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A Perfect Palm Springs Trip

  • Writer: Ember
    Ember
  • Apr 18, 2018
  • 4 min read

While every break from school is one to cherish, there's definitely something special about spring break. The weather starts to warm up, wardrobes begin to brighten, and vibrant flowers perk up just about everywhere. It's a little, yet exciting, tease of the upcoming summer.

Most of my past spring breaks were stay-cations which made the opportunity of going to Palm Springs with my best friend even more exciting! Despite the intense 95 degree weather, we were determined to make the most out of this trip! Through some rigorous research and Yelping we were able to piece together an itinerary that fit our needs for adventure, relaxation, and Instagram pictures.

Featuring:

-Mod Cafe

-Palm Springs Street Fair

-Moorten Botanical Garden

-Palm Springs Art Musuem

-Lulu's California Bistro

Day One

After our mid-day arrival we were eager to start embark on our exploration of Palm Springs! Our first priority was food, as always, so we stopped by a little place called Mod Cafe. This was one of the cutest and tastiest cafes I've ever been to, inside and out!

Not only was the interior aesthetic, the outside seating was nestled right in a small garden! There were beautiful flowers and trees that provided shade and a view as we enjoyed our food. The Instagram photos we got at our table was another added bonus! It was no surprise that the food was amazing as well. My friend and I ordered smoothies to start, banana-strawberry and chocolate-almond butter (I highly recommend). For lunch we tried the quinoa bowl and turkey sandwich, both of which were delicious! The portions were also unexpectedly large so I'd recommend sharing with a friend. Overall, Mod Cafe had great food, aesthetic, and photo opportunities!

After walking around downtown a little while longer, we headed back to our hotel room for some rest before our second adventure! Around sunset there was a fairly large street-fair in downtown! There was a diverse range of foods, clothing, and other unique shops to investigate. We slowing toured the shops while enjoying our dinner, the sunset, and balmy breezes. Although I didn't purchase anything, the experience itself was enjoyable! It was a nice way to wrap up our first day in Palm Springs!

Day Two

After a long nights rest we felt rejuvenated and ready to face our most eventful day of the trip! We kicked off the day by checking out Moorten Botanical Garden. I discovered this gem on Pinterest when researching Instagram-worthy places in Palm Springs, so it was promising from the start!

We were shocked that this garden had only a $2 entrance fee! It was so stunning, we didn't know where to venture first! To the left of the entrance there's a small shop where you can buy a succulent of your own, on the right there's the main cactus garden. While the plant lined pathways are great photo opportunities, the famous cactarium is the real showstopper. Pictures in this little oasis are all over Pinterest! Hidden away towards the corner of the garden is the humble little greenhouse filled with adorable rows of cacti. To be honest, these photos are my favorites from the entire trip! This place just has such good vibes!

Needless to say, the Moorten Botanical Garden is a must-visit place in Palm Springs! Whether you seek to snap some cool pictures, stroll around the garden, see some cute turtles or all of the above, this place won't disappoint!

After being outside in the heat for a while, we were in desperate need of some air conditioning. It was the perfect time for the Palm Springs Art Museum!

This place was impressive from the start. The outside features elegant and beautiful sculptures, just a snippet of what's inside!

The immense 3 story building showcased a diverse range of art forms from glass and sculptures to classic canvas, all of which beautiful and intruiging. We were lucky enough to be visiting at a time when there was an exhibit about Andy Warhol and his vibrant art style.

Bonus: you can explore this museum for free if you're younger than 18!

In addition to a seemingly endless amount of exhibits, there is a cafe with a serene patio area on the bottom floor of the building! If you need somewhere to escape the heat and relax while on vacation or you're interested in unique artwork, I recommend spending an afternoon at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Unfortunately our last night in Palm Springs was winding to an end. Despite this, we still had one last destination, Lulu's California Bistro! Another promising Pinterest find, we were eager to put their food to the test! We heard that Lulus is popular and tables are coveted so we made reservations earlier that evening, and were grateful we did! They were bustling with customers! Although it was very busy, we were not distracted from the clean and modern ambiance Lulu's offered.

The menu was very extensive but everything we did order was delicious! Lulu's elegant ambiance and delectable food makes it an excellent option for dinner if you're ever visiting Palm Springs!

P.S Check out their giant cotton candy dessert!

Bye Palm Springs!

It was time to leave the palm-filled paradise come morning. During the drive home I was satisfied knowing that I had tasted, explored, and photographed some of the best places in Palm Springs. Even though the end of our trip marked the beginning of school, I took home with me new memories and a newly ignited excitement for the upcoming summer!

-Ember

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