Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
Editor’s Note: A few months ago I went to LA for a business trip and ended up extending it to spend some time with my amazing friend, Megan AKA The Nerdy Girlie. She introduced me to a side of LA that I hadn’t ever really had a chance to appreciate, so I asked her to share her top geeky activities with you.
Have you ever taken the chance to be a tourist in your own town? Usually it takes a friend or family member coming to visit for us to explore our regular surroundings and break out of the everyday bubble of monotony. So when Liz came to visit me in LA at the exact moment of a very large personal realization, a girl’s staycation was exactly what I needed.
It has been one year since I’ve moved to LA and I cannot believe I was ever nervous to move here. I have discovered myself in this city. I’ve begun to become who I’ve always thought I could be and Liz was there to support and encourage me the entire way. How could I not show her the town I’ve fallen in love with!
Now, since I LIVE here, I’m not packing anything for the most part. Though I do pretty much live out of my car the majority of the time. Here are the things that are a must for everyday life in LA and are a permanent fixture in my car:
Sunnies. I NEVER leave home without them. I MIGHT have my entire glovebox full of them and also always have a back up pair in my purse. If it is daylight hours and I am outside you will find my favorite accessory on my face.
Beach Bag with all the essentials. Essentials being, a towel, though I don’t mind just sitting on the sand myself. Sunscreen is a must especially if you are from out of town and are not used to the daily blazing rays of sunshine! Those sunnies I mentioned earlier and a hat! You can never be too careful. And because I’m always prepared to stick around for a while, I always like to grab either a hot or cold drink to enjoy as a treat on the beach!
iPhone loaded with all your favorite jams because you WILL need to roll those windows down, blast your favorite song, sing, dance and enjoy our amazing weather. Songs that were the soundtrack to our weekend “Shut Up And Dance” by Walk The Moon and “California Save Me” by The Filthy Souls.
Venice Beach. I like Venice Beach better than it’s sister beach down the road, Santa Monica. Venice is a bit more “real” and a lot less crowded. Plus it has a lot of really cool street art and a ton of good people watching. Here’s a super perfect nerd trip: Whovians need to check out the Starry Night mural on Wavecrest Avenue and Ocean Front Walk. It’s a delightful surprise.
The Getty. This is my favorite museum in LA because of it’s location high atop the city. The views make for some lovely panoramic images, the gardens are completely gorgeous and peaceful and they of course have some lovely art on display. Our favorite Doctor Who artist Vincent Van Gogh has a few of his famous paintings there. Who knows, maybe he and the Doctor will show up during your visit. Keep your eyes peeled!
Hollywood Blvd. Everything you could ever nerd out about is all in one convenient place. It is not as pretty as the movies would lead you to believe, but it is a highly entertaining spot none the less. Wether it be the tourists or the locals, there is a LOT of character in one location.
The LA County Museum of Art. You are going to laugh at me but I have never actually been INSIDE the LACMoA. Yes and it still makes my list! If you love Instagram like I love Instagram it is a grammer’s paradise. From the “spaghetti” to the lamplights you are guaranteed to come away with a Insta worthy shot to remember your vacation by. Right next door to the museum are the La Brea Tarpits. Totally worth a quick glance because of their historical value and connection to ancient times, just don’t get your hopes up! :)
Whimsic Alley. Right down the street from the LACMoA is a lil gem called Whimsic Alley! If you consider yourself a nerd, and I’m sure you do if you are friends of Liz and I, then this is THE nerdiest place in LA and you HAVE to stop by. Their outside display windows are Doctor Who, Sherlock and Downton Abbey themed. Right away you know you’ve arrived at the right place! Walk in and it is like you’ve entered into Diagon Alley! Wander through each nerdy themed room and watch your money disappear like magic!
Griffith Observatory. This is the last and best stop for your day to end. Like The Getty, the Griffith Observatory has an amazing view, but from the other side of the city. Since Liz and I are BOTH space nerds, we knew this place was a no brainer to take her to. Spend some time inside during the day to appreciate all the exhibits. When the sun goes down, waste no time and get your butt outdoors. Sitting outside watching the sunset with someone special really helps you put your life into perspective and make you feel like such a small part of a this huge existence. It is an eye opening experience and a place I love to go to find perspective on life.
