Universal CityWalk

The Universal CityWalk sits adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood, so chances are you’ll end up here at some point if Universal is on your Los Angeles agenda. Some sightseeing tours of Hollywood also stop at CityWalk, including the Blue Route of the Los Angeles double-decker hop-on hop-off bus (along with the Chinese Theater and Hollywood Bowl).

• Universal CityWalk is an excellent spot to grab a bite or do some shopping after a day at the park.

• Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring the area, more if you plan to include some of the attractions.

• Entrance to Universal CityWalk is free, but many attractions require separate admission.

• CityWalk is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs can be rented in the valet area.

Universal CityWalk is located just outside the gate of Universal Studios in Universal City, west of Griffith Park. To get there, take the Hollywood Freeway and get off at either the Universal Center Drive or Lankershim Boulevard exits.

Businesses within Universal CityWalk maintain their own hours of operation, but many open and close about an hour after Universal Studios. Most travelers visit in the evening hours when the area is at its liveliest.

One of the most popular activities at CityWalk is iFLY Hollywood, an indoor vertical wind tunnel where thrill-seekers can experience the sensation of skydiving without the risks or expense. A typical experience includes two 60-second “jumps” into artificial winds blowing up to 175 mph (282 kph).

Yes, you can visit Universal CityWalk without a ticket. Universal CityWalk is an entertainment and retail district next to Universal Studios Hollywood that serves as a public entrance to the theme park. There's no admission, but you need tickets to see a movie or catch a skydiving flight at iFly Hollywood.

There's plenty to do at Universal CityWalk, an entertainment and retail district next to Universal Studios Hollywood—you can shop, see a movie, go to a concert, grab a bite or dine at a restaurant, catch an indoor skydiving flight at iFly Hollywood, and hang by the dancing water fountain display.

While there are sometimes in-costume character sightings at retail stores at Universal CityWalk, such as the Bride of Frankenstein, E.T., and the Minions, most of them are saved for Universal Studios Hollywood. Inside the theme park, you can encounter Optimus Prime, the Simpsons, Shrek, Curious George, Scooby-Doo, and others.

Yes, Universal CityWalk is worth visiting, especially en route to Universal Studios. The entertainment and retail district serves as a public entrance to the theme park and is free to visit—it's also a great place to have a meal, see a movie, or catch an indoor skydiving flight at iFly Hollywood.

Universal CityWalk has no admission—you don't need tickets to access the pedestrian-only entertainment and retail district. However, you must pay for parking, movie theater tickets, and indoor skydiving flights at iFly Hollywood. Tickets to Universal Studios cost between US$109 for general admission and US$379 for VIP experiences.

No, parking at CityWalk Universal isn't free. The pedestrian-only entertainment and retail district serves as an informal entrance through the parking lots to Universal Studios Hollywood—daily parking costs between US$10 to US$70, with discounts for visitors who purchase movie theater tickets or eat at a CityWalk restaurant.