Universal City Walk

Situated at the approach to the Universal Parks this is a great place that is really jumping in the evenings.

You make your way from the car park, along the moving walkways, towards City Walk. There is a whole range of shops and restaurants awaiting you. Everything from coffee or ice cream to a full service meal.

There are plenty of shops and stalls to help part you from your cash, in the nicest possible way of course. Many of the shops will hold your shopping whilst you visit the parks, and if you are staying at any of the onsite hotels, they will arrange for your shopping to be returned there for you.

As well as lots of stalls selling everything from fridge magnets to frozen Margarita’s there are also several selling Universal merchandise. There is a ladies clothiers (Fresh Produce), a cigar shop, and my personal favourite: The Fossil Shop. I am unable to walk past without taking a peek in, and usually end up buying something.

Some of the restaurants also have merchandise stores attached to them too.

We are slowly working our way through every restaurant and so far have sampled Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville, Hard Rock Café, Nascar Café, Pastamore, and the Motown Café. All have been excellent, and many offer live entertainment nightly too.

Amongst those we have yet to try are Emeril’s, Bob Marley: A Tribute to Freedom, Pat O’Briens and The Latin Quarter…

As if all this wasn’t enough to keep you entertained, there is also the Universal Cineplex with something like 20 screens offering a complete range of feature films for all the family. They also do “Movie and a meal” option, linked to several of the restaurants. You can see a film and dine for $20. The menu is slightly limited but still great value for an evening out.

There is a stage almost central to the whole area and we have seen bands and many other forms of entertainment there on every visit.

The Hard Rock Live is a concert venue and regularly has some big names appearing.

The Groove is a full blown nightclub and features a different genre of music each night. From 70’s and 80’s music for us oldies to alternative rock. You name it, they feature it!

It is well worth a visit in its own right, and during the day is lively, but at night it really comes into it’s own as a great place to meet friends old and new and socialise.

Entrance to City Walk is free but after 10pm access to some of the clubs requires a ticket. You can buy a City Pass which allows access to most places for about $10, and you can add a movie for another $2, now that is a good deal and well worth it. Best of all, if you have a multi day Universal ticket check with the information booth as your ticket may already include a City Pass.

This place rocks till the wee small hours, spend an evening here, you won’t be disappointed.