Fans of Harry Potter books and films can experience the Wizarding World live at the Harry Potter The Exhibition in New York City. The exhibit, located at 50 West 34th Street, is filled with magical surprises, interactive activities, and tons of Instagrammable moments that make it fun for people of all ages. In addition to the exhibit, there is a Harry Potter store located on the first level that has clothing and accessories, and of course, chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott’s flavor beans, and other sweets that bring back nostalgia. Read on to learn more about Harry Potter The Exhibition in NYC.
Opening In New York City
Harry Potter The Exhibition, created by Imagine Exhibitions and Warner Bros. Entertainment, officially opened in Herald Square on May 19th, 2023. On November 17th, 2023, another location opened in Barcelona at Port Vell. Following this, another exhibit opened in China at The Londoner Macao. Past locations include Atlanta, Philadelphia, Paris, and Vienna.
The exhibit that’s steps away from Penn Station takes up over 18,000 square feet of space. After taking the escalators up to the second floor, guests will sign in on a touch screen so that the experience is personalized to one’s preference. For example, guests can choose which house they want to be part of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. They also get to select a wand from the different designs.
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Throughout the exhibit, there are various interactive moments where guests can scan their wristbands and take part in games and tests, such as creating a potion. The check-in points enable customers to walk away with a summary and photos from one’s experience afterward.
Don’t Look Away
Each step through the exhibit is something new and exciting. If you look away, you might miss scenes from the film, moving art pieces, unique props from the set, or writing on the wall, literally.
From everyone’s favorite costumes worn on characters to iconic moments from Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, there is no doubt a Harry Potter fan will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As a guest, you can “plop down in Hagrid’s giant chair, squeeze into the Cupboard Under The Stairs, and practice your Quidditch™ skills by throwing a Quaffle, all while learning behind-the-scenes filmmaking details.”
The reviews speak for themselves. On Yelp, one person commented: “For hardcore HP fans and casual fans alike (especially kids), I’d strongly recommend the HP Exhibition…It’s incredibly entertaining, with scenes from the movie, trivia, and interactive exhibits. The actual exhibits are very well crafted, including many props from the movies, and due to the size of the HP universe, it seems like the experience is never-ending, encapsulating the entire series.”
Another person raved: “Had an amazing time here!!! If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this place is a must. We got there early so it wasn’t crowded at all and we were able to take so many pictures. The staff was very friendly and there were so many interactive things to do. I think it was worth the price!”
Buy Your Tickets Now
Tickets are normally between $29 to $43, but vary depending on the date. There are different ticket options available for one to select from: Timed-entry tickets (to pick the exact date and time during a 30-minute window), Flex tickets (selecting a month you are going to attend and you’ll get guaranteed entry any date and time) or VIP tickets (these include any time of your choosing plus a collectible lanyard, free guide, and $10 off the retail store).
The exhibit itself is self-guided, but guests can purchase an audio guide for $8. Guests typically spend 60 minutes to 90 minutes exploring.
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The hours of operation are Fridays and Saturdays from 9AM to 8:30PM, and Sundays through Thursdays from 9AM to 8PM.
For more information, visit the website. Tickets are available through April 7th.