During her visit, I felt like a lot of our planning was scheduled around when we could eat. I LOVE eating and there are so many really amazing places in LA that I wanted Liz to try. MOST of them are dessert based but it’s your vacation right?!
Republic of Pie. MY FAVORITE place in LA hands down. If I have a day off, you will find me at Republic of Pie. If a friend is in town visiting, I will take them to Republic of Pie. I knew this place was for me, besides having PIE in the name, when I looked it up on Yelp and saw a photo of a tree growing out of the shop with a sign that read “I AM GROOT.” Pie and nerdy? YES please.
Milk Jar Cookies. RIGHT next door to Whimsic Alley is Milk Jar Cookies. HUGE fresh cookies baked from scratch daily and THE best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had in my life. Besides that, it is just the cutest lil shop to boot. Get your Insta feed ready, beautiful cookies and cute decor are at every turn.
The Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. If you cannot tell thus far, I love my desserts. Here is my last and final dessert stop for you, the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. YES a place where you can get a cupcake ANY time of day! Thank the dessert Gods. Besides having delish desserts, the cupcake ATM is just adorable and PINK! Can you tell what my Insta feed is full of?
The Griddle Cafe. I lucked upon this find thanks to Yelp. The Griddle Cafe is an amazing breakfast joint in WeHo aka West Hollywood. We also lucked out on the time we arrived which was near 8 am. Because after that the place blew up. Our stomachs also blew up because not only is this place delicious, their servings are HUMONGOUS! Just make sure you arrive bright and early, the place is only open until 4 p.m.!
Dinosaur Coffee. I MIGHT have wanted to go to this cafe JUST because it had dinosaur in the name. Thankfully Liz is also a dino nerd, so she was totally down. We were totally meant to be nerd soul sisters. Located in Silverlake, Dinosaur Coffee is modern, chic and makes a perfect made to order cup o’ joe.
I want to thank Liz for a girls weekend I will never forget. I am so happy to have this strong and inspirational nerd girl in my life. She asked me some hard questions that weekend and I her. We were both able to lean on each other and enjoy a bit of LA at the same time. The timing couldn’t have been any more perfect. It is amazing where the Universe takes you and who it brings into your life. I’m so happy I have been open to what LA has to offer.
You can find all of Being Geek Chic’s Geek Travel Guide’s Here.
Ask someone if they have ever been to Hawaii and they’ll probably tell you they’ve been to Oahu, Maui or Honolulu. And that’s totally fair. Those places are beautiful and comfortable and lovely. If they say, they went to Hawaii’s Big Island - give them a high five. Because it’s a sure fire way to determine that they’re a badass who likes a good adventure.
There’s not doubt that the Big Island makes you work real hard in order to enjoy it. You will absolutely need to pack your Hiking Boots. And in no particular order, I highly recommend picking up:
- A quick wicking towel
- A rashguard along with your swimsuits, especially you ladies
- A water bottle
- Ziploc bags for the sand you are absolutely not going to steal
- Your Kindle! I got so much reading done…
Going to the Big Island and really seeing it means you’re also going to be doing a lot of adventuring that is quite exhausting. Your first stop after the airport should be to a grocery store where you can get appropriately stocked with protein bars, bananas and generally packable snacks that will help replenish your energy levels.
There’s no such thing as a boring drive on the Big Island. The drives either east or west between Hilo and Kona present all kinds of interesting adventures, but if you make your goal seeing three kinds of beaches while there, you’ll have a good map for planning your trip and seeing the entire island in the process.
The first beach to see is a traditional White Sand Beach. The best beach that meets this description on the big island is Makalawena Beach. This beach is about 10 miles outside of Kona. If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle while there, you can absolutely drive close to this beach over two miles of lava fields, which is damn fun. Or you can park on Highway 19 between mile marker 90 and 91 - and hike the two mile trek over said lava fields. This is also obscenely fun. Either way, bring a book and spend the day hanging out in the driftwood that has washed up on shore. There’s wild goats running about and generally it’s an amazing place to see the beauty of the “Hawaii we know” with the Hawaii people don’t know enough about. You know, the only place in the continental United States with an active volcano.
