And, of course, there are collectibles everywhere. "Sparky's" specializes in nostalgia, "Things from Another World" caters to movie and comics lovers, and "Harley Davidson" has motorcycle memorabilia, of course. Since the merchandise here is so unique, that's where I can spend the day happily browsing through the stores, and that's why it's a cheap outing for me. I get a souvenir, I buy a soda or an ice cream cone, and I have change left over. If you're more willing than I am to spend your cash, you could eat at some great restaurants. Gladstone's is a popular seafood restaurant. The Saddle Ranch Chop House is known for great steaks. Of course, everyone has heard of Wolfgang Puck's, Buca di Beppo and the Hard Rock Cafe--and each of them is represented here at CityWalk. For entertainment, I hear that B.B. King's Blues Club is one of the best. There's music every night--often blues, but sometimes something different--and they serve good ol' Southern cookin'. There's the Rumba Room, a Latin dance club, and there's a Nascar (virtual) speedway. The multi-screened Universal City Cinemas show first-run movies. But often, you get to hear live music being played from the courtyard in front of the theaters. The management seems to like to keep this place LOUD, at least at night and on weekends.

This complex is similar in idea to Downtown Disney at the Disney Resort in Anaheim. But the two are very different. Universal CityWalk is hipper and edgier, and did I say louder? For me, it's great shopping fun for a weekday afternoon. But when party time comes, I'm SO outta there!

CityWalk seems larger, with more shops than DTDis, but isn't as airy. CityWalk is like an outdoors, two-level mall, but with little you actually need to buy for home. Instead it's tchotchke-like stuff, such as movie toys (this is, after all, Universal), nostalgia shops and some outlets of things you'll find at your local mall. These seemed to be your more pricey chains, if you catch my drift.

There are a number of bars and restaurants, which is what lured me to Universal in the first place. I wanted to see the Hard Rock Cafe of Hollywood, which is it's own building inside the walk. It sounds like, just as with The House of Blues and Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney, that this is where to go after a night of running around the theme park if you are staying on property or stretching your time before you leave. The selection here though, for shopping, dining and bar hopping, is a bit larger than in Anaheim. One cool night scene I would have liked to experience was Sci-Fi night, where the Sci-Fi channel sponsors free outdoor movies on the big screen, such as Star Wars.

One standout in an otherwise boring trip to this area of Universal City was this water fountain built into the mall walk. The fountains go off in unexpected patterns and visitors are encouraged to walk through the fountain and not get wet.

"Free" is a tricky word here. Unless you are walking or have pre-paid transportation, you will be spending some money. I also highly doubt you can enter this section and not spend money in at least one establishment. Unless you are going to the park itself, steer clear of CityWalk, because, as the cliche goes, "you get what you pay for."