Spending time in Palm Springs is a relaxing and refreshing way to reset in a place filled with sunshine. While Palm Springs is a picture-perfect vacation destination year-round, heading this way over Memorial Day is a wonderful option when you’re looking to get out of town in May and want to make the most of a long weekend. The following are a few of the many options available for enhancing our itinerary when you’re ready to celebrate Memorial Day in Palm Springs this year.
Spend Some Quality Time at the Palm Springs Air Museum
Memorial Day is an important time to reflect on those who have made stunning sacrifices for freedom while working in the military. A great place in town to honor that legacy while you’re here is the Palm Springs Air Museum. Here, you’ll find inspiring aircraft displays ranging from planes that were utilized during World War II, to those that played an important role in the Vietnam and Korean Wars. There are also opportunities to tour a B-17 bomber in an air-conditioned hangar and many of the docents who provide on-site tours have served in the military so they’re able to offer up personalized insight. You can find the Palm Springs Air Museum just 10 minutes from downtown Palm Springs near the Palm Springs International Airport making it an easy addition to any Memorial Day itinerary.
Get Out on the Greens
Memorial Day is a wonderful time to get out on the greens and enjoy a round of golf with family and friends. When you visit Palm Springs this time of year, you’ll find you have easy access to a wide variety of golf courses that are suitable for new golfers and experienced pros alike. Across Palm Springs and nearby Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta, and Indian Wells, there are over 100 championship-level golf courses available to enjoy and in Palm Springs, the vast majority are public courses. With 300 days of sunshine on the calendar each year in Palm Springs, there’s very little chance of getting rained out of your game over Memorial Day. Many of the courses here are not only great to play but come with gorgeous surroundings showcasing meticulously maintained fairways as well as beautiful mountains. Start with booking a tee time at PGA West which hosts the American Express Desert Classic when you want to kick off your golf fun on a great note.
Access Artistic Inspiration at the Palm Springs Art Museum
If you’re looking for indoor fun to add to your Memorial Day stay in Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Art Museum is a must. Here, you’ll enjoy a collection of fine art on display as well as exhibits that showcase local natural history. There are also displays dedicated to Native American art and modern art exhibits to check out too. The natural science collection hosts fossils and bones and is a popular stop in the museum among families. After you’ve seen everything indoors, the Palm Springs Art Museum has an outdoor sculpture garden to explore. Be sure to check the event calendar before you head this way in case your visit matches up with one of the many interactive programs that are hosted on-site throughout the year.
Take a Scenic Trip Up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
A new view of the terrain might just be the highlight of your Memorial Day stay in Palm Springs this year when you make time to enjoy it from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The tramway first opened in 1963 and today hosts the world’s largest rotating aerial tram cars. Suspended from cables, the tramway takes passengers upward like a ski lift toward the mountain summit offering up breathtaking panoramic views along the way. The trip only takes 10 minutes but it’s well worth photographing because your bird’s eye view is one-of-a-kind. Once you reach Chino Canyon at 8,500 feet in elevation, you’ll find yourself at Mountain Station where you can enjoy access to restaurants, observation decks, historical displays, and more than 50 miles of hiking trails if you’re up for trekking your way back to the base.
Visit the Moorten Botanical Gardens
Infuse tranquility and beautiful moments into your Memorial Day stay in Palm Springs by heading over to the Moorten Botanical Gardens while you’re in town. Located on South Palm Canyon Drive, this beautiful space is a great place to stroll through desert plants and cacti that are native to the area and available to enjoy in full bloom. The gardens also operate as a nursery so if you find something you love, there are options to purchase too. Ask for a guided tour to make more of your experience in the gardens.
Book Your Stay Today
Your Palm Springs adventure deserves to be unforgettable and at Ryson Vacations, we help travelers elevate their experience by providing top-of-the-line vacation rental options. Reach out today to learn more about our Memorial Day properties that infuse luxury, comfort, and style into your Palm Springs getaway at every turn.
