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

Should you visit Memphis or Pasadena?

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

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

Memphis

Memphis is a laid-back, soulful, and creative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.

Pasadena

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

Memphis and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Pasadena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Memphis than Pasadena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Memphis is very popular for its music and big city activities, while Pasadena attracts visitors for its museums, food, and shopping. Memphis is famous for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. It is also well known for Elvis Presley's Graceland. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Memphis different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pasadena is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pasadena can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Memphis is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

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

Pasadena is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Memphis 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.

Memphis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

Is Memphis or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Memphis has something for everybody. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

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 Memphis or Pasadena Better for Music?

Memphis is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Pasadena is not a live music destination.

In Memphis you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Pasadena is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known 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.

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is Memphis or Pasadena Better for Families?

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

Memphis offers lots of family activities. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Pasadena is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Memphis or Pasadena Better for Couples?

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

Memphis is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular 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 Memphis or Pasadena Better for Students?

Memphis is a good destination for students. However, Pasadena is not popular with students.

Memphis is a good city to visit for students. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

Pasadena is not popular with students.

Is Memphis 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, Memphis 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 Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

Is Memphis or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Memphis and Pasadena are nice when it comes to walkability.

Memphis is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

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 Memphis Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Pasadena?

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

Families should spend more time in Pasadena than Memphis. 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 Pasadena than Memphis. 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 Memphis 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 Memphis or Pasadena?

The city of Memphis offers live music and food. 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 Memphis or Pasadena?

Memphis 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 Memphis, 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 Memphis or Pasadena?

Memphis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. 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 Memphis or Pasadena?

Memphis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Pasadena?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis or Pasadena in the Summer?

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

Memphis is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 83°F (29°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Memphis usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Pasadena in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Memphis is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Memphis in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In October, Memphis usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Memphis or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Memphis as well as Pasadena. Most visitors come to Memphis 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.

Memphis can be very cold during winter. In January, Memphis is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 40°F (5°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Memphis usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pasadena. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Pasadena in the Spring?

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

Memphis is around the same temperature as Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Memphis. In April, Memphis usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Memphis