Pasadena, MD

Pasadena was once a fairly rural and simple town packed to the brim with farmland, attracting the attention of numerous European immigrants in search of employment. As the town saw the increasing settlement of more workers, its population began to expand. The addition of a nearby B & O Railroad stop in Anne Arundel County fostered an age of growth and development for the small town.

Although not home to a large collection of museums, Pasadena contains the famed King James Galleries, and these museums feature a vast collection of historic and civil war artwork from a variety of artists. The museum accommodates five full showrooms where patrons get a taste of Pasadena's more cultured art scene.

Pasadena presents a fairly diverse assortment of dining options, from the traditional American-style restaurants, steakhouses and pubs to European and Asian bistros. The town's dining district lies primarily along Mountain Road and Ritchie Highway.

Szechuan Cafe crafts the very finest in Asian cuisine within the Pasadena area. A family owned business providing exceptional dining experiences, the restaurant sets and maintains a highly distinguishable quality standard that keeps locals visiting time and time again. Customer relish the warm and friendly atmosphere Szechuan Cafe provides, and staff members make guests feel right at home. Try the restaurant's highly renowned spring rolls. These baked crisp and flaky rolls packed with fresh vegetables are fresh and served hot.

From homemade deli sandwiches, to savory soups and salads, you can have it all at Simple Sands Deli. Tucked away near a local gas station, most consider this restaurant a hole in the wall, but don't let its location fool you. Simple Sands Deli makes some of the best sandwiches available in Pasadena. Customers enjoy the graciously portioned sandwiches, affordable prices and courteous staff members. Try the Hero, a filling and full-flavored combination of ham, turkey, roast beef, ham, salami, bacon, multiple cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles topped with Verta's Dill Spread between two slices of Italian bread.

Nightlife in Pasadena consists of a casual spread of bars, pubs and lounges along Fort Smallwood Road. Fifer's Seafood provides an ideal and sensibly decorated environment, where customers come and consume high-quality seafood dishes or enjoy a few drinks with friends. The restaurant serves everything from crab cakes to shrimp salads. Try the steamed crab, one of the many items listed on the all you can eat menu. Nautical Lounge provides traditional bar-style entertainment and houses an assortment of pool tables, dart boards and a touch tunes jukebox loaded with plenty of great music to keep you entertained throughout the night.

Automobile travel tends to be the most common method of transportation in Pasadena; however, the Maryland Transit Authority provides a number of bus and rail routes throughout Anne Arundel County and serves as the area's primary public transportation option. Pasadena contains a fairly limited number of taxi services, but areas closer to the center of Baltimore typically contain higher concentrations. Uber provides coverage throughout all of Baltimore. On-street residential parking comprises the majority of public parking available in Pasadena, but residents also park in privately owned lots. Paul T Pitcher Highway intersects Pasadena, acting as the town's main thoroughfare and feeding directly into Governor Ritchie Highway and Interstate 97. Pedestrians travel calm and safe streets, while cyclists enjoy over 800 bicycle routes throughout the city.

A small spread of nature-centric recreational areas comprise the distribution of parks in Pasadena. John H. Downs Memorial Park brings together all aspects of an ideal park into one central location and provides a number of amenities, including a playground, a dog park/beach, numerous paved trails, basketball courts, volleyball courts and breathtaking views of nature. The parks serves as a great space for the whole family or a peaceful retreat for individuals who enjoy the great outdoors. You can also catch a concert during the summer. Admission to the park typically costs $3 per car.

Daring thrill-seekers can participate in Maryland's annual Polar Plunge - a community gathering with participants who collectively venture into the frigid waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Pasadena incurs a cost of living 22 percent higher than that of Baltimore, while public transportation to the city center costs as little as $1.60. Most one-bedroom residences rent out at an average cost of $1,363.54 per month, while gas prices stand at around 7 percent higher than the national average. Whenever you visit a local pub, you can grab a pint of ice-cold beer for as little as $5.

Pasadena has a fairly even distribution of independently owned specialty shops and nationally recognized retailers located along Ritchie Highway and Mountain Road. The town also contains a small collection of high-end stores, specialty gift shops and jewelers.

A haven for comic book enthusiasts, Fudd's Rabbit Hole presents a expansive variety coupled with a comfortable and engaging atmosphere that makes visitors feel right at home. Whether you're looking for a quick and entertaining read or that one special issue missing from your collection, the staff at Fudd's Rabbit Hole can accommodate your needs. Regulars who sign up to have comics reserved receive special discounts towards already well-priced merchandise.

Stop by Coterie Boutique on Mountain Road if you're looking for something that's one-of-a-kind.This locally owned shop specializes in clothing, accessories and shoes that are perfect to give as gifts or keep for yourself.

Small neighborhood grocery stores and a collection of nationally recognized grocers serve Pasadena. Angel's Food Market, located on Mountain Road, maintains a reputation as the go-to supermarket in Pasadena. The facility houses a fair selection of grocery inventory in addition to its renowned hot bar, where customers enjoy a variety of freshly cooked food, ranging from fried chicken wings to Maryland crab soup. The Farmer's Market of Westfield Annapolis Mall is the closest farmers market to Pasadena and features vendors selling dairy products, fresh seasonal produce and more.