{"id":23844,"date":"2011-08-19T10:45:16","date_gmt":"2011-08-19T14:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.foodiecitymom.com\/?p=15176"},"modified":"2023-05-11T07:30:52","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T11:30:52","slug":"harry-potter-the-exhibition-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mominthecity.com\/harry-potter-the-exhibition-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"Harry Potter: The Exhibition (NYC)"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\"harry<\/a>\n

On Wednesday, I took a break from camp work and spent some special time with each of my sons.\u00a0 Sean (4) was happy with a reading trip to Barnes & Noble followed by a Starbucks cookie treat.\u00a0 Then, Michael and I went to see the Harry Potter: The Exhibition<\/a> that is at Discovery Times Square.<\/p>\n

I had learned about the exhibit when I was at the Disney dinner at Devi<\/a> earlier this month. I had a great conversation with Karen who works at Parents<\/em><\/a>. As we chatted, I mentioned that my kids love Michael Jackson (Sean) and Harry Potter (Michael).\u00a0 On the MJ front, Karen mentioned that Cirque du Soleil <\/em>was putting together a Michael Jackson music themed show. What really caught my attention though was when she mentioned the Harry Potter NYC exhibit because Michael loves<\/strong><\/span> Harry Potter.\u00a0 (He has read the first three books and is currently reading the fourth.\u00a0 He has also watched a few of the \u201cnot too scary\u201d movies in the series.) I\u2019m so glad that Karen happened to mention it, because Michael was in \u201cHarry Potter heaven\u201d when we visited the exhibit.<\/p>\n

Although I went as \u201cpress\u201d, I wasn\u2019t allowed to take any pictures. So, my plan was to write down everything that was on display and share the list.\u00a0 There were so many different costumes and props on display though that this post would take forever if I did that.\u00a0 If you are wondering if a certain item from one of the Harry Potter movies was there, just ask me in the \u201cComments\u201d. (The answer is probably, \u201cYes\u201d.)\u00a0 I especially noted the following:<\/p>\n

1. The interactive elements of the exhibit were the biggest hits with the younger kids.<\/strong><\/p>\n

-A few kid volunteers were giddy with excitement when they were chosen to try on \u201cThe Sorting Hat\u201d \u2013 which \u201cjust so happened\u201d to discern that each of the volunteers should be in their desired Hogwart\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

-When visitors lifted up the mandrakes, wild screaming sounds erupted.\u00a0 (Of course the kids especially loved this and kept pulling them up.)<\/p>\n

-In Haggrid\u2019s Hut, there is an over sized chair with a sign that says \u201cPlease Sit\u201d.\u00a0 the visiting kids were especially happy to oblige.<\/p>\n

-The quidditch play area in the Quidditch section was one of the most popular spots.\u00a0 The visitors \u2013 adults and kids alike \u2013 were determined to get the quaffle ball through one of the hoops.<\/p>\n

2. There was an abundance of clothing and props on display from the movie<\/strong>\u2026enough to satisfy practically any Harry Potter fan. Visitors could really appreciate the intricate detail and artistry involved in creating both.\u00a0 In regards to clothing: casual, school uniforms, robes, Quidditch robes and (gorgeous) Yule Ball attire were on display.\u00a0 An abundance of wands, books and Quidditch items were some of the prop highlights.\u00a0 My favorite prop of all came at the very end of the exhibit \u2013 Godric Gryffindor\u2019s Sword.<\/p>\n

3. I would never survive in Harry Potter\u2019s land without my trusted guide Michael.\u00a0<\/strong> For an additional $7, visitors can add an audio element to the exhibit tour.\u00a0 I owe Michael $7 because he was my personal guide.\u00a0 (Harry Potter is his \u201cthing\u201d, not mine.) The biggest thing that demonstrated how much I needed outside help was actually the item that attracted my attention the most. \u201cOoh. This necklace is gorgeous!\u201d I exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Katie Bells\u2019 cursed necklace,\u201d Michael informed me.\u00a0 \u201cWhoever touches it or puts it on dies.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s so cute though,\u201d I protested.\u00a0 \u201cOf course it is cute. That is what makes people want to put it on\u2026\u201d Michael (somewhat) patiently explained.\u00a0 Smarty pants.<\/p>\n

In any event, we had a fun, informative time at Harry Potter: The Exhibition.\u00a0 The NYC showing is the last North American stop on the exhibit tour, so Harry Potter lovers should be certain to visit before it ends on September 5th. Even if you don\u2019t live in NYC, it is worth the trip for HP fans. There were a lot of people visiting from Philadelphia during our session.\u00a0 One of the kids was complaining about standing\/walking so much. (It does<\/strong> take over an hour to get through all of the props and costumes showcased in the exhibit.) The parent responded to the grumbling kid with a question:\u00a0 \u201cYou want to come to New York City and not walk<\/strong>?!\u201d I just had to smile. Since taking pictures during the exhibit was not an option for me, you can see a glimpse of the exhibit on this short video from Discovery Times Square:<\/p>\n

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