Rose Parade Float Decorating & Viewing
 

I'll be in the area a few days before the Rose Parade and was wondering if anyone has done the pre-parade viewing? Should I buy advance tickets? The viewing locations are the Rosemont Pavilion, Brookside Pavilion or the Rose Palace. Is one better than the others?

Also, I'm open to any other suggestions for a day in Pasadena. Thanks for any help.

The Huntington Library (and Museums and Gardens) are spectacular!

Our experience, based on only one visit, was that the lo-o-o-ng waiting lines to get into the barns did not pay off in seeing anything worthwhile. You are shuttled along walkways above where the floats are being worked on ("Move along, please, there are 500 people behind you!"), with almost everyone attempting to stop and take pictures. We got closer to the floats and saw more along the streets leading from the barns to the staging area. If we ever went again, we would not pay a nickel to see the barns.

Sf, thanks for the suggestion!

Bobmrg that sounds awful! Thank you for letting me know your experience. Looks like I'll scratch that off the list.

We visited Pasadena on New Years Eve late as the floats are positioned for the next morning. Could walk right next to the floats. Crowds were modest. The street was lit with stadium lights. The floats position in front of the mansions on Colorado. I thought was a great experience.

Another alternative is post-parade viewing!

The Norton Simon Museum is worth a visit, but I don't know how easy it would be to reach at that time. It's on the main corner of the parade (Orange Grove and Colorado) where all of the TV towers and grandstands are set up. The museum parking lot entrance is on Colorado.

http://www.nortonsimon.org/

Gamble House is great if you love the Green and Green, American Arts and Crafts style of architecture.

http://www.gamblehouse.org/

BTW, if you're into older architectural styles, this B&B is on Orange Grove a couple of miles south of Colorado.

http://www.bissellhouse.com/

Stumpworks & iowamom, those sound like good alternatives! Thanks. I'm not sure if I'll still be in the Pasadena area, but definitely something to remember for another trip.

Jean, more great suggestions, thanks. The B&B looks beautiful!

Stumpworks, if we are able to adjust our schedule and see the floats on New Year's Eve, what do you suggest for parking?