How to Experience Pasadena on a Budget

Think free access to premier museums and cultural attractions, flavorful cheap eats and complimentary architectural tours. From free events and low-cost activities to affordable accommodations, this comprehensive round-up will help you plan a wallet-friendly immersion in and around the action-packed 23 square miles that is our "Crown of the Valley."

Artnight Pasadena

The can't miss cultural extravaganza that won't cost you a dime is ArtNight Pasadena. The free citywide evening of art, music and entertainment takes place on a Friday evening twice a year with a spring and fall edition. The popular biannual event attracts thousands of locals and visitors, who come out to take advantage of the unique opportunity to hop between 18 venues via a network of free shuttles. Special exhibition, interactive installations and musical performances are open to the public at institutions and attractions like Gamble House, ArtCenter College of Design and the USC Pacific Asia Museum.

Free Museum Admission

If you can't make ArtNight Pasadena, many major museums and cultural attractions offer free admission on specific days and nights year round.

• Kidspace Children's Museum hosts a free family night on the first Friday of every month from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. during the winter and 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. during the summer.
• The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens is free the first Thursday of every month. Tickets are released on the last Thursday of every month at 9:00 a.m. and they get scooped up fast.
• The Norton Simon Museum is free the first Friday of every month from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., which is the perfect amount of time to explore the galleries and sculpture garden and sit for refreshments at the café.
• USC Pacific Asia Museum offers free admission on the second Sunday of the month and pay what you wish Thursdays.
• Both Descanso Gardens and the Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden grant complimentary admission on the third Tuesday of every month. Advance reservations are required for free tickets for both gardens.

Pasadena offers a robust collection of public art which locals and tourists can find more information at the Pasadena Visitors Center on 300 E. Green St. In the summer, Old Pasadena hosts a month-long Movies Under the Stars series with outdoor screenings held in a variety of venues. Check our calendar of events for more free events and festivals well worth planning a visit around.

The Old Mill

The Old Mill is a 200-plus year old historic adobe in San Marino that houses the California Art Club Gallery. Also known as El Molino Viejo, it was the original 1816 gristmill for Mission San Gabriel and its open free-of-charge Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In the summer, they host Music Under the Stars on the patio.

The Gamble House is a pristine example of the American Arts & Crafts style of architecture that Pasadena is renowned for. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the home was designed and decorated by Charles and Henry Greene in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble Company. Hour-long docent-led tours are offered to the public on Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday. Tour times vary and walk-up tickets are based on availability. More in-depth tours as well as a neighborhood walking tour are also available through Gamble House. Purchase $20 tickets in advance here.

Caltech Architectural Tour Services offers in-depth, complimentary two-hour tours of the California Institute of Technology campus on the fourth Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m., starting at the Athenaeum entrance at 551 South Hill Ave. No tours are given in June, July, August or December. Reservations are required and you'll need to be up for walking 1.5 miles, which is definitely worth the effort to gain an insider's perspective of one of the world's foremost institutions of science and engineering. It also happens to be a deliberately planned microcosm of architectural styles, from Mediterranean to Brutalism.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory offers free tours by appointment with reservations made at least one month in advance. All tours start off with "Journey to the Planets and Beyond," a multimedia presentation that provides an overview of the Laboratory's activities and accomplishments in planetary exploration and Earth science.

Mount Wilson Observatory

You can also explore the cosmos at the Mount Wilson Observatory, perched more than 5,700 feet above Pasadena. For the nominal price of $15, a two-hour docent-led walking tour (available Saturdays and Sundays during the spring, summer, and fall months) will get you inside both the 60-inch and 100-inch telescope domes. Public ticket nights are the prime opportunity to star gaze through the historic big telescopes, which are the largest in the world available for public use. The Observatory is also open to the public daily for self-guided tours.

Pasadena Ice Skating Center

There are countless ways to be active on a budget. Stay cool gliding on the ice at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center located in the Pasadena Convention Center. The Thursday Night Cheap Skate rate will run you $16 for admission and skate rental during public skate session hours.

Rose Bowl Aquatics Center

You can also cool off while channeling your inner Olympian swimming at the world class Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Brookside Park by the Rose Bowl Stadium. Check the website for current recreational swimming hours and daily lap swimming times. Day passes range from $10 to $13.

Hiking & Biking Adventures

Hiking will only cost you sweat equity. The most popular hiking spots include Eaton Canyon (nature preserve and waterfall), Mount Wilson (for intermediate and advance hikers) and Hermit Falls Trail in the Arcadia Wilderness Park (family friendly). Pasadena is also a very walkable city, so you can log lots of steps meandering around pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods like Old Pasadena, the Playhouse District, the Civic Center District and South Lake Avenue.

And if you want to get around on two wheels, Pasadena Cyclery offers premium day-long bike rentals starting at $40. Call 626-795-2866 to make reservations.

Breakfast Staples

When it comes to where to eat when you're being cost-conscious or simply seeking good value, you'll be spoilt for choice here. Russell's is an all-day classic that serves a mean American-style breakfast that won't break the bank. Green Street Restaurant is another locals' go-to for quality fare in an inviting setting at reasonable prices.

Lavender & Honey is a stylish spot to start the day, pop in for an artisan coffee or linger over lunch. Family- and team-friendly La Grande Orange Café has 50% deals on its drinks during happy hour, Monday through Friday from open until 7:00 p.m. Pie n' Burger is a Pasadena institution beloved for its cheeseburgers, which made the Food Network's list of the top 5 in the nation.

Internationally Inspired Flavors

Transport your taste buds to different parts of the world without an expensive plane ticket. Ramen Tatsunoya is an authentic love letter to Japanese cuisine; each bowl is bursting with rich umami flavors—all of which are under $22. If you're looking for a king's feast at a budget-friendly price, Lunasia Dim Sum House features a variety of classic Chinese bites.

This is just a sampler to whet your palate. Additional inexpensive eats can be found in our dining guide.

Pasadena hotels come at a variety of price points. Some of the most budget-friendly that offer convenient locations and a welcoming atmosphere include GreenTree Inn and The Pasadena Rose & Crown Hotel. Boutique-y Hotel Le Reve in East Pasadena includes breakfast daily. And the Astro is a fun and funky motel with a hip vibe.