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

Should you visit Norfolk or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Norfolk 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.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pasadena

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

Norfolk and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Pasadena?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pasadena than Norfolk. While Norfolk is larger than Pasadena, Pasadena has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence. 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 Norfolk different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pasadena is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Norfolk 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.

Norfolk offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

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

Pasadena is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Norfolk 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.

Norfolk has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is Norfolk or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Norfolk has a few options to choose from. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a great destination for shopping. Also, Norfolk 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 Norfolk. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Norfolk or Pasadena Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Norfolk or Pasadena.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Norfolk. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Pasadena offers lots of family activities. 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 Norfolk or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Pasadena is a popular place for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Is Norfolk 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, Norfolk is a city 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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Is Norfolk or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Norfolk and Pasadena both are notable when exploring on foot.

Norfolk is somewhat walkable. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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 Norfolk Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Pasadena?

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

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

The city of Norfolk 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.

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 Norfolk or Pasadena?

Norfolk 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 Norfolk, 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 Norfolk or Pasadena?

Norfolk 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 Norfolk or Pasadena?

Norfolk 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Pasadena?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk or Pasadena in the Summer?

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

In July, Norfolk is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 79°F (26°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Norfolk gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Norfolk or Pasadena in the Autumn?

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

Norfolk is cooler than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Norfolk usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Pasadena in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Norfolk in the winter. In the winter, Norfolk is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Norfolk in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In January, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Norfolk or Pasadena in the Spring?

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

In April, Norfolk is generally cooler than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 58°F (14°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Norfolk usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Norfolk