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

Should you visit Pasadena or Niagara Falls?

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 Niagara Falls. 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 picturesque, quaint, and charming city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Pasadena travel costs.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a impressive, iconic, and breathtaking city. With stunning beauty, Niagara Falls attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Niagara Falls travel costs.

Pasadena and Niagara Falls: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pasadena or Niagara Falls?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Niagara Falls than Pasadena. While Pasadena is larger than Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Niagara Falls is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Pasadena is known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping. Niagara Falls is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for the large volume of water that flows over it. It is also home to the Journey Behind the Falls. Pasadena is popular for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Pasadena different from Niagara Falls?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?

Pasadena is notable for its sights and museums. However, Niagara Falls is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Niagara Falls specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The Niagara Falls History Museum is one of the best museums in the area. There are also more touristy museums and attractions that you can visit as well. There's also a butterfly conservancy that is worth checking out.

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

Pasadena is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Niagara Falls is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's an iconic Canadian destination so, of course, you should try all things Canadian while you're in town. Maple syrup, poutine, butter tart, and beavertail (fried dough) are all things that should be on your list. Also make sure you sample some of the local game meat.

Is Pasadena or Niagara Falls Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Pasadena has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Niagara Falls. There's a decent concentration of clubs, pubs, and bars around town that keep things fun late into the evening.

Is Pasadena or Niagara Falls Better for Hiking?

Niagara Falls is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Niagara Falls is a popular spot for hiking. The nearby area is filled with hiking trails that let you escape into nature and enjoy impressive views.

Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pasadena or Niagara Falls?

Pasadena is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Pasadena is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Niagara Falls has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find touristy souvenir shops as well as outlets and malls nearby.

Is Pasadena or Niagara Falls More Beautiful?

Niagara Falls is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Niagara Falls attracts visitors from all around. It's an impressive sight and the Canadian side offers the best views. It's definitely something you should try and see at least once.

Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Pasadena or Niagara Falls Better for Families?

Niagara Falls is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Niagara Falls is very family-friendly. The views and setting are spectacular, and kids will love the boat tours or taking a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car. There's also an indoor waterpark, a butterfly conservatory, and plenty of nature to explore.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Couples?

Niagara Falls is notable for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Niagara Falls is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting has long brought to mind romance, and to this day couples still honeymoon at this iconic destination. There are boat tours, nature trails, luxury hotels, and even wineries to explore.

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.

Is Pasadena or Niagara Falls Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Niagara Falls. There's a hostel or two where you can stay for cheap and meet other 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 Niagara Falls Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Pasadena and Niagara Falls offer good 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.

Niagara Falls has some public transit options. There is a bus system through town.

Is Pasadena or Niagara Falls a more walkable city?

Pasadena and Niagara Falls both are good 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.

Niagara Falls is somewhat walkable. Most of the attractions and close together by the falls, so it's relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Niagara Falls or Pasadena?

How long in Pasadena or Niagara Falls?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.

One day in Pasadena or Niagara Falls?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the picturesque destination of Pasadena. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The beautiful city of Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pasadena. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Niagara Falls 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Niagara Falls, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pasadena or Niagara Falls?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Pasadena. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Pasadena. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Niagara Falls is a great place to explore. 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 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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Niagara Falls?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?

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 Niagara Falls in the Summer?

Both Niagara Falls and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Niagara Falls for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pasadena is generally around the same temperature as Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 73°F (23°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In July, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pasadena or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

Both Niagara Falls and Pasadena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pasadena for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Niagara Falls in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Pasadena is much warmer than Niagara Falls in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in October than Niagara Falls. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pasadena or Niagara Falls in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Niagara Falls. Many visitors come to Pasadena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Niagara Falls can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Pasadena is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pasadena in January average around 56°F (13°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about -4°C (26°F).

In January, Pasadena usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pasadena or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Niagara Falls. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Niagara Falls because of the natural beauty.

In April, Pasadena is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 62°F (17°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in April than Niagara Falls. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Pasadena