Ruddy's General Store Museum
Ruddy's General Store Museum
Ruddy's General Store Museum
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
A re-creation of a general store during the 1930s and early 1940s, this unique museum displays the original fixtures, hardware, medicines and products of that period.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
313 within 3 miles
Attractions
157 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
148 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
44
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Kirk F
Palm Springs, CA14 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
This place is a treasure trove of original products bought and sold over the years and truly a unique experience. Sally spent 25 years at the Historical Society next door and can keep you interested with stories and history. Always adding new things including her Father's drive-in frome SoCal. Really cool place.
Written February 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drsoozie
Portland, OR70 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
After we visited the Agua Caliente Museum next door we wandered into the Ruddy's Museum. What a great discovery! When you walk in you are greeted by Sally. She is a fount of information not only about the museum but about the history of Palm Springs in general. Spend some time speaking with her, trust me you'll enjoy it.
The entrance fee is 0.95 (it really should be higher). This museum is the showplace of Mr. Ruddy's collection of household items available during the depression era.
He bought up the stock from stores going out of business and stored it until he established this museum, so many of the packages still have the original contents in it!
The museum is grouped into different sections such as groceries, medical supplies etc.
This is definitely worth a look see. Where else could you be so incredibly entertained for only .95 cents?
The entrance fee is 0.95 (it really should be higher). This museum is the showplace of Mr. Ruddy's collection of household items available during the depression era.
He bought up the stock from stores going out of business and stored it until he established this museum, so many of the packages still have the original contents in it!
The museum is grouped into different sections such as groceries, medical supplies etc.
This is definitely worth a look see. Where else could you be so incredibly entertained for only .95 cents?
Written May 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janna R
Houston, TX112 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
So I am in my twenties and therefore can't say it was a trip down memory lane as I wasn't alive when some of these products were around. However I found it fascinating and definitely worth a visit. It is just one room but so filled with things you could spend hours looking at every little thing. I did see some brands I recognize even today and found the old marketing signs so interesting. Great little find! No excuse not to go - it's downtown, costs 95 cents, and it's a quick visit!
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WENDY G
San Diego18 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We had this on our must see list and found it when we finished our lunch. Sally, the woman who works up front is very friendly, and very informative!! We asked questions anout the yearly salary back then, and she even had a small pamphlet which answered all our questions! Cost is only $1.00 for admission and it is well worth it!!! A step back into the 1930-1940's, a definite must see while in town!!
Written November 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly K
Celebration, FL753 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
This museum is open Thursday thru Sunday - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., we popped in just for fun. Thousands of unused products from the 30s and 40s that the caretaker lovingly put together under one roof. Admission is .99 and we donated more than that, you are transported back in time. The lovely lady that told us about the items, ask any question you want, was just as patient as could be with us and especially the little ones.
My Husband's nana had so many of the products that were in this museum back in Vermont when he was a kid. He kept yelling out, OMG, I know that one and that one! He was smiling so big when we left! So glad we came.
My Husband's nana had so many of the products that were in this museum back in Vermont when he was a kid. He kept yelling out, OMG, I know that one and that one! He was smiling so big when we left! So glad we came.
Written July 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
We tried to visit on June 18, 2015; the sign in the window says it is closed until mid-September. Looking in the windows you can see it is an actual small town store from a time long past. Info on this attraction says there is a ninety five cent entry fee.
This is an historic attraction set into a little collection of maybe 3 buildings at the most. Nice patch of grass out front and very welcoming for walking and very unlike all the store fronts that line Palm Canyon Drive.
This is an historic attraction set into a little collection of maybe 3 buildings at the most. Nice patch of grass out front and very welcoming for walking and very unlike all the store fronts that line Palm Canyon Drive.
Written June 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dspang
Palm Springs, CA7 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
I love this attraction. It's silly, fascinating, and educational all at once. Take 10 minutes or an hour, it's no risk as it only cost a buck to get in.
Sally runs the place and she is a total delight. Take some time to chat with her and learn about the city's history. She is a fountain of knowledge and a lovely person.
Sally runs the place and she is a total delight. Take some time to chat with her and learn about the city's history. She is a fountain of knowledge and a lovely person.
Written May 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_Travel123er-
Marquette, MI43 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
I did not realize this was a museum when I walked in. It was great. Authentic general store items that were sold at one point of history. We were given information as we came in about the items. It was a dollar to enter. Totally worth it!
Written January 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davidb1057
Palm Desert, CA389 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Ruddy’s 1930’s General Store Museum, Palm Springs, CA – Mar. 20/17
Ruddy’s General Store is located in the heart of the tourist strip (S. Palm Canyon Dr.) in downtown Palm Springs, CA right next door to the oldest and second-oldest houses in Palm Springs and the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in Palm Springs, CA
This is a small, quaint museum. Authentic to what you might find on the shelves in the local general store many years ago when there were general stores many decades ago. It was very nostalgic for me to see so many of the old packing of items we used to buy back in our childhood and early adulthood days. It was a real step back in time. It was elevant to my era having been born in the mid 50’s!
The museum is tiny and can get quite cramped if it’s busy. As well, it can get a little warm inside. I’m sure they have air conditioning but leaving the front door open as they do, seems like the air conditioning can’t keep up and it can get a little close.
This is a wonderful little step back in time. The only problem I see is that they have steel bannisters around the perimeter of all the display cases so you can’t get too close or lean on the glass display cases. The problem is they leave you too far away and with so many little items on the shelves it makes it difficult to see some items because you can’t get close enough – particularly those items located on the back wall shelves.
You can’t go wrong if you want a little nostalgia for under $1 (Admission: $.95). Check it out. We did and quite enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
Ruddy’s General Store is located in the heart of the tourist strip (S. Palm Canyon Dr.) in downtown Palm Springs, CA right next door to the oldest and second-oldest houses in Palm Springs and the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in Palm Springs, CA
This is a small, quaint museum. Authentic to what you might find on the shelves in the local general store many years ago when there were general stores many decades ago. It was very nostalgic for me to see so many of the old packing of items we used to buy back in our childhood and early adulthood days. It was a real step back in time. It was elevant to my era having been born in the mid 50’s!
The museum is tiny and can get quite cramped if it’s busy. As well, it can get a little warm inside. I’m sure they have air conditioning but leaving the front door open as they do, seems like the air conditioning can’t keep up and it can get a little close.
This is a wonderful little step back in time. The only problem I see is that they have steel bannisters around the perimeter of all the display cases so you can’t get too close or lean on the glass display cases. The problem is they leave you too far away and with so many little items on the shelves it makes it difficult to see some items because you can’t get close enough – particularly those items located on the back wall shelves.
You can’t go wrong if you want a little nostalgia for under $1 (Admission: $.95). Check it out. We did and quite enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
Written March 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ETHKino
Paris, France525 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
A great place to visit for older people who can relate to the old products in the general store. They are closed in the summer due to the heat. Located in one of the oldest houses of Palm Springs.
Written July 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juanita R
Pico Rivera, California
I never been there and I was thinking going up there for my birthday and I want to know if you have any casios
Written February 25, 2015
There's a few casinos in the area including one near downtown. They are Indian casinos
Written May 26, 2016
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing