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What to See & Do in Pasadena

Pasadena offers plenty of activities and attractions to its visitors.  Old Pasadena is a place where you can step back in time to a place when streets were unpaved and carriages were horse-drawn.  Dated architecture, botanical gardens, and historic buildings are all on the menu too.  Pasadena also offers present day attractions that look to the future including: the California Institute of Technology and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  From the past, into the present, and on to the future, Pasadena offers something for everyone.
Activities & Attractions
Old Pasadena - Go shopping. Go dancing. Go to the movies. Go for a stroll. Go to one of the hottest historical districts in the country. Old Pasadena. Take a trip back to the city's business district at a time when streets were unpaved and carriages were horse-drawn. The old streets and walkways are once again busy, bustling and bursting with excitement.  Explore the historic streets and alleyways of Old Pasadena. Tours are given the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The cost is $5. For reservations, call Pasadena Heritage at (626) 441-6333.
The Arboretum of Los Angeles County - 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia This 127-acre horticultural and botanical center features blooming gardens, wildlife and historic buildings, including the Queen Anne Cottage made famous in Fantasy Island. Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., except Christmas  (626) 821-3222
Armory Center for the Arts - 145 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena The Armory offers exhibitions, performances, and art workshops for children and adults. Open Wednesday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday evenings, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Group tours are available. The Armory will be closed for renovation from April 2001 - early spring 2002. (626) 792-5101
California Institute of Technology - Caltech provides one of the nation's most widely recognized courses of study in science and engineering. Architectural tours of the 124-acre campus are conducted on the fourth Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. (except Dec., July & Aug.). Tours depart from the Athenaeum at 551 S. Hill. Please call for reservations.  (626) 395-6327
City Hall - 100 N. Garfield Avenue, Pasadena This exquisite 1927 landmark exhibits Italian Renaissance and Spanish influences with its red tile roof, ornate fountain and lush garden courtyard. (626) 744-4000
Descanso Gardens - 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Located on 160 acres, Descanso Gardens contains forests, streams, a lake, and bird sanctuary highlighted by 80 acres of colorful flowers, including camellias, lilacs and roses. Open daily 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., except Christmas (818) 952-4400
El Molino Viejo (The Old Mill) - 1120 Old Mill Road, San Marino Completed in 1816 as a grist mill for Mission San Gabriel, the two-story oven-baked brick and adobe structure is a testament to Southern California history. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (626) 449-5458
Jet Propulsion Laboratory - 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena JPL is a world-renowned research, development and flight center for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Tours by appointment. (818) 354-9314
Mount Wilson Observatory - 740 Holladay Road, Pasadena Located high atop Pasadena, Mount Wilson Observatory is a world-class research organization famous for the discovery of the Expanding Universe. Tours of its unique facilities are available to visitors year-round. Call for details. (626) 793-3100
Tournament House and Wrigley Gardens - 391 South Orange Grove Boulevard, Pasadena This ornate mansion, once owned by chewing gum manufacturer William Wrigley, Jr., was built between 1908 and 1914 and today serves as the headquarters for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. The house is undergoing a two-year renovation and is closed to the public. Beginning in 2002, tours will be offered February - August on Thursdays from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Gardens are open daily. (626) 449-4100

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