Sip Spooky Cocktails, Wander Through Haunted Houses and Experience the Best Halloween Attractions in LA With This Guide
Universal Studios Hollywood sits in the scenic Hollywood Hills as an entertainment hub for cinema, atmosphere and amusement in Los Angeles. The park and its surrounding attractions have been dazzling theme park enthusiasts, thrillseekers and movie buffs alike for over six decades. But for one month each year, the park’s grounds become home to one of the most spectacular Halloween attractions in LA: Halloween Horror Nights. From masquerading monsters roaming Universal’s grand avenues to jaw-dropping mazes and haunted houses based on some of the studio’s most iconic movies, Halloween Horror Nights is a spectacle unlike any other.
The park itself is not the only area embracing the spooky spirit of the season. Everything from the nearby hotels to the vibrant and happening restaurants and shops dotting the corridors of Universal CityWalk are getting in on the fun and frights. Ready to celebrate spooky season? Check out this itinerary to see how you can experience all that a spooktacular October weekend at Universal Studios has to offer!
DAY 1
4 p.m.
Check in at Sheraton Universal Hotel
For those traveling to Los Angeles for a fun-filled October weekend, we recommend anchoring your trip at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. Located mere minutes from the theme park and Universal CityWalk, this Los Angeles hotel exceeds expectations thanks to its incredible location and world-class amenities, including its state of the art gym and fitness center, Terrace Pool with views of the hills and stellar dining options. Additionally, the property also offers some incredible deals in partnership with Universal Studios Hollywood, offering tickets and rooms at discounted rates when bundled, making this the perfect place for a weekend at Halloween Horror Nights. Check in by 4 p.m. to have plenty of time to relax in your modern guest room or suite, unwind with a drink at the Terrace Bar and enjoy dinner at The California’s—the hotel’s signature restaurant.
Local Insight: Sheraton Universal offers free shuttle service to and from Universal Studios, making your trip to and from the park a breeze!
5 p.m.
Dinner at Universal CityWalk
Once you’ve had a chance to check in and relax, it’s time to grab a bite at the iconic and always-buzzing Universal CityWalk. This glittering metropolis is just a quick shuttle ride from the hotel and features a sprawling plaza filled with over 25 mouth-watering restaurants and bars, a luxury theater, shops, boutiques and more! So whether you decide to grab one of Pink’s famous hot dogs and stroll under the shimmering lights and neon signs dotting the plaza or sit down for some of the best Mexican cuisine in the city at Antojitos, Universal CityWalk has it all. We also recommend checking out The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium after dinner for some specialty Halloween-themed sweets.
Local Insight: If you choose to visit during the daytime, be sure to check out the all-new Hello Kitty® and Friends Cafe and Sanrio Smile Shop! Here, you can enjoy themed treats and beverages and shop an amazing collection of Hello Kitty merch!
7 p.m.
Halloween Horror Nights
It’s time for a scare! Take the scenic stroll from Universal CityWalk to the towering main gates marking the spectacular and terrifying entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights! If you’ve never experienced this Halloween attraction in LA, you can expect to be greeted by a ghoulish group of hosts as they usher you into a completely transformed Universal Studios theme park where monsters roam and some of the most iconic horror movie villains come to life.
The lineup for this year’s event features eight unique haunted mazes, including a few notable additions such as “A Quiet Place,” which transports guests to the world of the award-winning trilogy; “Insidious: The Further,” which allows guests to step into the nightmarish parallel dimension where the acclaimed franchise began, and “The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy”, a twisted creation straight from the mind of the Grammy-winning music artist himself.
Be sure to also get in line early for the Terror Tram, one of the park’s most popular tour rides, which shuttles guests to the Universal Studios backlot where some of the most famous movie sets have been taken over by some of Blumhouse’s most iconic villains. With so much to do and see, show up as soon as the gates open to ensure you experience all that this mesmerizing event has to offer.