Once you get back to your car, keeps your eyes peeled for masses of tourists on the other side of Highway 19. The lava field on the other side of the highway is filled with caverns and loose rock, which offer up some daredevilish climbing if you’re in the mood. I scared myself at least twice, but the adrenaline rush was ultimately worth it. Just be careful. I didn’t tell you to climb into old lava holes, let’s remember that.
While you’re still in Kona, you should definitely check out Kona’s Farmer’s Market off Ali'i Drive and La’Aloa Drive. It’s full of fun people watching and there’s the kind of natural, fresh made leis you always imagined wearing actually being made in this market.
Once you leave Kona, you want to make your way to the southern end of the island where you’ll find South Point and Green Sand Beach or Papakolea Beach. This is, again, an adventure, but you’re a geek who wants to feel like you’re experiencing something epic, right? So this is it. South Point is a cliff jumping area just at the end of South Point Park. This is a popular destination for whale watching and swimming. If you’re a decent swimmer, stay in the water and swim to the edges of the cliffs, where you can swim into volcanic caverns that have worn away and created amazing little swimming holes that are so majestically fascinating, it feels like they were manufactured by some kind of high spelunker.
The thing about my trip to the Big Island is that every single stop felt epic. Not “hey that’s cool,” but genuinely, “holy SHIT that’s real.” The feeling of going to South Point and then the green sand beach captures that sentiment perfectly. Once you’ve worn your legs out from swimming, you are now going to continue past South Point to Papakolea Beach, where the sand is literally made of olivine. There are two ways to get there: by back of a nice Hawaiin’s truck or via a 6 mile round trip hike. It’s worth it either way, but I’ll recommend the hike, because I trust you are a badass. And here’s the most amazing thing: I challenge you to walk along this crazy lava and coral mixed coast line and not imagine some kind of land that we have yet to see in Game of Thrones. It’s that amazing and majestic and other worldly. Keep your eyes fixed on the water from time to time while taking water breaks or enjoying a breather, because depending on the time of year, you will definitely be able to clearly spot whales on this particular hike. Once you’ve arrived at the beach, you’re just in for a god damn treat. The science of the green sand is pretty interesting. The sand is actually laced with olivine stone, which is often referred to as Hawaii’s diamond. It’s the byproduct of a cinder cone that was formed nearly 50,000 years ago and since the islands last eruption, the stone has collapsed and eroded in the ocean, creating tiny granules of olive sand.
I could have spent the entire day at this beach and you really should. Pack enough food for the entire day. I promise you, you absolutely will not regret it. However, if you want a ride back, be sure you arrange that. Because at a certain point in the day, the trucks stop coming… at which point, yeah, you’re hoofing it.
After absolutely winning at adventuring on the cliffs of South Point, you will want to make your next day trip to the Black Sand Beach or Punaluʻu Beach. By this point, if your mind isn’t blown by the sheer volume of amazingly strange beaches on this island, I don’t understand you. This beach is easily accessible by car and requires no hiking, so go you! However, this is a great beach for water activities that are a bit more traditional Hawaiin vacation-y. We saw plenty of sea turtles and did lots of shell picking while on this beach, which is kind of crazy, because it literally is solid black. It’s a trip, but a good one. And if you look close, you’ll find some colored granules from those volcanic rock mixed in with the black sand.
All these incredible beaches are only possible because of the volcanos on the island. And of course, you’d really be messing up if you didn’t make the trip to Volcanos National Park to see all the fuss up close.
There are so many things to do here, but I recommend prioritizing a rainforest hike above all else. The sheer volume of amazing little creatures and plant life that you’ll see on a 2 hour hike around this park is astonishing. If you’re lucky Vog levels will be low (volcanic fog) and you’ll be able to get close to the crater.
If you have any interest in astronomy photography, this is the place to do it. I met a Hawaiian local who is a pro while on my trip, check out Koa’s instragram here, who gave me all the most amazing tips for shooting on the island. The number one thing: try to work in the volcano. It creates an epic image like the one at the top of this post.
