Palm Springs is often considered a destination that provides endless summer. With warm daytime temps and nearly nonexistent rainfall, this desert oasis is the perfect getaway for families who enjoy sunshine and swimming. Although it’s tempting to stay in the pool all day, you won’t want to miss out on a plethora of fun family activities. Below are some of the most popular places to explore and enjoy in the greater Palm Springs area with the entire family.
1. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is about a 45-minute drive from Palm Springs, but it feels like a world away. Filled with hiking trails, scenic vistas and larger-than-life rock formations, Joshua Tree is the perfect destination for families looking to get back to nature. The alien-like boulders and twisted Joshua trees will impress the kids and make for popular photo ops. Whether you decide to hike the trails with the family or simply drive through the park everyone is sure to have a good time.
2. Knott’s Soak City Water Park
With 360 days of sunshine in Palm Springs each year, it's no wonder locals and tourists alike have flocked to Knott's Soak City to beat the heat since 2001. This 16-acre water park is generally open from March through October and offers 20 water attractions, including more than a dozen water slides, a 600-foot lazy river and an 800,000 gallon wave pool, a popular spot for children and adults alike. Plenty of food and drink options are available onsite, including Hodad's, which serves theme park classics like hamburgers and chicken strips, and the All American Dog House, which serves hot dogs, turkey dogs and footlongs.
3. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
For over 50 years, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has dedicated itself to the preservation and conservation of desert plant and animal species from around the world. There are a variety of activities for kids to participate in besides visiting the collection of animals showcased like cheetahs, zebras, and bobcats. There are an assortment of self-guided trails to walk with different desert foliage and the opportunity to feed the giraffes. General admission pricing is $20, with children ages 3-12 for $10. Youth under the age of three get admitted to the Living Desert for free
4. Fantasy Springs Lanes
A casino may seem like an unlikely place to take your kids, but Fantasy Springs Lanes located at Indio’s Fantasy Springs Casino is the premier family bowling center. Fantasy Springs Lanes offers 24 state-of-the-art lanes with the latest scoring technology to make it a memorable family outing. For $10 per hour, Fantasy Lanes also has laser bowling, which features fluorescent lighting reflecting spider web designs and wild patterns on the floor of the lanes as you bowl. An arcade is also open daily at 10 a.m. for kids to enjoy classic games as well as a snack bar with pizza and quesadillas.
5. Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
This creative museum is a real hit with kids, who find innumerable ways to keep very busy among the various hands-on exhibits. From a rock-climbing wall and a rope maze to dress-up play in “Grandma’s Attic,” plenty of interactive fun awaits. A special area is reserved for toddlers to explore toys and blocks and listen to stories.
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