The resort is lovely, but it isn't the only place to get into the mood. Palm Springs is a beautiful town with plenty of ways for you to enjoy yourself, so whether you're a budding art connoisseur or like to spend free time exploring the great outdoors, there's something for everyone.

Friday is all yours, so here are the top 7 ways to spend it transforming into your #PalmSelf. 

1. Hit the Links

According to at least one Palm Springs golfer, Palm Springs is the Golf Capital of the World. There are over a hundred of courses for you to ignore, because you get a wedding discount at these five. 

2. Chill and/or Straight Chill

La Quinta Resort Pools
The Arzner Pool is the wedding’s primary swimming hole, but the resort’s 41-pool total was a major selling point for #PalmJess. “When you’ve dipped a toe in them all, make like Brian McKnight and start back at one.” 

La Quinta Resort Spa
The wide range of body treatments, salon services, and wellness programs make it one of Spa Finder’s Top 50 in the world. Make use of them to shake that Friday morning hangover. You need to be in fighting shape for the big night. 

3. Take a Hike

Palm Springs Tram
Take the world’s largest rotating tramcars to a whole new world of incredible views from 8,000 feet. Bundle up though – it’s forty degrees colder at the top. A snugglebuddy never hurts. 

Tahquitz Canyon
Do go chasing this 60 foot waterfall, where you’ll find rock art, ancient irrigation systems and artifacts along with cultural and educational exhibits.  Explore on your own, or hit up the visitor center and meet a ranger who would be really, really happy to lead your hike. 

Other outdoorsy-ness: Joshua Tree, The Living Desert, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, Murray Canyon, Palm Canyon, or just Google the word “canyon” and call it a day.

4. Pretend to be Cultured

With an emphasis on contemporary California art, classic western American art, Native American art, Pre-Columbian art, Mexican art, contemporary glass art, American mid-twentieth century architecture, and American photography, the Palm Springs Art Museum offers plenty of opportunities to sound smarter than everyone else at the reception.

5. Get on Up

Greet the sun or bid it farewell as you drift into the beautiful desert skies in a Hot Air Balloon. Enjoy some champagne while overlooking the breathtaking vistas of California’s landscape, but if you want to make it back, avoid sharing any with the pilot. 

6. Fly Through History

“It’s a bird!”

“It’s a plane!”

“Actually, it’s a jet!”

“I think a jet is technically a type of plane!”

“Don’t you think I know that, Jerry?!” 

Peer into the cockpits of one of the world's largest collections of WWII aircraft at the Palm Springs Air Museum, and hear the pounding roar of the mightiest piston engines ever built – loud enough to drown out the arguments of even the most steadfast aviation geeks. 

7. Lose All Your Money

Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley boast some of the newest and most beautiful casinos in all of Southern California, and they don’t stay new and beautiful without your generous contributions. If Friday the 13th sounds like good luck to you, get your game on at these six near the resort.