Memorial Park station is just two blocks north of the heart of Old Town Pasadena.  There are more restaurants along Colorado Blvd., the main drag in Old Town, than you can imagine.  

Cuisines from all over the planet are represented--but often in a manner to appeal to American tourists who flock to the city, especially during the Tournament of Roses on January 1st of each year.

A few restaurants in the area are worth a special mention: The Cafe Bizou, at the corner of Raymond and Holly, is a French/American bistro, popular with locals.  Next to it is the Chaddo Tea Room if you have a hankering for British High Tea. The Scarlett Tea Room on Green at Fair Oaks also serves High Tea. On Colorado at Fair Oaks is Louise's Trattoria, a personal favorite.  And Il Fornaio, which has patio dining, is tucked away inside the plaza at One Colorado.  

Standing Man with Hammer is in the plaza at One Colorado, where art exhibitions, music and dance programs occur during the summer months.

After you have eaten your fill and rested your feet, it is time to move on to the third museum of Pasadena, the Norton Simon.  It is located on Colorado Blvd. to the west of Old Town--a little over a half a mile from the Memorial Park Station. 

This museum houses the remarkable personal art collection of the late Norton Simon. You will see very fine European and American artworks spanning from the 14th to 20th Century--including Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, Bonnard, Picasso, Diebenkorn and Kienholz.  Plus excellent examples of Asian art.  

Also notable at the Norton Simon are the gardens which surround it and provide a setting for the sculpture, including Rodin's Burghers of Calais. 

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