Hogwarts and Harry come to Pacific Science Center

Step into the magical world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, visit Hagrid's hut and see Harry's wand at "Harry Potter: The Exhibition" at Seattle's Pacific Science Center, the final U.S. stop of the exhibit's world tour, Saturday through Jan. 30.

Fans of all ages around the world have avidly followed the adventures of Harry Potter through the seven novels by J.K. Rowling and six movies (two more upcoming) chronicling Harry's adventures to defeat the evil wizard Voldemort. The exhibit includes more than 200 costumes and props from the Harry Potter movies in settings inspired by the films' sets, including Hogwarts' Great Hall, Hagrid's hut and the Gryffindor common room, with costumes worn at the Yule Ball, Gryffindor school uniforms and creatures including Buckbeak the hippogriff and Kreacher the house-elf.

Hands-on activities include pulling a young Mandrake from its pot in Herbology class, tossing a Quaffle through the goal posts to test your Quidditch skills and a Hagrid-sized chair to sit on while visiting Hagrid's hut.

Admission to the exhibit is by timed tickets, including all Science Center exhibits during regular hours, with special Harry Potter exhibit-only hours and pricing Fridays and Saturdays. A guided audio tour provides behind-the-scenes information and an in-depth look at artifacts and how they were created and used in the films.

The Science Center's Imax Experience hosts a Harry Potter Film Festival, showing "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" Saturday through Nov. 4, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" Nov. 5-11, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Nov. 12-17 and the new "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" when it's released Nov. 19.

The details

Time: Science Center hours, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. Fridays and Saturdays, the Harry Potter exhibit only is open until 8 p.m., last ticketed entry time 7 p.m.

Cost: Timed entry to Harry Potter exhibit and admission to all exhibits, $26/adults, $24/ages 65 and older and ages 6-15; $17/ages 3-5. Evening Harry Potter exhibit only, $19/adults, $17/ages 65 and older, $15/ages 6-15, $13/ages 3-5. Audio tour $5-$6. Prices vary for packages including Imax films.

Location: Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle Center.

Getting there: Seattle Center traffic hotline and parking info, 206-233-3989; Metro Transit service, 206-553-3000 or tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/; Seattle Center Monorail, 206-905-2620 or www.seattlemonorail.com. Parking: Albert Claypool Memorial Garage at the corner of Second Avenue North and Denny Way, with covered walkway to Science Center entrance. Other Seattle Center lots, pay lots and street parking available.

More information: 206-443-2001 or pacificsciencecenter.org

Madeline McKenzie: 206-464-8245 or mmckenzie@seattletimes.com