Pasadena is famous for the Rose Parade, but living here reveals that the museums and cultural facilities are much more diverse and of a higher quality than you might expect.

It's a city with significant merits in terms of education for children and leisure activities.

The Norton Simon Museum is Pasadena's top art museum.

Founded in 1924, this museum houses a collection of about 5,000 works, including pieces by European masters like Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Degas, Monet, Picasso, and Matisse, as well as art from India and Southeast Asia. The admission fee is $20 for adults, and it is open for free every Friday evening (6 PM to 9 PM).

The exterior is beautiful, and the outdoor sculpture garden features works by Rodin.

The Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA) specializes in California art, architecture, and design.

While not large, it frequently changes exhibitions of contemporary art by local California artists, making it a great spot for those interested in the local art scene. The Pasadena Museum of History showcases materials related to Pasadena's history and cultural heritage, providing insights into the history of the Rose Parade and the early pioneer era of Pasadena.

In the field of science, the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) Visitor Center is unparalleled.

As the base for NASA's Mars exploration projects and deep space missions, JPL offers public tours by reservation, allowing visitors to see actual spacecraft models and exploration equipment up close. This can be a highly valuable educational experience for children.

In the performing arts, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium serves as a major venue for various concerts, musicals, and lectures. It is a historic site where the Academy TV Emmy Awards were once held.

The Pacific Asia Museum focuses on the arts and cultures of Asia and the Pacific, making it a familiar space for Asian American residents, including Koreans. The building itself, designed in traditional Chinese palace style, is also impressive.

The Pasadena Public Library cannot be overlooked as a cultural facility. The main branch, Central Library, is a Spanish Colonial Revival style building built in 1927, and the library itself is a historical landmark.

It has a significant collection of Korean language materials, making it a popular spot for Korean families.

Through online reservations, you can borrow books, book meeting rooms, and participate in various cultural programs.