7 of the Best Things To Do at Universal CityWalk Orlando

The fun begins outside the theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort. Universal CityWalk is a lively entertainment complex just outside the entrance to the Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure theme parks.

It’s free to enter, and there is so much to do, you could spend the whole day here. From bars and restaurants to shops and entertainment, we’ve rounded up the best things to do at Universal CityWalk:

Summary of the best things to do at Universal CityWalk

1. Ride the water taxi to the resorts
2. Take on an escape room at Universal’s Great Movie Escape
3. Have sushi and a burger on the same plate at The CowFish
4. Play a game of mini-golf at Hollywood Drive-In Golf
5. Dough-not miss dessert in a pink box at Voodoo Doughnut
6. Sing like a celebrity at CityWalk’s Rising Star
7. Grab an extraordinary milkshake from The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

What is Universal CityWalk?

Universal CityWalk is an entertainment complex with shopping, dining, and all kinds of entertainment, from a cinema to an escape room. It’s like a small town, and there’s plenty to do here, so it’s well worth a visit.

The buildings surround a beautiful lagoon, and you’ll get sweeping views of a skyline filled with roller coasters from the theme parks behind it. It’s a great option if you want to take a break from the parks. Or visit at night, after a day in the park, and enjoy the bright lights and neon signs of the complex.

Here’s what you can find at Universal CityWalk in Orlando:

Is Universal CityWalk free?

Yes, it’s free to visit Universal CityWalk and you can visit even if you don’t have tickets to either of the Universal theme parks. You can browse the shops and look around for no cost. Of course, dining and entertainment have associated costs, but you can do as much or as little as you like whilst you’re there.

What stores are at Universal CityWalk?

If you fancy doing some souvenir shopping for friends and family, or you just want to treat yourself, you’ll find plenty of options at Universal City Walk.

• Universal Studios Store: If you want to get some gear ready for hitting the parks or some souvenirs to take home, this is the shop for you. Pick up your Hogwarts house colours, or grab something fit for a superhero.
• Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company: If you want an even longer-lasting souvenir, then pop into Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company to get some ink from some of Orlando’s best tattoo artists.
• Rock Shop: Music fans will feel right at home in this shop, which is decorated with instruments used by famous musicians and framed platinum records. Pick up a range of souvenirs with the famous Hard Rock city logo.
• Universal Epic Universe Preview Center: Get a sneak peek of the brand-new Universal theme park, Universal Epic Universe, opening in May 2025. Here, you’ll see a model of the entire park, and there’s Epic Universe merch for sale too.

7 of the best things to do at Universal CityWalk

Ok, let’s get into it. Here are seven of our favourite things to do at Universal Citywalk Orlando, Florida:

1. Ride the water taxi to the resorts

In case you didn’t know, staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel has some major perks, and being right in the thick of all the theme park action is at the top of the list. Hotel guests enjoy Early Park Admission up to an hour before the main gates open (with valid theme park admission) and free transport to the parks from your hotel.

This is where the glamorous Universal Water Taxi comes in. You can arrive in style at both the parks and CityWalk by boat, which is way more VIP than travelling by car or bus. It’s giving George Clooney in Venice.

The Water Taxi serves Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Resort, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. 

Top tip: If you’re staying at Aventura Hotel, it’s just a short walk across the road to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and its Water Taxi dock.

You don’t need to be a hotel guest to use the boats, so even if you are just visiting Universal for the day, you can take a ride on the water to cool off or visit the hotels for dinner. You could even explore the hotels in preparation for a stay during your next trip!

You’ll also be able to get some great photos of Universal CityWalk as you dock on the pier. It looks extra spectacular at night.

2. Take on an escape room at Universal’s Great Movie Escape

Universal’s Great Movie Escape is one of the newest attractions to be added to Universal CityWalk’s entertainment line-up. With two themes to choose from, you can either head Back to the Future or venture into Jurassic World for an epic escape room adventure.

This unique experience is adjustable depending on the size of your group and your skill level, so everyone can take part, even the youngest members of your party.

3. Have sushi and a burger on the same plate at The CowFish

No, we haven’t had one too many tequilas at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville around the corner! There are so many Universal CityWalk restaurants, including the Hard Rock Café, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, and the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. However, the most unusual has to be The CowFish.

This vibrant restaurant claims to be the first-ever burger-sushi bar, and their speciality is the Burgushi, a surprisingly tasty fusion of the two favourites that takes surf and turf to a whole new level.

However, if you’re a traditionalist and you’d rather stick with a hamburger and leave the raw fish on ice or hold the beef and chow down on a fresh firecracker roll, you can keep it simple and choose one or the other. 

4. Play a game of mini-golf at Hollywood Drive-In Golf

Looking for an activity that’s slightly slower-paced than the rollercoasters and simulators in the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks? Hollywood Drive-In Golf takes inspiration from 50s sci-fi and horror for the theming of its two courses, The Haunting of Ghostly Greens and Invaders from Planet Putt, but don’t worry – it’s not too scary for little ones to play too.

Like most of the entertainment at Universal CityWalk, Hollywood Drive-In Golf is open well into the evening, so you can enjoy a round or two during the day or in the evening after a day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

5. Dough-not miss dessert in a pink box from Voodoo Doughnut

One of the most exciting food options at Universal CityWalk is the famed doughnut joint, Voodoo Doughnut. These sweet treats are so popular that there is almost always a queue out of the door, but it usually moves pretty fast…and these sweet treats are definitely worth it!

The store, which originated in Portland, Oregon, now serves 50 different types of doughnuts and some of them look almost too pretty to eat…almost! Our top pick has to be the Voodoo Doll, a delicious chocolate-covered doughnut person with super sweet jam inside.

If you’re feeling adventurous, then you should try the Maple Bacon option. Yes, it actually does taste of bacon!

6. Sing like a celebrity at Rising Star

As well as a choice of bars and clubs at Universal CityWalk, over 21s (with valid ID) can enjoy a night of amateur entertainment at the most glamorous karaoke stage in town. Rising Star, a popular after-hours bar, gives willing volunteers the opportunity to belt out a classic tune supported by a live band and backing singers.

If you’ve ever wanted to embrace your inner Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, or Frank Sinatra, then warm up your vocals and take to the stage. Of course, you don’t have to sing – enjoying a drink while others put on a show makes for a fun and lively evening too.  

7. Grab an extraordinary milkshake from The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen

Although this is a full-service restaurant and bar, we’d recommend stopping here for what is undoubtedly the star of the show – the variety of ridiculously over-the-top, completely fabulous milkshakes.

Anyone with a sweet tooth will not be disappointed by Jacques’ speciality milkshakes which come in traditional flavours including vanilla, coffee, and chocolate, as well as more unusual options such as key lime pie, hazelnut, and birthday cake.

But it’s the toppings that really make these milkshakes something to write home about. As well as cream, sprinkles, and chopped nuts, each shake has extra sweet treats on top. There’s a macaron on the Thrilla in Vanilla, a Rice Krispies treat on the Marshmallow Crisp, and even a red velvet cupcake on the Red Velvet.

Make sure you get an Insta-worthy photo of this incredible creation – no one will believe how great this milkshake was otherwise!

So, there we have it, our favourite things to do at Universal CityWalk Orlando. It’s definitely worth adding some time here to your Orlando itinerary, as it’s a fantastic place to shop, dine, and have fun.

Entrance tickets to Universal Orlando Resort are not required to enjoy CityWalk, but we’d recommend visiting the amazing Universal theme parks and Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park, too, and with the 3-Park Explorer Ticket, you can experience it all!