A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pasadena vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Pasadena or Halifax?

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 Halifax. 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. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Pasadena travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Halifax travel costs.

Pasadena and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Pasadena or Halifax?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pasadena than Halifax. While Halifax is larger than Pasadena, Pasadena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Halifax is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its maritime past. 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 Pasadena different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pasadena
Halifax

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

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.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.


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

Pasadena
Halifax

Pasadena is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Halifax 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 Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Pasadena or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena
Halifax

Pasadena is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Pasadena has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Halifax has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Pasadena or Halifax?

Pasadena
Halifax

Pasadena is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Halifax offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.


Is Pasadena or Halifax Better for Families?

Pasadena
Halifax

Both Pasadena and Halifax are notable family-friendly destinations.

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.

Halifax is a family-friendly city. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Pasadena or Halifax Better for Couples?

Pasadena
Halifax

Pasadena and Halifax 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.

Halifax is a nice destination for couples. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Pasadena or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pasadena
Halifax

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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 Halifax Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pasadena
Halifax

Both Pasadena and Halifax offer notable public transit options.

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

Halifax has some public transit options. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Is Pasadena or Halifax a more walkable city?

Pasadena
Halifax

Pasadena and Halifax both are notable when exploring on foot.

Pasadena is a somewhat walkable city. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

Halifax is somewhat walkable. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Pasadena?

How long in Pasadena or Halifax?

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

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


  • How many days in Pasadena or Halifax? Ideal Length of Stay
    Pasadena 1-3 
    Halifax 2-3

One day in Pasadena or Halifax?

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.

The city of Halifax offers food and shopping. 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 Halifax?

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.

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

Five days in Pasadena or Halifax?

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.

Halifax 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 Pasadena or Halifax?

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.

Halifax 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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Pasadena?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Pasadena Prices
    USA Prices
    Halifax Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Pasadena $76
    Halifax $137

The average daily cost (per person) in Pasadena is $76, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $137. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pasadena and Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pasadena $25
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pasadena $50
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Pasadena and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Pasadena or Halifax? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Pasadena


Hotels in Halifax


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pasadena Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pasadena $21
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport YHZ: $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Pasadena or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax and Pasadena change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pasadena $32
    Halifax $54
Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $157

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pasadena -
    Halifax $28

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • Los Angeles Chocolate Salon and Festival Entry Ticket: $20
  • Pasadena Ghost Tour: Purgatory Phantoms: $24

Tours and Activities in Halifax

For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Admission & Tour: $14
  • Georges Island National Historic Site Ferry Ticket: $16
  • Happy Hour Cruise with Live Music: $21
  • Guided Kayak Tour with Multiple Options: $29
  • Halifax Sunset Cruise Aboard the Tall Ship Silva: $33
  • Best of Halifax Harbour Tour: $40
  • Party Cruise on the Harbour Queen: $42
  • 50-Minute Boat Tour of the Harbour: $42
  • Tall Ship Harbor Sailing Cruise with Live Music: $42
  • Harbour Hopper City & Water Cruise in a Duck Boat: $56
  • Signature Adventure Sail: $56
  • Solar Waterfront Food/Drink Party Bike Experience: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pasadena -
    Halifax $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Halifax

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Halifax:

  • Nova Scotia Annapolis Valley Wine Tour Lead by a Sommelier: $168


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


Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Halifax?

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

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 Pasadena or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Pasadena during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Halifax for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Pasadena is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pasadena in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Pasadena or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Halifax. Most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Halifax because of the shopping scene.

In October, Pasadena is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 68°F (20°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Halifax. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Pasadena or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Halifax. The winter months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. Pasadena is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 56°F (13°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Pasadena usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Pasadena or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. In the spring, Pasadena is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pasadena in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In April, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Halifax. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Pasadena

Pasadena Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)