Los Angeles Sights

Shopping Nightlife Performing Arts

1. Universal Studios Hollywood

A theme park with classic attractions like roller coasters and thrill rides, Universal Studios Hollywood also provides that unique brand of thrill you get from the magic of the movies, with tours of sets and movie-themed rides. Unlike other amusement parks, this one is centered around the biggest blockbusters, with rides like Jurassic World – The Ride and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey as well as worlds like the brand-new Super Nintendo World, which boasts the fun and highly interactive Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge and is, in and of itself, a game---exactly the kind of experience that Super Mario fans truly enjoy. If you're in town in October, the park's Halloween Horror Nights is a must-visit, featuring mazes full of monsters, murderers, and jump scares. The world-famous Studio Tour takes you around the Universal backlot, home to working soundstages and exterior sets where many popular movies and shows have been filmed. During the tram tour, you'll witness King Kong save you from massive predators, see the airplane wreckage from War of the Worlds, ride along with the cast of the Fast and the Furious, and have a close call with Norman Bates from Psycho. The tram ride is usually the best place to begin your visit, because the lines become longer as the day goes on. Geared more toward adults, CityWalk is a separate venue run by Universal Studios, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and movie theaters.