Downtown Pasadena - Pasadena, TX

Pasadena has a long and rich history from the Native American settlements by the Karankawa, Atakapan and Akokisa tribes to being a short-term domain of the pirate Jean Lafitte until he was forced out by the U.S. Navy in 1821. Since the final battle of the Texas Revolution was fought in the Pasadena/Deer Park area, it has been dubbed the Birthplace of Texas. The Red Cross gave 1.5 million strawberry plants to help the community after the 1900 hurricane. By the 1930s the city was calling itself the strawberry capital of the world, and it still holds an annual Strawberry Festival in honor of this history.

To preserve its vibrant history, Pasadena has several museums: the Pasadena Historical Museum, the Bay Area Museum and Armand Bayou Nature Center. The 1980 hit-film '"Urban Cowboy," set in Pasadena, featuring John Travolta and Debra Winger, immortalized the local Gilley's Bar.

Get away for the weekend, plan an event or simply enjoy a delightful Sunday brunch at the restored historical landmark now known at the Silver Sycamore Tea Room. This restaurant has everything from a bed and breakfast to weddings and receptions, a coffee shop with fresh pastries and a full restaurant open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where you can reminisce over some old fashioned chicken and dumplings with a side of peach cobbler.

Salateen Restaurant, a local, family-style Indian eatery, has tasty meat dishes like the chicken makhni (chicken with almonds & cashews in light cream sauce) and vegetarian dishes, such as the vegetable qorma (mixed vegetables and nuts cooked in a creamy sauce). Salateen uses a traditional tandoori clay oven to cook its flavourful dishes and if you are not sure what you might like you can try a bit of everything at the full buffet between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Stop at Jimmy Changas for some Tex-Mex food and fun. While the kids swing like monkeys on the covered playground you can some succulent Fish Taco's smothered in mango relish,sliced avocado, queso and chipotle mayo. Or, dig in to the Dirty Tostadas, layers of queso and shredded barbecue pork, covered in black beans, corn, chopped lettuce, pico de gallo, and sliced avocado, all tossed in a creamy chipotle-barbecue sauce.

Pasadena is only a 20-minute drive from the heart of Downtown Houston. The METRO Fuqua Park & Ride is Pasadena's main form of public transportation. With plenty of public parking and gas prices on the low, the main means of transportation in the area is privately owned vehicles.

The only cab service within the Pasadena City limits (aside from Uber, which is available online or through the app) is Designated Dave, so plan ahead if you want a cab. Though there are not many bike lanes yet to be found in Pasadena, with plenty of parks and trails connecting the city is still has a lot to offer biking and hiking enthusiasts.

Hang a Gone Fishing sign in your window, and head out to see if you can catch some of the catfish, bass or rainbow trout at Crenshaw Park fully stocked pond. Take a stroll on the many trails, let your kids swing on the monkey bars or even challenge them to a game of soccer or baseball in the open fields of Strawberry Park, Burke Crenshaw Park, Southmore Park or Ben Briar Park.

Cool off in one of Pasadena's three city pools or take advantage of their open swim classes offered in the summer. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a relaxing day swinging iron on the Pasadena Municipal Golf Course greens. Let your canines run free at Pasadena's Dog Park which has a two acre, leash-free zone.

To celebrate Pasadena's heritage, the three-day, annual, Pasadena Strawberry Festiva l is held on the 106-acre Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds complex and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Enjoy strawberries on top of strawberries, including the Worlds Largest Strawberry Shortcake. You will also find cook-offs, live entertainment, beauty pageants, arts and crafts, rides, mud volleyball and much more.

Similarly, the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo, which is dedicated to raising scholarship money for local students, is held each year around September/October. Compete in fun-filled events with your community, such as rodeo contests, 4D jackpot barrel racing, BBQ cook-off, kids chili cook-off, beauty competitions, talent contest, as well as golf and even a bowling tournament. You can enjoy watching or partaking in the 5K fun run/walk, rodeo parade, trail ride, live musical entertainment, horse show, dance, auction, mule and donkey show and a kids adventure zone.

The median income for a household or family in Pasadena averages around $40,000. If you wanted to rent a one-bedroom residence you could expect to pay just over $500 a month on average. The general cost of living in the Pasadena area sits about 5 percent lower than the city average. Gas costs around 5 percent less than the national average. If you want to throw down a couple cold ones at your local pub or brewery, a domestic beer won't cost you more than $4.

Plaza Paseo is one of Pasadena's major shopping areas with department stores such as Macy's, Palais Royal, and Sears. Other notable shopping areas include the Allen Center, Fairmont Village Neighborhood Center, Fairmont Village, and the Harris Professional Building.

If you are looking for something one of a kind then head over to the Antique & Craft Mall of Pasadena. Make sure your style is unique by shopping at stylish, high-end fashion boutiques such as Anjouil's, Christina Marie's, and Sassy N Chic.

Of course you can find all the well-known chains such as HEB, Fiesta and Aldi's, but you will also find great local varieties such as Cheri's Food Store and El Ahorra Supermarket. Mi Tienda is a large Mexican grocery that also provides fresh juice and a food cart. If you enjoy organic produce you can take a short drive to the neighboring town and stroll through rows of fresh corn, strawberries, and tomatoes at the Deer Park Farmers Market.