No matter the time of year, there are a slew of places to relive the magic of Harry Potter. If you’re a true fan, muggle or not, Harry Potter watch parties don’t just happen at the holidays as your love for the wizarding world never fades.
Here are all the Harry Potter places in Austin where you can conjure up the magic all year long.
Harry Potter Airbnb | Buda, Texas
Doc’s Drive-In in Buda has three tiny home Airbnbs, each with their own pop culture theme. There’s a Breakfast at Tiffany’s home, Star Wars themed pad and, our favorite, the Wizarding World Tiny Home. You can learn more about it here.
Hoot and Annie Cocktail Bar | Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock’s premier speakeasy Hoot & Annie has been known to host a Harry Potter pop-up. But even when it’s not happening, the bar is covered in owl decor that will have you mourning Hedwig all over again. Drink options include things like Owl Always Love You, It’s A Real Hoot, Hoot There It Is and more!
Hill Country Flyer | Cedar Park, Texas
It may not be the Hogwarts Express, but you can pretend it is! The Hill Country Flyer operates all year long but and Christmas time it becomes the North Pole Flyer. The special two-hour excursion on a real train features a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, all-you-can-drink hot cocoa, live balloon twisters, on-board caroling and a locally baked holiday cookie. You can see the full list of activities here.
Infinity Gate at Austin Bergstrom Airport | Austin, Texas
Another way you can try to catch a ride to Hogwarts is via the Infinity Gate at the Austin airport. Hogwarts is just one of the destinations that are part of an art installation called Interimaginary Departures. You can find the infinity gate (marked by an infinity symbol) between gates 12 and 14. Here’s a little more about how the installation works.
Travelers Lounge | Austin, Texas
If you’re more of a fan of the night bus, you should check out the double decker bus cocktail bar in East Austin. At Travelers Lounge, they promise you’ll be transported to an unknown galaxy that’s out of this world! We prefer to think of that galaxy as a wizarding one.
Texas Reptile Zoo | Bastrop, Texas
Feel like you might have the gift of parseltongue? Give it a try at the Texas Reptile Zoo in Bastrop. But be prepared for the consequences!
Inner Space Cavern | Georgetown, Texas
Every time I visit an underground cavern, I can’t shake the fear that any bodies of water are filled with inferi. After all, it was a site like Inner Space Cavern where Dumbledore and Harry went searching for one of seven horcruxes. They offer a variety of tours, including a hidden spaces tour which feels very much like you’re venturing into a sea cave.
Big Top Candy Shop and Monkey See Monkey Do | Austin, Texas
Take a trip to these two South Congress shops for the closest thing you’ll find to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and Honeydukes. Snag some Harry Potter themed items while you’re there like Chocolate Frogs, Chocolate Wands and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. You can even grab a fresh pint or two of their creamy butterscotch soda and imagine it’s butterbeer.
Falkenstein Castle | Burnet, Texas
Falkenstein Castle isn’t currently open for tours, but if you can catch a view from a far, it’s the closest things you’ll find to Hogwarts in the Austin area.
Magic Shops | Various Locations
If you want to work on your own magical skills, head to one of the spiritual shops in the Austin area. There’s City Alchemist Witch Shop on East 6th, Nature’s Treasures off North I-35, and Yarrow & Sage on North Loop or Slaughter Lane. You may also want to visit an Austin Witches Market event. We also love the vibes at Rituals Herbal located at the Old Taylor High School.
Wizard Academy | Austin, Texas
Though the Wizard Academy has nothing to do with this type of magic, the signage and merch makes for a fun photo op! It’s actually a school for small business owners to learn how to make magic happen for their business ventures.
Of course, if it happens to be Halloween or Christmas time, you don’t want to miss the Harry Potter House, AKA Diagon Alley ATX, in South Austin. The free holiday display was even featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show!
