Norton Simon Museum Of Art

The art of Norton museum is well known so no point in my further elaborating on it. Get the audio guide for $3 as some labels are not extensive. The indoor garden and sculpture garden is small but pretty. Tip for budget travelers is diagonally across from museum on Colorado St is Ralph’s grocery store, which sells sandwiches for $6-8 and many salads besides all regular groceries and fruits. They have iron chairs and table in front patio so decent place to get inexpensive lunch; much cheaper than museum café and better food selection. Pros: Excellent art Cons: Opens at noon more

This is a great place to go on the weekend. They have a nice collection of art work, the museum itself is beautiful, not too big. Pros: Great Art more

The Norton Simon isn't the largest museum I've ever visited, but it does house some of my favorite pieces -- from the the ballet dancers of Degas to the Renaissance views of Venice's Piazza San Marco by Canaletto. There's always an interesting ""visiting"" show to view. I recommend visiting the museum early on the weekend...afternoons get rather busy. During the week it's packed with school children. If you're a museum ""stroller"" like me, you might not appreciate their ""enthusiasm"". You can usually get through the entire museum in a couple of hours (again...if you're a ""stroller"") and then have a late lunch/early dinner in Old Town Pasadena. If you're a Westsider...make a day of it and drive out to the Pasadena for some culture with shopping and dining just steps away. You won't regret it. Pros: Close to Old Town Pasadena Cons: Parking can be crowded on a busy day. more

On the edge of Pasadena, this museum offers incredible history and quality. It has a great variety of exhibits, Van Gogh, Degas, etc and is a really nice size. The museum is actually fairly small but you can still take a few hours time perusing the art. It's one of my favorite art museums. Once you're done visiting you can pop down the street to Old Pasadena to help round out the experience for the day. Pros: Quality of Art, Variety, Parking more

Please note that I'm neither an art major nor a die-hard enthusiast, but I do enjoy a trip to the museum now and then. I've always enjoyed the Norton Simon, which has an uber-friendly environment. The permanent collection includes some Van Gogh pieces and Degas sculptures, as well as many others. It lacks on exhibits, but has a warm atmosphere because of its smaller size. The base floor has an impressive Asian collection. Pros: good parking, uncrowded, helpful staff more

Excuisite showcase for artists such as Degas, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Fragonard, and Gauguin. Very serene venue with helpful staff. For those who like more info on some of the works, take the self guided tour. It's a great way to spend the day with your kids. Parking is free, but a pain. Perfect location, close to old town pasadena. After your tour, try one of the many restaurants just down the street. Pros: Great Collection, Gallery, Self Guided Tour more

The art is extremely varied and eclectic, therefore a great place to take kids for an indoctrination into art. We took a couple of 9-10 year old grandkids there, and, instead of telling them what to see, let them lead the way. It was fascinating to watch them insinuate themselves (without adult instruction) into various pieces of art, as experienced from their perspective. We learned a lot about art that day. Pros: variety of art, ambience, presentation more

great selection of Kandinsky and Modrian. comfortable and easy to see whole museum in a few hours. more

Can anything match the tranquil beauty of the reproduction of Giverney gardens in the remodeled Norton Simon Museum? Stroll or sit in front of the reflecting pool and feel yourself become a part of a Claude Monet painting. more

If you enjoy art and have some free time please visit this museum! It's a wonderful place to spend the day. more

A great place to fill up on a little art and culture. Not overcrowded and very welcoming with an excellent collection. Especially check out the Asian collection downstairs. A pleasant and accessible alternative to the sterile, unfriendly and uber-hip series of mostly-empty walls which is the Getty. Pros: accessible, great collection, relaxed atmosphere more

The Norton Simon is one of the best smaller museums in the country. Its peaceful, cool ambience is reminiscent of the Kimbell in Fort Worth. The idiosyncratic collection leaps gracefully from the Enlightenment to Southeast Asia. Frank Gehry's expansion of the space is an elegantly managed spiral while the garden is an oasis just a block or so from the 210. more

A gorgeous collection, beautifully hung and lit. Not what I expected for a Pasadena museum.!! Lot's of air, space and light. Nice museum shop as well. They also have concerts there in the very pretty garden. The NS is a must for all visitors to Pasadena! more

This is a superb museum, made all the better by its low-profile status which keeps it uncrowded, friendly and affordable. The southeast Asian collection is one of America's best. Often you can find yourself entirely alone here, walking through hallways filled with Buddhas, Shivas and other ancient sculptures. The crowning jewel of the museum, however, is the sculpture garden in back, centered around a small pond, and filled with beautiful trees and exquisite works, both ancient and contemporary. Pros: Southeast Asian Art, Sculpture Garden more