We Didn’t “Pass” on These 10 Things to Do in Pasadena
- Start Your Day Right with Sycamore Grounds
- Feel Like Tom Sawyer With Lynchburg Ferry
- Embrace Serenity at Burke Crenshaw Park
- Go Thrifting at Prime Thrift Alamo
- Rediscover History at Battleship USS Texas BB-35
- Enjoy Nice Treats at El Bolillo Bakery
- Have Fun at Main Event Webster
- Relax at The Armand Bayou
- Try Shooting at Marksman Indoor Range
- Experience Culture at Pasadena Little Theater
Not to be confused with its more popular, blue-haired namesake, Pasadena, Texas is more like Pasadena, California’s country cousin. But hey, just because they’re from the country doesn’t mean everything there is just crow noises and tumbleweeds!
Contrary to popular belief, Pasadena has many sights to see and things to do! In fact, we can even go as far as saying that Pasadena is one of Houston’s – if not, Texas’ – hidden gems when it comes to activities!
Lucky for you, we’ve explored enough of Texas to tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly! So if you’re interested in visiting this quaint little Metropolis, then read on as we give you THE list of things to do if you’re ever in Pasadena!
1. Start Your Day Right with Sycamore Grounds
Address: 2502 Pansy St, Pasadena, TX 77503,
Phone Number: 281-978-6307
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Nothing beats the feeling of starting the day right with a great breakfast – and starting your day with Sycamore Grounds’ amazing food will boost your day tenfold. Their atmosphere will also make you feel like they’re a home away from home!
Sycamore Grounds feels like a cozier version of whatever cafe is in your mind right now, which gives them a unique premise compared to other breakfast spots in Pasadena. Add that to their delicious Honey Milk Latte, and starting your day has never felt better!
You can also get a taste of Sycamore Grounds’ coffees for your home! For $25 a month, you can have their Coffee of The Month where you can get some of Sycamore Grounds’ coffee beans delivered right to your doorstep!
| Pro Tips: Unlike other cafes, Sycamore Grounds doesn’t offer straws for their coffees – yes, even paper ones! We strongly suggest bringing some metal straws if you want to savor your iced coffee in peace. |
2.Feel Like Tom Sawyer With Lynchburg Ferry
Credit: @hctra_eztag on Instagram
Address: 1001 Independence Pkwy N, Baytown, TX 77520
Phone Number: 713-983-1899
Hours: Monday – Friday: 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
If you’ve ever wanted to feel what Tom Sawyer felt when he was passing through the Mississippi River, then we suggest giving Lynchburg Ferry a visit. You can even learn some new historical facts you’ve never known before!
Lynchburg Ferry tours the entirety of the Houston Ship Channel, and will last around 5 to 7 minutes. The tour guide that teaches you about the history of the Houston channel makes it so immersive to the point where it’ll feel like the tour is over in a snap!
The best part about Lynchburg Ferry Tours though is the fact that it’s free – that means that anyone, regardless of who they are or what they do, can learn more about the Houston Ship Channel’s rich historical background!
| Pro Tips: The queue times for the Lynchburg Ferry is a lot longer than their tours – like, an hour long for a five minute trip, especially on the weekends. We strongly urge you to bring a book with you to keep yourself entertained! |
3. Embrace Serenity at Burke Crenshaw Park
Credit: @rosyber1127 on Instagram
Address: 4950 Burke Rd, Pasadena, TX 77504
Phone Number: 713-475-7048
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
One of Pasadena’s more quiet spots, Burke Crenshaw Park is a 100-acre park that lets you take a chill pill. It’s a bit of an underrated spot as well, which makes visiting them feel that much more special, serene time either by yourself or your loved ones.
Yes, Burke Crenshaw Park is on the smaller side – especially when you compare them to bigger Houston parks like the Memorial Park Downtown. However, even with their diminutive size, you can still play baseball and there’s even a lake where you can fish!
Although Burke Crenshaw Park doesn’t have plenty of trees that provide good shade when you’re out there, they do have gazebos that you can use for your picnics. That, and the huge green space will make you feel like Sister Maria in The Sound of Music!
| Pro Tips: We had to say it – Burke Crenshaw Park is way too hot. There’s way too much concrete and too few trees, which makes visiting them a drag, especially on hotter days. We suggest visiting during the winter for a cooler time! |
4. Go Thrifting at Prime Thrift Alamo
Credit: @thriftnprosper on Instagram
Address: 2215 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77504
Phone Number: 713-944-6722
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
With thrifting being the newest trend on both TikTok and in real life, the demand for good items are on a constant, upward trend. Luckily though, Prime Thrift Alamo, not to be consumed with Grand Theft Auto, has pretty nice, thrifted selections for you to pick!
From the emo, “My Chemical Romance”-esque clothes borrowed straight from a millenial’s wardrobe to more plain polo shirts that fit a dad to a “t”, Prime Thrift Alamo has it all. You WILL need to clean them thoroughly, but that’s a whole different story.
Prices may vary from time to time, but expect at least 50% or even 80% off the prices of the clothes when they were brand new. Sadly (or rather luckily), Prime Thrift Alamo doesn’t sell underwear, but we saw some nice Victoria’s Secret lingerie so it’s your call.
| Pro Tips: If you managed to buy either a pair of pants or anything with pockets at Prime Thrift Alamo, we strongly urge you to double-check the pockets. You never know where these came from, and nowadays it’s better to be safe than sorry. |
5. Rediscover History at Battleship USS Texas BB-35
Address: 3523 Independence Pkwy, La Porte, TX 77550
Phone Number: 281-479-2421
Did you know that a New York-class battleship ( the second biggest configuration ships in World War II), was assigned an important role in World War II, and you can visit them to learn more about the battles they fought when the world was in turmoil?
