Recently we were in New York City and were so pleasantly surprised to learn there was a Harry Potter Exhibit at the Historical Society. Photos were not allowed inside the exhibit but I thought we could share with you our experience incase you would like to plan a trip to go see it. Tickets were pretty easy to get and cost $21 per adult.

Once you arrive you start by exploring through some unique pieces from JK Rowling’s private collection including her drafts, drawings, notes from editors and manuscripts and even original artwork by Mary GrandPré and Jim Kay. Then you start to work your way through halls set up that focus on the subjects of school study at Hogwarts and you can see rare antiquities, books, and artifacts related to the subjects as well as a few digital interactive experiences regarding the subjects such as potions and divination.

The exhibit also has a pretty great area featuring set design and costume pieces from Cursed Child, if you are planning to see the play(s) while in NY this is a great follow up to seeing the show.

We were very surprised with how much Lulu loved the exhibit. She was super into all the digital projections of snitches flying by or unicorns walking past windows. We giggled so much as she waved to the snitch and said “hi, snitch” over and over again.

I loved the unique items and artifacts – while Russ and I have visited a traveling alchemy exhibit at the Getty Museum a few years ago that featured all sorts of cool pieces of history of magic and mysticism this was all pieces specifically linked to the lore and class subjects featured in Harry Potter – like Nicholas Flamel’s actual gravestone and books!!! I found this exhibit to be so unique and if I had not been with a 1.5 year old would have loved to spend an extra 2 hours just really taking every little thing in.

If you are interested in attending the exhibit is only scheduled to be in NY through January 27, 2019. So go now!