PROLOGUE
Palm Springs Art Museum Free Night was the highlight of our Thursday. Before the event began in the afternoon, we took a leisurely stroll through The Block in downtown Palm Springs, admiring the outdoor art installations scattered throughout. The lively energy of the museum, complete with live music filling the air, created the perfect atmosphere to end our journey on a joyful and inspiring note.
DAY
3
DATE
Thursday, March 2024
A Memorable End with Art at Palm Springs Art Museum
The Block, Palm Springs Art Museum
TRAVELERS
Alice, Jazz, Ellie
TRAVEL
PALM SPRINGS RELAX and EXPLORE
RELATED TRAVEL JOURNALS
Travel Plan. Plan Palm Springs Trip: The Perfect Blend of Relaxation and Adventure
Day 1. Downtown Palm Springs Exploration and Indian Canyons Oasis Hiking
Day 2. Joshua Tree National Park Adventure: Skull Rock Trail and Stargazing
Day 3. Downtown Palm Springs Art Museum Free Night
Stays. Review of Hyatt Palm Springs Hotel: Detailed Look at Our Stay in March 2024
Today’s Journey : Downtown Palm Springs The Block and Art Museum Free Night
Hotel Checkout & Breakfast
Our last morning started with the usual flurry of packing. The neatly folded clothes from earlier in the trip were now hastily stuffed into our bags as laundry. After double-checking every corner of the room for forgotten items, we headed to the lobby to check out. Once the luggage was packed in the car, it was time for brunch at Thai Smile Palm Springs, right in downtown Palm Springs. That morning was the windiest of our trip. The sun was warm, but whenever a large cloud drifted across it, the chill would creep in.
The restaurant was adorned with exotic decorations. Near the entrance, I noticed a familiar face—Gary Oldman had dined here! Being a fan of his acting, it was a delightful surprise. Guided by the waiter, we took a seat at the very back of the restaurant. At first glance, the interior seemed a bit worn, and I braced myself, hoping the table edges and menus wouldn’t feel sticky. Thankfully, the dining area was reasonably clean, though the wear on things like dividers and booster seats was noticeable.
For Ellie, I ordered Pad See Ew with less salt, no spice, and no pepper, along with Shrimp Shumai. The Pad See Ew was decent, but the Shumai was a highlight—crispy and golden, fried in what seemed to be fresh oil. The waiter was friendly, and overall, the experience was pleasant.
Exploring Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza
After brunch, we walked across the street to the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza. While I decided to save the museum visit for when Ellie’s older, we explored the small outdoor paths and snapped a few pictures. A gentle stream of water ran through the area, but the chilly wind was relentless. Seeking refuge from the wind, we headed to our oasis for this trip—Starbucks (link to Day 1).
A Quiet Moment at Starbucks
One of my favorite parts of this trip was spending time in coffee shops with Ellie. Today, she colored a picture of Joshua Tree National Park, recalling memories of the previous day. Ellie enthusiastically colored the rocks in shades of brown, orange, yellow, and blue, exclaiming, “We climbed this one!” When she got to the Joshua tree, she grinned and said, “We posed like this tree for a photo, remember?” With Alice’s coffee cup now empty, the two of them stepped outside to explore The Block.
Lollipop & Art Walk at The Block
Our next stop was The Block, a vibrant area encompassing the Palm Springs Art Museum, restaurants, shops, and outdoor art installations. It’s also home to Starbucks and Ellie’s favorite place, the candy shop Lolli and Pops (link to Day 2). Our first stop was, of course, the candy shop to pick up the lollipop she’d been eyeing. She beamed with joy as she savored her treat, drawing smiles from passersby.
You can find more detailed information on their website (https://theblockps.com/), which provides comprehensive guidance on the outdoor art installations featured in The Art Walk. It includes exact locations of the artworks and suggests a recommended order for viewing them.
The Block features a total of 16 art installations, but we only viewed three of them while walking from Starbucks to the Art Museum. At the time of our visit, some areas were under construction, and the cold weather limited our exploration. We decided to revisit when we had more time and better conditions to enjoy the full experience.
Palm Springs Visitor Information Center
However, its architecture made the visit worthwhile. Designed by Swiss architect Albert Frey, the building originally served as a gas station and embodies his modernist aesthetic. With its geometric design and use of materials like metal, glass, and concrete, it harmonizes beautifully with the desert surroundings. I made a note to explore more of Frey’s works on my next visit (learn more here).
Free Thursday Nights at Palm Springs Art Museum
If you’re in Palm Springs on a Thursday, don’t miss the Free Thursday Night event (event page). From 5 to 8 PM, visitors can enjoy the museum for free, with live music creating a unique and vibrant atmosphere. With live music filling the air, it’s a refreshing and laid-back way to enjoy the exhibits—especially for those who aren’t usually drawn to art. It’s a fun, laid-back way to enjoy the creative space, and was the perfect way to wrap up the final day of our trip.
We parked at the museum just after 5 PM. The main entrance wasn’t stroller-friendly so we entered through a side entrance and took the elevator up. Live jazz music filled the air as we reached the main floor. Ellie, exhausted from the adventures of the past few days, napped peacefully while Alice and Jazz wandered through the exhibits. We took our time discussing our favorite pieces and snapping photos.
After spending about an hour and a half at the museum, we decided to bring our journey. Since Ellie was already napping, it was the perfect time to head home.