12 Unique Things to Do in Joshua Tree Besides Hiking

One of the most out-there things to do in Joshua Tree is visiting The Integratron, a white wooden dome built by ufologist George Van Tassel in the 1950s. Tassel believed he was creating a machine that could reverse the effects of aging, but he died before the device’s completion. In 2000, three sisters bought the building and opened it to the public. Because of the dome’s perfect acoustics, it’s now primarily used for sound baths. Rose quartz bowls are played in the upper chamber of the dome while participants lie tucked underneath yoga blankets. Book well in advance, come dressed in comfortable clothing and be prepared to enter another dimension (or fall asleep).

Down a dusty desert road, north of the town of Joshua Tree is Noah Purifoy’s quirky outdoor sculpture park. The late artist’s open-air exhibit consists of imposing structures of found objects, including old bicycles, cafeteria trays, and toilets. Purifoy, who’s best known for his work following the Watts riots in LA, uses discarded objects and trash to explore themes of social change. The desert exhibition is self-guided, but tours are available upon request in advance.

Catch a double bill under the stars at a drive-in movie theater in Twentynine Palms. For only $10 (kids under four are free), bask in the nostalgia of a real drive-in, complete with classic snacks like refill sodas, hot dogs, and heavily buttered popcorn. The lot is angled for optimum viewing, and you can tune your radio in for sound. The drive-in is open Thursday to Sunday, with new movies every Friday if you’re looking for unique things to do in Joshua Tree in the evening.

One of the special things about Joshua Tree is the high desert’s otherworldliness, and nothing quite captures its magic like its starry canopy. The best place to see the stars is, of course, in the National Park, but on a clear night, any place around it free from light pollution will offer fantastic stargazing opportunities. For the best time to see the Milky Way in Joshua Tree, head out around 3 a.m. (late, but worth it) for the most epic views. Check with the park’s visitor center for the best places to see the stars, as well as organized telescope sessions.

The Hicksville Trailer Palace and Artists Retreat is an eclectic trailer park in the middle of the high desert. Guests can stay in one of eight lodgings, which include an alien-themed trailer, a Western one, and an Airstream. The resort boasts a swimming pool, a rooftop hot tub, and a mini-golf course. The location of the retreat is a closely guarded secret, only revealed to guests after making a booking.

The Institute of Mentalphysics, also known as the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, offers basic accommodation for New Age travelers looking to achieve an elevated state of consciousness. The principles of “Mentalphysics” are based on a combination of meditation and breathing techniques that claim to offer practitioners a glimpse into their inner selves. While the center has a cultish-sounding premise, the building was designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright and his son, so architect buffs will have something to gawk at. The grounds of the center include dormitories and a campsite that are also home to meditation and yoga retreats.

In a luminous green disused photo processing booth five minutes from the National Park is the World Famous Crochet Museum. The tiny Joshua Tree crochet museum is the creation of artist and musician Shari Elf, and is stuffed with crocheted cuties she’s collected over the years, including poodles, alligators, and unicorns. It’s open all year round; even if Elf isn’t there, the door is kept unlocked, and visitors are free to drop by and take a peep at the cuddlies on display.

If you’re looking for what to do in Joshua Tree, twice a year, in May and October, the three-day Joshua Tree Music Festival takes place just outside the gates of the National Park. The family-friendly event in the lakeside campgrounds boasts glorious views of the park and an eclectic lineup that focuses on up-and-coming artists rather than big-name headliners. As well as music, the programming includes meditation workshops, yoga, and a packed kids’ schedule.

Pappy and Harriet’s is a barbecue restaurant and music venue and is arguably one of the best places to eat in Joshua Tree. Located in Pioneertown, which was a former western film set, the spot is also known to bring in big stars to the saloon’s tiny stage, including Paul McCartney and Lizzo. Walk-ins are very welcome, but if you’re set on eating dinner there, it’s advisable to make a reservation up to three weeks in advance. If you visit Pappy and Harriet’s in the daytime, take a moment to walk around Pioneertown, built in the 1940s as a set for Spaghetti Westerns. It was designed for film crews to live there, complete with real storefronts and dwellings.

Out of the way and down a dirt track is the bizarre installation by the artist Eames Demetrios. Grandson of renowned furniture designers Charles and Ray Eames, Demetrios is the creator of a parallel universe known as Kcymaerxthaere that is supposed to co-exist in our world. The project features markers in the form of installations dotted around the world that are supposed to form a connection between our world and that of Kcymaerxthaere. Krblin Jihn Kabin is one of the markers, said to be the home of the fictional character Krblin Jihn.

Head to La Copine in Flamingo Heights for a late lunch in a laidback former diner on Highway 247. The eatery pulls in locals and visitors alike who come for delicacies like the fried chicken sandwich with sweet corn remoulade, the seared prime top sirloin with cauliflower puree, and the key lime panna cotta. The hours are minimal, 2– 7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday and they accept reservations four weeks in advance.

The town of Twentynine Palms is on the main thoroughfare between Joshua Tree and Las Vegas. If you’re looking for how to visit Joshua Tree, there’s also an entrance to the National Park at Twentynine Palms, making it a popular stop-over point after a day of hiking (or driving) through the desert. At the 29 Palms Inn, you’ll find family and pet-friendly accommodations in their purple bungalows. For those just making a pit stop, sit outside on the kitsch terrace overlooking the pool and sip on their signature seasonal cocktails. The Restaurant at 29 Palms Inn offers popular picnic lunches, happy hour, and dinner service.