Tips to Have a Magical Time at Harry Potter: The Exhibition NYC 2023

I am speechless. The amount of time and effort dedicated to making Harry Potter: The Exhibition is more than a flick of a wand. From lighting to the interactive rooms to even the thoughtful souvenir shop, my sons and I were blown away. 

We were hosted during a special sneak peek before the official opening of Harry Potter The Exhibition in Herald Square, NYC. You may remember my blog post announcing this magical experience, and here we are -- tickets are available now to order in advance, and the exhibition will run from May 19 through October 15, 2023. Even though we were hosted for this special press event, it in no way hindered my feelings toward the experience. I can honestly say that from start to finish, we were fully entertained, engaged, and engrossed in this magical experience. Harry Potter fans from new readers to devout movie watchers to fans of wizardry and sorcery -- at any age -- will feel the same way. This was just FUN! 

 

From start to finish we were engaged in this magical world. 

You are fully immersed in the magic of the film with original costumes, film facts, and beautiful scenes recreating memorable movie moments. There are even different rooms that include hands-on experiences. 

Explore rooms mimicking the classrooms at Hogwarts, and try your hand at the Dark Arts, Potions, Divination, Herbology, and so much more. We were exploring for two hours and it felt like no time had passed at all. 

Marcello repotting a mandrake in Herbology.

Rocco is learning about his destiny in Divination! 

There are a few ticket options to suit your needs. 

Timed tickets allow you to book in advance, and you will be let in with groups staggered throughout the time blocks. 

There are also FLEX tickets, which guarantee you entry to the exhibition. This allows admission on any date and time within our operating hours during the month you select. 

If need even more flexibility and want to be treated like you work for the Ministry of Magic, then get the VIP ticket. VIP tickets are valid for admission at any time on the date you select, and you get to enter via a dedicated VIP entry queue. VIP tickets also include an exclusive, collectible lanyard, free audio guide ($8.00 value), $10 off* of a purchase in our retail store, and complimentary exchanges if you need to change your date. *Some exclusions on this coupon do apply. 

Can I Bring the Little Ones?

Yes! Children of all ages are welcome! However, Harry Potter: The Exhibit in NYC is recommended for fans aged five and up. My son is five, and he was frightened at first but got comfortable with all of the cool hands-on features of each room. Also, keep in mind, children who haven't reached their third birthday are allowed in for free, but you still must get them a complimentary children's ticket. Also, strollers are not permitted on the exhibit floor. On the main floor of the building, it looks like you can park your stroller. I am confirming if this is possible, I will update this post once I receive confirmation. 

Parents of children with sensory sensitivity should also note that there are lights, loud sounds, and different scents. The environments change from room to room, so keep this in mind. 

Tonks is my favorite!! 

Each room was beautifully lit! I loved the entry ways for all of them. 

Here are some tips to enhance your experience at Harry Potter: The Exhibition (containing affiliate links)!

Plan your day accordingly! The location is perfect being nestled in midtown in Herald Square. You are steps away from Macy's where Toys R Us is now on the 7th floor. You are also a three-minute walk from the Empire State Building. Walk up 34th Street toward 7th Avenue, and you're in the heart of Times Square. Make sure you plan for at least 90 minutes to two hours in the exhibit. 

That being said, take your time. There’s no need to feel rushed. You’re only allowed one go at each interactive kiosk to keep the story moving, so keep that in mind as well. There is so much to read, see, and do at Harry Potter The Exhibition, so soak it all in. 

Bring your wand, and if you don't have one, you can buy it at the exhibition in their fully stocked merch shop, or check out my personalized shopping list here on Amazon! We were decked out in Hogwarts-themed t-shirts to show off our love for HP! 

Bring hand sanitizer and wipes with you, because you will be touching surfaces. The experience is interactive requiring you to scan your special bracelet to bring each room to life. Overall, I found the exhibit very clean. Kindly note that note some items should not be touched like the giant Quidditch Cup and the cutlery in the Great Hall. Sorry about that! :/

Bring a charger, you’ll be capturing these amazing moments and your phone will die fast! I like to use this one by Anker for my iPhone 14. If you have an Android, I am sorry for you, haha! Seriously, check out this one by iWalk. 

