Located in Riverside County is the city of Indio, one of the fastest growing cities in the area. This small, yet bustling city is perhaps best known for being host to the popular Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which draws in as many as 250,000 visitors a year! However, there’s so much more to enjoy in Indio than Coachella. The city is bursting with art, music, food, and outdoor fun that you definitely wouldn’t want to miss! Planning your next trip to Indio? We’ve selected some of the fun things to do in Indio, California, just for you - be sure to check them out below.
1. Explore Coachella Valley History Museum
Don’t know what to do in Indio? If you’re a history buff or just interested in learning more about Indio and Coachella Valley, as a whole, you should definitely explore Coachella Valley History Museum! The museum is a treasure trove of fascinating artifacts. The museum itself is located in what used to be the home of the Smileys, who were some of the first doctors in Indio. Here, you can explore the informative exhibits on Native American history and culture, as well as their rich collection, which includes baskets, mortars, and precious minerals. You can also enlist the help of their knowledgeable guides, who can tour you around the museum and tell you more about the history of Coachella Valley and its original Native American inhabitants.
Coachella Valley History Museum
Address: 82616 Miles Ave, Indio, CA 92201, USA
Website: Coachella Valley History Museum
Opening hours: Mon, Thu - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Tue & Wed)
2. Have fun at Riverside County Fairgrounds
Planning to visit Indio next February? Then you definitely shouldn’t miss the annual County Fair at the Riverside County Fairgrounds! Kids and kids-at-heart are sure to have a wonderful time at the County Fair, with all of its fun games, exciting rides, live entertainment, and delicious food and drink. However, if you do miss the annual fair, don’t fret! There are plenty of activities that are held at the Fairgrounds almost every month, all throughout the year! Be sure to check out the latest schedules - you might just find something exciting going on!
Riverside County Fairgrounds
Address: 82503 US Highway 111, Indio, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92201-5633
3. Visit Indio Teen Center
If you’re traveling with teenagers, they’re sure to have a blast at the Indio Teen Center! Indio Teen Center and Park is an excellent city-run after-school program designed especially for teens from the 8th to 12th grades. It features a ton of recreational options, including a game room, boxing gym, recording studio, internet cafe, a kitchen, and even a Counseling Center. Daily educational programs and even activities with the friendly elders of the Indio Senior Center are all held at the Indio Teen Center, too! Best of all, access to the Teen Center is absolutely free!
Indio Teen Center
Address: 81-678 Ave 46, Indio, CA 92201, USA
Website: Indio Teen Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 2:30pm - 6:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
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4. Have a picnic at Miles Avenue Park
For fun activities in Indio, Miles Avenue Park is another green space that would be perfect for a day out with the family. Although most visitors have a lovely picnic at the park, with all of the barbecue areas and tables available, there are plenty of other family-friendly activities that you can enjoy here! For those with little ones, the park features a playground and a water play area that the kids are sure to love. There are also some basketball courts for those who’d love to shoot some hoops.
Miles Avenue Park
Address: 82540 Miles Avenue, Indio, CA 92201
5. Explore Shields Date Garden
The Shields Date Garden is a sprawling 17-acre (6.7 hectares) date farm in Indio. The farm features a lush garden path which guests are free to explore. There are also some beautiful, Biblical-themed sculptures lined along the garden path. When you’ve finished exploring the garden, you can also enjoy some delicious meals at the restaurant and soda fountain. You definitely shouldn’t miss their original date shake or a scoop of their date ice cream! If you’d like some souvenirs to remember your visit by, you can also check out the store.
Shields Date Garden
Address: 80225 CA-111, Indio, CA 92201, USA
Website: Shields Date Garden
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
6. Visit George S. Patton Park
The George S. Patton Park is another family-friendly green space in Indio! The park is well-shaded and features large, grassy area as well as a modest playground – making it perfect for families with kids who love to run around and play! There are also a good number of tables at the two picnic and barbecue areas so you can enjoy some food here with your loved ones. For those who are more active or athletic, there are also some sports amenities, like a tennis court, a basketball court, and a soccer field. You should definitely pay the George S. Patton Park a visit on your next trip to Indio!
