A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Alexandria vs. Pasadena for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Alexandria or Pasadena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Alexandria and Pasadena. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Alexandria and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to Mount Vernon
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Alexandria or Pasadena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alexandria. Although Alexandria and Pasadena are popular destinations, Alexandria has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alexandria is very popular for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Pasadena attracts visitors for its food and nightlife. Alexandria is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. It is also well known for Mount Vernon. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Alexandria different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pasadena and Alexandria. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alexandria or Pasadena?

Alexandria
Pasadena

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Pasadena and Alexandria.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Alexandria. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.


Is the Food Better in Alexandria or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alexandria
Pasadena

Pasadena is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Pasadena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Alexandria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Alexandria or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Alexandria
Pasadena

Pasadena is great for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Pasadena for the nightlife scene. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Alexandria or Pasadena Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria
Pasadena

Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pasadena does not have a historic old town.

Alexandria offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Pasadena does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or Pasadena?

Alexandria
Pasadena

If you're looking to go shopping, Alexandria and Pasadena both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Pasadena is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Alexandria or Pasadena Better for Families?

Alexandria
Pasadena

Pasadena is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Pasadena offers lots of family activities. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Alexandria or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Alexandria
Pasadena

Alexandria is notable for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Alexandria is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.


Is Alexandria or Pasadena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria
Pasadena

Alexandria is a good destination for backpackers. However, Pasadena is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Pasadena is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

Is Alexandria or Pasadena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria
Pasadena

Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Alexandria is top-notch. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Pasadena has some public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Is Alexandria or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Alexandria
Pasadena

Alexandria is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Alexandria on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.


For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alexandria and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alexandria than in Pasadena. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alexandria, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

Families should spend more time in Pasadena than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pasadena, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Alexandria than Pasadena. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alexandria that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Pasadena if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Alexandria.


  • How many days in Alexandria or Pasadena? Ideal Length of Stay
    Alexandria 2-4 
    Pasadena 1-3

One day in Alexandria or Pasadena?

The beautiful city of Alexandria offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Pasadena, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pasadena, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Alexandria or Pasadena?

Alexandria is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Alexandria, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Pasadena, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Alexandria or Pasadena?

Alexandria is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pasadena, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A week in Alexandria or Pasadena?

Alexandria is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Pasadena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Pasadena or Alexandria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $62. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alexandria and Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $38
    Pasadena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $76
    Pasadena $50
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Pasadena

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria or Pasadena? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Alexandria


Hotels in Pasadena


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria -
    Pasadena $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Pasadena?

Prices for flights to both Pasadena and Alexandria change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Alexandria -
    Pasadena $19

Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria -
    Pasadena -

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alexandria.

  • Old Town Alexandria Tour: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Phantoms of the Potomac Walking Tour: $26
  • American Revolution Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • A Walk in Washington's Footsteps History Tour: $32
  • Ultimate Dead of Night Walking Ghost Tour: $38
  • Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat: $68
  • Old Town Southern Comfort Food & History Tour: $127
  • Private Tour of George Washington's Mount Vernon: $165
  • Philadelphia Tour from Alexandria by Rail: $329

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • Cozumel: ATVs Jungle Experience + Beach Club All Inclusive: $79
  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350
  • Haunted Walking Tour: $33
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria -
    Pasadena -

Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:

  • Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Pasadena, we can see that Pasadena is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Pasadena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pasadena than you might in Alexandria.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Pasadena, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Pasadena?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Alexandria or Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Alexandria during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

Alexandria is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Alexandria usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Alexandria 79°F (26°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Pasadena. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Alexandria is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In October, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Alexandria 60°F (15°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Pasadena. Many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. In January, Alexandria is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 35°F (1°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Alexandria usually gets more rain in January than Pasadena. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Alexandria 35°F (1°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Alexandria or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Alexandria is cooler than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Alexandria 56°F (14°C) 
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Alexandria

Alexandria Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)