Palm Springs thrives on tourism and 340 sunny days each year.  While the town often carries a reputation for luxury, your visit doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little planning, it’s entirely possible to stay, explore, and enjoy the desert’s best experiences without stretching your budget.

Experience VillageFest on Thursday nights

Happy customers at VillageFest. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs

As a visitor, you may question why you see detour signs downtown Palm Springs on a late Thursday afternoon. The answer is simple: Palm Springs is preparing for VillageFest, a Thursday-night tradition celebrating 35 years this March. While mayor, Sonny Bono established this free event to boost downtown businesses. 

Over 180 vendors are eager to share their art, crafts, and vintage clothing collections, making it the perfect place to find unusual gifts. Wander down the street and pause to listen to street performers. I stopped in my tracks one night when Abi Carter was singing; little did I know she would go on to win American Idol. 

Hungry? Head up to the north end. You will find a variety of food trucks and tents offering a smorgasbord of ethnic foods. Sit down at one of the tables and talk with other visitors from around the world. 

Explore the Palm Springs Art Museum

On Thursdays, both the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Architecture and Design Center are open, free of charge, from 5 to 8 p.m. You can walk the permanent and rotating galleries at your leisure — just be sure to stop in at their beautifully curated gift shop. 

See the Marilyn Statue at Downtown Park

Steps away from the art museum, there is the now-famous 25-foot-high statue of Marilyn Monroe in Downtown Park. No trip to Palm Springs is complete without an Instagram photo, but the park also offers you a cooling reprieve from our warm days. Find a bench under the palm trees and just be.

Check the Visit Palm Springs events calendar during your trip; there are often free concerts in the park’s amphitheater. It makes for a memorable evening listening to music on a warm night with the stars twinkling above you. 

Stop at Graffiti Park

Graffiti Park is a colorful place to stop downtown. Photo: Kathy Condon

It’s not for everyone, but I find it fun and, again, a place where you can get some colorful photos. The area was once slated for development; the project was abandoned, and now the pillars and concrete slabs provide a canvas for our local artists. 

Wander the Walk of the Stars through downtown

You can go on a treasure hunt to find your favorite actor’s star on our sidewalks. With 480 of them, it may take you a while to find what you are looking for, but the hunt is worth it. You’ll walk past retail stores, including many that are privately owned and offer a variety of discounts, especially near the end of the season. 

Enjoy Palm Springs happy hours

Feeling the need for a break? Palm Springs is known for its numerous and generous happy hours. Many restaurants have sandwich boards out front that list happy hour times and prices. This is also a great way to meet locals — we love meeting up with friends to imbibe and take advantage of the discounted bar food menus.

Swing by Desert Healthcare Wellness Park

Get moving at Desert Wellness Park. Photo: Kathy Condon

Feeling the need for exercise? Desert Healthcare Wellness Park is an outdoor space with a quarter-mile walking/jogging path. Along the way, there are various exercise stations and a meditation area. It’s a beautiful space offering spectacular views of the San Jacinto Mountains that surround the Coachella Valley.

Take a hike

If you are a hiker, there are over 60 miles of trails within the city limits of Palm Springs. Most are on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation and require a $12 entrance fee for adults, $7 for seniors, and $6 for children ages 6-12, and are free to active military.  The trails are very well maintained.

I can speak from personal experience about spending a New Year’s Day with my family on these trails. We still talk about how it was one of the most memorable ways to start a new year. For me, it was thrilling to see my first oasis – exactly as I had pictured it. 

Stay at a budget-friendly hotel

Flamingo floaties set the scene at Float Hotel. Photo courtesy of Float Hotel

Palm Springs has about 75 boutique hotels, and during shoulder seasons (May and October) and low season (June through September), these properties offer unbeatable rates. Before booking, visit Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels’ special offers page. It is regularly updated with the latest deals from hotels, including free nights, a percentage off stays, upgraded amenities, and more.

Now, let’s look at some of the budget-friendly options:

Adara Hotel Palm Springs is newly renovated, offers beautiful views, is near downtown, and provides AAA and government/military discounts.

Aloha Hotel Palm Springs is steps away from the Tahquitz Trail and offers mountain-view rooms. If you want a kitchenette, this hotel has them, making it a great place for extended stays.

Inn at Palm Springs welcomes service/government people with discounts, and, yes, your dog can stay too. In the north end of Palm Springs, away from the crowds.

Float Palm Springs is an adults-only getaway that offers a quiet, relaxing retreat for those seeking to stay close to the action.

Peruse the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels website for more information on all of the city’s boutique hotels. You are sure to find a hotel that feels ideal for your escape from the world.