Alice January

Downtown Palm Springs Art Museum Free Night

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.

Palm Springs Art: Forever Marilyn
Palm Springs Art: Forever Marilyn

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

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.

Ellie and Alice heading to Thai Smile Palm Springs for brunch
Ellie and Alice heading to Thai Smile Palm Springs for brunch

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.

Photos of celebrities who visited Thai Smile Palm Springs

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.

Shrimp Shumai at Thai Smile Palm Springs
Shrimp Shumai at Thai Smile Palm Springs

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).

The cultural plaza’s exterior and pathways
The cultural plaza’s exterior and pathways
Ellie pressing the "Wait" button at the crosswalk in front of Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza
Ellie pressing the "Wait" button at the crosswalk in front of Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

A Quiet Moment at Starbucks

Ellie coloring a Joshua Tree picture at Starbucks
Ellie coloring a Joshua Tree picture 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

Ellie happily enjoying her lollipop
Ellie happily enjoying her lollipop

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 directory map (https://theblockps.com/directory-map/
The block directory map (https://theblockps.com/directory-map/
The Block: the art walk
The Block: the art walk
Palm Springs Art: PS Love You
Palm Springs Art: PS Love You

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 Art: Forever Marilyn
Palm Springs Art: Forever Marilyn
Palm Springs Art: Isabelle
Palm Springs Art: Isabelle

Palm Springs Visitor Information Center

When traveling to a new area, I make it a point to visit the local visitor center. While they may seem similar, each one often reflects the unique character of the region and can offer unexpected insights or information I wouldn’t have otherwise discovered. Before heading to the museum, we stopped by the Palm Springs Visitor Information Center (official website). Located just 3 miles north of downtown, about a 10-minute drive, the visitor center is easy to find. After parking in the spacious lot, we went inside. The center wasn’t particularly memorable. Half the interior was covered in black fabric, and the display of historical photos felt dated and lacked appeal. They also sold Palm Springs-themed clothing and postcards, but these were items you could easily find in downtown Palm Springs as well.
Palm Springs Visitor Information Center (visitpalmsprings.com/visitor-center/)
Palm Springs Visitor Information Center (visitpalmsprings.com/visitor-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.

Inside Palm Springs Art Museum
Inside Palm Springs Art Museum

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.

Exhibit at the museum
Exhibit at the museum
Exhibit at the museum
Exhibit at the museum
Exhibit at the museum
Exhibit at the museum
Alice’s favorite piece
Alice’s favorite piece
Jazz’s favorite piece
Jazz’s favorite piece

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.

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