13 Fun Things to Do at Universal CityWalk Orlando in 2023
Universal CityWalk is Universal Orlando’s premier destination for incredible restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and live music.
It’s a fun spot for the whole family after a Universal Orlando park day or on a non-park day.
Even, if you don’t plan on visiting the parks, come to CityWalk to experience all the fun to be had here!
Here are 13 fun things to do at Universal CityWalk Orlando.
Fun Things to Do at Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk is a fun destination for people of all ages.
Even, if you’re not looking for something specific to do, come to Universal CityWalk because it’s also one of the best places to walk in Orlando.
If you’ve ever been to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World, Universal CityWalk is similar but on a much smaller scale.
Here are 13 fun things to do at Universal CityWalk, in no particular order!
1. Indulge in Over-the-Top Desserts at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
Visiting The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen is a must at Universal CityWalk.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Kitchen is a restaurant and dessert shop with an amazing 19th-century steampunk theme.
This restaurant has an excellent menu, but where it really shines is with its over-the-top desserts, especially its milkshakes!!
Even if you don’t dine here, stop in to check out the incredible theming and pick up a treat at the confectionery. They sell tasty specialty chocolates and candies and you can even watch them make these delicious treats right here.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Kitchen also has a store where they sell clothing, mugs, and other fun souvenirs. As you can see there is a lot of fun to be had at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Kitchen, making it one of the most fun things to do at Universal CityWalk.
🍫 Reserve a table at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Kitchen
2. Play a Round of Mini-Golf at Hollywood Drive-In Golf
Looking for one of the best Universal CityWalk attractions to do on a non-park day or after a long day at the parks? Hollywood Drive-In Golf is an excellent option!
This fun vintage sci-fi & horror movie-themed putt-putt course is fun for all ages!
It has two 18-hole courses; a sci-fi-themed course called “Invaders from Planet Putt” and a haunted theme course called “The Haunting of Ghostly Greens.”
It’s also one of the best things to do at CityWalk at night because it is open until 12 am and has fun neon lights at nighttime!
⛳️ Purchase tickets for Hollywood Drive-In Golf.
3. Get a Pink Box of Doughnuts from Voodoo Doughnut
Voodoo Doughnut is a must when visiting Universal CityWalk. Their doughnuts are creative and super delicious!
But even if you are not a doughnut lover, stop in to check out this fun, quirky shop. Just a little warning though, the line can get long because this place is super popular. However, the line does move fairly quickly.
To give you an idea of just how popular this place is, I always see people all over Universal CityWalk and the Universal Orlando Resort carrying Voodoo’s pink boxes around. Their slogan is after all, “good things come in pink boxes.”
Voodoo Doughnut not only has your traditional, classic doughnut flavors but also a wide variety of specialty doughnuts including the Voodoo Doll, Universal Orangesicle, and Miami Viceberry.
And they are open late in case you don’t make it there in the morning! Their usual hours are from 8 am until 12 am. And some nights throughout the year they are even open as late as 2 am.
TIP: To avoid waiting in line, you can order Voodoo Doughnut ahead on the Universal Orlando app and pick them up outside the store.
4. Shop the Universal CityWalk Shops
One of the best things to do at Universal CityWalk is to shop at the Universal CityWalk shops.
And CityWalk is the perfect spot to grab a Universal souvenir.
The Universal Studios Store is a huge store full of exclusive merchandise you can’t get anywhere else. Here you can pick up Universal Studios t-shirts, plushes, mugs, and more.
The Universal Legacy Store is an awesome store for all you retro Universal lovers. Here they sell merchandise themed to E.T., Back to the Future, Jaws, Ghostbusters, and Woody Woodpecker.
For some island-vibe shopping, go to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, The Smuggler’s Hold for Margaritaville t-shirts, and collectibles.
Quiet Flight Surf Shop is another great shop located a CityWalk. They sell beachy and surfer-style clothing. And if you happened to forget to pack your swimsuit for your Orlando vacation, you can pick one up here.
5. Taste Burgushi at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
If you’re looking for a unique dining restaurant like no other, go to The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar.
Before you start thinking, “I do not like sushi”, no worries you do not have to like sushi to eat here.
This fun restaurant has a huge menu with lots of different burgers to choose from and a wide variety of sushi options, even for those non-sushi lovers.
