Paramount Pictures Studio Tour

Tickets & Guide to the Hollywood Studio Still in Hollywood

⏱ 2 hours👤 All ages$$

The appeal of the Paramount tour is its place in film history. The studio dates back to the early days of Hollywood, and its lot has hosted countless productions, which the guides tie to specific buildings and soundstages. The backlot has street sets that can be dressed to play New York, Chicago or small-town America, and tours often include time on those streets. You may also see the studio's famous gate and the water tower, though what you see depends on the production schedule, since this is a working lot where access can change from day to day.

Because it is a working studio, the tour has a different rhythm from a theme park. Groups are modest in size, guides provide commentary, and the route may vary depending on filming. Photography rules apply on some parts of the lot, and some areas may be closed when a production is underway. That unpredictability is part of the charm for people who like seeing the machinery behind the movies, but it means you should confirm the tour details and arrival time when you book, and allow a flexible morning or afternoon around it.

The studio sits on Melrose Avenue between Hollywood and the Miracle Mile, so it pairs easily with other Hollywood sights: Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame are close by, the Hollywood Forever cemetery adjoins the lot, and the Academy Museum and LACMA are a short drive to the west. It suits older children, teens and adults rather than very young kids, since the tour involves walking and listening. If you want the thrill rides, go to Universal; if you want the behind-the-scenes history of how movies get made, Paramount rewards a visit.