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

Should you visit Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pasadena and Colorado Springs. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Pasadena

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

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a welcoming, friendly, and outdoorsy mountain town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Colorado Springs attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Colorado Springs travel costs.

Pasadena and Colorado Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

Both Colorado Springs and Pasadena have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Pasadena is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Colorado Springs is more popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl. Colorado Springs is well known for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.

How is Pasadena different from Colorado Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Pasadena or Colorado Springs Better for Skiing?

Colorado Springs is a moderate mountain town for snow skiing. However, Pasadena is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Colorado Springs for snow skiing. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.

Pasadena is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

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

Many visitors head to Pasadena specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.

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

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

Colorado Springs has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.

Is Pasadena or Colorado Springs Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.

Is Pasadena or Colorado Springs Better for Hiking?

Colorado Springs is an amazing mountain town to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Colorado Springs is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.

Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

Pasadena is a great destination for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pasadena or Colorado Springs More Beautiful?

Colorado Springs is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Colorado Springs attracts visitors from all around. The town is surrounded by tons of natural beauty. In the area you'll find the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.

Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Pasadena or Colorado Springs Better for Families?

Colorado Springs is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Colorado Springs is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. 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 Pasadena or Colorado Springs Better for Couples?

Pasadena and Colorado Springs both notable destinations for a couple.

Pasadena is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Colorado Springs is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.

Is Pasadena or Colorado Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.

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 Pasadena or Colorado Springs Better for Students?

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

Colorado Springs is a good mountain town to visit for students. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.

Pasadena is not popular with students.

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

Pasadena is very good for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain 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 quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.

Is Pasadena or Colorado Springs a more walkable city?

Pasadena is very good for its walkability. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain 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.

Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Colorado Springs or Pasadena?

How long in Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs.

One day in Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint destination of Pasadena. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The beautiful mountain town of Colorado Springs offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

A weekend in Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

You'll find shopping and museums around the picturesque city of Pasadena. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Colorado Springs is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this mountain town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Colorado Springs, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

Pasadena is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Colorado Springs is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking 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.

A week in Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

Pasadena is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Colorado Springs is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This mountain town 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 Pasadena and Colorado Springs, we can see that Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Colorado Springs 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 Pasadena Expensive? and Is Colorado Springs Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena and Colorado Springs, 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 Pasadena or Colorado Springs?

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 Pasadena or Colorado Springs in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Colorado Springs. Many travelers come to Pasadena for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pasadena is around the same temperature as Colorado Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pasadena in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 71°F (22°C).

In July, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Colorado Springs. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pasadena or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Colorado Springs. Many visitors come to Pasadena in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Pasadena is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 68°F (20°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in October than Colorado Springs. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pasadena or Colorado Springs in the Winter?

Both Colorado Springs and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.

The weather in Colorado Springs can be very cold. Pasadena is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 56°F (13°C) in January, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 26°F (-3°C).

In January, Pasadena usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pasadena or Colorado Springs in the Spring?

Both Colorado Springs and Pasadena during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.

In the spring, Pasadena is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pasadena in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 45°F (7°C).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in April than Colorado Springs. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Pasadena