I basically didn’t know what Hawaii would have to offer in terms of food, but once I discovered Basik Cafe and their Acai bowls, that was the end of trying any other breakfast foods. They’re all phenomenally good, but I recommend the drifter bowl, because who doesn’t want a little chocolate with their breakfast?
After doing all this hiking and walking and work, you’re going to want some protein. I can’t recommend Ultimate Burger enough. Not only are they focused on offering up organic and grass-fed beef, but they’ve made a point of coming up with Hawaii specific concoctions. And if you’re thinking about skipping the fries, just stop thinking that. They are so damn good. After spending hours climbing over lava boulders, they tasted like heaven.
Kona is really where all the best food and coffee can be found in a quick manner. And that coffee thing is key. For coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner Daylight Mind Coffee Company kills in every category. Ask for a table with a beachside view and you may even spot a manta ray or a whale, depending on the time of day or year.
You can find all of Being Geek Chic’s Geek Travel Guide’s Here.
Shoutout to Koa for the Milky Way pic at the top of the page!
There are cities in this country that never get talked about enough. I contend that Albuquerque, New Mexico is one of those cities. It’s not the south. It’s not the west. It’s just, this place unto itself. And it doesn’t get nearly enough credit.
The city is charming, full of interesting geeky spots and definitely a place where you can eat yourself silly. It is home to incredible, incredible food. Breaking Bad fans will also find pockets of awesome TV making history throughout the city, which will both surprise and delight you.
People who follow my instagram or Twitter feeds know that I’ve been obsessed with hot air balloons for a while. They are the perfect mixing of masterful physics with appreciation for the natural world. And so yes, I get a little bit excited about it. For this reason, I highly recommend going to ABQ during the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in the city. Yes, it is one of the busiest times of year in the city, but it also means there are tons of really interesting things going on. For example, NASA puts a huge outpost in the central Fiesta activity area and trots out a plethora of amazing activities for adults and kiddos. It will be expensive to ride a balloon during the Fiesta, I promise. But it’s worth it to be sharing the skies with hundreds of other balloons at the same time.
After you’ve thoroughly enjoyed the wonder of a balloon, it’s time to explore the art scene in the city. Honestly, it’s one of the best places I’ve ever explored for original street art. It’s more than just graffiti, which is enjoyable for its own artistry, but it’s the way that shop owners have embraced a sense of style in their surroundings. Fun pieces like this one near Highland Park make geeks feel right at home.
Spend an afternoon in Old Town and you’ll know what I mean. The buildings and culture of the area feel like being transported to a new place. And careful watchers will be able to pick up little set pieces from, you guessed it, Breaking Bad.
The fact that public art is so embraced means it is no surprise that there is a vibrant scene in more traditional senses too. The Albuquerque Museum isn’t just gorgeous, it’s a seamless merging of art and history, which isn’t something that can be found in a lot of art museums. This context means visitors get more out of the experience, because it’s not just about what you see, it’s what you learn through it.
The best shopping is definitely in the Nob Hill area for the real nerds. For the perfect mix of your artistic dreams and vinyl toy fantasies, you need to make Stranger Factory a priority. Part art gallery - part designer toy shop, this spot was a highlight of the trip, offering hours of visual lusting.
Just down the street, crafty geeks will be amazed at the sheer selection of incredible yarns at the aptly named The Yarn Store on Nob Hill. To be fair, I am not a huge knitter or crocheter, but the incredible variety, beauty of rare selection of organic materials made me want to get back into the hobby. Don’t forget to swing around the back of the store before you go to see one of the coolest murals you’ll ever set eyes on.
It’s difficult to talk about shopping in Albuquerque without mentioning Pink Rhino. The collection of vintage shops have some of the widest collections of pieces I’ve seen and mixes both the culture of New Mexico with affordable and quirky accessories. The prices vary wildly, but I’ll happily admit that I walked out of there with two killer vintage dresses that feel like brilliant additions to my wardrobe.
Don’t bother eating breakfast anywhere other than Sophia’s Place. This tiny little family restaurant gets busy ridiculously fast, so line up early and order a lot, because you’re going to want to try everything. Recent Yelp reviews indicate that they may be renaming to Eli’s Place, but I am assured that the blue corn pancakes are still on the menu and killing my tastebuds from miles away.
