Cobblestone streets and pointed roofs piled high with snow. Evergreen wreaths and garland lining the shop doors and windows. Frothy butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. Chocolate frogs, cauldron cakes, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Fizzing Whizzbees, and pumpkin pasties from Honeydukes. The frog choir belting out festive songs into the chilly winter air.

This is Christmas at Hogwarts.

As is true for many people, Harry Potter was a HUGE part of my childhood. My aunt gave me a copy of the Sorcerer’s Stone the year it was released in the United States, and I absolutely devoured it.

Over the years, I read the books and watched the movies back-to-back, dozens and dozens of times, more than I can count.

I collected Harry Potter memorabilia and candies from Borders bookstore, and dreamed of attending Hogwarts with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. In many ways, I do actually feel like I grew up right alongside them.

I read up on the four houses and determined that I was definitely a Gryffindor at heart; all these years later, I think that analysis still holds very true.

All that to say, seeing Hogwarts with my own eyes was one of my wildest fantasies. And while I’m still awaiting that coveted admissions letter, I was fortunate enough to experience the next best thing earlier this month: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood.

And. It. Was. Magical.

As cliche and overly dramatic as it sounds, stepping under the arch into Hogsmeade felt like a homecoming. It was a moment that I had quite literally dreamt about for my entire life…and here it was. I was at Hogwarts.

A theme park version, of course, but rest assured that Universal Studios didn’t miss a beat when it came to designing this park. From the signage to the soundtrack playing through the speakers, every detail was pure magic and whimsy.

These were some of the most memorable moments from my day at Hogwarts:

Walking through the cobblestoned alleys of Hogsmeade

You know that feeling you get when you’re watching one of the Harry Potter films, when you wish you could just fling yourself through the TV screen and immerse yourself into the scene?

Stepping into the park is a lot like finally seeing that wish come to fruition.

One of the first things you’ll pass when you walk into Hogsmeade is the Hogwarts Express, complete with a cheery conductor and steam puffing out from the engine.

You’ll also hear familiar songs from all the films, which make it feel as if you really have stepped into a scene from one of the movies.

As you continue walking, you’ll pass all of Hogsmeade’s various shops and eateries, from Zonko’s and Ollivander’s to Gladrags Wizardwear and the Three Broomsticks.

One of my favorite activities was strolling along the streets of Hogsmeade and peeking into the shop windows. They were stocked with all sorts of magical items like self-stirring cauldrons, twirling teacups, and bludgers straining to get free.

Some of the doors and windows are for display only, but many are attached to real shops that you can actually go inside and shop for a massive variety of Harry Potter collectibles, souvenirs and memorabilia.

While certain popular items were available in most of the shops, I appreciated how in general, the items were kept in line with the theme of the shop. For example, some stocked mostly Quidditch gear, while others sold primarily books or wands or stuffed owls.

And because I visited during December, all of Hogsmeade was dressed in festive Christmas decor! The scenery made me think of this description from the books:

“Hogsmeade looked like a Christmas card; the little thatched cottages and shops were all covered in a layer of crisp snow; there were holly wreaths on the doors and strings of enchanted candles hanging in the trees.”

…As well as this one, which describes Harry’s first ever Christmas at Hogwarts:

“Harry and the Weasleys spent a happy afternoon having a furious snowball fight in the grounds. Then, cold, wet and gasping for breath, they returned to the fire in the Gryffindor common room, where Harry broke in his new chess set by losing spectacularly to Ron…It had been Harry’s best Christmas day ever.”

Of course, the highlight of Hogsmeade – both in the “real” wizarding world and in the park – is Hogwarts castle. Seeing the bridges, courtyards, and towers rising up from a craggy outcrop was absolutely surreal. The castle is truly stunning!

Wandering the halls of Hogwarts

The best part? You can actually go inside Hogwarts! In fact, it’s how you get to the main attraction of the park: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This immersive ride was a blast, but it left me feeling very wobbly and dizzy; once was absolutely enough.

If you’re sensitive to motion and are worried about feeling ill after the ride, you’ll be happy to know that you can still walk through the castle without riding. Just let one of the attendants know that you’re not riding, and they’ll give you a pass for a “castle walk.” This pass allows you to walk through the express lane instead of the main queue.

If you opt for the castle walk, you’ll still see most of the same sights and rooms you would have if you had walked through the regular line, with the exception of the Herbology greenhouse and the entry point to Dumbledore’s office.

However, those in the express lane will also get to see a “bonus” Grand Staircase (pictured above), which was perfect for snapping a fun photo.

In either line, you’ll pass iconic rooms like Dumbledore’s office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the Gryffindor Common Room. You’ll see the Sorting Hat, too!

