The Palm Springs Art Museum Punches Above Its Weight

101 North Museum Drive. E. Stewart Williams designed it — same architect behind much of the city's iconic mid-century residential work. The collection is stronger than any resort town has a right to expect: Henry Moore, Helen Frankenthaler, Ed Ruscha, and a deep bench of California artists who painted the desert and coast with the kind of attention that changes how you see the landscape outside.

The Chihuly glass installations use the desert light streaming through the windows. The architecture galleries document Palm Springs' mid-century heritage with blueprints and models that give you the language to appreciate what you'll see driving around town afterward — floating rooflines, walls of glass, houses that treat the desert as another room.

The Annenberg Theater inside hosts films and performances in a 433-seat space with acoustics that feel like a gift. A documentary screening followed by a gallery walk is how Palm Springs does a cultured evening, and it's more interesting than another poolside drink. Though the poolside drink is also fine.