Street vendors everywhere and one of my favorite things to do while there was check out the various ways each of these food artisans took on tamales or chiles rellenos. The vibrant colors, options and smells were enough to keep my eyes satisfied between meals.
For the perfect mix of total geeking out about Breaking Bad and eating a beyond delicious lunch or dinner, you need to go to The Grove. The menu is local, green and clean, so you don’t have to feel a ton of guilt about anything on the menu, but go for a sandwich. The breads are stellar and great breads are always worth exploring, as far as I’m concerned. Take a seat near the back, so you can bask in setting of one of the most important scenes in the finale of Breaking Bad. If you’re like me, you may even end up in some tourist photos, so eat slowly.
Dessert is one of those things I never want to miss on a vacation, so when the opportunity to try Rude Boy Cookies came up, I wasn’t disappointed. They are distributed to a lot of cafes throughout the city, especially the balloon varieties during the festival, and they really are as good as people promise. If milk is your thing, the milk bar is basically the best idea ever.
The weather in Albuquerque in the fall is basically perfect. It’s warm during the day and mild at night. The sunrises and sunsets are so stunning, it’s difficult to justify being indoors at all. So if you can camp or can hack it as a camper, do yourself a favor and Camp in Albuquerque. This is especially true if you are going during the Balloon Fiesta, because it’s one of those times when everything is booked months and months in advance and the places you do find will be pricey.
If you can’t stand to camp, the Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town or the Nativo Lodge both embrace that southwestern style and aren’t overly expensive. There aren’t any frills here, but it is unlike most hotels, they do have a good cause. Both hotels are owned by the same company and a portion of the cost you pay for your stay is donated to the Southwest Association for Indian Arts, which is a mighty good cause.
I’ve had the distinct pleasure of spending the better part of the last year getting to know Denver, Colorado. And while most people’s immediate reaction is: OMG, HOW IS LEGAL WEED!?, I promise you, there are lots of amazing things to do in this great American city that don’t involve getting high. That’s not to say you shouldn’t get high, and we do cover that here, but keep an open mind, because it’s about more than blunts.
Driving through Denver is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, it’s so naturally gorgeous with the Rocky Mountains serving as a near constant reminder of outdoor adventure. While the city itself is modern, buzzing and quickly evolving as more people move in. But there’s also pockets of brilliance where these two things so perfectly collide and one of those things is the Denver Botanic Gardens. The near constant sunshine in Denver means that this gem within the city is absolutely stunning year round, even in the winter. Spend an afternoon walking through the gardens and taking in the sheer brilliance of the design and artistry of the landscapers working there.
While the Denver Public Library on Broadway may not seem like a logical place to send you on your vacation, this library has a particularly impressive set of collaborations going on year round, like Volume Denver, which aims to catalogue the city’s local music scene.
If you’re looking for a day trip to really do the mountain thing, I recommend a drive down I25 to experience Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Pike’s Peak in one swift trip.
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Spend your morning on the old Cog Railway in Manitou Springs. The roundtrip is about 2 hours, but it takes you to the top of Pike’s Peak where you not only will have ample opportunity to cuddle with your friends and family, but you can partake in a wonderful homemade donut and some coffee while looking out on some truly gorgeous views.
Once back down for the mountain tops, swing through the Garden of the Gods to have an Indiana Jones like hike through one of the most stunning public parks in the entire country. The well-maintained trails and picnic areas mean you’ll have a fantastic and healthy afternoon.
When you’re done hiking, spend your evening on South Broadway, taking in the quirky shops. Ironwood is an absolute requirement. It’s mix of natural items like rare stones and plants are the perfect souvenir. They’ve also got an incredible collection of vintage art and objects, but the true magic is in the back, where they house some of the coolest jewelry in all of Colorado.
Down the street, you’ll find Hazel and Dewey, a shop specializing in kitchen, dining and bar accessories, including the most eclectic mix of salts you can find anywhere. Scoop up the Honey Salt for some of the best homemade popcorn. Cross the street and you’ll encounter Fancy Tiger Crafts. Crafty geeks will lose their minds here, because the sheer volume of the available materials is just nuts. Whether you love knitting, crocheting, quilting or even felting - this shop is one of the largest and certainly the most unique in the region.
