I have passed by this museum so many times over the last thirty years and finally I visited with my…read morefriends few days ago. What a beautiful place. Wow .... The selection of fine art here is unbelievable. Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt and more. We saw so many beautiful masterpieces from 14th to 20th centuries. Degas bronze sculptures and paintings. You will find it here. The sculpture garden is so serene. There is a pond with flowers surrounded with so many trees and beautiful sculptures. I can stay here all day. Lots of benches to sit and enjoy the grounds. There is also a cafe by the entrance of the garden... Will be back soon. Loved this place.

Rodin! I'm in!! First time visit was with a friend who lives here and is a member. I love museums…read moreand this was more than I was expecting. The exterior space if tiered parking lot, shady with trees, and a simple building from the outside. Then came The Thinker (1880) by Auguste Rodin to the left of the entrance path. You had me at this wonder statue that also adorns the courtyard entrance to The Legion of Honor in San Francisco. There is a large collection of Rodin in a dedicated area. That is my most favorite museum. This was a nice association to enjoy. This interior wings of this two story gem are easy to navigate and a nice size to display the collections. Inside seating is in some areas so one can take a rest and spend more time with some pieces. We didn't have time to visit the cafe, but it has outdoor seating in a beautiful interior courtyard which my friend says is so relaxing. If I lived here, I would become a member. I will visit here again when I am back.

Parking: very narrow lot entrance in the back…read more You have to enter thru the back where the parking is and not thru the front. There is a small desk with an iPad when you walk in and descend to the lower level. When there is no field trips this place is a great place to bring your kids. It is very quiet and not a lot of high stimulation toys. It is no pretend city but it has some interesting toys such as a beach and surfing installation and a camper van.

Best for toddlers. I brought my kindergarten aged kids and there wasn't a lot to do for them. They…read morestill enjoyed the imaginative play but for the price of the kids plus an adult ticket, it was too pricey for the experience. I wish parents had a lower price than the kids or better yet free especially since there isn't anything for adults. Great place for toddlers and families since it feels safe, has clean facilities, small communal snack break area with a handwashing sink and water fountain nearby.

Elegance, Beauty & Pure Serenity…read more The Huntington is truly an exquisite experience. The breathtaking gardens, tranquil pathways, cascading waterfalls, beautiful blooms, and lush landscapes create an atmosphere of timeless elegance and serenity. The Tea Room was equally delightful, with beautifully presented sandwiches, champagne, and impeccable ambiance, perfect for a special celebration or an elegant afternoon with friends and family. The staff was gracious, professional, and attentive throughout our visit. A wonderful destination for nature lovers, visitors, and anyone who appreciates beauty and sophistication. Absolutely worth experiencing!

I call it the Disneyland of botanical gardens. ;) I am a member of the Huntington, and have been…read morecoming for years. It is my absolute favorite Zen spot in the world. I no longer live in the state, but visit every few weeks and make sure to visit the gardens every time. I've painted these gardens over the years and will continue to do so. My favorite gardens are the Rose garden, the Japanese garden and the Chinese garden. This is the perfect date spot as well as a perfect place to walk in the morning amongst nature before the day gets too hot. The children's garden will entertain the littles and they even have a water feature on the hot days. The art pieces throughout the museums are not only beautiful but historical and should not be missed. There is a great coffee shop to grab a cup for your walk and a great gift shop at the exit. There are a couple of quick food options as well. Parking is plentiful- but make reservations! Verdict: perfection- everyone must visit this lovely land at least once in their lifetime.

The Asian-style building dates back to the 1920's and features a meditative central courtyard…read more There is adequate parking on the corner adjacent to the building, but I imagine it can get full on a busy weekend. We were here for the exhibit, "Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry." Entrance fee is $15, we got a discount as seniors. There is a discount for children. USC ID cardholders, active US military and one other category get in free. It's a medium-sized museum, and as one gets closer to the end there are more sitting opportunities. Nice. We were blown away by the quality of the exhibit, and the variety of displays. There were a few interactive displays, but the exhibit urged the viewer to think and explore one's own transitions. The philosophical musings and references of "Uncle" were challenging in a good way. Highly recommend.

I hate to be that guy, but it's basically one small room. $15/person. Come on.... The only reason…read morewe went is because my son had an assignment in his college course that required it. I would NOT recommend it if you're not forced to go. Hoping to find something better closer to L.A. maybe?