George S. Patton Park
Address: 83700 Avenue 43, Indio, CA 92203, USA
7. Eat authentic Mexican food at Pueblo Viejo Grill
Satisfy your craving for Mexican food at the Pueblo Viejo Grill! At this top-rated restaurant, you can enjoy mouthwatering authentic Mexican dishes! Some of their must-tries include their Chili Rellenos, their Steak Fajita Salad, and their Carne Asada. You can also ask about their vegetarian and vegan options! If you’re looking for some drinks, you can enjoy some tequila with your meal. The restaurant is also noted for its warm and inviting interiors, as well as their top-notch service. Truly, the Pueblo Viejo Grill offers not just good food, but an excellent dining experience as well!
Pueblo Viejo Grill
Address: 81931 US Highway 111, Indio, California
Website: Pueblo Viejo Grill
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
8. Embark on a 'red jeep' desert adventure
Itching to go on an exciting adventure? Head to the great outdoors with Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events! You and your loved ones can go on an exciting tour ride through Palm Desert on a - you guessed it - red jeep! The tour will be lead by a highly knowledgeable guide who can tell you all about the area’s fascinating history, geography, flora, and fauna. You’ll even get to enjoy the view of the stars from the desert at night! The ride is family-friendly as well - kids will be very much safe and welcome to join. However, it is recommended that you bring enough water, sunscreen, and snacks to keep everyone hydrated and full throughout the tour.
Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
Address: 74-794 Lennon Place, Suite B Palm Desert, CA 92260
9. Play polo at Empire Polo Club
Fancy a game of polo? On your next trip to Indio, why not visit the Empire Polo Club and enjoy a fun game or two! Spanning 78 acres (or about 315,655 sq m), the Empire Polo Club is one of the largest polo grounds on the West Coast. When not host to to Coachella, Stagecoach, Desert Music, and other similar music festivals, the Empire Polo Club is host to numerous local, national, and international tournaments. The grounds of the Empire Polo Club are known to be incredibly beautiful and well-maintained, with sculptures and even a large lily pond. When you aren’t out on the field you can enjoy some champagne and sandwiches at the tiki bar. Truly, the Empire Polo Club is an oasis in the heart of Indio!
Empire Polo Club
Address: 81800 Avenue 51, Indio, CA 92201, USA
Website: Empire Polo Club
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
10. Check out the public murals
Indio is a city with a lot of charm and character and it owes this in part to wonderful public art. One of the most distinct forms of public art that you can find in Indio is its grand murals. Scattered all across the Coachella Valley, these murals have come to be an indispensable part of Indio. Many of these are painted by talented local artists, whose paintings largely depict the history of the city and its residents. The murals have also helped attract more tourists to the city as they have become must-sees during the annual Riverside County Date Festival!
11. Take your dogs to Mulligan Dog Park
When visiting Indio, why not take the opportunity to spend some quality time with your four-legged friends? You and your dogs are sure to have lots of fun at the Mulligan Dog Park! The dog park features a large, grassy area and plenty of trees, giving your dog lots of space to explore, frolic, and play to their heart’s content! Large and small dogs alike are welcome at the park, with designated areas for dogs of different sizes. Conveniences like baggies for easy clean up and water fountains on either side of the park are also available, assuring dog owners of a hassle-free time at the park!
Mulligan Dog Park
Address: 45355 Van Buren St, Indio, CA 92201, USA
12. Go to Stagecoach Festival
Held every year at the Empire Polo Club, the Stagecoach Festival is a “sister” festival to the popular Coachella Music Festival - which is also typically held the weekend after Stagecoach! Stagecoach Festival features hundreds of musical acts - both those that are popular in the mainstream and those that are up-and-coming - on numerous breathtaking stages. You’ll also enjoy meeting lots of new people at the RV Resort, a staple of the Stagecoach Festival! You can set up camp in an RV and enjoy games, drinks, and good music with the thousands of other festival-goers.
