The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has so many amazing real life sights and activities in the muggle world. Much of these Harry Potter things to do before you die are feasible for people who can’t afford to travel. There are plenty of sights across the UK and in Universal Studios worth checking out if you can afford it, but you can make some magic at home. Unfortunately, I can’t dive headfirst into the books and live in the Wizarding World, but my Harry Potter bucket list has some good substitutes to keep me happy.
23 Magical Harry Potter Things To Do Before You Die
1. Go To Platform 9 & 3/4s
Visiting Platform 9 & 3/4s is the most iconic thing on a Harry Potter bucket list London-edition. King’s Cross station actually replicated Platform 9 & 3/4s. It used to be literally between Platforms 9 and 10, but all the Potterheads were obstructing people trying to go to work. Now it’s outside the platforms, next to the gift shop.
2. See The Hogwarts Castle
Hogwarts was made up of lots of different sets and locations, so the big Hogwarts castle, unfortunately, doesn’t exist in real life. However, most of the outside is actually Alnwick castle in Northumberland! If you want to see something closer to the movie version, you can find a replica in Universal Studios.
3. Have A Movie Marathon
A Harry Potter movie marathon would take 19 hours and 39 minutes when you don’t schedule in bathroom and food breaks. I’d round it to 24 hours and pull an all nighter! You might also be interested in my Lord Of The Rings bucket list.
4, Play Muggle Quidditch
Just because we can’t fly, doesn’t mean we can’t play Muggle quidditch. In this version, you don’t just chase the snitch, you can literally be the golden snitch! Here’s how to play Muggle Quidditch.
5. Read All The Books
Everyone who loves to movies should read to books to experience the real magic of Harry Potter.. As wonderful as the movies are, if you don’t read the books you won’t know about S.P.E.W, Winky, or the fact that Dumbledore asked Harry if he put his name in the Goblet of Fire calmly.
6. Get My Hogwarts Acceptance Letter
Even if I can’t go to Hogwarts, an acceptance letter addressed to me is still a dream. I got mine from my university’s literary society, but if you have a local Harry Potter club or society in school or college if can be arranged. Or you can DIY it.
7. Try Butterbeer
I heard mixed reviews about the famous wizarding beverage, but I do know that they serve it in Universal, Orlando, so I guess you just have to try it for yourself.
Apparently it doesn’t have butter or beer!
8. Try Every Flavour Jellybeans
Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Jelly beans are a fan favourite, but maybe not a wizard favourite with the odd flavours. Play with your friends and see who gets earwax or candy canes! This is one of the most affordable and fun Harry Potter things to do before you die idea – but, you probably won’t want to do it again.
9. Try A Chocolate Frog
Real life chocolate frogs don’t leap like Harry’s did, but you still want the card – hence why it’s on this Harry Potter bucket list. The wizards actually do stand around all day!
I can never find a vegan one, unfortunately, so you might need to DIY this too.
10. Own My Own Wand
I would love to live in a world where magic wands are real, but merch will have to do. Although Pottermore told me my wand is made of cypress, dragon heartstring, and is 9 and 3/4 inches, I can’t buy that. I settled on buying Hermoine’s wand because it’s beautiful.
11. Get Sorted Into My Hogwarts House
One major Harry Potter thing to do before you die is learn what house you would live in! All the fake quizzes told me I’m Ravenclaw, but Pottermore said Gryffindor, so Gryffindor it is!
12. Get My House Scarf
After being sorted, you have sport your house scarf for and show off your Hogwarts House Pride! The Gryffindor scarfs are the most iconic due to the golden trio being Gryffindor’s and wearing them so often, but every house is great! Even Slytherin.
You get lots of compliments in Hogwarts scarfs!
13. Find Out My Patronus
It doesn’t matter that I can’t cast the patronus charm, I still wanted to know what it was! According to Pottermore, mine is a ginger cat, so basically Crookshanks.
A friend of mine got a salmon, which is basically the magicarp of Patronuses.
14. Go To The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter In Universal Studios
Universal Studios is as close to the Wizarding World as we can get on this Harry Potter bucket list. From Hogsmead, to Hogwarts itself, Universal is like stepping into the movies.
15. Go On The Studio Tour In London
The studio tour has so many of the sets and costumes from the movies. Make sure to book a few months in advance as it sells out!
While you’re in London, you might as well check out the Sherlock Holmes sights or the literary spots in general.
16. Stay In The Harry Potter Hotel Room In London
The Georgian House Hotel in London’s “Wizard Chambers” are Harry Potter inspired, and feel like the Leaky Cauldron. You might as well spend the night there if you’re seeing the other Harry Potter sights in London. They have a couple of themed rooms, so I’d imagine you have to ask specifically for the wizard one.
17. Go To A Cafe J.K Rowling Wrote In
Although she started Harry Potter on a napkin on a train, J.K Rowling used to go to the Elephant House café in Edinburgh to write Harry Potter. Now, Potterheads from all over the world visit the café. They even let fans write on the bathroom walls!
18. Visit The Graveyard That Inspired J.K. Rowling
Another Harry Potter bucket list UK thing to do is visit Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. It’s not far from the Elephant House.
Greyfriars where J.K. Rowling got inspiration for Harry Potter characters names like Tom Riddle and Hagrid. It should go without saying, but be respectful; this is a real graveyard. These were real people with real families. Check out these goth things to do in Edinburgh.
19. Ride The Hogwarts Express
I always feel reminded of Harry Potter on trains, but imagine being on the real deal? I’d take the lot off the trolly too! You can do this in London at the studio tour, and in Universal.
20. Own The Marauders Map
Of all the Harry Potter memorabilia, I feel the most drawn to the Mauraders Map. I think I just like things that feel a little pirate-y.
21. Go To The Cliffs Of Mohar
Aside from being one of the best natural wonders of the world, the Cliffs of Mohar, in County Clare, Ireland, were in Harry Potter. They featured in The Half-Blood Prince when Harry and Dumbledore find a horcrux.
Brace yourself if you go: it’s very windy, even in summer!
22. See Cursed Child
Cursed Child is debated among Potterheads about whether or not it’s canon. Either way, I think seeing the show on Broadway or the West End would be a magical night out!
23. Meet J.K. Rowling
I’d love to meet the women herself and thank her for making my childhood magical.
Then I’d give her an intervention.
What do you think of these Harry Potter things to do before you die? Have you done any of them? What’s on your Harry Potter bucket list?
I love this and would totally be on board with everything mentioned (although our completed items differ quite a bit – I’m a Slytherin with Bellatrix’s wand hahaha)
I only saw your comment now! Thank you.
Fellow Gryffindor here! I love this list of ideas! I’ve done quiet a few already but would love to completely them all! I was gifted Luna’s wand for Christmas a few years back – was previously given Voldemort’s wand until mine arrived haha
Gryffindor all the way!!! Probably going to add meeting Daniel Radcliff himself to this list 🙂