’s paradise.
Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs Air Museum boasts the world’s largest collection of flyable WWII aircrafts, giving visitors the unique opportunity to see flyers and bombers from the Korean and Vietnam war. But for history buffs and those with interest in military aviation, you can also go for a ride in one of their vintage aircrafts by booking a warbird ride starting at only $99 per seat.
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is located in the heart of Desert Hot Springs, a city in the greater Palm Springs area. This museum is a pueblo made from entirely reclaimed materials by Cabot Yerxa, a true renaissance man known for his adventurous spirit, artistic and architectural abilities. This museum is a historic destination that offers tons of interest.
The Pueblo is four stories high with over 5,000 square feet of artifacts and collectibles from the west coast, Alaska, France, Mexico and Cuba. There’s also a self-guided tour you can connect to on your phone, narrating the story of Cabot Yerxa’s life and guiding you through the rest of the homestead. When you’re done, be sure to head into the gift store for a wide selection of beautiful Native American merchandise.
Coachella Valley History Museum
This museum is in Indio, part of the Greater Palm Springs area. Here you’ll learn about local and Native American history. We’d suggest planning to visit the museum on a day when you want a break from the hustle and bustle of Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage. It’s an interesting walk through the past, where docents are available to share with you what life was like during the mid-twentieth century. You’ll also be able to visit an old schoolhouse, a blacksmith house and an early 1900’s kitchen. This tour is bound to give you a greater appreciation for how far we’ve come while simultaneously make you feel a longing for a simpler time.
Ruddy’s General Store Museum
A visit back to yesteryear, this general store is a fun place to stop and see a slice of the world as it once was. This general store replica from the 1930s is full of thousands of products from the past. Some products still even hold their original contents. Nostalgia lovers will be over the moon with a visit to Ruddy’s. The price of admission is only $1, so don’t miss experiencing this blast from the past.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
A small historical museum highlighting Palm Springs and the Cahuilla People is being rebuilt into a larger cultural complex and renamed The Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza. The new construction plans include a hot mineral spring, a spa, beautifully landscaped gardens and a trail to spend time wandering through their planned desert oasis. There will also be a gathering space for people to come together and experience cultural events. In this approximately 48,000 square foot facility, there will also be galleries dedicated to historical Native American artifacts and art. You’ll want to follow along on their website to watch the construction progress and find out when they’ll be revealing their grand opening date.
Children’s Discovery Museum
Escape the desert heat with the kids and head out to Rancho Mirage for a fun-filled and educational morning or afternoon. At Children’s Discovery Museum, toddlers to pre-teens will be engaged and challenged with science, art, culture, health, engineering, and math activities.
If you’re planning an outing to the museum, be sure to check their events calendar so you don’t miss out on one of their many programs or special events that may be happening while you’re there. Families love the annual family dance night, a night in the museum during Halloween or their family-friendly countdown to the new year.
Museum of Ancient Wonders
Calling all history buffs and dinosaur lovers!! Crowned the best attraction in Cathedral City by Palm Springs Life Magazine, the Museum of Ancient Wonders is a delightful journey through some of the world’s most fascinating historical time periods. With over 200 reproduction artifacts from famous archaeological digs, there’s so much to see and learn. Many guests even had the privilege of having a guided tour by the museum’s curator, Alberto – an incredibly knowledgeable and fascinating man that’ll have the kids forgetting about their smartphones and Ipads for a while.
Ancient Wonders Exhibits are:
- Vessels of the Gods – Treasures of the Ancient Greeks
- Paleo: The Story Of Life – 4.6 Billion Years of Fossil History
- Tutankhamun – “Wonderful Things” Treasures from the Pharoah’s Tomb
- Faces of Africa – A Mystical View of African Heritage
Village Green Heritage Center
Prominently located on Palm Canyon Drive in the heart of Palm Springs and presented by The Historical Society, guests enjoy sitting by the fountain in the neatly manicured gardens before taking a tour through 3 of the oldest buildings in the city.
- The McCallum Adobe (built in 1884)
- The Cornelia White House (built in 1893)
- Welwood Murray Memorial Library (built in 1940)
This excursion would be a lovely way to spend a morning in downtown Palm Springs after a slow breakfast, then a walk around the square visiting the shops, followed up by a walking tour through the city’s historical past.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Locals and visitors worldwide consider this one of the best zoos they have ever visited, making it no wonder that it has been a top attraction for almost 50 years.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is known for its
- Conservation Research
- Habitat Protection
- Breeding Programs
- Educational Programs
The zoo itself was constructed to feel more like when you’re in a national park with the animals in their natural habitat rather than a man-made attraction. This design creates a more authentic experience while learning and interacting with the animals. Some of the highlights that you’ll love are feeding the giraffes, an interactive stroll through the Australian animals’ habitat and a behind-the-scenes tour of the wildlife hospital where you can see firsthand the high-level care the animals receive.
Final Thoughts
You will be transported to a luxurious hotspot of culture, art, and history when you visit Palm Springs. Whether you’re interested in the pop-cultural side of the city, the iconic mid-century modern architecture, or the historical past of the Cahuilla Indian, one thing is guaranteed, you will be inspired and enlightened. We hope this short guide to the best Palm Springs museums has helped plan your next vacation.
Happy Travels!