If you want to learn more about it, then Pasadena has the exact same battleship that has fought in World War II that you can visit! Battleship USS Texas BB-35 lets you learn more about the ship’s history, along with all the battles that it fought during the war.
The visit itself is fine – albeit a bit too hot especially during the summer. But the pictures you can take with the famed weapon that has helped save nations? Trust us – it’s going to be epic, whether you’re a history buff like us or not!
| Pro Tips: If you’re lucky, you can get to see the Battleship USS Texas BB-35 adorned with beautiful lights during the evening! That’s a sight to behold, especially if you’re looking for a good, Insta-worthy spot! |
6. Enjoy Nice Treats at El Bolillo Bakery
Credit: @madmanmario on Instagram
Address: 917 Southmore Ave, Pasadena, TX 77502
Phone Number: 713-643-2625
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
If you’re ever craving for a little Mexican treat, then Pasadena has plenty – so much so that you’re literally spoilt for choice. However, if you’re not looking for a full-on meal and want something sweet to keep going, then we suggest El Bolillo Bakery on Southmore!
Yes, some of their decor is dated, and it looks like you’re stuck at someone else’s Quinceanera party from decades ago. However, their food – especially their authentic-as-can-be Kolaches, is enough to blow every competition out of the park!
El Bolillo Bakery prides themselves in having THE most authentic Mexican sweets experience – and they do! Most of their menu items, especially their Pingüinos, can bring anyone back to the time when they first had a bite of one!
| Pro Tips: Although El Bolillo Bakery is open until 10 PM, they stop serving customers somewhere around 9:40 PM! If you want a late-night snack from them, we strongly urge you to come at least 40 minutes before their closing time! |
7. Have Fun at Main Event Webster
Address: 1125 Magnolia Ave, Webster, TX 77598
Phone Number: 281-332-4500
Hours: Monday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Tuesday – Thursday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM
One of Pasadena’s most popular spots for just having fun and letting loose, Main Event Webster is an all-in-one place that lets you have lots of fun for everyone! From bowling, fun arcade games, billiards, and even laser tags – they have everything you can ask for!
Everything in Main Event Webster just screams “fun” – from the decor to the bright arcade machines, you can tell that the place is made with the word “fun” in mind. They have plenty of iconic arcade machines like Dance Dance Revolution which is lots of fun!
Main Event Webster also has a restaurant that you can try out if you ever get hungry! Most of the menu options are the typical ones you’d find in an arcade like wings and stuff, but the flavor profile is okay, especially when you’re really hungry.
| Pro Tips: Since Main Event Webster is a fun environment, expect some loud music there – and we do mean loud. We strongly suggest bringing some noise-canceling earphones with you if you can’t manage the noise. |
8. Relax at The Armand Bayou
Address: 8500 Bay Area Blvd, Pasadena, TX 77507
Phone Number: 281-474-2551
Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Armand Bayou Nature Center, one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the US, offers a delightful mix of scenic hiking trails and abundant wildlife sightings!
From alligators to river otters, the park is a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. The 5-mile trail, beautifully illuminated, ensures a pleasant experience even during low light conditions.
Armand Bayou Nature Center’s natural splendor gives it a different kind of beauty. Whether it’s capturing Instagram-worthy moments or simply enjoying the ambiance, a visit to Armand Bayou Nature Center promises a memorable outing to nature’s wonders.
| Pro Tips: Armand Bayou Nature Center prohibits pets, particularly dogs. Service dogs are an exception but require proper documentation for safety purposes. |
9. Try Shooting at Marksman Indoor Range
Address: 507 Nebraska St, South Houston, TX 77587
Phone Number: 713-944-3520
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
If you or someone you know loves firing their guns every Fourth of July, then we have a safer suggestion for you to try out – in Pasadena, no less! Marksman Indoor Range is a gun lover’s paradise with their training sessions and a safer way to buy your guns!
Marksman Indoor Range shooting range is their main claim to fame, and it shows. Their shooting range is a lot more fun than you’d think, even if you’re only allowed to shoot pistols as a beginner. You’ll need a license if you want to use their semi-automatic rifles!
You can also get your gun journey started with Marksman Indoor Range since they don’t just sell guns, they also have a License to Carry class for beginners! You will need to sign a waiver beforehand, but it’s for your own safety so it’s understandable.
| Pro Tips: To ensure yours and everyone else’s safety, Marksman Indoor Range’s staff can be a bit too nosy with everything you’re doing. Just be patient with them, especially if you’re in their shooting range. |
10. Experience Culture at Pasadena Little Theater
Address: 4318 Allen-Genoa Rd, Pasadena, TX 7750
Phone Number: 713-941-1758
Hours: Varies per event
Though Pasadena isn’t always known for their cultural relevance, there are still some spots that you can visit to see musicals. Pasadena Little Theater offers that – and even if they’re a bit remote, their musicals are both fun and just the right amount of tacky.
Yes, Pasadena Little Theater hasn’t had a big name musical like Hairspray or Funny Girl. However, that doesn’t mean that the performances there are lackluster – quite the opposite, in fact! Their current performance of The Rainmaker is both thrilling and fun!
The fact that they manage to make a play that level of immersive while having a stage their size is amazing, and speaks volumes on the talent of their actors!
| Pro Tips: As we’ve mentioned earlier, Pasadena Little Theater is on the smaller side. If you want to catch the opening night and some great seats, we strongly recommend you to show at least 30 minutes before the curtain rises! |
