This aluminum statue, modeled after a rocking-out Saguaro cactus, was created in 2022 for the Power Trip heavy metal festival by sculptor/ frequent Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival contributor Don Kennell and his wife, Lisa Adler. The following year, the piece was relocated to a grassy patch in downtown Indio and now acts as a cheeky attraction, beckoning visitors to pose for photo ops beneath its prickly foliaged fingers.
Just down the street from the “Heavy Metal” cactus, you’ll find “Happy Alley,” another whimsical art installation featuring colorful umbrellas strung across a tiny downtown Indio alleyway. Crafted by the city’s Human Resources and Public Works departments, the display is a vibrant and joy-inducing addition to the local art scene – not to mention a fabulous backdrop for pictures.
Yet another impressive Walter S. White design, the Wilcockson House, designed for Reverend Max E. Wilcockson in 1959, is best known for its breathtaking hyperbolic-paraboloid roofline, which (believe it or not!) was the first portion of the property to be constructed, with the rest of the residence subsequently erected beneath it! Situated on a small bluff in Indio, the seemingly gravity-defying structure towers above the surrounding streets, an instantly recognizable landmark amongst a sea of homogenous gated communities. Deep-pocked fans have the opportunity for much closer views as the residence, which was recently given a top-to-bottom restoration, is now available as a vacation rental. Offering six bedrooms and six baths on two pristine acres, rates average about $2,500 per night.
Tchotchkes and spices and candies, oh my! This gift shop, located at Shields Date Garden, is bursting at the seams with all manner of date ephemera (including the company’s beloved date crystals), but there is plenty more to be had, such as t-shirts, books, mugs, magnets, signs and a plethora of retro novelty items. Reminiscent of the roadside stands of yesteryear, you’ll also find nostalgic games (Highway Bingo, anyone?) and plenty of other trinkets to keep kids busy on long car rides. It’s a must-stop when in town.
This longtime Valley nursery (it originally opened in 1979!) was recently acquired by new owners and given a full-blown glow-up. The 4-acre garden center features flowers, plants, and cacti of every size, shape, and color, a plethora of pretty pots, a conservatory with gorgeous displays, a coffee kiosk with a sunny patio, an arrangement bar, and a high-end gift shop. When it comes to all things flora and fauna, Madison Gardens has you covered!
A desert icon, Shields Date Garden was originally established in 1924 and remains a landmark today. The onsite store opened its doors in 1953, offering myriad date delicacies, as well as toys, spices, décor and games. The place is best known for its shakes, though, recognized by California’s 56th Assembly District as The Official Date Shake of Riverside County. Thick, creamy and delicious, it’s the addition of the company’s signature date crystals, which pack an unexpected crunch, that really does it for me! While there, be sure not to miss “The Romance and Sex Life of the Date,” a fun film detailing the fruit’s cultivation process that is played regularly in the onsite theater.
