If haunted houses are a little too spooky and you’re looking for a seasonal experience with a little magical flair, muggles can head out to Ingleside for “Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience.”
“Harry Potter” fans can enjoy an immersive night in nature while soaking up iconic glimpses from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, with interactive elements and photo spots along the outdoor walkthrough experience.
“The franchise itself speaks to people of all ages, so this makes it an experience that’s really enjoyable for families, for people on a date, for friends,” said Joana de Silva Pina, strategic delivery lead at Fever, which is putting on the experience alongside Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and IMG Arts & Entertainment. “You can see so many things and hear so many things along the way that really bring you back to your childhood if you read the ‘Harry Potter’ books or saw the movies.”
The experience begins in a small village area with food and drinks available for purchase, including Butterbeer and Hogwarts house-themed hot chocolates, as well as a fire pit for toasting marshmallows.
For diehard fans, one area offers an exclusive preview of the full-cast audiobook editions of the “Harry Potter” books, which are available on Audible.
After a detour through the gift shop, where wands and Hogwarts house-specific gear are available for purchase, the walk begins with a short audio show of clips from the movies. Hagrid’s voice then encourages all first years to step up and the trail begins.
Lights and well-timed music and audio clips from the movies help set a magical and atmospheric tone. Creatures appear at times in the trees alongside the path, from a large interactive hippogriff you can dare to bow before or smaller nifflers looking for shiny treasures. Arachnophobes beware, because you will have to follow spiders down the path.
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Restrooms and a small stand of refreshments greet guests at about the halfway mark. The path is considered a bushland hiking trail and most areas are not a hard surface, which could make wheelchair access difficult. There are some gentle slopes in portions of the walk, but there are benches scattered along the way if you need a break.
“Forbidden Forest” has previously visited a number of other cities in the U.S. and internationally and arrives in the Chicago area for the first time this fall. The experience comes as HBO is creating a new “Harry Potter” TV show based on the books — though for some, the magic has dulled surrounding author J.K. Rowling’s creation.
Visitors can expect to spend about 60 to 90 minutes walking the trail (or faster if you’re speedy and not stopping long at the interactive sections). The end of the walk offers guests a chance to cast the Patronus Charm and see what creature comes to their magical defense. Expecto patronum.
Through Nov. 2 at YMCA Camp Duncan, 32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside; tickets from $29 (all ages) at hpforbiddenforestexperience.com