Beyond Hogwarts: 7 magical places every Harry Potter fan should visit
If you're a true wizard or witch, you've probably plotted out which of your best robes you're going to wear when your owl delivers your invitation to Hogwarts. But if you're more of a Muggle, planning the perfect Harry Potter experience may seem as impossible as playing seeker at the varsity Quidditch level.
In case you're in need of some magical assistance, here are a handful of our top destinations around the world for J.K. Rowling fans to explore:
the United Kingdom
All told, there are dozens of destinations for true Potter aficionados to visit on a trip to the United Kingdom. If you'd like to peek behind the scenes of the beloved Harry Potter movies, take the Making of Harry Potter tour at the Warner Bros. Studio Tours outside London. After you spoil yourself sick on butterbeer ice cream and ride a broomstick for the 'gram, sleep off your excitement in the Wizarding Chambers at the Georgian House Hotel back in the city before partaking in magical afternoon tea and catching the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child show at the Palace Theatre.
Related: Here's how to visit London on points and miles
You could spend a whole day at King's Cross station trying to get through Platform 9 3/4 to the magical world beyond, but Muggles might find their time better spent visiting the Harry Potter wand shop there instead, or stopping by Leadenhall Market to sneak into the Leaky Cauldron. The Magical Department of Tourism and Muggle Relations sponsors the London Muggles Walking Tour, which is a good way to close out your time in the big city before wending your way out to the countryside.
If you're headed up to Scotland to visit the Elephant House, the coffee shop where J.K. Rowling first penned the Harry Potter book series, you may want to take the Jacobite Express, the "greatest railway journey in the world," which passes over the 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct, recognizable from the films as part of the route between Platform 9 3/4 and Hogwarts. Don't forgot to stop at Loch Shiel, which first appeared in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and again in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
While you won't find Alnwick Castle named as such in the books and films, this iconic 11th century landmark in Northumberland will look familiar to true fans: Alnwick forms the backdrop for Harry's first Quidditch lessons in the movies. But if you're looking for selfies that look like you were actually in Hogwarts itself, you're looking for the beautiful Gloucester Cathedral in southwest England and Lacock Abbey. If you're the kind of person who enjoys looking at houses of a more modest nature, 12 Picket Post Close in Bracknell, England, was the filming site for the Dursley home — Harry's horrid relatives.
Black Park in South Buckinghamshire is prominently featured in the entire Harry Potter movie series. And while it's likely you won't be able to spot floating candles near the ceiling of the chapel at Hall of Christ Church at Oxford, you'll still be able to soak in much of the grandeur which formed the backdrop for Hogwarts' great dining hall.
New York CITY
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child isn't the only thing New York has to offer the wizarding community. Adult Potterheads can enjoy a "Potions 2.0" molecular cocktail mixology class at The Cauldron on Stone Street, while everyone can participate in the Wizard School Scavenger Hunt put on by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For more fun, there are separate trivia nights for the books and the films, respectively, which take place all over the town on a consistent basis.
Orlando, Florida
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios got even better in 2019 with the advent of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which tops out at 50 mph at some points.
Related: Using points and miles to save at Universal Orlando
Poland
If you're experiencing extreme FOMO watching others live out your best Harry Potter dreams, hop on over to southwestern Poland for the "world's largest immersive magic school," the College of Wizardry. Over four days, this live-action, role-playing convention allows superfans to "be a student and go to magic class" during an all-inclusive stay at the 13th-century Czocha Castle. It even includes magical apparel for would-be wizards and witches.
Lisbon, Portugal
Many Rowling fans don't realize that the Harry Potter creator actually has close ties to Portugal, having worked in the northwest coastal city of Porto years before the book series made her famous. However, the country now has another connection to Harry. The traveling show, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, has been bringing the wizarding world to life for people around the world since 2009, and is currently based in Lisbon until April 8, 2020.
Toronto, Canada
A small bar in Toronto has managed to make its way onto Potterhead bucket lists with its innovative list of cocktails inspired by Harry Potter. At The Lockhart, choose from drinks as flavorful as they are well-named, like the Gin Weasley, the Dementor's Kiss, Better Beer and the Befuddlement Drought.
Bonus: Stay in a Harry Potter-themed Airbnb
Can't decide which spot to visit? Live like a wizard and have them all! This Airbnb one mile from Chattanooga touts itself as a "truly magical experience for Muggles and wizards alike." It's not alone in the boast: Here are 10 Airbnbs that promise to whisk travelers away into another world, including these beautiful properties in the Philippines and Prague.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.