Although most travelers are familiar with the name Palm Springs, the oldest city in the Greater Palm Springs region is Indio, California, Coachella Valley’s “City of Festivals,” which has been experiencing an exciting downtown revitalization.

Indio was incorporated in 1876 as a railroad town by Southern Pacific Railroad and evolved in recent years into a vibrant hot spot, attracting more than a million visitors each year during the past few years. This surge in popularity has caused a renaissance of downtown Indio, with new shops, restaurants, breweries, public art and entertainment venues.

© Visit Greater Palm Springs

Urban Donkey Collective of shops is a community-centered retail space focused on vintage apparel. Some sellers include Cool Cat Threads, Return of the Goods and a local juice bar called Forbidden Fruit. Rocks and Records offers a carefully curated selection of rare and classic vinyl records, as well as vintage music accessories like speakers and turntables.

New dining venues in downtown Indio include Victoria’s Café, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with popular diner favorites, and Frosties, the cafe’s signature frozen libations. Gabino’s Creperie East serves savory crepes in flavors that include carne asada, chicken pesto and chopped cheese. Distinctively Italian, the new speakeasy Italica presents a menu, cocktails and décor all choreographed to deliver an immersive experience.

© Visit Greater Palm Springs

It often is quite hot in Indio, but beer enthusiasts will appreciate the new Desert Beer Company’s Pizza and Pints, offering a selection of food options in addition to drinks at its new location, which opened this year.

The City of Indio’s new outdoor entertainment venue Center Stage opened in April next to the new Indio Taphouse, and featured as the location for American Idol Season 22 winner Abi Carter’s hometown performance in the season finale of the show. The new Indio Taphouse features 120 brews and mouthwatering twists on pub classics.

© Visit Greater Palm Springs

Little Street Music Hall is an all-ages music venue featuring local acts. Another colorful addition to the downtown culture is Happy Alley, with a canopy of colored umbrellas and vibrant murals on the alley’s north and south side that crosses Miles between Towne and Oasis Street. This transformative project captivates visitors with its multifaceted artistic features. Across Miles Avenue, Happy Alley continues to the south side featuring Indio’s latest mural, entitled Practical Galactical, which will catch spectators’ attention day and night. This mural, a permanent public art project, is one of the city’s only murals that incorporates black light elements, creating a unique effect after dark.

Also in downtown Indio, Food Truck Fridays take place weekly from 5 to 10 p.m. at the corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue. Here, you can find a diverse range of local vendors offering a variety of entertainment and family-friendly activities.