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

Should you visit Hershey or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Hershey or Pasadena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Hershey

Hershey is a playful, lighthearted, and fun-filled town. Other popular activities here include shopping and museums.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a charming, picturesque, and quaint city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hershey and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hershey or Pasadena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pasadena than Hershey, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pasadena is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Hershey is more popular for its resorts. Hershey is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl. Also, Pasadena is famous for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

How is Hershey different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pasadena is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Hershey is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Hershey offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

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

Pasadena is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Hershey or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is a great destination for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Is Hershey or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Hershey is notable for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Hershey to choose from. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hershey or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a great destination for shopping. Also, Hershey is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hershey. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Is Hershey or Pasadena Better for Families?

Hershey is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Hershey is very family-friendly. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

Pasadena is a family-friendly town. 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 Hershey or Pasadena Better for Couples?

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

Hershey is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

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

Pasadena is a popular place for its public transit. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Pasadena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Hershey or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Pasadena is a popular place for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

Hershey is generally not a very walkable town. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Hershey?

How long in Hershey or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hershey and Pasadena. In our opinion, Pasadena has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pasadena than Hershey. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hershey, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Hershey 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 Pasadena.

One day in Hershey or Pasadena?

The town of Hershey offers museums and shopping. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Hershey or Pasadena?

Hershey is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hershey, 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 Hershey or Pasadena?

Hershey 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 Hershey or Pasadena?

Hershey is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Hershey or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Hershey 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 Hershey or Pasadena?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hershey or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hershey and Pasadena. Most visitors come to Hershey for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hershey is generally around the same temperature as Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 77°F (25°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In July, Hershey usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Hershey gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hershey or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hershey as well as Pasadena. The autumn months attract visitors to Hershey because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

Hershey is much colder than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hershey averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Hershey usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Hershey gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hershey or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Hershey are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hershey this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Hershey in the winter. In the winter, Hershey is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hershey in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In January, Hershey usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Hershey gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hershey or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Hershey during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Hershey is generally cooler than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 53°F (12°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Hershey usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Hershey gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Hershey