Yes, reading a book about a British boarding school was thrilling, but is it really the Every Flavor Beans and games of dodgeball played on broomsticks that we should recreate? Or is it the feeling of a world you never knew existed unfolding before your eyes — this time, IRL?
On a scale of 1-10, how much magic have you experienced inside the United States over the last few years?
By Mike Reid | January 2026
Here we are in the year 2026, and life in America is completely and totally devoid of magic, right?
And I think a lot of Americans — myself included — would happily get on a train to a more magical world, if only that world existed.
But at this point, I'm pretty sure Hogwarts doesn't actually exist.
Ok, yes. There's that replica in Orlando, Florida. And there's even a replica Hogwarts Express. And you can buy a wand for $65 plus tax.
I've heard it's actually pretty cool.
But it's also not quite the real Hogwarts (that doesn't exist), right?
So here’s what I can offer instead: a metaphorical trip to Hogwarts.
Here’s how it works:
First of all, you’ll recall that Harry Potter was simply told to show up at King’s Cross Station (which does in fact exist). And Harry had a ticket to a place called “Hogwarts” that departed from Platform 9 ¾.
He then watched someone run through a brick wall and disappear, so out of sheer and utter desperation he decided to follow them.
Similarly, your magical experience will begin by running towards a brick wall — but in your case this will be a TSA security checkpoint at the international departures terminal at SFO, LAX, JFK, or ORD, or
possibly elsewhere, depending on your location in Muggle America.
From there, Harry got on the Hogwarts Express, which departed at 11:00am sharp and arrived in the early evening at Hogwarts. (By the way, the Hogwarts Express was basically just a regular train with some vaguely magical things, like jelly beans that tasted like vomit.)
Of course, you'll be going through TSA security, so you obviously aren't getting on a train. You’re getting on an international flight that will — just like Harry Potter — leave in the late morning (or maybe early afternoon) and arrive in the evening at your initial destination, which won’t be where you're eventually going.
And look, let me remind you that Harry Potter did absolutely no research about Hogwarts before got on the Hogwarts Express, he just got on the train, no questions asked.
But look, if you want the Hermione Granger Experience, that's fine, we can (eventually) tell you exactly where you're going.
But wouldn't the magic of being surprised be a whole lot more fun?
Ok. Fine. You really want to know where you're going?
You want to channel your inner Hermione Granger and study up in advance of arriving at our metaphorical Hogwarts Great Hall?
Sure. Ok. Fine. We'll have to tell you at some point, anyway.
But please do keep in mind that these things can shift as quickly as staircases at Hogwarts, ok?
Here's your first clue:
You'll be flying west, although actually also north and then south because on a round planet that's actually the most direct route, and your trip will take roughly 16 hours — but don't worry because you won't be flying Delta, or Spirit Airlines, or anything like that.
Aren’t you sick and tired of the complete lack of magic in your life in the year 2026? But what if there was something you could DO about it?
And no, there won't be any vomit flavored jelly beans on your flight, but there'll be two big meals, plus plenty of snacks, and you can just sit there and watch endless movies and TV shows. And when you land it'll be 4am back home, maybe a few hours later, but because of the magic of time zones, it'll be approximately 7pm local time.
And you'll get off the plane, and people will be strangely nice to you compared to what you're used to in America, and you'll show your passport, and they'll be like, "sure, you can enter our country that's fine, this isn't a crazy place like the United States."
And then someone will be standing holding a sign with your name on it and they'll take you to a hotel close to the airport, and ideally you didn't sleep on the fight so you can now sleep for 8-10 hours and wake up in the morning, shockingly (magically?) refreshed.
And then there'll be breakfast in the "Great Hall," and the Sorting Hat Ceremony where you will "sorted" onto four different potential flights leaving the next very day to either (A) the oasis in the jungle, (B) the relaxed metropolis, (C) the frontier capital, or (D) the city ready to shine. (And of course, the destinations might shift at any moment, just like the staircases at Hogwarts you wish existed.)
But in any event, it'll be exactly like the Sorting Hat in that you can just trust the Hat's recommendation, or you can veto suggestions.
And where are these places, exactly, you want to know? They're in a reality that you can't access — until you run through the brick wall.