10 Places Every 'Harry Potter' Fan Should Visit

Unfortunately for us Potterheads, Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and more magical places are all fictional. However, there are some places that come pretty close to making us feel like we received our acceptance letter when we were 11 and began a magical journey right next to Harry Potter. So, add these 10 places to you bucket list and get your bags ready to travel.

King’s Cross

Out of the many fictional places J.K. Rowling created, King’s Cross Station really exists. Many fans go every September 1 to celebrate the first day of Hogwarts and the station has a trolley stuck halfway into the wall with a plaque reading Platform 9¾ on top where you can take pictures. There is also a Harry Potter shop right next to the trolley.

The Georgian House: Wizards Chambers

Conveniently placed in middle London is a hotel named The Gregorian House with a special place called Wizard Chambers. The Wizard Chambers are located in the basement of the building. You can hear Harry Potter music playing while going down to your room and once you are there you’ll be surrounded by antiques and Harry Potter-themed decorations like owls and more. There are Harry Potter books all around the room. Bonus: The Gregorian House is also known for their great breakfast.

The Lockhart

Can’t travel all the way to London? Toronto has a small fun bar called The Lockhart. From their Harry Potter-inspired drinks like Gin Weasley and the Shacklebolt to their themed brunch including a plate called Nagini and house-made Chocolate Frog snacks. The Lockhart also hosts Harry Potter Trivia Night every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

College of Wizardry

While not officially Hogwarts, it is as close as we are going to get. This is a castle in Poland where you can spend three days surrounded by magic. You can get sorted into one of the five houses Faust, Molin, Sendivogius, Durentius, and Libussa each with two colors, different values, rituals, and codes (some secret, some not). If you attend, you can play a student or a teacher; take lessons in Alchemy, Arithmancy, Beastology, Conflux Studies, Herbology, Invocation, Magical Theory, Mind Magic, Ritual Magic, Runic Magic, Magical Defense, Technology, and Physical Education and join clubs like Dueling Club, Debate Club and others. Enjoy meals, rule breaking, and much more.

Quidditch World Cup

Thought Quidditch was just a fictional sport made by J.K. Rowling? Well you are wrong. The Quidditch World Cup not only happens on the pages of Harry Potter but also in our world. There are many tournaments that go on around the world mainly in the United States and Britain and in different categories like semi-pro leagues and even fantasy for those who don’t want to leave their house.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

“The Harry Potter Bridge” or the Glenfinnan Viaduct is where the Hogwarts Express goes by in the movies. While it doesn’t have any deep meaning behind the whole fandom, it is a beautiful view and for a short moment go through where Harry, Hermione, and Ron (aka Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint) drove by. Now fans have already been warned not to walk on the viaduct after a handful of near misses with trains had happened.

Harry Potter Walking Tour of London

Harry Potter is London—anywhere you look there are familiar sightings: “The Millennium Bridge” which was torn apart in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, “London Zoo” used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone for the snake scene and a lot more, so of course they have the Harry Potter Walking Tours. There are different packages with prices ranging from $17 to $700, you can go by bus, black cab or walking. Each tour offers different options and some even include the Warner Bro’s Studio Tour.

'Harry Potter' Exhibition

The Harry Potter Exhibition is a traveling mini museum. You can enjoy seeing iconic props and costumes used throughout all eight movies. Also, locations are the Gryffindor common room, Hagrid’s Hut, and the Great Hall. This is your chance to step inside the world you only thought lived in the big screen or your imagination. The Harry Potter Exhibition works with Warner Bros. Consumer Product, Global Experience Specialists, Inc. to create the magic. It premiered in April 2009 in Chicago and since then it’s been to Boston, Toronto, Seattle, New York, Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo, Edmonton, Sweden, Cologne, Paris, Shanghai, Brussels, and The Netherlands. The exhibition is opened right now in Madrid until April 2 after it had to be extended because of popular demand.

Warner Bros’ Studio Tour

Walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter and explore the Wizarding World. Sets, props, costumes, creature effects, SFX & VFX and the Art Department. The possibilities are endless. You can step in the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, The Forbidden Forest and Platform 9¾; see Quidditch uniforms, the Whomping Willow, Potion sets, Dumbledore’s memories, Professor Umbridge’s office, how green screens were used, the Invisibility Cloak, and more. Also, get a close up look at creatures like Buckbeak, Goblins, and Aragog. Plus, get an exclusive look at models and graphic design. This is an experience no Potterhead should miss; this place is what dreams are made of.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Speaking about dreams, ever wanted to go walking down Diagon Ally or Hogsmeade, visit the inside of the Hogwarts Castle, or ride the Hogwarts Express. It is all possible in one place. Universal Studios, in Orlando Florida with endless activities and fun rides for all ages. You can ride one of the Dueling Dragons or enjoy a drink at the Leaky Cauldron. This is literally the best place to spend a whole weekend (you’ll need multiple days to really absorb all the magic) with fellow Potterheads. Also, Universal has three parks with all kinds of different themed attractions including a full-on water park (Volcano Bay) so there’s fun for everyone while you geek out in Ollivanders' or Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.