From colorful street murals to sleek gallery spaces, art walks to world-class exhibition halls, every city has its own artistic personality and cultural identity. Below are some of our favorite artful attractions in Pasadena.
THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY – No visit to Pasadena is complete without a stop at this remarkable destination, which welcomes 750,000 visitors from around the globe each year. Temporary and ongoing exhibitions are featured in the Library Exhibition Hall, Huntington Art Gallery, Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art, Botanical Florilegium and The Boone Gallery. Make a day of it by staying to stroll the 16 spectacular themed gardens spread across 120 acres, and enjoy tea in the Rose Garden Tea Room.
NORTON SIMON MUSEUM – World renowned for featuring one of the most exceptional private art collections ever assembled, the Norton Simon Museum features works amassed over 30 years by industrialist Norton Simon (1907 – 1993). His collection includes European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century, as well as works from South and Southeast Asia spanning 2,000 years. Approximately 1,000 works from his permanent collection of 12,000 are on display in the galleries and sculpture garden throughout the year.
THE GAMBLE HOUSE – A designated National Historic Landmark, The Gamble House and its furnishings were designed by architects Charles and Henry Greene in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble Company. An outstanding example of American Arts and Crafts style architecture, the house is now owned by the city of Pasadena and operated by the University of Southern California. Docent-led tours are open to the public, while more in-depth tours take people behind the velvet rope to examine the house’s exquisite craftsman details.
PEEKABOO GALLERY – “The Pop Culture Time Machine,” Peekaboo Gallery offers a fresh concept in the curation and exhibition of antiques and collectable memorabilia. Innovative, experiential presentations offer visitors an unabashed celebration of the most fantastic and innovative period in history—the 20th century. The gallery was created by Jordan Reicheck, a veteran animation producer/director and a rabid gatherer of “everything vintage pop-culture.”
