Universal CityWalk Orlando: The Ultimate Guide to Entertainment, Dining, and Shopping
Exploring CityWalk in Orlando
Universal Orlando Resort has so many incredible things to do. From the thrilling rides at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida to the amazing atmosphere at the resort hotels, the excitement never stops.
But did you know there is a massive dining, shopping, and entertainment district that you can explore for free?
It’s called Universal CityWalk!
CityWalk is easily one of the most lively places you will ever visit. I love being able to go somewhere and have everything imaginable available in one central hub.
How to Get to Universal CityWalk
CityWalk is conveniently located right in the center of the resort, acting as the gateway between both theme parks.
Because of this central location, it is busy from early in the morning until late at night.
You’ll see people stopping into a shop or grabbing a quick bite as they park hop during the day, and then as the theme parks close, CityWalk really comes alive for the evening.
If you are staying at a Universal property like Cabana Bay Beach Resort, getting there is a breeze.
You can hop right on a complimentary shuttle bus or take a relaxing water taxi ride down the scenic resort waterways, dropping you off right at the entrance.
Best Universal CityWalk Restaurants for Families
With a massive variety of dining options, you will definitely find something for everyone in the family. CityWalk perfectly balances quick, familiar fast-food spots with incredibly unique, immersive sit-down restaurants.
If you want a fun family sit-down experience, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar is a must-try.
It is a unique fusion restaurant where the food is just as entertaining as the atmosphere. You can get an incredible premium burger, fresh sushi bento boxes, or even “Burgushi”—which is creative sushi rolls made with burger ingredients.
For dessert, you absolutely cannot miss The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. It looks like a giant, steampunk-style chocolate factory from the outside, and inside they serve up some of the most towering, over-the-top artisan milkshakes you have ever seen.
They serve food as well, and we enjoyed our meal there, it’s fun to see the staff dressed up and in character. The treats are beyond!
We also ate at the Cowfish and the food was incredible. I had a delicious burger, Darasak had a bento box with sushi and burger sliders and the girls had PB & J sushi.
My brother Frank, had the “All American Bacon Double Cheeseburgooshi” which was sushi with burger filling.
Things to Do at Universal CityWalk: Entertainment & Nightlife
You do not need a theme park ticket to have an unforgettable night out here. CityWalk is packed with entertainment options that are perfect for families, groups of friends, and couples alike.
You can play a glowing round of mini-golf at Hollywood’s Drive-In Golf, which features two hilarious, retro-themed 50s sci-fi and horror courses that kids absolutely love.
If you want a lively night out, you can take the stage for live-band karaoke at CityWalk’s Rising Star, catch the latest blockbuster at the Universal Cinema with IMAX, or enjoy great food and music at the NBC Sports Grill & Brew and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.
Shopping at Universal CityWalk
If you love shopping, you will love wandering in and out of the stores along the lagoon. The massive Universal Studios Store is the ultimate stop to pick up everything from Wizarding World of Harry Potter wands to classic park souvenirs.
For something a little more unique, you can check out apparel at the Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company or find the perfect casual vacation gear to remember your trip.
Is Universal CityWalk Worth It?
CityWalk is a wonderful venue that bridges your park days together. Everyone can spend as much time as they want there, whether you are just stopping by for a quick lunch or planning an entire evening of dining and entertainment after the parks close.
If you haven’t experienced CityWalk for yourself yet, make sure to build it into your next Orlando vacation itinerary. You will have an absolute blast!
Stop By CityWalk!
I discovered that CityWalk is a wonderful venue for families, groups of friends, and even singles. Everyone can spend as much time as they want there and can combine CityWalk with a day or multiple days inside both Universal theme parks.
If you haven’t experienced CityWalk for yourself yet, then I recommend that you plan a time to get down there sooner than later. You will have the best time of your life!
Check out our experience at Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
If you want the latest updates, check out Universal Studios on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
What entertainment do you look for when you travel?
Let me know, til then–cheers m’deres!
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Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
Will definitely have to check it out next time we make a trip to the area, which hopefully will be in the next couple of years.
That is awesome. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it when you make it there.
I’m going to be in Orlando in May and CityWalk looks like so much fun! I will definitely make a point to get by there on one of my days in the city.
Lots to do there, nightlife too. Always something going on. 🙂 Enjoy.
This looks like so much fun! I’d love to go there! For travel with the kiddos I look for fun restaurants that is kid friendly and good food for us all. I also look for other fun activities or places the kids will enjoy or something we can do as a family. We go to Kansas City every year since it’s just a 2.5 hour drive away from us and we always have a blast there.
