The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has so many amazing real life sights and activities in the muggle world. These 21 Magical Harry Potter things to do before you die are every Potterhead’s dream! 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. 

21 Magical Harry Potter Things To Do Before You Die

1. Go To Platform 9 & 3/4s

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 grand Hogwarts castle, unfortunately, doesn’t exist in real life. However, most of the outside is actually Alnwick castle in Northumberland!

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!

4, Play Muggle Quiddich

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 Quiddich.

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

Although Pottermore told me my own wand is made of cypress, dragon heartstring, and is 9 and 3/4 inches, I can’t buy that, so someone else’s will do. I have Hermoine’s 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!

I feel more like a Gryffindor than a Ravenclaw so I’m happy. I’m not smart enough to be in Ravenclaw.

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 a patronus, 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, Orlando

Orlando 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 themselves.

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. The 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 cafe to write Harry Potter. Now fans from all over the world visit the cafe. They even let fans write on the bathroom walls!

You can also visit the graveyard with tombstones that inspired Harry Potter characters names like Tom Riddle and Hagrid.

18. 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 Flordia at Universal.

19. 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.

20. See Cursed Child

Cursed Child is debated among Harry Potter fans 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!

21. 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?