During this approximately two-hour VIP Tour, you'll ride comfortably in a large golf cart (that seats about 15 people) but also have opportunities to walk through various departments. Tour minimum age: 8.

Tour groups meet at the Studio Tour & Center, adjacent to the Studio Plaza Café, where you can grab breakfast or lunch and dine with... More studio crew.

Each tour, which begins with a 15-minute overview video, varies depending on the season. Reality shows typically tape in summer, followed by the fall television shows. You will start your journey through the studio's historic back lot, which encompasses one-third of the studio's 1,000 acres. Here you'll see sound stages, such as Midwest Street's town square and Hennesy Street's urban set. You can walk around the New York, Chinatown and European "neighborhoods."

The prop house is massive. It's constantly in use so inventory changes frequently. Some props are retired and set up to depict the show from which they were culled. For example, here you'll see the Central Park area from the hit television series, "Friends."

At the Foley stage, where post-production sound creation and editing take place, artists recreate sound effects for films and TV shows, often using ordinary objects such as light bulbs to replicate the sound of breaking glass. These artists often take breaks to answer questions or demonstrate how they recreate footsteps on any type of surface.

Tour staples include the Warner Bros. museum, accessible to the public only during tours. The museum houses costumes and artifacts dating back to the 1920s.

The museum's second floor is devoted to "Harry Potter" costumes and memorabilia. There's also an automobile museum housing two generations of Batmobiles, an Austin Power vehicle, Matrix cars and Yogi Bear park ranger trucks.

Both the "Conan" and the "Ellen DeGeneres" shows, which take up two sound stages, tape at Warner Bros. There's a good chance you'll ride through these stages. Keep your eyes open--the talk show hosts have been known to surprise visitors.

To reach NBC from Warner Bros., go west on Riverside Drive toward South Avon Street. Turn right on Olive Avenue, then veer right on Alameda Avenue. Look for any available parking. Your best bet is to park on Riverside or Bob Hope drives.
---
3400 Riverside Dr.
Burbank
877-492-8687
www.vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com
---
Cost
$49 per person
---
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:20am-4pm



Less

After parking, meet in guest relations, located in a small lot at California Street and Olive Avenue. Wear comfortable shoes for this 70-minute walking tour of a working studio. There is no age minimum for this tour, which begins with a short video about NBC's history.

Knowledgeable tour guides are friendly and encourage questions as ... Moreyou walk by the wardrobe, makeup and prop departments, set construction and the original NBC Radio set.

Find out interesting facts, such as props are kept for decades to be used in flashback scenes. You'll also see the wigs worn on "Laugh-In" and the masks from "Planet of the Apes."

Typically, you will visit the sets of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Access Hollywood." You may get a peek at "Days of Our Lives," also taped here.

Calling NBC is the best way to get current studio tour information. 818-840-3537
---
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank
818-840-3537
www.nbc.com.
---
Cost
Adults $8.50
Kids 5-12 $5
Kids 4 and younger Free
Cash only
---
Hours
Momday-Friday 9am-1pm



Less

Take a breather at this park, located adjacent to NBC, before heading over to Universal CityWalk. Located on Bob Hope Drive, the park offers a place for kids to romp on the playground equipment. Relax at a picnic table under a shady tree before a night out on the town.

From the park, it's about three miles and a 10-minute drive to Univ... Moreersal CityWalk, a dining, shopping and entertainment complex. It's a fun way to cap off a day at the studios.

To get to Universal, drive south on Bob Hope Drive to West Riverside Drive and turn right. At Olive Avenue, turn left. Olive becomes Barham Boulevard. Go to Buddy Holly Drive, turn right and another right to Universal Studios Boulevard.
---
400 S. Bob Hope Drive
Burbank
Less

The outdoor complex is part of Universal Studios Hollywood (they also share a parking lot), although CityWalk has a totally different vibe than the movie-inspired theme park. Both Universal Studios and CityWalk are fabulously fun, but save the theme park for another day when you can spend time on the rides and attractions.

With its ex... Moretensive selection of great restaurants, stores and entertainment venues, CityWalk is a popular destination in itself both day and night. (During the winter holidays, visitors can even glide around on an outdoor ice skating rink.) But the real action begins in the evening with live music, dancing and comedy shows.

Dining choices abound. Casual dining options include Hardrock Café Hollywood, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Tony Roma's and Wolfgang Puck Bistro, to name just a few. There are also a slew of quick-service eateries like Pink's Famous Hot Dogs, Tommy's World Famous Hamburgers and Salad Creations. For snacks, check out the array of beverages, ice cream, yogurt and pretzel shops.

There's plenty of fun stuff for people of all ages. At Jillian's there's bowling to rock music, neon lights and giant video screens. Catch a movie in style with plush seats and huge screens at CityWalk Cinemas Stadium 19. There's also an eight-story IMAX theater.

If you love the nightlife, you've come to the right place. Join the action at Howl at the Moon, a lively music venue featuring dueling pianos. Or dance the night away at Infusion Lounge, which has two dance floors in a Las Vegas-style nightclub.

Put a smile on your face at the Jay Lovitz Comedy Club, featuring national headlining comedians. Tickets vary but are about $15-$20. Enjoy a show while satisfying your hunger. The venue offers a nice selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees and desserts.

When it comes to shopping, you'll find items here that you probably won't find anywhere else. There are more than 30 retail shops, many of which are unique. For example, the Wardrobe Department store sells clothing, collectibles, cue cards and props from television and movie productions. Each item comes with a certificate of authenticity. Dodger fans can scoop up memorabilia and buy baseball tickets at Dodgers Clubhouse.
---
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City
www.citywalkhollywood.com
---
General parking $15
($10 after 3pm)
Preferred parking $20
(Closer to the theme park)
Less