the mommy avenger

There are some stories that become part of your family’s DNA—and for us, Harry Potter is one of them. We read the first book out loud at bedtime when my oldest was barely able to sit still through a chapter. Over the years, we devoured every book as it came out, lined up for midnight movie premieres, hosted Harry Potter birthday parties with chocolate frogs and floating candles, and debated house loyalty like it was a serious personality test. (It is. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.)

So when Harry Potter: The Exhibition arrived in Salt Lake City, I knew we had to go—not just because it’s an amazing, interactive experience, but because it was a way to step back into a world we all grew up with. And let me tell you, walking through it with my now-teenagers was like opening a Pensieve of memories.

My kids may not be little anymore, but watching their eyes light up as we stepped into the exhibition reminded me that magic doesn’t fade—it just evolves. And this experience? It’s definitely made for fans of all ages. Whether you’re 9 or 19 or… well, me—you’ll find something to geek out over.

Before we even walked through the doors, we each created our own wizarding profiles. You pick your Hogwarts house (no surprises here: still a proud Gryffindor), select a Patronus, and choose your wand. It felt like dipping back into that world we used to play pretend in—but with upgraded tech. Our wristbands tracked our progress as we earned points for our houses through various challenges inside the exhibit.

I’ll be honest: I got way too competitive about it. I was in full-on House Pride mode by the time we hit the potions station.

The exhibition itself is so much more than just a bunch of cool props behind glass (although yes, the props are incredible—I definitely teared up seeing Harry’s wand and Hermione’s costumes up close). It’s an immersive walkthrough of the wizarding world, with rooms that shift and transform as you move through them.

We explored the Great Hall, walked through Hagrid’s Hut, faced a Boggart, and tested our skills with spellcasting and Quidditch. Everything was beautifully detailed and deeply interactive, and we were constantly pulling out our phones to snap pictures and capture moments.

And even as “grown-ups,” we were totally into it. We recited spells, posed like dorks in front of the Marauder’s Map, and competed to see who could rack up the most house points. (Spoiler: I did not win. But I had the most spirit, which should count for something.)

We chose the VIP package and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. With VIP, you get flexible entry (which is so helpful when juggling teen schedules and unexpected delays), plus some fun exclusives like a lanyard, gift, and—my personal favorite—Butterbeer at the end of the tour.

We grabbed ours, sat down together, and just… smiled. It felt like coming full circle. We started this Harry Potter journey when my kids were just learning to read. And now we’re here, sipping Butterbeer as they prep for college and beyond. How’s that for a core memory?

As much as we loved experiencing this as a crew of older kids and adults, I kept thinking how magical it would be to take younger children through the exhibition. The interactivity, the visuals, the sense of discovery—it’s all so tactile and inviting. You don’t just look at the magic here. You do it.

If your kids are still in those early, wide-eyed stages of discovering Hogwarts for the first time, they’ll be absolutely enchanted. And if they’ve grown up with it like mine have? This is the perfect way to reconnect with the magic.

Walking through Harry Potter: The Exhibition with my teens reminded me just how special this story has been in shaping our family’s world. It’s more than books or movies—it’s part of how we grew up together. And this exhibition captures that in a way that feels personal, playful, and genuinely magical.

Go while it’s here! Dress up, get into it, and give yourself permission to feel like a kid again—even if your kids are nearly grown.

Hogwarts has always been there when we needed it. And last night, it welcomed us back like no time had passed at all.

You can book your own tickets and learn more about Harry Potter: The Exhibition by visiting them online. The exhibition is here now until the end of summer and you won’t want to miss it. It is located at The Shops at South Town, which is just adjacent to the South Town mall in Sandy, Utah.

We can’t wait to go back!

Right now a lucky The Mommy Avenger reader is going to win a family four pack of tickets to explore Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Salt Lake City. To enter email me at themommyavenger@hotmail.com with Harry Potter Exhibition in the subject line. Tell me your favorite thing about the Harry Potter movies. Be sure to find and follow both The Mommy Avenger and Harry Potter The Exhibition on Instagram, too! Winner will be picked at random from qualified entries on or about July 8, 2025. Good luck!

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own.*}

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