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

Should you visit Arlington or Pasadena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Pasadena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Arlington and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Pasadena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arlington than Pasadena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Arlington is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. It is also well known for Arlington National Cemetery. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Arlington different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Pasadena and Arlington.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Arlington can be an interesting and educational experience. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Pasadena. 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 Arlington or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Arlington and Pasadena.

Arlington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pasadena makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Arlington or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Both Arlington and Pasadena have great vibes after the sun sets.

Arlington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

The people in Pasadena know how to have a good time. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Pasadena?

Pasadena is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Arlington or Pasadena Better for Families?

Arlington and Pasadena are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Arlington is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Pasadena. 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.

Is Arlington or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Arlington and Pasadena are both nice to visit as a couple.

Arlington is a good city for couples to visit. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

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 Arlington or Pasadena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is notable for backpackers. However, Pasadena is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Arlington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

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 Arlington or Pasadena Better for Students?

Arlington is notable for students. However, Pasadena is not popular with students.

Many students visit Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Pasadena is not popular with students.

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

Arlington 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 Arlington is top-notch. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

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

Is Arlington or Pasadena a more walkable city?

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

Arlington is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

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 Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Pasadena?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington 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 Arlington.

One day in Arlington or Pasadena?

The city of Arlington offers food and shopping. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pasadena. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pasadena has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Pasadena?

Arlington 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arlington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the picturesque destination of Pasadena. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Pasadena?

Arlington 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint city of Pasadena. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Pasadena?

Arlington is a great place to explore. 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 choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Pasadena, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Pasadena.

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Pasadena?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Arlington 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 Arlington 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 Arlington or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Pasadena. Many travelers come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

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

Should I visit Arlington or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Arlington in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

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

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

Should I visit Arlington or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Arlington during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Arlington can be very cold during winter. In January, Arlington is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 35°F (1°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

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

Should I visit Arlington or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Pasadena.

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

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

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Arlington