How to Spend a Perfect 48 Hours in Palm Springs

We probably don’t have to tell you to arrive as early as possible to Palm Springs, but there is so much to see and do in this buzzy desert resort town. Drop off your bags at Triada Palm Springs, Autograph Collection in the city’s famous Movie Colony District before kicking off the weekend with an immersive architecture tour.

Contact The Modern Tour once you've sorted out your trip dates to book a highly curated two-hour experience through some of the area’s best examples of mid-century modern architecture and design with the perfect guide: Michael Stern, who co-authored Rizzoli’s Julius Shulman: Palm Springs. Book as soon as possible to ensure you can spend the afternoon getting inspired by the former homes of everyone from Elvis Presley to Elizabeth Taylor. If you have the time, go all out and book The Grand Tour for the ultimate design enthusiast experience, featuring stops at the legendary “Frey House II” and more.

After all the touring, it’s time to chat about your favorite design elements from each home over drinks at the ultra-charming Bootlegger Tiki. Once you’ve enjoyed a classic Tiki cocktail, enjoy a modern take on the quintessential steakhouse experience at Mr. Lyons. You’ll be able to envision all your favorite mid-century starlets and crooners drinking and dining and sharing salacious gossip over wedge salads, fillet mignons, and endless martinis. The Beef Wellington is also a favorite.

This morning is all about enjoying the unique terrain within the Coachella Valley and all the diverse flora that can be found here. Grab a nourishing breakfast and iced coffee at Palm Greens Cafe before exploring the iconic Moorten Botanical Garden, a whimsical arboretum with a colorful and highly knowledgeable host. If you’re interested in a guided tour, make sure to book in advance.

Next, head over the storied Sunnylands Center and Gardens to learn more about the role Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg’s winter estate played in world affairs before exploring the magnificent 15-acre gardens designed by The Office of James Burnett. Plus, you’ll find an abundance of midcentury modernist vignettes within the 25,000 square foot home of the Annenbergs. Book the estate tour ahead of time to ensure you'll get a chance to explore it.

After a busy morning, enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the idyllic Palm Canyon Drive, which is the historic heart of the city and home to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Grab lunch at the widely adored Cheeky’s (Mr. Lyons' sister restaurant) for soups, salads, and sandwiches before venturing out to browse the shops, galleries, and museums in the area. Our top picks: Trina Turk’s flagship store, Stewart Galleries, A La Mod, and Bon Vivant.

The Palm Springs Art Museum is also in the area and home to Albert Frey’s Aluminaire House, the Annenberg Theater, and a charming wine bar on the edge of the museum’s sculpture garden. There's even an Architecture and Design Center in case you simply can't get enough of the midcentury inspiration.

It’s time to enjoy a deliciously modern take on midcentury glam at the ultra-stylish Parker Palm Springs. Design enthusiasts will notice signature elements of Jonathan Adler’s style peppered throughout this darling hotel where every turn features an inviting vignette. Start your epicurean journey at Counter Reformation, the hotel’s take on Paris’s ultra-hip Cave à Mangers for caviar and Champagne before dining at the hotel’s terrace restaurant, Norma’s, where idyllic ambiance and California-inspired cuisine. Be sure to pop into Mini Bar for a nightcap and dessert trio in this jewel box lounge before ending the night.

Before preparing for one last tour of Palm Springs’s iconic homes, pop into local-favorite Townie Bagels for lattes and breakfast sandwiches. Next up is the Golden Era Hollywood Homes tour with the Palm Springs Historical Society in the storied Old Las Palmas Neighborhood. You’ll see residences that belonged to stars of all eras, from Judy Garland to Leonardo DiCaprio while enjoying a mix of Spanish Colonial and midcentury architecture.

You’ve covered a lot of ground this weekend, but save at least a few hours for one last sight-seeing venture. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car and offers breathtaking views as it transports guests two-and-a-half miles up over Chino Canyon to Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Mountain Station resides more than 8,500 feet up and houses a natural history museums, documentary theaters, and several dining options. Make sure to book a reservation at Peaks Restaurant ahead of time to enjoy Coachella Valley views as you dine on locally sourced California fare. What better way to end a dazzling weekend in Palm Springs?