I would have called this place a hidden gem by its unassuming facade from the street.... Until I…read morecame inside and saw how busy it was! The word is definitely out lol. The staff were very friendly. You definitely feel the 80s/90s nostalgia with the games and decor. They have pinball, video games, driving games.... Including all of the classics like Pac-Man and donkey kong. A/C was definitely on, so it's a great place to best the heat. Plenty of hand sanitizer bottles available and the bathroom was clean. There are also a small selections of snacks and drinks available for sale.

Neon Retro Arcade is an Old Town/Old Pasadena must…read more It's a kid friendly hub, but just as fun for adults if not more. Open daily from Noon til 10pm, 7 days a week. Everything is set to free play with a paid admission fee. You can do hourly pay or a set price for all day play. There's probably about 60 different arcade style games ranging in many decades including 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s favorites. Pinball, Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat, Marvel Vs Capcom (my jam), Super Smash Bros, Basketball Pro, Pac Man, NFL Blitz, Rampage (arcade game of my youth), Donkey Kong, Tron, The Simpsons and so many others. Soft drinks, great lighting, a spacious layout. Neon Retro offers cool holiday deals and specials, hosts fun events, IG giveaways and keeps the fun going all year long. It's still only $15 for unlimited hourly play or $25 for a day pass. No food is served here other than snacks (think chips and candy), but so many places closeby to eat before or after your Neon Retro Arcade fun!! It's not a barcade like EightyTwo or Player One so it's alcohol free. They're all welcoming and very personable. I do know they have a capacity limit and weekend tend to be the busiest until around 4 or 5 pm. Nights and weekends are definitely lower in foot traffic, but still great energy. I don't make it over too often, but highly recommend experiencing once or thrice. They just had a cool 50% off hourly prices for Bonus Level Loyalty Club members, and yes it's free to be a member :) Local street (meter), paid lot and garage parking available. Gender-neutral restrooms. Great for groups or just you.

What a fun experience…read more My lady & I enjoy Pasadena for its many great spots for history. We visited this museum on a Saturday and were greeted very warmly by Christian who presented a small group of us with a great narrative tour. Such a nice time to see how the wealthy used to live back in the day. I highly recommend this museum and a special bonus if Christian leads the tour.

Honestly, such a cool hidden gem right in Pasadena! Stepping inside the Fenyes Mansion feels like…read moretaking a quick trip back to the 1900s, and the tour guide had the best facts-like how this massive 10,000-square-foot mansion was somehow the owner's idea of "downsizing," or how it's been used in movies like The Prestige. The place is loaded with original art and cool vintage details, but I honestly didn't want the tour to end. I was lowkey hoping we could explore every single room in the house, especially that secret basement with all the archives underground. Super worth checking out if you're looking for something fun and different to do for an afternoon!

Background On Visit: Last Sunday (4/12/26), the venue hosted the Pasadena Festival Of Tea. We were…read moreone of the participants for this event. Hours Of Operation: They welcome visitors to the garden on many Friday and Saturday evenings and during the day on Sundays. You can check out their schedule of events and admission cost on their website: https://japanesegardenpasadena.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/japanesegardenpasadena/event.jsp?;=&event=1612& Admission Cost: Mostly, $15 on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, it's $12. For other events, they post the cost on their website. Location/Parking: Located across from the Arlington Gardens (Free). It's kinda hidden, but just use the gps on your phone to guide you. Parking can be found along Arlington. For special events, they encourage you to park at Westridge School (Orange Grove and W. State St.) and walk up to Storrier Stearns. Ambiance/Decor: The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a beautiful and charming retreat with a quiet and tranquil elegance. The place is small which contains many of the much admired design features found in the most lavish of Japanese-style gardens of its era. As Kendall Brown states in his book, California Japanese-style Gardens, "this is the genius of Kinzuchi Fujii: this was once a flat area of two tennis courts; now it is a masterwork. 1) Classic Niko-an Teahouse, the garden landscape offers a variety of other beautiful details. 2) Numerous gathering points, seating areas & vistas 3) Four original bridges plus the original cedar log Japanese Waiting Bench 4) Two large interconnected, irregularly shaped koi ponds 5) The sounds of two waterfalls, one cascading down a 25-foot hill 6) An artful dry riverbed for rain overflow winding through the garden 7) Cooling shade everywhere from spreading sycamores & old oaks 8) Many tons of boulders & stones 9) Granite statuary & stone lanterns Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden For Thought: Wouldn't mind coming back to re-center myself. I did a have nice time.

