Harry Potter Experience

Before we get started on the Harry Potter Experience in Chicago that we went to this weekend I wanted to give a little update on my travel agency business. I have advertised on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and here on my website, and handed out business cards, but so far no clients besides myself and my daughter. I know that most people plan their own trips so I kind of expected it, but I was hoping to help just a few people. But that's ok if I don't get any clients I will continue to plan for myself and my family and keep blogging and vlogging away about the trips we take.

This weekend we decided to make a trip to Chicago and try the Harry Potter experience. Once again my son Liam wasn't able to join us because of medical issues, but we are hoping he can join us for our Disney trip in the spring. The Harry Potter Experience is being held in Water Tower Place in Chicago. We got up early so that we could leave by 7am and be in Chicago by about 10am. Of course as usual we were a little slow getting out the door so we didn't leave until about 7:20, but I had bought open time tickets so we could get there any time. I just wanted to get there as early as possible . We arrived at Water Tower Place a little after 10am and entered the experience.

When you first entered we stood in the Dursleys house with the letters flying in. There was also a play area with a slide but my kids were a little too old for that. As you walked along you came to platform 9 3/4 and the train.

Then you came upon the boats that take the 1st years to the castle.

Then you enter the great hall.

After the great hall and a picture it time to continue on to Divination

Then it's off to the rest of your classes

Once you've gone through all your classes it's off to quidditch

Once you've learned to fly and play quidditch it's time to create your own Lego Hogwarts figure at the Lego Mirror of Erised.

Then it's time to grab your lantern and head off into the forbidden forest to find the creatures and chase off Dementors.

Once that's complete and you have tested your strength against Hagrid's it's off to the maze.

Then the last stop is the knight bus before you head out to the gift shop and to purchase any pictures that were takin by them along the way.

When we were done with the experience we walked around The Water Tower Place and got some lunch and ice cream. It's basically a mall on the inside with shopping and restaurants.

All in all it was a nice day and really nice to get away for a day. I will say that The Harry Potter Experience is probably geared a little more toward smaller kids but we still had a good time. Contact me if you want help finding things to do near you. Come journey with the Kellers!