It’s FREE to enter and there is so much to do, you could almost spend the whole day here. From bars and restaurants to shops and entertainment (there’s even a cinema!), we’ve rounded up the best things to do at Universal CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort.
Ride the water taxi to the resorts
In case you didn’t know, staying onsite 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. Hotel guests enjoy Early Park Admission up to an hour before the main gates open 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 on boat, which is way more VIP than coming by car or bus.
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 Sapphire Falls 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 (or to explore them in preparation for a stay during your next trip!). You can also take great photos of CityWalk as you dock on the pier - and it looks extra spectacular at night.
Take on an escape room
Universal’s Great Movie Escape is one of the newest attractions to be added to CityWalk’s entertainment line-up. With two themes to choose from, you can either head Back to the Future or into Jurassic World for an epic escape room adventure. This unique experience is adjustable depending on the size of your group, and also your skill level, so everyone can participate - even the younger members of your party.
Have sushi and a burger on the same plate
No, we’ve not drunk one too many tequilas at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville around the corner. Universal CityWalk has such a wide choice of dining options, including the Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen, but the most unusual has to be The CowFish. This vibrant restaurant claims to be the forest ever Burger-Sushi bar and their speciality is the ‘Burgushi’, a surprisingly tasty fusion of the two favourites!
However, if you’d rather stick with a traditional hamburger and leave the raw fish chilling on ice, or hold the beef and chow down on a fresh firecracker roll, you can keep it simple and do that too. The choice is yours.
Play a game of mini-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 both during the day or in the evening after a day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
Dough-not miss dessert in a pink box
One of the most exciting food options at Universal CityWalk is the famed doughnut joint, Voodoo Doughnut. These sweet treats are so popular there is virtually 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 doughnut and some of them almost look too pretty to eat. Our pick has to be the ‘Voodoo Doll’, which is a delicious chocolate-covered doughnut man with super sweet jam inside. The really adventurous should try the Maple Bacon option - yes, it actually does taste of bacon!
Sing like a celebrity
As well as a choice of bars and clubs at Universal CityWalk, over 21s 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, warm up your vocals and take to the stage. Of course, you don’t have to sing, and enjoying a drink while other put on the show makes for a fun and lively evening too.
Entrance tickets to Universal Orlando Resort are not required to enjoy CityWalk, but if you want to visit the amazing Universal theme parks and Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Park too, the 3-Park Explorer Ticket lets you experience it all!
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