Outdoor/Outback Recreation Indio is one of the largest entries to Joshua Tree National Park, where the Colorado and Mojave Deserts come together to form beautiful, unforgettable scenery. Explore nature's desert beauty on guided jeep tours or follow a more personal route cycling and walking along ancient trails. Or simply soar above it all on a hot air balloon adventure.
Festivals and Events Long known as the City of Festivals, Indio is host to world class events that attract local residents and visitors from all over the world:
Southwest Arts Festival, Empire Polo Club -- A premier North American art show in an outdoor marketplace that has captivated the attention of renowned artists, and serious collectors.
Red, White & Blue Polo & Balloon Festival, Eldorado Polo Club/Fantasy Springs Resort Casino -- Activies include a balloon race, polo games, balloon glows, seminars, an equestrian trade fair and over 100 equestrian exhibitors.
Palm Springs Kennel Club Dog Show, Empire Polo Club -- The second largest conformation show in the Country.
Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, Riverside County Fairgrounds -- For more than 50 years, Indio has been home to the National Date Festival & County Fair.Week long events include live entertainment (including camel & ostrich races) and nightly Arabian Nights musical pageant.There is also a carnival, food, fun and lots of shopping.
Hoop World Basketball Festival, Downtown Indio -- Old Town Indio is transformed into one large gymnasium.Over 300 players participate in this unique tournament, which includes half court and full court categories.
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Empire Polo Club -- Named "The best American Rock Festival" by Rolling Stone magazine, this two-day event draws more than 110,000 fans from England, France, Italy and other countries.Entertainment includes music, art and short films.
Coachella Valley Stagecoach Country Festival, Empire Polo Club -- This two-day festival has established itself as the premiere country concert event.Attendees experience an unmatched celebration of country music and culture.Nashville superstars and legends perform alt-country, bluegrass or folk.
Fourth of July Festival, Riverside County Fairgrounds -- An old fashioned patriotic Fourth of July celebration, with food, fun and fireworks.
Festival of Wheels, Downtown Indio -- A car show and cruise through Downtown Indio.This festival consists of a pancake breakfast, a car show and shine, cruises with both open and closed headers, a poker run, drawings, raffles and other entertainment.
Indio Pow Wow, Fantasy Springs Casino -- Hosted by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, the Pow Wows feature Native American drums, dancing, singing, arts and crafts and traditional Native American foods.
Indio International Tamale Festival, Downtown Indio -- Food Network/TV has named this as one of the nations Top 10 "All-American Food Festivals" with more than 125,000 tamale lovers sampling every type of tamale imaginable.The festival includes a carnival, holiday parade, Mexican Folklore dancing and a variety of live entertainment.
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Whether you're looking for a luxurious hotel room, exciting Vegas-style gambling, state-of-the-art conference facilities, golf or poolside lounging or extraordinary dining, it's all available at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Enjoy card games including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, California Craps, 3-Card Poker, 4-Card Poker, Jackpot Pai Gow, Spanish 21, or slot machines, off-track betting, bingo, bowling, cocktails, dining and live entertainment in one of the most elegant casinos in the Palm Springs area.
Golf Clubs & Resorts Lush golf courses, lined with swaying palms, attract golfers of all skill levels. Indio boasts five professionally designed courses, including the beautiful new Indian Springs Golf Club and the world-renowned Landmark Golf Club (now called the Golf Club at Terra Lago), which hosted The Skins Game for several years.
Coachella Valley Museum and Cultural Center Opened in 1984, the former home of Dr. Harry Smiley has proven to be a tourist attraction bringing tourists here from every state in the United States, plus tour groups from throughout the Southland.The museum features Native American basketry and artifacts, an extensive collection of Coachella Valley´s pioneer families household memorabilia, a Southern Pacific exhibit about the railroad years in Indio and water and agricultural exhibits.
Polo and Other Equestrian Events Home to two of America´s finest polo facilities, Indio is known as the Polo Capital of the West. The Empire Polo Club, located at Avenue 50 and Monroe Street, secured a spot in polo history when it hosted the first 40-goal tournament played in the United States. Eldorado Polo Club, located at Avenue 50 and Madison Street, dates back more than 50 years and has hosted virtually every major U.S. tournament.From November through April, world-class polo draws top riders and horses from all over the globe for a winter season of championship events amid a spectacular backdrop of desert and mountain beauty.
Historic murals The Indio Chamber of Commerce Historic Mural project began as a means to bring economic development to the "Old Town" area of Indio by creating a tourist destination. It also served as a new market niche for Indio to attract new businesses into the Old Town/Historic Route 99 corridor.
