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

Should you visit New Bern or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit New Bern 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.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Pasadena

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

New Bern and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Pasadena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pasadena than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pasadena is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while New Bern is more popular for its small town charm. New Bern is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. 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 New Bern different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Bern or Pasadena?

Pasadena is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, New Bern 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.

New Bern offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

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

Pasadena is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

New Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is New Bern or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is well known for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

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.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Pasadena?

Pasadena is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern 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 New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is New Bern or Pasadena Better for Families?

Pasadena is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is New Bern or Pasadena Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both New Bern and Pasadena make for a notable place to visit.

New Bern is a nice destination for couples. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

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 New Bern 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, New Bern is not particularly known 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 quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is New Bern or Pasadena a more walkable city?

New Bern and Pasadena both are notable when exploring on foot.

New Bern is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

Pasadena is a somewhat walkable place. 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 New Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Pasadena?

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

Families should spend more time in Pasadena than New Bern. 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 New Bern. 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 New Bern 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 New Bern or Pasadena?

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Pasadena offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in New Bern or Pasadena?

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

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

Five days in New Bern or Pasadena?

New Bern 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 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.

A week in New Bern or Pasadena?

New Bern 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 town offers something for everyone.

Pasadena 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern 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 New Bern 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 New Bern or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Pasadena. Most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Bern is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Pasadena. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Pasadena. The autumn months attract visitors to New Bern because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

New Bern is cooler than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and New Bern 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 New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, New Bern is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Pasadena. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and New Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm.

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

New Bern usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and New Bern