What Is CityWalk? A First-Timer’s Guide to Universal’s Entertainment District

For anyone who’s never been, “CityWalk” can be a confusing term. Is it a ride? A shopping centre? An entire theme park?

In reality, Universal CityWalk is the buzzing entertainment district that sits right on the doorstep of Universal’s theme parks around the world – and it’s one of the smartest ways to add extra fun to your trip without buying another park ticket.

What is Universal CityWalk, exactly?

Think of CityWalk as Universal’s own high-energy town centre: a compact, walkable area packed with restaurants, bars, shops, live music and late-night entertainment.

There’s a version of CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, at Universal Studios Hollywood in California, and at Universal’s resorts in Japan and Beijing. Each one looks a little different, but they share the same purpose: to keep the fun going before and after your time in the theme parks.

Crucially, CityWalk is usually free to enter. You don’t need a theme park ticket; you simply pass security, walk in from the car parks or public transport, and choose how you want to spend your evening. You’ll pay for food, drinks and activities, but the atmosphere – neon lights, music, and that distinctive Universal buzz – doesn’t cost a thing.

What you’ll find at CityWalk if you’ve never been

If you’ve never been to a CityWalk before, the easiest way to picture it is as a cross between a dining district, a live entertainment hub and a very stylish high street. Here’s what typically waits for you.

Big-name and themed restaurants

Universal leans hard into food at CityWalk. Across the different resorts you’ll find everything from global chains to one-off themed venues you can’t visit anywhere else.

In Orlando, for instance, Universal CityWalk features The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen – a full-service restaurant that looks like a steampunk chocolate factory – alongside favourites like Hard Rock Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and quick-service spots serving burgers, pizza and Asian fusion bowls.

Hollywood’s CityWalk adds local flavour with Mexican eateries, sushi bars and LA‑style fast casual options. The exact line-up changes over time, but the idea stays the same: a huge choice of places to eat, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite after park closing or planning a special meal.

Shopping and souvenirs

CityWalk isn’t a full-on shopping centre, but it is a handy place to browse between attractions.

You can expect at least one large Universal Studios Store selling film and ride merchandise – ideal if you forgot something in the park or want to avoid carrying bags all day. There are usually smaller boutiques too, selling fashion, accessories and gifts, plus the occasional quirky specialist shop such as a dedicated sweet shop or doughnut counter.

Live entertainment and nightlife

Once the sun goes down, CityWalk really earns its reputation as Universal’s nightlife district.

• Live music venues with house bands or rotating acts

• A cinema showing the latest blockbusters

• Mini-golf courses or interactive attractions

• Comedy clubs or karaoke bars

• Lounges, cocktail bars and late-night clubs (often with age restrictions after a certain hour)

Crucially, CityWalk is designed to work for different kinds of visitors. Families with younger children can enjoy an early dinner, a round of mini-golf and an ice cream before heading back to their hotel, while adults and older teens can stay on for live bands, dancing and late-night drinks.

Practical details: tickets, opening hours and access

First-timers are often surprised to learn that Universal CityWalk operates a bit like a shopping and dining district attached to a stadium: you pass through security and then you’re free to wander.

You normally don’t need any sort of ticket to enter CityWalk itself, although you may need to pay for parking depending on the time of day and resort policies. Once inside, most venues keep trading later than the theme parks, making it a handy option when the rides have closed but you’re not ready to call it a night.

At Universal Orlando, for example, CityWalk acts as the central hub between the two main theme parks and many of the hotels. In Hollywood, it links the car park complex with the iconic hillside studio and theme park. In both cases, if you’re walking to the park gates, you’re going to walk through CityWalk – even if you only stop long enough to grab a coffee.

How CityWalk fits into a Universal holiday

Because it sits outside the ticketed parks, CityWalk gives you a lot of flexibility.

• A low-pressure “arrival night” activity after a long flight or drive

• A way to enjoy Universal theming without paying for another full park day

• A meeting point for mixed groups, where some people have park tickets and others don’t

• A safety valve on busy days when restaurant queues inside the parks are too long

It’s also a useful psychological buffer. After an intense day of coasters and special effects, spending an hour with a drink and some live music can help you decompress before heading back to reality.

What a CityWalk-style district could mean for Bedford

So why does all this matter for Bedford? Because Universal has secured Special Development Order (SDO) approval for its new Universal Studios Bedford resort, scheduled to open in May 2031 – and every major Universal destination built so far has included a CityWalk-style entertainment district.

Universal hasn’t yet confirmed the exact layout or branding of the UK resort’s dining and nightlife area, but the pattern from Orlando, Hollywood and beyond makes one thing very likely: Bedford will gain a free-to-enter, year-round hub of restaurants, bars and live entertainment right on its doorstep.

“A CityWalk-style zone at Universal Studios Bedford would instantly become one of the most visited evening destinations in the region,” says Dr Hannah Lewis, a tourism lecturer specialising in visitor economies. “For Bedfordshire residents, it will feel less like a closed-off theme park and more like a new town centre that happens to sit beside one of the world’s biggest entertainment brands.”

For local businesses, that could mean new partnerships, from sourcing regional food and drink to staging live performances. For visitors from London and beyond, it offers the possibility of treating Universal not just as a daytime theme park, but as a full short-break destination with a variety of ways to spend an afternoon or evening – even if you don’t set foot on a single ride.

Tips for making the most of CityWalk on your trip

Whether you’re heading to Orlando, Hollywood or, in time, Universal Studios Bedford, a bit of planning goes a long way.

Plan at least one dedicated evening

If your schedule allows, set aside one night just for CityWalk. Make a dinner reservation at a restaurant you’re genuinely excited about, then leave time to wander, listen to live music or try one of the smaller attractions.

Use CityWalk as your flexible back-up plan

Weather turned, queues too long, or you’ve simply hit your limit on rides? CityWalk is the ideal pressure-release valve. Because it doesn’t require a ticket, friends or family who aren’t “park people” can join you for a meal or a drink without feeling they’re missing out.

Budget for food, drinks and extras

Entry may be free, but CityWalk is still part of a major resort. Prices tend to match what you’d expect at a large city centre: not outrageous, but worth budgeting for. Factor in:

• Sit-down meals and character dining, where available

• Signature cocktails or craft beers

• Sweet treats and snacks

• Tickets for mini-golf, cinemas or special events

If you’re staying on-site at a Universal hotel, look out for any discounts or dining plans that include CityWalk venues; these can make a noticeable difference over the course of a week.

Looking ahead: CityWalk and the future of Universal in the UK

For someone who’s never been, the most important thing to know about CityWalk is that it’s not an optional extra only for die-hard fans. It’s the social heart of a Universal resort: a place where theme park days begin, where they wind down, and where the fun continues long after the last coaster train has left the station.

As Universal Studios Bedford moves closer to its planned opening in May 2031, expect more detail on exactly how its own dining and entertainment district will take shape. If history is any guide, it will bring the spirit of CityWalk to Bedford – and with it, a whole new way for locals and visitors to eat, drink, shop and simply soak up the atmosphere.

Stay with Universally Bedford for in-depth coverage of every announcement, from concept art to restaurant line-ups, so that by the time the gates open you’ll know exactly how to make the most of CityWalk-style nights on your doorstep.