City Guides

19 Easy, Breezy Date Ideas in Palm Springs for 2024

Published on May 30th 2024
Date Ideas in Palm Springs

There are so many fun and romantic date ideas in Palm Springs for people of all interests or budgets. Whether you’re an outdoorsy couple who loves a cheap adventure or you love the idea of a romantic and luxurious night out at one of the best Palm Springs date night restaurants, there’s something for you.

If you’re not sure where to start and you have a date coming up, don’t worry. We’re here to help! Read on for our top Palm Springs date ideas. 

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Romantic Date Ideas in Palm Springs for Adults

1. Take a Cooking Class Together 

What’s more romantic than learning a new skill and eating a restaurant-quality meal with a special someone? Cooking classes in Palm Springs make excellent date ideas. You can learn from excellent local chefs and try your hand at making something delicious. Choose a meal that you both already like, or be adventurous and try something you’ve never had before. You may end up creating a new favorite date night dinner.

couples cooking class in Palm Springs
via Classpop!

2. Visit a Couple’s Spa Resort 

If you want a relaxing and romantic date in Palm Springs, schedule a couple’s spa day at a local spa or resort like Two Bunch Palms. Relax and rejuvenate together at this luxurious spa, featuring private hot tubs and stunning views. You can choose to just do a day session or stay the night for a luxurious experience complete with healthy food and a chill vibe. This is an adults-only activity, so if you have little ones, you’ll need a babysitter for the night! 

3. Have a Romantic Dinner at Copley's

This is a classic date idea in Palm Springs. If you don’t feel like cooking, but you still want a nice meal, visit one of the many Palm Springs date night restaurants. Copley’s is an excellent option that’s popular among both visitors and locals. It has an upscale American menu and the outdoor seating area comes with excellent views. OpenTable even listed it among the top 100 most romantic restaurants in America. 

Unique Date Ideas in Palm Springs for Couples

4. Go Stargazing 

If a hot air balloon ride doesn’t take you close enough to the stars for your liking, this date idea in Palm Springs will. Gaze up at the stars and enjoy the peacefulness of the desert night sky from the Palm Springs observatory (otherwise known as the Rancho Mirage Observatory, just a bit out of town). This is one of the best relaxing date ideas for teens and adults alike.

5. Go on a Private Hot Air Balloon Ride 

If you have a date who’s already seen it all, try a new perspective for this date idea in Palm Springs. Take in the breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley from above on a romantic hot air balloon ride. This is one of the most unique and exciting autumn, spring or summer date ideas you can try in the area. 

hot air balloon preparing for flight
via Canva

6. Visit the Palm Springs Architecture and Design Center

If either you or your date has a love for unique architecture and the art behind it, this date idea in Palm Springs will be perfect for you. Explore the latest designs and architectural styles at this unique center. Discover new ideas and inspiration for your home (or your future home together), and enjoy the beautiful architecture of the building.

7. Check Out the Palm Springs Air Museum

This may not be the most romantic date in Palm Springs, but it’s perfect for anyone who’s a history buff, aspiring pilot, or just a life-long learner. You and your date can explore historic aircraft and learn about the history of aviation at this unique Palm Springs museum. Get up close and personal with vintage planes and enjoy interactive exhibits and displays together. It’s one of the more unique and educational indoor date ideas in the area. 

Indoor Date Ideas in Palm Springs

9. Visit the Art Museum

The Palm Springs Art Museum is one of the best first date ideas in Palm Springs for artsy people. It’s a cultural center that primarily focuses on modern art as well as performance art. It features pieces by Picasso, Andy Warhol and more. Art lovers will adore walking around this museum with a partner. 

palm springs art museum
via Palm Springs Art Museum

10. Have a Date Night at the Casino

A casino can make for a romantic date in Palm Springs. Some casinos, like Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, have other fun activities as well, like bowling. If you don’t feel like spending the whole evening playing the slots, play a round or two! Casinos make for great double date ideas because there’s so much to do and you can either split off in pairs or stay together. You can also usually get a great meal right on-site. 

11. Go Indoor Rock Climbing 

If you’re looking for active date ideas in Palm Springs that you can try even when the weather isn’t ideal, try indoor rock climbing! There are several indoor rock walls to choose from for various skill levels. Even beginners can have a good time chalking up and scaling “easy” walls together. 

12. Play Games Together at a Café

Looking for first or second date ideas in Palm Springs that are both fun and low-pressure? Look no further. A relaxing date at a board game café, such as Play Lounge & Café, is a great idea. You can enjoy tasty snacks and specialty coffee and tea drinks while you choose from an assortment of games to try. Get a bit competitive in a low-stakes setting with your new companion.

Outdoor Date Ideas in Palm Springs

13. Go on a Horseback Ride

Going on a horseback ride is a super fun and relaxing date idea in Palm Springs. Palm Springs is a beautiful area, and you should make the most of it, even on your dates. By traversing some of the local trails on horseback, you and your date will be able to see it from a whole new perspective. 

couples horseback riding date in Palm Springs
via Canva

14. Explore the Moorten Botanical Garden

Discover the beauty of the desert at this unique botanical garden that has a variety of cacti and succulents on display (among other things). Take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and interesting plant life. There are indoor areas as well if the weather isn’t perfect, but the outdoor spaces are truly what make this botanical garden shine. 

15. Check Out the Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs aerial tramway is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. It’s been around since the 1960s. It’s only about a ten-minute ride up to Mount San Jacinto State Park, but there are other attractions you can enjoy at the top before you’re ready to take your picturesque trip back down. Everyone should experience this at least once. 

16. Hike Tahquitz Canyon

Tahquitz Canyon is a fantastic hike for any adventurous couples who are looking for something relatively easy that still has incredible views. There’s a large and impressive waterfall, plenty of native wildlife to spot, and even a visitor center that offers educational and cultural exhibits so you can truly make the most of your hike. Make sure you bring plenty of water and a camera. While the hike isn’t long or particularly difficult, it can get hot out there.

Free & Cheap Date Ideas in Palm Springs

17. Hike the Indian Canyons

Hiking the Indian Canyons is a fun way to spend a daytime date. It’s one of the best outdoor affordable date ideas in Palm Springs. Passes are quite cheap at about $11, making this super budget-friendly. You can see great views and local wildlife on this popular Palm Springs hike. Bring a picnic and make sure you don’t leave anything behind. Bonus, according to a study led by Stanford University, hiking can lower chances of depression and improve overall mental health. This date idea can even make you happier!

18. Visit the Coachella Valley Preserve

The Coachella Valley Preserve is free to enter, making it a great free date idea in Palm Springs. Granted, the museum does take donations, so if you can spare a few dollars, they’ll go a long way when it comes to California’s preservation efforts. There are several animals that rely on the preserve for survival, as well as a variety of unique local plants and trees. The preserve also has a visitor’s center, so people can all learn a thing or two about what makes the area special.

19. Take a Stroll Around the Farmer’s Market

Looking for chill date ideas in Palm Springs? There is no shortage of farmer’s markets, so grab a tote bag and a few dollars and check out what local farmers and vendors have to offer. Some markets also feature local artisans, live music, and even animals to see (or even adopt). Farmers markets are free to enter, but if you choose to buy a few goodies, you’ll be supporting local people!

couple on date at farmers market
via Canva

So which date ideas in Palm Springs are you adding to your “to-do” list? Palm Springs is an excellent area for date nights, especially if you and your date are outdoorsy people. Even if not, there’s something for everyone in gorgeous Palm Springs. It’s time to start going on some fun dates!

For even more fun date night ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!