This sprawling cinema-themed amusement park is a family-friendly paradise packed with rides, shows, and delicious eats that'll keep you entertained all day.
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 Get directions
"Universal Studios Hollywood is upping the ante for those who like to have fun all year long with up to $50 off Annual Passes when purchased online. This holiday season sees the return of fan-favorite Grinchmas and the enchanting Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And for the first time ever, there will be a joyful holiday celebration in Super Nintendo World." - Carly Caramanna Carly Caramanna Carly Caramanna is a theme park and travel journalist who has spent her professional career in New York City, Nashville, and Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Yaho
"Universal Studios Hollywood has long been heralded for its vegetarian and vegan options, including the mushroom pie platter at Three Broomsticks, located inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here, guests can also sip on a Vegan Butterbeer for the full wizarding effect. There's also Mel’s Diner, which serves a vegetarian chili dog, and Krusty Burger, which has the Mother Nature Burger on the menu." - Stacey Leasca
"Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique theme park that combines a working movie and television production lot with thrilling rides, live entertainment, and themed foods. The park offers a variety of attractions for all ages, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World — The Ride, and the World-Famous Studio Tour. Dining options are diverse, ranging from British delicacies at Three Broomsticks to tropical cocktails at Isla Nu-Bar. The park is also home to the first Super Nintendo World in the U.S., opening in 2023. Visitors can enjoy the park year-round, with special events like Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas drawing large crowds." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Call it the magic of Hollywood: Since opening in 1964, this theme park has continued to reinvent itself, creating ever-more ambitious experiences inspired by blockbuster movies. For Harry Potter fans, a visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Hogsmeade is essential, while Peter Jackson’s King Kong 360 3-D, and the immersive Fast & Furious—Supercharged simulator ride will get the adrenaline going. To be truly swept up in the park, sign up for the VIP Experience. You’ll get a special escort to the front of the line for rides, along with breakfast, a private lunch prepared by the studio’s executive chef, valet parking, and backlot access, where you’ll see thousands of set pieces and props. (Production schedules can affect the availability of these tours.) The adjacent Universal CityWalk’s restaurants and massive movie theater make the destination worthy of even more time, especially if you visit around notable holidays, when themes take over in spectacular fashion, from “Grinchmas” to the Lunar New Year. Pro tip: Download the Universal Studios app, which you can set to send alerts when certain rides’ wait times reach five minutes."
"Is watching fireworks with the Hogwarts castle looming in the background the only way to ever watch fireworks? We say yes. If you agree with us, grab tickets for Universal Studios on July 4th. The fireworks show is included in the daily ticket admission price." - Brant Cox