Take advantage of the photo opportunity at the beginning of your tour. At the end of your self-guided tour, you have the option to purchase your photos. Ask to take lots of photos if you are choosing the $50 option! The photographer we met yesterday was so nice and patient! Do a few different poses to really get the bang for your buck. If you're traveling with a large party, split the cost of the photo package. 

Photo Pricing

• $25 Print a photo of your choice and e-mail a photo to you.
• $50 Print three photos of your choice, and all of the photos are e-mailed to you. 

As you can see from my photos above -- only four photos were taken and automatically there are different backgrounds. Hence, why I urge you to take extra poses. 

Explore the Merch Shop

The merchandise shop is chock full of Harry Potter merch including candy from Honeyduke's to official Harry Potter: The Exhibition merch. You can also find souvenirs like magnets, keychains,  journals, pens, and lots of shirts and sweatshirts. 

This last tip is very important!! 

Hold the quaffle properly, aim, and fire! 😉

Overall, I give 1000 points to Gryffindor—this experience is without question the absolute best bang for your buck and just really a very good time!! I highly recommend your worthy participation, especially if you're visiting New York City any time between May 19 and October 15, 2023. Stay tuned here to see the next stop on the tour! 

About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment:
Warner Bros. Discovery Themed Entertainment (WBDGTE), part of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences, is a worldwide leader in the creation, development, and licensing of location-based entertainment, live events, exhibits, and theme park experiences based on Warner Bros.’ iconic characters, stories, and brands. WBDGTE is home to the groundbreaking global locations of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, WB Movie World Australia, and countless other experiences inspired by DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby, Game of Thrones, Friends, and more. With best-in-class partners, WBDGTE allows fans worldwide to physically immerse themselves inside their favorite brands and franchises.

 

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

 

About Imagine Exhibitions:
Atlanta-based world leader in narrative-driven, immersive theatrical design, story-telling, and immersive experiences, Imagine Exhibitions, Inc. creates sophisticated, high-quality experiences for museums, brands, venues, and integrated resorts across the globe. From ideation to operation, Imagines’ team of industry pioneers draws upon decades of success in the fields of immersive design experiences and entertainment to consistently create and implement memorable and thought-provoking environments. The company’s custom experiences deliver focused messaging and serve to increase attendance wherever it is presented. Imagine Exhibitions, Inc. is a global pioneer in traveling entertainment, responsible for many internationally recognized exhibitions such as Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Titanic: The Exhibition, The Hunger Games: The Exhibition, Angry Birds: The Art & Science Behind a Global Phenomenon, Jurassic World: The Exhibition, and Downton Abbey: The Exhibition.  

 

Imagine Exhibitions is currently presenting more than 40 unique exhibitions in museums, science centers, aquariums, integrated resorts, and non-traditional venues worldwide. The company also continues to design, open, and operate its own venues, along with creating and implementing permanent and semi-permanent museum, brand, entertainment properties, and food and beverage experiences. For more information, visit www.ImagineExhibitions.com or find us on Facebook.

 

About EMC Presents
EMC Presents is a partnership between CTS Eventim, one of the leading international providers of ticketing services and live entertainment, and award-winning tour promotor and producer Michael Cohl, creating one of the strongest global networks of promoters and venues. The partnership provides a comprehensive worldwide live entertainment platform, creating extraordinary shows and experiences, from concept creation to production and promotion. Michael Cohl’s career spans over 45 years as a Producer and Promoter for iconic entertainers, having worked with the world’s most recognized artists including Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, U2, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and many more. Michael’s strategies are credited with revolutionizing the touring industry worldwide. Besides his storied history in the music industry, Cohl has promoted multiple successful exhibitions including the original King Tut exhibit, “John Lennon: The New York City Years”, Bodies: The Exhibition, Jurassic World: The Exhibition, and Pink Floyd: Their Mortal Remains. Cohl, previously the chairman of Live Nation, was inducted into the Canadian Rock n Roll/ Music Hall of Fame and has received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Among his many other awards, Cohl has also been honored with an Emmy, the Billboard Legend of Live Award, the TJ Martell Foundation Man of the Year Award, a Peabody Award, and a JUNO Award for Special Achievement.