Aerial Tramway
The world's largest rotating tram car takes you on a 10-minute ride up Chino Canyon from 2,643 feet above sea level to 8,516 feet. During the winter months you can cross-country ski and snowshoe. In the summer you can camp or take guided tours. There are two restaurants at the top, the Pines and Peaks, which both offer spectacular views of the Coachella Valley. The Pines is a traditional sit-down restaurant, and the Peaks is cafeteria-style. Both offer a variety of main courses as well as a kids menu. Tram cars depart every half hour; the last tram car down departs at 9:45 p.m.
Tramway Road, Palm Springs
(760) 325-1449
Recorded information: (760) 325-1391
www.pstramway.com
Biplanes
If you are a thrill-seeker, try a biplane ride at Beeline Airways/Palm Springs Biplanes. You can ride in an open-cockpit 1940 Stearman Biplane or invite a friend and sit side-by-side. There are three ride options: the 15-to-20 minute Desert Jaunt; the Coachella Cruise, which is 35 to 40 minutes; and the Southern Cross, which lasts one hour. All three are available for single or double riders. The open-air cockpit flights can be scary for younger riders or anyone afraid of heights. Viewing the airplanes is definitely a history lesson in aviation.
145 S. Gene Autry Trail
(760) 216-3700
www.psbiplanes.com
Knott's Soak City USA
It gets pretty hot in Palm Springs, so visit Soak City USA, which offers activities for grownups as well as the kids. Kids will enjoy the 18 water rides, including the multiperson raft which includes a 132-foot tunnel and drops 75 feet into a six-story funnel. You can also enjoy water slides, a four-story interactive playhouse and a giant wave pool. Ride boogie boards or body-surf in the wave pool, which is normally filled with kids through teens. Soak City offers a variety of group party or picnic packages and usually has special offers on holidays. There are lots of fast-food stands and a few economically priced sit-down restaurants.
1500 S. Gene Autry Trail
760-327-0499
www.soakcityusa.com
Adventure Hummer Tours
Another way to experience the Palm Springs desert is to take an open-air ride in an H-1 Hummer. Adventure Hummer Tour rides will take you to both Joshua Tree National Park and the canyons of the San Andreas National Park. Dining is limited to a snack and refreshment that is included in the tour as well as admission to the parks.
105 E Twin Palms, Palm Springs, CA, 92264
(877) We Hummer
(760) 285-0876
www.adventurehummer.com
Palm Springs Air Museum
View the world's largest collection of operational World War II airplanes at the Palm Springs Air Museum. In addition to looking at the planes, you can view related artifacts, artwork and library resources about WWII. You can view 27 flyable Warbirds and a vintage car collection, tour a B-17 Bomber, or watch a movie in the Buddy Rogers Theater. Exceptionally realistic flight simulators enable you to experience what it's like to be a pilot. There is an activity center for the kids. The two restaurants, Java Joe's and the Freedom Fighter cafe, are both affordable and kid-friendly.
745 North Gene Autry Trail
760-778-6262
www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
