Sight guide · Palm Springs · United States
Visiting Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Part of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza on Tahquitz Canyon Way, this museum tells the story of the Cahuilla people of the Coachella Valley through baskets, oral history and immersive galleries.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is a museum in Downtown Palm Springs, Palm Springs. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Downtown Palm Springs
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, rainy day and art
- Best months
- December–February
Plan a trip to Palm Springs
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About Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Part of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza on Tahquitz Canyon Way, this museum tells the story of the Cahuilla people of the Coachella Valley through baskets, oral history and immersive galleries. Next door, The Spa at Séc-he is built over the hot mineral spring that gave Palm Springs its name.
Tip: Allow time for the outdoor plaza and its desert garden, and book a spa slot ahead if you want to bathe in the mineral water itself.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Downtown Palm Springs, palm Canyon Drive shops, museums and restaurants within walking distance of most hotels.
Best time to visit Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- January: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, busy crowds.
- February: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- December: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Palm Springs has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Palm Springs itinerary visits Agua Caliente Cultural Museum on day 3, together with Palm Springs Art Museum and Architecture and Design Center.
- No. 6 of the 16 sights in our Palm Springs things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in Palm Springs.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Palm Springs.
Near Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Within walking distance of Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (straight-line distances):
- Tahquitz Canyon — about 1.3 km away, 2 hours, low cost
- Palm Springs Art Museum — about 0.4 km away, 1.5–2 hours, low cost
- Moorten Botanical Garden — about 2.3 km away, 1 hour, low cost
If you like Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
- Palm Springs Air Museum — Palm Springs Airport, 2 hours
- Cabot's Pueblo Museum — Desert Hot Springs, 1.5 hours
Staying near Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Stay in Downtown Palm Springs ($$$) to walk here: palm Canyon Drive shops, museums and restaurants within walking distance of most hotels. All areas to stay in Palm Springs.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Agua Caliente Cultural Museum?
Plan 1.5–2 hours. Tahquitz Canyon is about 1.3 km away in a straight line, so the two fit a half-day.
+Is Agua Caliente Cultural Museum free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Agua Caliente Cultural Museum?
December–February, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Allow time for the outdoor plaza and its desert garden, and book a spa slot ahead if you want to bathe in the mineral water itself.
+Do I need to book Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.