DAY 2
9 a.m.
Morning Coffee at Universal Perk
After a long night of thrills and chills at Halloween Horror Nights, it’s time to refuel and recharge for day two of your weekend, and there is no better place to do so than at Universal Perk, A new cafe located directly within the Sheraton Universal Hotel. This new cafe offers a friendly and quaint atmosphere where you can enjoy all your favorite Starbucks snacks and beverages, including their popular lineup of seasonal pumpkin spice drinks! So grab a coffee and a bite, and get ready for an action packed day of exploring the Hollywood area.
10 a.m.
Walk Through Stars Hollow (WB Studio Tour)
After you’ve fueled up, take a couple of hours to experience one of the best studio tours in all of Los Angeles: the Warner Bros. Studio Tour! This incredible experience allows guests to interact with and walk through some of the studio’s most iconic sets from beloved movies and TV shows including “Friends,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “The Dark Knight.” Additionally, you’ll get to learn from industry professionals along the way and see how various filmmaking tricks and secrets work behind the scenes to bring some of your favorite characters and scenes to life.
12 p.m.
Lunch at The California’s
Once you’ve had your fill of movie magic, we recommend heading back to the hotel to enjoy lunch at Sheraton Universal’s signature restaurant: The California’s. This classic eatery combines upscale sophistication and chef-driven menus to offer a taste of California dining. Bringing together influences of Latin cuisine and coastal flavors, The California’s takes all the wonderful flavors the Golden State has to offer and uses seasonal ingredients to create classic dishes with a fresh twist. Additionally, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Hollywood Hills or even soak up some sun on their poolside patio dining area.
2 p.m.
Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter + Super Nintendo World
Once you’re refueled and ready, hop on the shuttle and head back over to Universal Studios Hollywood to see the brighter, cheerier side of the park. Explore the sprawling, magical lands of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. These two action-packed areas could very well be their own theme parks! You get to snap iconic pictures, hop on high-flying, fast-paced rides, and walk through immersive experiences. Venture through the streets of Hogsmeade, sipping on a delicious butterbeer, or try your hand at some real life Mario Kart racing at these two incredible enclaves of the park.
6 p.m.
Dinner + Drinks at Cosette Wine Bar
After working up an appetite soaring around Hogwarts and Super Nintendo World, it’s time for dinner. We recommend taking the short trek to Cosette Wine Bar, a restaurant and bottle shop hidden on the second story of Rolling Greens, which is located within The Shops at Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City. From its rustic farmhouse interior to its lush outdoor patio, a dinner here will transport you to Napa as you indulge in classic wines from old-world regions and outstanding comfort food made with farmers market ingredients. The wine experts at Cosette are friendly and always eager to assist, making this one of the best hidden gems in the area.
7 p.m.
Cozy Cocktails or Mocktails at In the Mix
For some excellent after-dinner cocktails or mocktails, head back to the Sheraton Universal’s lobby restaurant and bar, In the Mix, to enjoy spooky season drinks. As mentioned, the hotel loves the fall season, and they’ve introduced three brand new cocktails for the month of October, including the creamy and rum-forward Staring Back and the tropical Devil’s Horns. For a pick-me-up, order the Horrotini made with Grey Goose vodka, espresso, Kahlua coffee liqueur, cardamom and cocoa powder!
9 p.m.
Explore Local Halloween Haunts via the SoCal Haunt List
Finally, rounding out our itinerary for the perfect, spooky October weekend in Studio City, we recommend ending your stay with a trip to one of the many Halloween attractions in LA. There are so many haunted houses, pop-up events and themed bars and restaurants to explore, so be sure to check out the full list of events and attractions in the area. Some local favorites include strolling through the Magic of the Jack o’ Lanterns trail, grabbing drinks and tearing up the dance floor at The Holiday House and experiencing the iconic Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. No matter what you choose to do, you’re sure to have a spooktacular time in Los Angeles this October!