Shopping for sweets at Honeydukes

Honeydukes was the shop I was most excited to visit in Hogsmeade, and it didn’t disappoint. I was beckoned inside by a helpful young witch who pointed out the newly stocked sweets, and asked if I needed help finding anything.

The shelves were piled high with Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, chocolate frogs, Fizzing Whizzbees, Fudge Flies, Pepper Imps, Exploding Bon Bons, and other recognizable candies from the wizarding world.

Of course, I had to try a chocolate frog right away. I also snagged some Bertie Bott’s beans…though I’m still a bit hesitant to sample those!

The shop also has a display case with cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties, butterbeer fudge, no melt ice cream, and all sorts of candied apples. Mmmm.

One thing I will say is that the quality of the candies we sampled wasn’t amazing. The chocolate frog was a fun treat, but the taste and texture of the chocolate could be greatly improved. But as Ron once said, it’s the cards inside that you want, anyways!

Traditional British fare & butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks

One of my favorite moments of the day was cozying up at a table in the Three Broomsticks, and just sitting for a while. As exciting and beautiful as Hogsmeade is, it’s not particularly large, so it’s normal to have some downtime. And the Three Broomsticks is the perfect spot to enjoy that time!

We grabbed lunch there (you’ll choose from a small selection of traditional British dishes) and washed our food down with some butterbeer. We tried frozen and chilled, and definitely preferred frozen!

You can also order alcoholic beers and ciders in the Three Broomsticks, as well as at the Hog’s Head pub, which is attached to the back of the restaurant.

I highly recommend pulling up a chair, and spending an hour or so just sipping and soaking in the ambiance. After all, it’s a what a real wizard would do, isn’t it? 😉

Of course, that’s not all there is to do in Hogsmeade!

Below, I’ve listed out every single ride, shop, show, and dining option there is in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And in the section below that, I’ve shared a few tips and tidbits for making your day as ~magical~ as possible.

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Things to do at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Rides

• Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey
• Flight of the Hippogriff

Entertainment & Shows

• Ollivanders (One lucky witch or wizard will be hand selected from every group to participate in a wand ceremony!)
• Frog Choir
• Triwizard Spirit Rally

Hogsmeade Shops

• Ollivanders
• Honeydukes
• Zonko’s Joke Shop
• Dervish and Banges
• Owl Post
• Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods
• Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment
• Gladrags Wizardwear
• Hogsmeade Station

Dining & Drinking

• Three Broomsticks
• Hog’s Head (attached to the Three Broomsticks)
• Magic Neep Carts & Butterbeer Carts

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Checklist for a bloody brilliant day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

• Arrive early! If you purchase tickets online directly from the Universal Studios Hollywood website, you’ll automatically receive Early Entry privileges. On the day that we visited, the park opened at 10:00am, which meant Early Entry started at 9:30am. I recommend parking ~30 minutes before you want to enter the gates, to allow time for parking, walking, and waiting in the entry line. We ended up being one of the first 100 or so people inside the park, which was critical to taking many of my “muggle-free” photos 😉
• Visit on a weekday if possible. We visited on a Friday, and I was surprised by how manageable the crowds were! After snapping some photos, the rides were one of the first things we did…and we didn’t have to wait at all for either of them. Even at the busiest parts of the day, the ride waits were never more than 15-20 minutes. Even the wait for Ollivanders never surpassed 30 minutes! On that note…
• Definitely do the “big 3” (Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, Ollivanders). I had read online that the Flight of the Hippogriff and Ollivanders aren’t worth waiting in long lines. Like I said, our waits were short…but I honestly think I would have waited even if they were much longer. Aside from walking around and going into the shops, there isn’t a lot to actually do in Hogsmeade. Go on and wait for all the rides / shows!

• Dress up! Obviously not a requirement, but it’s FUN. I wore this Gryffindor cardigan from Hot Topic, as well as this Gryffindor scarf from Amazon. I paired them with a black t-shirt dress and black tights I already owned…not a perfect replica of a Hogwarts student outfit, but good enough!
• Go to the bathroom. Er, I don’t mean to dictate your personal habits, but I do recommend checking out the bathrooms in Hogsmeade. Moaning Myrtle just might have a thing or two to say to you!
• Sit, and soak in all of that glorious magic. If you’re a frequent reader of this site, you might have noticed that I ALWAYS recommend downtime in my itineraries. Naturally, Hogwarts is no exception. My favorite places to sit and enjoy the views: inside the Three Broomsticks or Hog’s Head, in front of Hogwarts castle, and in the midst of Hogsmeade. Grab a butterbeer, listen to that familiar soundtrack, and let your childlike imagination take over. You’re welcome!

…And remember, always respect the spell limits, and try not to lose too many house points 🙂 Happy wand waving!

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Are you a Potterhead, too? Have you ever visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? If so, what was your favorite ride, shop, or treat? If not, what would you be most excited to experience?