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

Should you visit Nashville or Pasadena?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nashville and Pasadena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nashville

Nashville is a country music lovers, eclectic, and southern 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 charming, picturesque, and quaint city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Nashville and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or Pasadena?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nashville than Pasadena. Nashville is bigger than Pasadena, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nashville is better known for its music, resorts, and big city activities, while Pasadena is more popular for its museums, food, and shopping. Nashville is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. Also, Nashville is famous for The Grand Ole Opry. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Nashville different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pasadena is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

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

Pasadena is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Pasadena. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Nashville or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nashville and Pasadena.

Nashville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Pasadena is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Nashville or Pasadena Better for Music?

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

In Nashville you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Pasadena is not a live music destination.

Is Nashville or Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a good destination for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Nashville has a few great resort options. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a very popular place for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Nashville or Pasadena Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a good destination for its Christmas activities. However, Pasadena does not offer Christmas activities.

Many visitors go to Nashville during the Christmas season. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Pasadena does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nashville or Pasadena Better for Families?

Both Nashville and Pasadena are notable to visit with kids.

Nashville is a family-friendly city. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

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 Nashville or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Both Nashville and Pasadena are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nashville is a nice destination for couples. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

Pasadena makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Nashville or Pasadena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Nashville. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

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

Pasadena is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Nashville or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Pasadena is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good 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.

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nashville and Pasadena. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nashville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

Families should spend more time in Pasadena than Nashville. 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 Nashville. 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 Nashville 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 Nashville.

One day in Nashville or Pasadena?

The city of Nashville 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.

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 Nashville or Pasadena?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint 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 Nashville or Pasadena?

Nashville 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.

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 Nashville or Pasadena?

Nashville 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.

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 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 Nashville and Pasadena, we can see that Nashville 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 Nashville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nashville 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 Nashville Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nashville or Pasadena?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Nashville as well as Pasadena. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nashville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nashville is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 81°F (27°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Nashville usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Nashville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nashville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Nashville is cooler than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In October, Nashville usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nashville or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Nashville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nashville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nashville can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Nashville is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nashville in January average around 38°F (4°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Nashville usually gets more rain in January than Pasadena. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and Pasadena. Most visitors come to Nashville for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Nashville is generally around the same temperature as Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 62°F (16°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Nashville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nashville usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Nashville