If you’ve got some time, head to the West side of South Broadway for Antique Alley, which is a few blocks of antique shops that carry everything from art to jewelry to furniture. If you want to get really nerdy, you must hit up 5280s, a vintage store dedicated to all things 80s. Think clothing, toys, kitchen wares and everything in between.
Of course, this guide would not be complete and frankly a total failure if we didn’t mention Mile High Comics, one of the largest comic book shops in the world. If you’ve been on the hunt for a back issue of basically anything ever, you may just be able to find it here. It’s an easy place to loose a few hours, but it’s always worth it.
For your late night enjoyment, hit up 1Up Arcade on Blake. The retro gaming bar has resisted the temptation to appeal to all the people in the world and still caters mostly to geeky sorts. It’s easy to lose lots of hours and lots of quarters in this fantastic little bar.
For a quick bite, it’s hard not to pick Pizzeria Locale. If you love wood-fire pizza, then this is an easy way to go. The Margherita is simple and delicious, but ask for extra basil. The side of meatballs is the perfect appetizer and tastes just like those found in Italian family kitchens. And it’s all topped off by the perfect and delicious Budino, a butterscotch pudding dessert that is far better than it has any right to be.
This may come as a total shock to you, but you need to get sushi in Denver. Izakaya Sushi Den is the best sushi outside of Japan. In fact, you may swear you are in Japan. After you’ve stuffed your face with totally delicious sushi, head down Broadway to Sweet Action. This ice cream shop is a delightful place with new flavors daily. And here’s the thing: the Vegan ice creams are better than most normal ice creams in your grocery’s dairy freezer.
For Colorado specific fare, check out Root Down, which is one of the few farm to table restaurants in the city. The Pistachio Arepa is just beyond wonderful and the drinks have a lot of personality too. For a late night warm up, head to D Bar for the hot chocolate. Despite the fact that they recently discontinued my favorite thing on the menu (the hot chocolate flight… you are missed) the home-made melted marshmallows and chantilly lace whip cream ensure this is the best hot chocolate you’ve had in your life.
Breakfast lovers should hit up Sugar Bake Shop for their homemade Pop Tarts. There is no doubt that you haven’t had a Pop Tart like this one. For a quick cup of coffee, I’m all about Aviano Coffee in Cherry Creek. While the staff are never as friendly as they should be, their coffee and general ambience makes up for it.
Driven by so many people wanting to tour Denver, there are a plethora of new hotels worthy of checking out. The Curtis Hotel might seem corny at first, but as a nerd, you’ll appreciate the thematic take on the design. Deemed a “pop culture” hotel, each floor is themed after a different TV show, movie or part of our popular media. Nearby, the Teatro Hotel feels like a historic Scottish hunting lodge, which is perfect for the anglophile gone west.
Denver is geographically huge and as a result, it has a ton of fun and interesting neighborhoods, but perhaps the most convenient place to rest your head is at the new Crawford Hotel within Union Station. This is partially because the new Union Station is totally gorgeous and amazing. Plus, it has everything for the perfect little romantic weekend.
One such example of the perfect romance creating setting is Bloom, a local flower shop, which has a small stand downstairs with some of the most beautiful and creative arrangements you’ll ever set eyes on. After buying your honey a floral delight, walk across the Station to Terminal Bar, which screams of Denver history. Major history and transportation nerds will love the whole look and feel of this place. The setting is relaxing and comfortable and the menu is straight up fun with plenty of great twists on old school drinks. It’s spendy, but great for a Happy Hour stop when your feet are tired.
There are pot shots everywhere in Denver now and most of them carry the same things and the prices are all very competitive. But, there are a few places that cater to newbies a heck of a lot more than others. If you want a very proper and professional experience, go to The Clinic, which feels… well, a lot like going to the pharmacy. Their staff are knowledgeable and kind and can answer nearly any question. For a more local flavor, try Sacred Seed. When you imagine legal pot shops, this is probably what you’re envisioning. This place is all about enjoying the ride, so don’t be surprised if you just end up wanting to hang out there for the afternoon.
