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

Should you visit Atlanta or Pasadena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta 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.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a sprawling, suburban, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. 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.

Atlanta and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlanta or Pasadena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Atlanta than Pasadena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Atlanta is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also well known for the Georgia Aquarium. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Atlanta different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Atlanta is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Atlanta on the map. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

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 Atlanta or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Atlanta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

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 Atlanta or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Atlanta and Pasadena.

The nightlife in Atlanta has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Pasadena offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Atlanta or Pasadena?

Atlanta is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Atlanta is a world class destination for shoppers. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Atlanta or Pasadena Better for Families?

Atlanta is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Atlanta is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. 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 Atlanta or Pasadena Better for Couples?

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

Atlanta is a good city for couples to visit. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

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 Atlanta or Pasadena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Atlanta. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

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 Atlanta or Pasadena Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Atlanta. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

Pasadena is not popular with students.

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

Pasadena is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

While Pasadena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Atlanta or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Atlanta and Pasadena are nice when it comes to walkability.

Atlanta is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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 Atlanta Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Atlanta?

How long in Atlanta or Pasadena?

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

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

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

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

One day in Atlanta or Pasadena?

Atlanta is a big city with plenty to do. 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.

In Pasadena, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Atlanta or Pasadena?

Atlanta 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 Atlanta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Pasadena, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pasadena has to offer.

Five days in Atlanta or Pasadena?

Atlanta 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 is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Atlanta or Pasadena?

Atlanta 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pasadena. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pasadena. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlanta and Pasadena, we can see that Atlanta 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta 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 Atlanta Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Atlanta or Pasadena?

Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Atlanta 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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta or Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Atlanta during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Atlanta for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Atlanta is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Atlanta gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlanta or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlanta and Pasadena. Many visitors come to Atlanta in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Atlanta is around the same temperature as Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atlanta in October average around 66°F (19°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In October, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Atlanta gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlanta or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Atlanta as well as Pasadena. Most visitors come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Atlanta is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 45°F (7°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the winter. Atlanta usually gets more rain in January than Pasadena. Atlanta gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlanta or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Atlanta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the activities around the city.

Atlanta is a little warmer than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. In April, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Atlanta gets 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Atlanta