Activities for Kids/Teenagers in Palm Springs Area

Nature Experiences:

Joshua Tree National Park - Located about a 40 minute drive from Palm Springs, this incredible National Park offers ranger program, nature walks, hiking, camping, tours of former ranches and abondoned mines and much more. Entry fee is $15 per vehilce; for more information call 760-367-5525.

Safari Trax (Elite Land Tours, 760-318-1200) - Get up close and personal with tigers and cheetas at the Magic Jungle Wildlife Foundation. Includes gourmet lunch, photo safari, tiger splash and more in this scenic animal preserve. $179 per person, 4 person minimum.

Running with Wolves (Elite Land Tours, 760-318-1200) - Visit the only place in the world where you can actually interact with wolves. Touch them, hug them, get "wolf kisses" and take pictures with them. $179 per person, 4 person minimum.

The Living Desert - The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens: 1,200 acre wildlife and botanical park, featuring rare and endangered desert animals and African wildlife, hiking trails, picnic areas, cafe and gift shop. Shaded and misted areas throughout the park. Open daily year round, except December 25. 760-346-5694; www.livingdesert.org

Indian Canyons - Located on Agua Caliente tribal land, the canyons are a must-see. Undisturbed natural beauty is combined with remarkably easy access - the canyons are located just minutes from downtown Palm Springs. S. Palm Canyon Dr., five miles from the center of Palm Springs 760-325-3400 www.indian-canyons.com; Adults $8, children $4

Tahquitz Canyon - One of our true treasures, featuring a waterfall, petroglyphs and historiic sites. Ranger led tours explain how the native people used this land. Visitor center, gift shop, maps.500 W. Mesquite, Palm Springs 760-416-7044 www.tahquitzcanyon.com

Activities

Knotts Soak City - Deluxe, family-oriented water playground with 18 major water slides and attractions including the 800,000-gallon Rip Tide Reef wave pool. Open daily mid March thru Labor Day, weekends through October. 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs 760-327-0499 www.soakcityusa.com; Opens in Mid March and closes for the season in the fall.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - Aboard the world's largest rotating tramcar, you will experience a breathtaking journey up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon. Begin your 10-minutes ride at the 2,643 ft. Valley Station and rise to the Mountain Station at 8,516 ft. in winter, you can cross-country ski, and snowshoe. In summer, camping and guided tours are available. "Enjoy spectacular views of the desert below from Peaks Restaurant or Pines Caferteria-Style restaurant where lunch and dinner are served daily." Open year-round 10 a.m weekdays, 8 a.m weekends and holidays. Free ranger tours available. Cars depart at least every half hour. Last car down 9:45 p.m.; Tramway Road, Palm Springs ; 760-325-1449; Recorded information: 760-325-1391 ; www.pstramway.com

Boomers - Minature golf, huge arcade, laser tag; go karts; batting cage bumper cars and other rides; 67-700 East Palm Canyon Road, 760-770-7522

Ballon Above the Desert - Float above the desert in a huge hot air balloon; complimentary pick up at all desert resorts; sunrise ro sunset tours; cost is $195 per person; children under 6 are not reccomended for safety reasons; call 760-347-0410 or go to balloonabovethedesert.com

Smoke Tree Stables - Horseback ride into beauty on some of the 150 miles of horse trails through the scenic desert area; can do rides by the hour or by the day. Cost is $35 an hour person; Call 760-327-13721.

Little Yellow Rose Ranch - Scenic tours for beginning to experienced horseback riders; features fun and knowledgeable guides to explore and learn about the local desert flora and fauna while on horseback; 39380 Cary Road, Anza, CA 92539; Website: www.littleyellowroseranch.com; Phone: 951-541-1221

Museums

Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert - A hands-on museum in a safe, caring setting and lots of fun. Open Tuesday-Sunday. $6 per person ages 2 and up. 50 hands on exhibits, including an achaeological dig. 71-701 Gerald Ford Dr. Rancho Mirage CA 92270; ph: 760-321-0602 Ask about leaving your children at the museum on Friday nights so parents can have a "date night"! Cost is $17 per child, children must be between 5-10 years old.

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum - interpreting the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and other Cahuilla peoples; 471 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262; Website: www.accmuseum.org; Email: accmuseum@earthlink.net; Phone: 760-778-1079

Palm Springs Art Museum - Nationally accredited art with a vibrant theater, featuring fine permanent collections and top touring exhibitions, galleries, sculpture gardens, Annenberg Theater. Open Tuesday-Sunday year round except major holidays.$12.50 adults $10.50 62 and over $5.00 6 to 17, students, and active-duty military personnel with I.D.Free to children under 6; 101 N. Museum Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262-5659; Website: www.psmuseum.org; Email: info@psmuseum.org; Phone: (760)325-7186

Area Parks/Swimming

Ruth Hardy Park - On the corner of Avenida Cabelleros and Tamarisk; has 8 tennis courts, BBQ areas, large padded childrens jungle gym, water fountain play area and Wellness activity park.

Sunrise Park - Corner of Sunrise Way and Ramon Road; Large lighted skateboard park, Public Library, Swim Center (city pool), baseball fields; skateboard park 3 day pass is $10, available at the Leisure Center (760-323-8276)

Swimming - Olympic sized swimming pool open year round; $45 punch card pass enables you to visit 25 times; a yearly membership fee is required; #3.50 daily "drop in" fee (760-323-8278)

Attractions Near Palm Springs:

Disneyland, Anaheim CA
877-386-8492

San Diego Wild Animal Park
760-747-8702

San Diego Zoo
619-234-3153

Seworld San Diego
800-257-4268

Universal Studios Hollywood
1-800-864-8377

Six Flags Magic Mountain
661-255-4100

Knott's Berry Farm
714-220-5200

Pharoh's Lost Kingdom (Redlands)
(909) 335-7275