What’s unique and a must-eat at The Cowfish is their Burgushi Rolls. Burgushi Rolls are a fusion of burgers and sushi. I highly recommend The All-American Bacon Double Cheeseburgooshi. As a non-sushi lover myself, this is absolutely incredible and delicious.
🍔🍱 Reserve a table at The Cowfish.
6. Experience Universal’s Great Movie Escape
Universal’s Great Movie Escape is an “escape adventure” at CityWalk Orlando. It’s not your typical escape room though.
Here at this Universal CityWalk attraction, you can choose from one of 2 escape adventures; Jurassic World or Back to the Future.
Both of these escape adventures have 8 different rooms that you go through to solve the puzzles.
This would make a great family activity at Universal CityWalk or a great activity with a group of friends.
🎟️ Purchase tickets for Universal’s Great Movie Escape.
7. Watch Your Team at NBC Sports Grill
Will you be at Universal during your team’s big game? Head to NBC Sports Grill to watch the game and have a great meal.
At NBC Sports Grill they have about 100 TVs all playing sports! This place is a dream for any sports lover.
NBC Sports Grill serves your traditional sports bar foods including wings, burgers, salads, and pizzas.
They also have some pretty unique dining “foosball” tables here. Make sure to request one of these, so you can eat, watch the game and play foosball all at the same time!
🏈 Reserve a table at NBC Sports Grill.
8. Catch a Movie at Universal Cinemark
Universal Cinemark located in CityWalk is one of Orlando’s best movie theatres.
This theatre has super comfortable reclining seats which are perfect for relaxing after a long day at the park.
They also have a huge variety of sodas, and snacks and even serve adult beverages.
🍿 Check here for tickets and showtimes.
9. Be a Star at City Walk’s Rising Star
City Walk’s Rising Star is a karaoke bar located at CityWalk. It is definitely not your typical karaoke bar though.
At City Walk’s Rising Star, you do not sing to pre-recorded music. At City Walk’s Rising Star, you will have a live band and backup singers!!
If you don’t want to sing, no worries enjoy sitting in the live audience and being entertained by the other singers.
Drinks can be brought to your table here and if you get hungry you can get pizza delivered by nearby Red Oven Pizza Bakery.
NOTE: You must be 21 to enter City Walk’s Rising Star on the weekends. During the week, they allow 18 and up. City Walk’s Rising Star is one of the best things to do at CityWalk at night for adults.
10. Make S’mores at Bigfire
Bigfire is a modern, sophisticated restaurant at CityWalk serving American Fare.
Most everything here is cooked over an open flame. Some delicious entrees on the menu here include steaks, fish, and burgers.
But the highlight of any meal at Bigfire is the s’mores.
The s’mores are a really fun experience at Bigfire, so make sure to order them! You get to cook the s’mores right at your very own table over a fire! They bring out a Lazy Susan with an assortment of chocolates, marshmallows, and graham crackers.
Making s’mores at your table is one of the most fun things to do at Universal CityWalk!
🔥 Reserve your table at Bigfire here.
11. Visit the World’s Largest Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe at Universal CityWalk is no ordinary Hard Rock Cafe, it’s the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe!
The exterior is absolutely incredible! Not only is it colossal in size, but the exterior shape looks like the Colosseum in Rome!
Upon walking inside, your eyes will be drawn to the floating instruments and the pink Cadillac convertible rotating over the bar. There is also a stunning mural on the ceiling. There is also a continuous display of music videos on the tv screens.
This Hard Rock Cafe has a massive collection of rock music memorabilia; more than any other Hard Rock Cafe. It’s almost like a rock and roll museum inside!
So, even if you don’t dine here come inside and browse the rock memorabilia from music stars such as Bon Jovi, Prince, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Michael Jackson, and Elvis.
You’ll also want to browse the Rock Shop here for apparel, jewelry, and collectibles.
Also located at Hard Rock Cafe is Hard Rock Live Orlando; a 3,000-person concert venue. Make sure to check if any famous acts will be here when you are in town.
Because of all of this rock greatness, visiting the Hard Rock Cafe is one of the best things to do at Universal CityWalk.
Fun Fact: Not many people know what I’m about to tell you. A segment of the Berlin Wall is located behind the Hard Rock Cafe. Follow the path alongside the right of the Hard Rock Cafe to the back of the restaurant and you will find a segment of the Berlin Wall.
🎸 Reserve a table at Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Cafe.
