Our desert destination is perhaps best known for being the headquarters and north entrance to the iconic Joshua Tree National Park and the gateway to a number of Mojave Desert sites, including the Mojave National Preserve, Mojave Trails National Monument, and Amboy Crater.
For new visitors who have already made hotel reservations, or planned a trip here, or have arrived and don’t know what to do now that Joshua Tree National Park has temporarily closed due to the government shutdown, don’t despair. We have a variety of attractions to enjoy during your stay in 29 Palms, including…
1. Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center
2. Oasis of Murals and Public Art
3. 29 Palms Art Gallery and Old Schoolhouse Museum
4. Theatre 29 Stage Productions
5. Smith’s Ranch Drive-In Movies
And many more!
There’s hiking and exploring in Mojave Trails National Monument, Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark, Mojave National Preserve and Kelso Dunes … all located nearby and an easy drive from 29 Palms. We also have an eclectic mix of dining options in 29 Palms, as well as historic inns, the 9,000-year-old Oasis of Mara, Tortoise Rock Casino for those who like to gamble, a variety of art venues and small shops to browse, and lots of seasonal events.
1. Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center in 29 Palms invites stargazers to explore the cosmos and enjoy free star-viewing events on Saturday nights. Take a tour of the night sky with volunteer astronomers and see stars, planets, constellations, and the ethereal Milky Way. On full moon Saturdays, when it’s too bright for stargazing, enjoy free cultural astronomy programs at the site.
2. The Oasis of Murals and Public Art features more than two dozen world-class murals in 29 Palms and more than 40 public art installations throughout the city. An Oasis of Murals brochure is available for download on our Visit29.org website, along with a PDF map of the murals and public art locations.
3. The historic 29 Palms Art Gallery, housed in an old adobe near the Oasis of Mara, is a must-see for appreciators of art and desert artists. And the Old Schoolhouse Museum one block away is a treasure trove of cultural history, desert books and gifts, and desert gold-mining and homesteading displays presented by the 29 Palms Historical Society.
4. Theatre 29, our very own community theater, presents stage productions on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday matinees. Some of the best talent in the desert takes to the stage here, in year-round family-friendly productions, including Broadway musicals and Improv shows.
5. Smith’s Ranch Drive-In is one of America’s last remaining drive-in theaters. They show first-run movies on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, and for 5 bucks you can enjoy a double feature under the desert night sky. They have a great snack bar, too!
Want more ideas? See “Attractions” and the “Explore” sections on our website, Visit29.org, for hours and locations of our many 29 Palms attractions and visitor-friendly sites to see. We invite you to make 29 Palms your destination and stay with us. Enjoy the wide open spaces, quiet desert vistas, history, art and culture in our little piece of heaven in the Mojave Desert.
P.S. Stop by our Visitor Center at 73484 29 Palms Hwy., Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 (downtown at the corner of Desert Queen Avenue) for more information about our desert destination. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (760)367-3445.
By Vickie Waite 01/08/2019
