And Harry Potter: The Exhibition, the most comprehensive touring exhibition ever presented about the Wizarding World, just proved this. This immersive Harry Potter exhibit, on display through September 18, is occupying 18,000-square-feet at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and is only 90 minutes outside of NYC.
Celebrating the most iconic Harry Potter moments, this behind-the-scenes exhibition puts you face-to-face with the characters and beasts seen in the world of Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Witches, wizards, muggles, and everyone in between can get an up-close look at everything found in the Wizarding World—from original costumes to authentic props—as they travel (don’t forget your floo powder!) along a personalized journey through the most magical environments.
Make your way into the exhibition through King’s Cross Station where you’ll select your Hogwarts House, wand, and Patronus.
Then explore 21 different galleries, each one portraying one of The Wizarding World’s most iconic environments, including The Great Hall, Hagrid’s Hut, the Hogwarts Houses, and, of course, the Hogwarts Castle itself. And don’t bother bringing your invisibility cloak because inside Hogwarts your name will appear on the one and only Marauder’s Map, prompting you to continue on with your exploration of the exhibition.
Venture through each gallery to experience all this exhibit has to offer. In the Hogwarts Houses gallery you’ll experience personalized moments in your house while also having the opportunity to explore the other three. In the Hogwarts Classrooms you’ll brew potions, predict the future, pot a mandrake, and use your magical wand to defeat a boggart (if you’re brave enough to do so). You can even uncover Centaurs and Acromantula hidden in the Forbidden Forest.
What’s more, you’ll get to see the original first edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, encased in a Gringotts-inspired vault (Polyjuice Potion not required for sneaking in and viewing).
An exclusive collection of Harry Potter merchandise will be available for guests to purchase—if you haven’t already stocked up on merch at the world’s largest Harry Potter store in NYC—including apparel and edible snacks like Chocolate Frogs and bottled Butterbeer.
Still waiting for your Hogwarts letter to come in the mail? Well, this immersive Harry Potter exhibit gives you your in to Platform 9 3/4. For more information, updates, and to purchase tickets, head to their website.