Universal CityWalk Hollywood has taken extreme to new heights with the opening of iFLY Hollywood, LA's first indoor skydiving wind tunnel. Housed in the world's tallest and most technologically advanced indoor wind tunnel, you'll definitely appreciate the close approximation of a true skydiving experience. Plus there are 360-degree views of CityWalk's pedestrian promenade.

Went to this restaurant because it sounded good. It was wonderful. My husband and I ordered two different meals and shared our meals with each other. The best thing to do. Then we walked around the whole place and he did his red carpet walk. We had a blast.

A great casual date-place (e.g. "dinner and a movie") and all purpose hang-out, Universal CityWalk incorporates trendy dining, entertainment, and shopping into one location. Almost as colorfully and brightly lit as Las Vegas, this outdoor area reflects the glamour of the Hollywood movie industry (on which it’s amusement park next door is founded). I used to come here with friends for dinner and to stroll around and people watch. Since it was also near to Universal Amphitheatre, it was nice to catch a bite here before the concert (besides which, you have to walk through CityWalk to get to the theatre or the amusement park). Select from popular restaurants which serve all types of food – American, seafood, Italian, Japanese. Two establishments popular with visitors to LA include the Hard Rock Cafe and Gladstones. I have to say that I preferred the Gladstones in Malibu better though. Beware of the crowds at peak dinner times; you may want to make a reservation ahead of time. Although not a hard-core shopping area, CityWalk shops sell candy, UCLA Bruinware, toys and stuffed animals, and other trendy and fun paraphernalia. Entertainment-wise, there is a large multiplex movie theater (of course), and ice-skating rink (open in the winter), computer/arcade-type displays, water-fountains, Wizards magic show, and a pool hall. New attractions are constantly being added.

This is an article about INEXPENSIVE things to do in greater Los Angeles. Now, you CAN drop quite a load of cash at Universal CityWalk! It's a shopping and entertainment district lined with great restaurants and unusual stores. BUT if you keep a tight control of your wallet, it can ALSO be a budget destination. The CityWalk is right next to Universal Studios, which might be one of your vacation destinations anyway. You'll have to walk through this district to get to Universal Studios from the parking lot (unless you pay the outrageous extra fee for close-up parking!) Yet Universal CityWalk is cute and quirky---and definitely deserves its OWN special tour time, rather than just being seen on a quick walk-through. The most striking feature of this outdoor mall is its outrageous architecture. Giant teacups, guitars, and cartoon characters decorate its buildings. A pink Cadillac looks like it slammed into a wall--backwards! There's color and way-out artwork everywhere. And all that's before you even enter a doorway! The merchandise sold ranges from practical to fantastical. There are clothing stores aimed at young people--Billabong, Hot Topic, and Quicksilver, for example. There are team sports memorabilia stores--The Raider Image, Dodgers Clubhouse, and Team LA.

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 is now one of LA's most popular hotspots. Day or night people come to eat, shop, and people watch. Right outside the gates of Universal Studios, CityWalk draws more than just the park crowd as people from all over LA come to enjoy the fun. There are over 30 restaurants and countless shops. Favorite eating spots include: Bucca di Beppo, B.B. King's, Gladstones, Shanghai Main. As for shopping: Hot Topic, Dapy, Sketchers, The Upstart Crow. There's also a bowling alley (Jillian's), a mutli-plex theater, an Imax theater, and my favorite - a Virtual Reality NASCAR racing exhibit (I lost the race!). CityWalk has something for everyone!