You can find all of Being Geek Chic’s Geek Travel Guide’s Here.
Can I tell you something awesome? I haven’t look at these photos from my trip to Leavesden for months. In fact, it’s been a long, long time since I went. But, holy wow! I want to go back. That seems like the best possible review I could give you. Despite how tedious it would be to get there again… despite the fact that I’d have to take a plane, train and automobile and BUS to get there… well, I want to go! Let’s revisit why:
If you love Harry Potter, there really isn’t anything quite like it anywhere in the world. The sets. The costumes. The props. The makeup. The drawings. The animatronics. Every single element of how the films come together is right there for you to see. The people who go to Leavesden (which is about 45 minutes out of London and requires a lengthy Tube ride and a special bus trip) should go because they love the artistry and detail and beauty of the films. Now, if you’re in the United States, this is an multi-thousand dollar trip. If you’re in England, no excuses. Go! But if you are like me and you are in the US, you also have the awesome option of going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida.
If you want to have a trip where you “experience Harry Potter” or the world of Jk Rowling, I really recommend going to the Wizarding World instead. There is nothing interactive about the experience in Leavesden and most little kids especially were racing through the Studios, because well, it’s just not that fun to see that Dobby is just… not real. So if you have young kids, this might not be the best option either. If your kids are showing a lot of interest in art or movies though, then go for it!
One of the things I love about fall is that it reminds me of Harry Potter. Every book is framed in the beginning of the school year and the new adventures Harry and company will face. For this reason, we opted to go in the fall and I’m so glad we did.
For starters, there will be a lot less kids on their summer break, which I’m told results in really limited availability for tickets to get in. Also, BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE. The fact of the matter is, there is a very high likelihood, especially if you go in the summer or during school breaks that you will make this long trip out to Leavesden (in total, it’s a little over an hour of out London) - you want to get in.
In terms of timing, go in the morning. You can absolutely take as much time as you want to walk through. They say it takes about 2 hours, but for myself, I spent more than 4 hours there. If you go at the end of the day, you may get rushed out early simply because the studio is closing.
There are SO MANY THINGS TO SEE. Literally, there isn’t anything I would want to miss. But there are a few things that really blew my mind. So let’s spend some time on those.
The graphic designers on the film were tasked with creating tons of paper products. Think IDs. The Iconic Newspapers. Think the iconic letter Harry gets in the mail. But what you don’t realize until you get to Leavesden is that there are literally hundreds of newspapers that we never see in the films. There are IDs and badges and buttons and records and invitations and napkins and labels that were teeny, tiny in the background on screen - but up close, they are incredible works of art.
Go inside the Knight Bus. Another amazing detail I couldn’t get enough of was the interior of the Knight Bus. I watched hundreds of people take a picture outside of the Knight Bus, only to miss the back door where you can take a peak at those iconic rolling beds and the shiny chandelier in the ceiling. You can’t sit on the beds, but I swear on Moody’s Eye that it’s still great.
Look for movement. Everywhere! There are so many elements at the Studios that they have tried to recreate some of their special effects for in real life. Some of the ways that they executed special effects on the film (the Weasley’s knitting needles, automatically stirring pots in the Potions classroom) were done with surprisingly simple mechanical techniques. And so, the magic lives!
Hang out at the Hogwart’s Model! For a while! Why is this important? Because the folks at the Studio have installed an incredible lighting system that cycles through a full 24 hours of lighting at Hogwarts. So in the course of about 30 minutes, you can experience the lighting at sunrise, noon, afternoon and sunset on the real model they shot all the exterior shots with in the films. It’s really a special thing and it makes you feel completely immersed in the process.
As someone who has been to both the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Leavesden Studio Tour, I have to tell you that both of these trips offer totally different perspectives on Harry Potter. While my trip to Universal in Orlando offered the experience of LIVING in Harry Potter, my trip to Leavesden was more like a trek to pay homage to one of the greatest film achievements in history. After making the trip, I can honestly say that it was like going to church. And it was SO worth it. And I would absolutely do it again.