That is awesome and great things to look for.
ahhhh would love to go some day! we never travel. our girls are still too young so waiting till they get a bit older and even hubby and I never travel. Nightlife with the kids would obviously be a different experience than we are used to
Hehe, it is still possible. Hope you make it out soon!
I have visited the City Walk at universal Orlando and it does have arrays of shops and food. I would also add to bring comfortable shoes as there is lots of walking.
Yes, that is very true. Thanks for the tip!
City Walk is tons of fun! I once photographed a wedding there at the Hard Rock! It was EPIC!
WOW, that must have been so cool. 🙂
Of all the times we’ve been to Orlando, we’ve never been to CityWalk. Wonder if it is the same as the one in L.A.?
You should plan for it next time. So much to do!
I live right near Orlando and I can’t believe how many years it has been since I have been to Citywalk. Looks like they have made tons of improvements.
Hehe, now you have to come and see them!
Wow looks really awesome. Looks like there is lots in the area, which is great you dont want to have to go all over the place looking for things to do! One day hoping to be able to explore something like this, never been to Universal!
It is lots of fun. Hope you can!
Looks like CityWalk is something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Universal theme parks! I’d love to try some of their restaurants!
Yes, they have lots of options.
CityWalk is so cool! We tend to go earlier in the day since our kids are still fairly young and it can get a bit crowded at night, but there are SO many shops and restaurants!
Yes, it is always poppin at night!
CityWalk is the best! We’ve done it a couple of times, and we had so much fun. This is a great resource.
Why, thank-you!
We’ve been to Orlando several times, and we’ve NEVER tried City Walk before. Thank you so much for sharing this. We’re definitely making sure we get in on this for our next trip.
Sweet, hope you enjoy it as much as we did Vera.
Oh,Nancy you must have had a blast the photo’s are amazing!
Hehe, Kathy it was a lot of fun and thanks for that. It is always fun to take pictures. 🙂
This really makes me want to go back to Universal Studios! We went there for one day back when we were doing a Disney trip. Most all of us of the 8 in our group agreed we enjoyed Universal more!
Hehe, Universal has amazing entertainment, that is for sure.
We have not been to Disney’s Universal Studios yet but have been talking about going. When we travel we look for fun free or fairly cheap things to do. Citywalk sounds like something we would really enjoy. Thanks for sharing your experience.
This would be a great place for that. 🙂
I haven’t been to Universal Orlando in years. I’ll be out that way so I might have to plan a stop and see all the new changes.
Sweet, hope you like it.
Our first stop would be the pizza place that was in your photo. We oove trying a variety of pizza especially when we travel. Different areas make it differently.
We never had a chance to to yhe CityWalk near Universal Studios. My kids opted for Disney instead.
Hehe, that is fun. You are right, they do do it differently.
I’ve been there before and loved it! I went with my fast pitch softball team when we were in FL for Spring training, we all walked around there and had a ton of fun, lots to look at and do : )
That is awesome. Glad you enjoyed it.
CityWalk looks like fun. I will have to check it out the next time I go to Universal. I always look for things the whole family can do together.
This is a great place to do that for sure, have fun.
I haven’t been to Universal in such a long time! It’s on my plans this summer!
Sweet, enjoy it!
How fun are those signs? I’ve never been, but it looks like a great place to take some photos
For sure and to have fun of course. 🙂
We’ve never been to Orlando, but it’s on our bucket list. Will definitely check CityWalk once we’re there. Looks like a super fun place!
So fun, and lots to do.
This is a place, I’ll make sure I won’t miss when I visit Orlando. It looks super fun.
It is definitely so much fun!
We like to look for the hidden gems when we travel. They’re often not as fancy or glitzy but usually a lot more intimate feeling.
That is nice! Those are fun too but, sometimes you want to have this type of fancy and glitzy fun. 🙂 You can make any experience intimate.
So fun! The last time I went to Universal Studios was in sophomore year in high school. I had a great time. Wish I lived closer to Florida, I would be there all the time lol
Me too, it is so much fun.
This sure looks super fun,my niece and her girls are going in April i have been telling her about your post.
I have never been to Orlando but If I ever go I would make sure I go to City Walk. Seems like a lot of fun and lots to see.
Great article! Will probably plan an Orlando trip soon! This would come in handy. City Walk seems like a great place to visit with food and shopping 😉
Awesome, enjoy!
Orlando is on my list of places to go. The citywalk looks awesome, thanks for sharing
It is amazing!