Stagecoach Festival
Address: 81800 Avenue 51, Indio, CA 92201, USA
Website: Stagecoach Festival
13. Try your luck at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
If you love a good game of chance, why not try your luck at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino! It’s one of the exciting things to do in Indio, CA. The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino boasts clean and well-equipped rooms, as well as plenty of options for leisure. The hotel features plenty of fun slot machines and games, as well as a decent rewards club! Aside from their games, there are plenty of other things you can enjoy here, as well. You can enjoy bowling with the family at the lanes, take a refreshing dip in the pool, or unwind by the hot tub. You can also explore the hotel’s numerous restaurants and try all their mouthwatering dishes. You might even catch some live musical acts at their concert venue during your stay.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Address: 84245 Indio Springs Drive, Indio, CA 92203, USA
Website: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
14. Enjoy live music with drinks at Big Rock Pub
Looking for a fun way to spend your next weekend at Indio? Well, you can enjoy some great booze and great music at the Big Rock Pub! Catch local up-and-coming rock bands as they perform their latest songs onstage. In addition to their top-notch live entertainment, the pub is also known for its eye-catching rock motif - decked in stylish decor and rock memorabilia, you’ll feel just like you’re at the Hard Rock in Vegas! Of course, the pub also offers an excellent selection of meals, with burgers, pizza, fries, nachos and other mouthwatering eats. You can wash these down with one of their delicious cocktails or an ice cold beer.
Big Rock Pub
Address: 79940 Westward Ho Dr, Indio, CA 92201, USA
Website: Big Rock Pub
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri: 11am - 1:30am; Sat: 10am - 1:30am; Sun: 10am - 11pm
15. Relish hearty meals at TKB Bakery & Deli
Enjoy healthy, hearty meals at the TKB Bakery & Deli! The deli is best known for serving up sandwiches that are filling and incredibly delicious. Take a bite into their must-try sandwiches: all-time favorites like Ham and Turkey, as well as newer offerings like the Cobb Sandwich - a twist on the turkey sandwich with bacon, avocado, provolone, and egg salad! If you’re craving for something sweet rather than savory, you can also try the deli’s great selection of cookies, cakes, and other desserts. Either way, you can be sure to enjoy your meal with ease, as the TKB Bakery & Deli is also noted for their excellent customer service. Simply indulge yourself with great food and good company at the TKB Bakery & Deli!
TKB Bakery & Deli
Address: 44911 Golf Center Pkwy, Indio, CA 92201, USA
Website: TKB Bakery & Deli
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 6pm (closed on Sun)
16. Party at Tack Room Tavern
Located at the Empire Polo Club, the Tack Room Tavern is another great food spot to enjoy at Indio! The Tavern is known for its fun atmosphere, with eclectic Western-themed decor, karaoke, and talented live musical acts. The tavern also serves consistently great food! Some of the pub grub that you can’t miss here include their huge, juicy burgers paired with some shrimp cocktails or their addictive onion rings! You can also wash these down with some drinks. Try their Bloody Mary, mimosas, or even just a pint of their ice-cold beer!
Tack Room Tavern
Address: 81800 51st Ave, Indio, CA 92201, USA
Website: Tack Room Tavern
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 3pm - 10pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
17. Play golf at Shadow Hills Golf Club
Who says that a Par 3 course can’t be challenging? Enjoy a fun and challenging game at the Shadow Hills Golf Club! The Shadow Hills features two different courses - the North Course and the South Course. The North Course features more hazards, like water and sand traps, while the South Course is more traditional. Both, however, are kept in tip-top shape! The course’s staff are also known to be very professional and friendly - it’s little wonder why the course attracts many regulars. They also serve complimentary water and ice, to help you keep cool during your game. And to cap off the day, you can even enjoy some delicious meals at the restaurant within the grounds.
Shadow Hills Golf Club
Address: 80875 Ave 40, Indio, CA 92203, United States
Website: Shadow Hills Golf Club
Opening hours: 6am - 5pm (daily)
Enjoy arts, music, and the outdoors
With a nickname like “City of Festivals”, you just know you’re going to have an unforgettable stay in Indio. Whether it’s art, good music, mouthwatering food, or keeping active outdoors that you enjoy, you’re sure to find it in this exciting city!