Location: Pasadena
Top Things to do in Pasadena
Top 10 Things to do in Pasadena, California (CA)
Most famous for hosting the annual New Year's Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl, Pasadena is more than just a football town. Its extravagant City Hall boasts a beautiful Baroque dome, a courtyard garden and relaxing fountain. On South Orange Boulevard, known as Millionaires' Row, there are landmarked mansions to rival the most opulent homes of Beverly Hills. That chattering in the air is probably the local population of naturalized Red-crowned Amazon parrots.
Restaurants in Pasadena
1. Norton Simon Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,239 reviews
The Norton Simon Museum is known around the world as one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled. Over a 30-year period, industrialist Norton Simon (1907–1993) amassed an astonishing collection of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century and a stellar collection of South and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years. Modern and Contemporary Art from Europe and the United States, acquired by the former Pasadena Art Museum, also occupies an important place in the Museum’s collections.
Reviewed By JEDeboni - Santo Andre, Brazil
I a pleasant location this museum offers a great collection, with a special attention to the Rembrandts and the garden of sculptures. A must see.
2. Rose Parade
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By Jenlynnjack - Euless, United States
I have just returned from an amazing trip to LA with Al Brooks Rose Parade Tours. The tour company, tour guide, and bus driver were all exceptional. Our tour was called the Pacific Rose and included a 4 night stay at the Hyatt Long Beach. Each day we were treated to wonderful sights and tours including Warner Brother’s Studio, the Queen Mary, Huntington Library, and a Long Beach Harbor cruise. The cherry on top was a visit to a float construction barn and the excellent grandstand seats at the Rose Bowl Parade. Our tour also included transportation to these fabulous places, breakfast and lunch each day. I would recommend Al Brooks Rose Parade tour company to anyone looking to sit back, relax, and enjoy the historical parade and beautiful Southern California.
3. Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4. The Gamble House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 589 reviews
The Gamble House in Pasadena, California, is an outstanding example of American Arts and Crafts style architecture. The house and furnishings were designed by architects Charles and Henry Greene in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble Company.
Reviewed By rolfa832 - Chicago, United States
This house is superbly maintained inside and out. Take the full tour and explore every carpet, piece of carved wood, and see how Tiffany lamps fit into the Californian Craftsman style.
5. Eaton Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By 922valentinaz
Family fun hiking trail. We went hiking with 4 children and they had so much fun. I would like to go at least twice a week.
6. Kidspace Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
One of Southern California's premier family destinations, Kidspace Children's Museum is located on over 3.5 acres in Pasadena, CA, with more than 40 hands-on exhibits, as well as daily interactive activities and programs. The mission of Kidspace is to nurture the potential of all children through kid-driven experiences, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners. Admission is $14.95 for adults and children, infants under 1 are free.
Reviewed By snootchiebootchies
We've visited many children's museum and this is definitely one of the better ones. Our favorite by a fairly large margin is still the one in Indianapolis but our children certainly loved this one as well. We made our visit to Kidspace in February on a Friday. It was a nice day, which was fortunate as most of the best stuff was outdoors (the physics park, Arroyo Adventure area). Our kids are 7 and 6 and I thought they were the perfect age for this museum. We spent about 5 hours there and they could have kept going. Only drawback was that the adults have to pay the same admission price as the kids. I know adults have to pay at the Indianapolis museum but I would argue there is more for adults to do at the Indianapolis museum besides just supervising their children. Kidspace does allow folks to bring in their own food and snacks, which helps those on a budget.
7. Old Pasadena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 681 reviews
Old Pasadena is the downtown historic business district of Pasadena, a lively and diverse city located just ten miles from downtown Los Angeles. This eclectic old town area features entertainment and activities for kids and adults alike: museums, galleries, and music events, as well as movies, shopping, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. Families often stop by after sports events at the Rose Bowl; this clean and safe district is pedestrian friendly and provides convenient parking and easy access to public transportation, served by major bus lines and two Metro Gold Line stops.
Reviewed By Voyage558877 - Pasadena, United States
Often compared with the Westwood area of Los Angeles, I find the variety of the offerings and the patronage much more to my liking. Parking can be a challenge.
8. California Institute of Technology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By permia
We chose a Sunday afternoon to stroll around this esteemed campus. It was remarkably tranquil without the normal bustle of student life. It’s a wonderful and extensive space, no doubt inspiring the research and study undertaken here. Lovely architecture is to be seen, combined with copious greenery and flora. The Kerckhoff Biological Sciences Laboratories building is gorgeous with much decorative features. As the highest edifice the Millikan Library is impressive with a fine water feature fronting. The chemist and inventor Arnold Beckman had a major influence on the Institute. While a Professor here he founded Beckman Instruments, whose instruments featured and continue to feature in laboratories worldwide. An eponymous Auditorium is another landmark building, an architectural gem.
9. City of Pasadena City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Reviewed By andrew-s-wood - Santa Monica, United States
This is the kind of grand "palace" that would be the centerpiece of a charming European city... it's that beautiful. Quite amazing that it's an actually functional city hall. Looks great in photos, which is why so many people getting married have their pics taken here. It got to the point it was kind of annoying how many bridal gown trains you'd have to trip over to check out and appreciate the stunning architecture and scale of this place. They now make you get a permit to take photos, which has helped winnow down the crowds. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Pasadena.
10. Rose Bowl Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 716 reviews
This famous stadium is the home of one of America's most popular annual college football games.
Reviewed By 972glennm
So much more than just a football stadium. Take the tour, enjoy the history, walk around the grounds that include large parks and brookside golf club. Have lunch or a drink on the patio at brookside and take in the beauty of the arroyo seco. A great place to stop as you explore Pasadena.
TAGS
