10 Reasons to Make Indio Your Next Weekend Getaway

Written By: Tyler La Salle
Photographed By: Greater Palm Springs CVB Things to Do in Indio

With 300 days of sunshine each year, beautiful mountain scenery and a thriving arts, entertainment and culinary scene, Greater Palm Springs is the perfect escape for those planning a weekend getaway. Visitors will discover plenty of fun things to do in the city of Indio, whether it’s attending a polo game or exploring the destination’s diverse culinary scene. With our guide on what to do and where to eat, you’ll be feeling like a local in no time! 

 

Where to Eat: Things to Do in Indio

1 | June Hill’s Table 

You don’t have to be a member at Trilogy at The Polo Club to enjoy the outstanding flavors crafted by chef Jesus Sandoval at June Hill’s Table, an award-winning restaurant recognized as OpenTable’s 2019 Diners’ Choice for “Healthy Cuisine” and “Scenic View” in Greater Palm Springs. Thanks to the excellent hospitality and fashionable décor, you can expect to feel like a member of The Polo Club even if it’s your first visit, and with an excellent bar and seasonal menu, the restaurant is elegant, fresh, and consistently novel—perfect for a tasteful and sophisticated night out!

Native Knowledge: Before or after your dining experience, ask about a tour of Trilogy’s amazing Model Home Series. 

June Hill’s Table
51750 Polo Club Dr
Indio, CA 92201
760.797.7229

 

2 | Jackalope Ranch Things to Do in Indio

Dining at Jackalope Ranch is a visual and conceptual experience that will engage your eyes with waterfalls and wooden motorcycle art, your nose with a wood-burning Southern Pride barbecue pit smack dab in the middle of a 21,000-square-foot property, and your taste buds with a famous prime rib dish (only on Thursdays!). Jackalope is the place to go for what employee Rosa calls “a vintage, antique, old-school restaurant vibe.” 

Jackalope Ranch
80400 CA-111
Indio, CA 92201
760.342.1999

 

3 | Cafe at Shields Date Garden

The Cafe at Shields Date Garden opened on Christmas Day 1924 in Indio and has been going strong ever since. Here you can learn about date culture with a 20-minute educational video; enjoy flavorful Mexican-style food; and slurp down a creamy date shake made with their very own date crystals. (Seriously, get a date shake.) 

Native Knowledge: The date has been around for over 6,000 years and originated in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The first people to introduce dates to the Americas were the Spanish conquistadors. In 1877, the Indio Train Station was built; not long after, pioneers in the area quickly learned that almost every crop could grow well there as long as they had water. In the early 20th century, the commercial date industry began. Between 1890 and 1915, dates were successfully imported from the Middle East and Algeria to Indio. In 1921, The Date Festival in Indio opened to celebrate date culture and its Middle Eastern origin.

Cafe at Shields Date Garden
80225 CA-111
Indio, CA 92201
760.775.0902

4 | Heirloom Craft Kitchen Things to Do in Indio

The metropolitan small plate and brunch scene is alive and well at Heirloom Craft Kitchen. Mindful of alternative dietary lifestyles, the Indio eatery offers a vegan-friendly menu, along with an “Impossible Menu” featuring items made with vegan and gluten-free plant-based protein. Pair that with a handpicked craft beer and wine program, and you have a hometown favorite. 

Native Knowledge: Heirloom Craft Kitchen is a stone’s throw away from the Empire Polo Club, home of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival.

Heirloom Craft Kitchen
49990 Jefferson Blvd, Ste 100
Indio, CA 92201
760.773.2233

5 | Tacos Gonzalez

Going to Tacos Gonzalez is like visiting your favorite hometown restaurant that makes you feel cozy and taken care of. If you want great service and to feel like a local, this is the spot; it’s affordable, fast and authentic and serves quality Mexican comfort food. 

Native Knowledge: After grabbing a bite to eat at Tacos Gonzalez, head next door to the carnicería for some fresh carne asada to take home and barbecue yourself, or grab a date shake at the Cafe at Shields Date Garden right across the street! 

Tacos Gonzalez
80120 CA-111, Ste 1
Indio, CA 92201
760.347.6858

 

What to Do: Things to Do in Indio

6 | Empire Polo Club

Not only is this world-class facility home to two world-renowned music festivals—Coachella and Stagecoach—it also features a 3-acre classical rose garden where you can experience a private exhibition polo match, a sport once enjoyed only by royalty!

Native Knowledge: In 1993, Pearl Jam played a set at the Empire Polo Club; it was so successful that it inspired the vision for the first Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in 1999. 

Empire Polo Club
81800 Avenue 51
Indio, CA 92201
760.342.2762

 

7 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Need a vacation where you don’t even need to leave the resort to have fun? Play the newest and hottest slots at the casino, work on your golf game or enjoy world-class entertainment at the events center, which has hosted the likes of Santana, Shakira, Chris Rock, Steve Martin and Martin Short. You can also choose from eight casual and fine dining options—and don’t forget to have some family fun at the on-site bowling center, Fantasy Lanes.

Native Knowledge: Ask about Fantasy Springs’ Golden Boy live boxing events!

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
84245 Indio Springs Pkwy
Indio, CA 92203
760.342.5000

 

8 | Fantasy Balloon Flights Things to Do in Indio

Going up in a hot air balloon will make you feel like you’re flying, will aid you in conquering your longtime fear of heights and will undeniably give you the best view of Greater Palm Springs. Cindy, an associate with Fantasy Balloon Flights, encourages anyone who might be afraid of hot air balloons to feel safe and sound: “It is like being on a cloud; there is no movement at all!” 

Fantasy Balloon Flights 
Meeting Location:
74901 CA-111
Indian Wells, CA 92210
760-568-0997

 

9 | Eldorado Polo Club

From January through March, Eldorado Polo Club features some of the best polo in the United States. When you’re inside the club, you feel as if you’ve been transported to the mythical paradise of El Dorado. If you love to witness high-level competition while kicking back and enjoying some of the best views the destination has to offer, Eldorado is your destination!

Native Knowledge: Ever tried tailgating a polo match? For only $10 per car, you can park and play the day away starting at 10 a.m. It’s the parking lot party you never knew you needed. 

Eldorado Polo Club
50950 Madison St 
Indio, CA 92201
760.342.2223

 

10 | Desert Theatreworks Things to Do in Indio

Dip into Indio’s theater and arts scene and become a part of the local community!  Desert Theatreworks is a nonprofit that focuses on community engagement through artistic expression and education. Whether they’re producing a Broadway classic or a lesser-known arthouse production, this is the perfect place for a thought-provoking cultural experience.

Desert Theatreworks
45175 Fargo St
Indio, CA 92201
760.980.1455