13. Ride the Water Taxi
The Universal Water Taxi goes between Universal Orlando Resort’s Premier and Preferred Hotels to the CityWalk dock.
But did you know, you do not have to be a guest at one of these hotels to utilize the water taxis?
Riding the water taxi is a fun, relaxing way to see some of Universal Orlando Resort’s best hotels. These hotels include Sapphire Falls Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort, and Portofino Bay Hotel.
Water taxis run every 15 minutes, so you never have to wait too long for a water taxi.
13. Listen to a Mariachi Band at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food is a fun and delicious Mexican restaurant at CityWalk.
Not only does it serve up amazing Mexican food, but it also has a live Mariachi Band that performs on stage on select nights!
A must-eat item here is the tableside guacamole. They make the guacamole fresh, right here at your table just for you. How fun is that?
🌮 Reserve your table at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food here.
Universal CityWalk Location
So you might be wondering where exactly CityWalk is…
Universal CityWalk is the gateway to Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure. So when walking or taking the water taxi to the parks, you will have to walk through CityWalk.
Parking at Universal CityWalk
If you are staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel, I do not recommend parking at Universal CityWalk. You can easily walk or take the Universal shuttle to CityWalk.
However, if you are not staying on Universal property, you will need to utilize the Parking Garage. The Parking Garage for CityWalk is the same Parking Garage you will use for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
Parking Garage Address for CityWalk, Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure:
6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
Parking Cost:
Regular Parking– $27
Prime Parking– $40-60 depending on the day and season
Parking is free after 6 pm.
If going to Universal Cinemark, parking is reimbursed if you purchase 2 or more matinee tickets from 11 am-6 pm.
Universal CityWalk Map
Pictured below is a map of the Universal Orlando Resort area.
This will give you a better idea of where CityWalk is in relation to the parking garage, shuttle and ride share drop-off area, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure.
FAQs- Things to Do at Universal City Walk
Here, I’m going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions about things to do at Universal CityWalk.
Yes, Universal CityWalk is free! You can even go to Universal CityWalk if you don’t plan to visit any of the parks. UniversalCity Walk is a great place to walk around, dine, shop, grab a dessert, play a round of mini-golf, or listen to live music.
Universal CityWalk is always free! Universal CityWalk’s usual hours are from 8 am-12 am. Sometimes they are even open til as late as 2 am depending on the time of the year.
No, unfortunately, Butterbeer is not served at Universal CityWalk. To get your Butterbeer, you’ll have to go visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Orlando or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure.
When visiting CityWalk, wear casual, comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes. Comfortable shoes are definitely important as you will be walking around a lot.
For more on what to wear to Universal CityWalk, read What to Wear to Universal Studios Orlando & What to Pack 2023.
According to Universal Orlando Resort’s website, visitors must be fully clothed, including shoes and shirts. Unless for religious or medical reasons, visitors cannot wear anything that partially or fully obscures a person’s face. Clothing must be appropriate for a family environment. Also, no clothing, costumes, or accessories may be worn that create a false impression that the visitor works for Universal.
Parking at Universal CityWalk (Universal Parking Garage) is only free after 6 pm. Regular parking is $27. Prime parking is $40-60 depending on the season and the day.
However, if watching a matinee at Universal Cinemark, parking is reimbursed if you purchase 2 or more matinee tickets from 11 am-6 pm.
No, pets are not-allowed at Universal CityWalk. However, service dogs are allowed at Universal CityWalk. There are 2 pet relief stations located in CityWalk. One is between the Hard Rock Cafe and Universal Studios and the other is located to the left after you cross the bridge that leads to the gates of Islands of Adventure.
The best days to go to Universal CityWalk will be during the weekdays. Weekends, especially Friday and Saturday nights are usually much busier.
The Wrap-Up: Things to Do at Universal City Walk
Universal CityWalk is Universal Orlando’s premier spot for delicious dining, over-the-top desserts, entertainment, shopping, and live music.
You have to walk through CityWalk to get to the theme parks, so plan on spending some time here before or after your day at the park. Or even better, plan on coming here on a non-park day and spending the whole day here!
As you can see, there are a lot of fun things to do at Universal Orlando for the entire family.
Have a great time!
Staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel and flying into Orlando International Airport? Be sure to read: Universal’s SuperStar Shuttle- Everything You Need to Know in 2023.
