Spanning 1,200 acres, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is home to a fascinating array of wild animal species from the deserts of North America and Africa. More than just a zoo, its mission is to preserve desert ecosystems and educate visitors about the importance of these unique environments and the species that thrive in them. Explore the expansive desert habitats, where you’ll encounter everything from majestic giraffes to desert tortoises, and discover the incredible adaptations that help these animals survive in some of the harshest climates on Earth.

In the outskirts of Nottingham, in Ruddington to be exact, you can find this living museum. You might not know that the people of Nottinghamshire have been knitting for over 400 years. Visit the Framework Knitters' Museum to see how they lived and maybe create your own souvenir to bring home?

Indian Canyons is a true desert gem—an oasis tucked right in the rocky hills just outside Palm Springs. This land, home to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, is rich with history and natural beauty, offering trails lined with California fan palms, trickling streams, and seasonal waterfalls that reach their peak flow in the cooler months. A can’t-miss here is the easy-going 1-mile hike along Palm Canyon, a scenic trail that winds through one of North America's largest palm oases. Walk at your own pace under the towering palms, where sunlight streams through the leaves and creates a natural canopy—miles away from the desert heat and noise. At the trail’s end, you’ll find a small trading post where you can rest, grab a cold drink or hot coffee, and take in the views from under the palms.