Insider tips for Modernism Week guests from the staff

Preview for February 2026 Modernism Week opens today and ticket sales start November 1st!

We polled the folks who put together the Modernism Week Festivals and asked them for their top tips for making your visit the best ever!

1. If you have only a few hours and therefore time for only one thing, jump on a double-decker bus tour.  Perfect overview of Palm Springs’ mid-century modern architecture, both residential and commercial, while providing an orientationto the city’s geography and how it is laid out.  

2. If you have a halfday, let’s say a morning or afternoon – Number 1 above, PLUS a neighborhood tour. Pick one of the iconic, historic neighborhoods — Vista Las Palmas, Racquet Club Estates, Old Las Palmas, Twin Palms,Little Beverly Hills, Historic Tennis Club, Sunrise Park, Tahquitz River Estates, and Little Tuscany. These neighborhoods are filled with mid-century architecture and define the original residential pillars ofPalm Springs.

3. If you have a full day – Numbers 1 and 2 above PLUS a home tour.  For the home tour, pick one of the celebrity or other high-profile homes – Sinatra’s Twin Palms, House of Tomorrow, or Frey House II.

4. If you have more than 1 day, all of the above, and add Annenberg/Camp presentations/workshops.  The Annenberg/Camp docket covers everything mid-century modern, including mid-century adjacent. While planning, review the schedule of events with an OPEN MIND because you will find offerings on subjects you know you’re interested in, and you will “discover” others that will be intriguing to you - pick a few of those too. Learn new stuff!

5. If you have several days, create your must-do list – make sure you get tickets for those, and then enjoy everything else. More home tours, neighborhood walking tours, mixology classes, presentations, the list goes on… 

The information presented in this podcast is for general knowledge and entertainment purposes only. All research that was done and opinions expressed are our own and not necessarily those of Modernism Week.

Episode Transcript

(00:06):
Hey there, and welcome to season2 of A Bert's Eye View.
My name is Bert and I'm the Buster operations manager for
Modernism Week in Palm Springs, CA.
I coordinate all our Double Decker bus tours during the
Modernism Week festivals in February and October, and I'm
happy to have their support for these podcasts.
I started this project to respond to questions from our

(00:28):
guests that we don't have time to answer during our tours.
I thought we would do a dozen orso stories, but the response has
been so positive that after doing 26 podcasts in season 1,
we're on to the second season. So if there's a topic you want
addressed, leave me a comment. Please tune in, click the follow
button and enjoy a bird's eye view.

(00:59):
Recently I was asked by one of the podcast followers who had
never been to a Modernism Week festival before, for advice for
a first time attendee. Of course, I suggested that they
start with an architectural bus tour to get a general layout of
the city and architecture. Sound selfish?
I asked my fellow Modernism Weekcolleagues what advice they have
for Modernism Week newcomers. It doesn't matter if you're a

(01:22):
first time Modernism Week goer or a veteran of many festivals,
Here's some pointers from the folks in the know.
The sun can be brutal here in the desert.
Combined with low humidity whichmakes the heat more bearable,
it's easy to get dehydrated. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and bring
your own water. And don't forget the lip balm.

(01:44):
The Modernism Show at the Convention Center has an amazing
selection of vintage and contemporary resellers offering
the best of mid century and modern designs all in one place.
The show takes place in October and February and is the catalyst
that sparked the beginning of Modernism Week more than 20
years ago. At February Modernism Week, go
to Camp, our community and meeting place to learn about

(02:08):
events and meet fellow mid century enthusiasts.
In 2026, Camp will be located inside the Hyatt Hotel on Palm
Canyon Drive. It's free and open to the public
every day of Modernism Week. It's also where you catch the
double Decker bus tours. In October, look for our vintage
trailer Astro in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum.

(02:29):
Our staff there can answer your questions.
Modernism Week draws architecture lovers from around
the world, and conversations with fellow attendees often lead
to great tips and connections. Read the things to know and
important information on your tickets.
Knowing this information will help you enjoy your event and

(02:50):
you should mix small and large experience like a grand preview
party and an intimate mixology class.
To give balance and variety and have a chance to make new
modernist friends, you should prioritize your must Do's.
The events are open for preview 5 days before tickets go on sale

(03:11):
at modernismweek.com. Create a folder in your browser
and bookmark your must do experiences when tickets go on
sale. That'll be August 1st for
Modernism Week, October and November 1st for February's
event. Go back to your bookmarks and
get tickets for the events. You should check out lesser
known tours. Everybody wants to see the

(03:33):
famous houses, but neighborhood tours like Racquet Club Estates
or Twin Palms offer more contextand personal stories.
Don't forget to plan ahead and allow for travel time.
Homes and venues can be spread across Palm Springs and nearby
towns, so budget time for driving and parking.
February can get busy and it will take you longer to drive,

(03:56):
find parking and get to your event.
Also, don't forget to check out events outside of Palm Springs
city limits. There are Modernism Week
activities across the Coachella Valley from Indian Wells and
Palm Desert to La Quinta Desert Hot Springs and Rancho Mirage.
Several of my colleagues suggested that you attend the

(04:17):
World Class Presentation and Lecture series that are held at
the beautiful Annenberg Theatre in the Palm Springs Art Museum
or at the Camp Theatre. Each year we present a series of
panel discussions, presentationsand films by starchitect level
presenters, designers, authors, historians, preservation leaders

(04:38):
and others in the field of architecture, design and
preservation. You'll give your feet a rest and
feed your brain in the process. You should bring a portable
phone charger or battery bank. Between taking photos, using
maps, looking up event info, pulling up tickets, the last
thing you want is to be left with a dead phone.

(05:00):
And if you forget to bring something to wear, don't worry.
Palm Springs has plenty of greatoptions for scoring the perfect
vintage piece to wear to any Modernism Week event.
Wear your favorite vintage finery or favorite fedora to an
evening soiree, indulge with a poolside martini at Sinatra's
Twin Palms Estate, or enjoy a fabulous dinner party at Palm

(05:23):
Springs Underground in February.Dance the night away with your
date at the opening night party at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
It's always over the top and thedance bands are top notch
performers, especially in February when over 100,000
people attend Modernism week. Secure accommodations well in

(05:44):
advance, hotels get busy and rates go up.
Check out a short term rental inthe area as an alternative.
Many of them are mid century modern homes.
You should follow Modernism Weekon
[e-mail] we're always announcing
event updates, newly added events, or last minute news that

(06:06):
will help make the most of your Modernism Week experience.
One of my colleagues has suggestions for what to do if
you have a couple of hours, a couple of days, or multiple
days. These are in the description of
this podcast. Read through them and plan your
visit. Summing it up, a bit of advance
planning, a bit of common sense and making sure you get tickets

(06:28):
for your must do must see list early will ensure that you have
the best experience at ModernismWeek that you can possibly have.
Above all, enjoy our city. We have the greatest
concentration of mid century modern architecture anywhere in
the world. Take the time to enjoy it.

(06:50):
Support for a bird's eye view comes from Modernism Week,
celebrating global modernism andPalm Springs design each October
and February. [e-mail].