This is the most difficult Botanical Garden to get in touch with…read more The hours they have posted on their website are wrong, no one picks up the phone after calling several times and leaving several messages. I went in person last weekend, and it was closed despite their online hours posted. The lack of clarity even upon walking up to the venue is not clear. They have no signs stating they are closed and it's clear they do not care to return voicemails. Please do not waste your time going there.

Absolute gem nestled in a beautiful canyon. My boys loved the ball blaster, bottle launcher and…read morepulley system outside, great heavy work for high energy kids. Inside they loved climbing, crafting and sensory play. Very well done museum.

Free Parking, confusing at first as it's a shared lot for the park. There was a line upon arrival…read moreso you can actually buy tickets online and bypass the other line. The museum is both indoors and outdoors. There's several activities that are geared towards older kids such as sitting on seat and self-pull to go up. Or a tug a war type thing. The other outdoor activities are for all ages, they have areas where you can bang on stuff to hear the sounds. There's an indoor which I feel the younger ones loves such as the train table or the parachute. Overall there's activities for all ages. There was even a spot if someone wants to read and do storytime. Fun overall. It can get pricey. I'm not big on places charging adults as it truly is more for the kids.

The Gamble House sits at the pinnacle of craftsman style architecture and is an absolute must…read morepilgrimage museum for all fans of architecture. It is a beautiful example of the genre and is meticulously maintained by its docents. It also represents the very DNA of Pasadena residential architecture and it's influential style echoes throughout the city. A visit here is fun and you will learn about the history of Pasadena too. The tour takes about an hour and was throughly enjoyable. After your tour you and also spend time in the lovely adjoining gardens. Double highly recommend.

JUST AMAZING tour with docents who not only give details but actually care about the property…read more I was lucky to get a spot the day before. 100 out of 10 Oh and the bookstore shop is a must

Twice a year, the City of Pasadena's Cultural Affairs Division puts together an evening during…read morewhich many of the museums and historic sites remain open late, and offer free admission. This offers a wonderful opportunity for local residents to check out a new museum or site, learn a thing or two, and take the kids to see something new in a low-stress, welcoming environment. Lines for some attractions are longer than others, so be sure to have a list with your priority spots to make the most of your time! In keeping with social distancing requirements, Spring Art Night 2021 was virtual. The next Art Night has been planned for October 8, 2021. You won't want to miss it!

I've done DTLA Artwalk plenty.. But Pasadena Art Night? I'm ashamed to say this was my first year!…read moreArt is universal and what's so beautiful about that is how differently it's expressed. Through stages, spaces and mediums. Pasadena had a great line up for all the art they had to showcase. They delivered it much better than some of the artwalks I've been to in the past. How so? Well, let me tell you: Pasadena Art Night is much less flashy, much more community, and much more organized. It's definitely a night for the family as much as it can be for a date. Because this Art Night is much more community friendly and interactive, there's much more heart coming from the community itself either as the showstoppers or the audience! With a huge line-up of art exhibits, my friend, her son and I managed to hit up four destinations to get our fill of the spectacular evening in store for us. Our first stop was none other than, Kidspace Children's Museum! They had the night lighting up with all the kids' best moves whether it was dancing, jump roping or hula hooping and making sure everything from rope to hoops to even bubbles were lit up! It was practically a mini rave for tiny humans and my friend's kid had a blast. Music was also well selected. From there we took one of the many trams reserved specifically for Art Night goers! All trams were labeled based on destination which made the night all that more accessible to every and all interested! We made it over to the park right by city hall. The park was hosted by a nonprofit org called Day One who delivered an Alice and Wonderland "Down the Rabbit Hole" theme! Tea was being served with tea pots and cups hanging from trees, chalk art welcoming you in, a book tunnel leading you right to the stage of poets and story tellers to the left and luminescent trees with happiness keys being hung right along the branches to your right. The keys were gorgeous with blank tags waiting to be written on. After getting lost down the rabbit hole, we fell upon city hall which was more of a quick pit stop. Only leading us to our final destination, Paseo! Paseo's courtyard was being hosted by MUSE/IQUE. They were showcasing a free basic dance class by the hour or so! They had displayed step by step instructions on the ground of different dances. We made it just in time to learn one of their routines! After being taught, they allowed the participants to find a partner & dance the night away. We had finally made it to the end of our little friend's energy and decided to end the night with some happy feet! We got right back on the tram hassle free. City Hall was the only destination that had every bus for every direction come into! As we ended a well organized and run Art Night in Pasadena, my friend and I promised to attend the next one to come as her little one sang us Wheels on the Bus all the way back to kidspace where our cars were safely parked. Will I do this again? Ooh you betcha. Hope you check it out too, yelpheads