Family Fun    

New York State Parks Welcomes Harry Potter



A Forbidden Forest Experience to Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park This Fall

Forbidden Forest Experience


New York State Parks today announced that “Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience,” a nighttime adventure for all ages, will be coming to Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park – filling the park with magical creatures and wonder celebrating the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films. Beginning Saturday, October 22, this family-friendly attraction will leave visitors spellbound as they wind through the woods along an illuminated light trail while discovering more of Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Westchester County, approximately 40 miles north of New York City. 

“We are very excited to have a New York State Park be the first spot to open in the United States for this attraction after a massively successful run in the UK, bringing two magical names together, Harry Potter and FDR,” State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. “We will be ready to welcome Hippogriffs, centaurs and unicorns to Westchester County. We are very excited to watch as lights and special effects transform our State Park into a spectacular forbidden forest and create magical memories for families in Westchester County and the surrounding area.”

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience offers fans yet another way to enjoy the Wizarding World while in New York,” said Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President of Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment. “Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park is a perfect location where the natural beauty of the park brings to life the forest trail, illuminated sets filled and the familiar creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, creating a truly magical experience for fans of all ages.”

Ignacio Bachiller, Fever’s CEO, said, “We are thrilled to continue growing the collaboration with Warner Bros that we have built alongside our partners Thinkwell and Unify on this unique themed outdoor experience coming to NY. We are committed to work with leading creators in the culture & entertainment space to deliver the best experiences to fans worldwide.”

Inspired by the iconic Forbidden Forest from the wizarding world and featuring creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, mesmerizing lights will transform the landscape into a magical outdoor trail. Visitors will discover some of their favorite moments from the books and films and can even practice casting their own spells.

READ MORE: Recreation destinations with access for people with disabilities

At the end of the trail, visitors will step into a quaint village where they can enjoy delicious food and drinks, as well as a gift shop with merchandise from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies.

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience outdoor experience was created by Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment in partnership with leading entertainment discovery platform Fever, award-winning theatrical designers and experiential creators, Thinkwell, and global experience design and delivery agency Unify.

Ticket prices start from $25 for children and $36 for adults and will be available on Fever’s marketplace (prices will vary based on time and date of the session). You can read more about the experience and sign up for the ticket waitlist at www.hpforbiddenforestexperience.com/westchester.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails, and boat launches, which were visited by a record 78 million people in 2020. A recent university study found that spending by State Parks and its visitors supports $5 billion in output and sales, 54,000 private-sector jobs and more than $2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518.474.0456. Also, connect with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22)


Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • What parents should know about Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency (PGHD)

    Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a relatively rare condition, affecting an estimated 1 in 4,000-10,000 children. read more »
  • Simplify summer with light lunches

    Bright, crunchy cucumbers are the star of this sammy

    Take the hassle out of lunch with these Cucumber Sandwiches that can be made in advance for afternoon pick-me-ups. read more »
  • Thinking about renovating?

    Check with your building department first

    From updating an outdated kitchen to adding a home office, home renovations can be exciting. Before you dive in, it’s critical to understand the local safety requirements that impact your projects. read more »
  • Your home safety checklist

    Simple steps to keep a safer, happier space

    Your home is more than just a place to live, it’s where you create memories, unwind and feel most comfortable. Yet, many household items and systems can hide potential safety risks. read more »
  • 4,000 reasons to love bees

    These little pollinators are essential to our food supply

    While most people picture the beloved honeybee when they think about bees, North America actually has 4,000 species of native bees, many of which are busy right now. read more »
  • Laying the foundation for writing

    What you can do to get them started

    Learning to write is one of the defining milestones of early childhood, but it doesn’t happen all at once. read more »
  • Choose play every day

    How to transform everyday activities into playful learning opportunities

    Play is a universal language spoken by people of all ages. Through play, children learn to forge connections with others, build a wide range of leadership skills, develop resilience, conquer fears and navigate relationships and social challenges. read more »
  • Find Your Adventure - June Outdoor Happenings

    Celebrate Get Outdoors & Get Together Day!

    Free events across the state to try a new skill and enjoy the outdoors at Get Outdoors & Get Together Day, a day of inclusion for all people at New York’s accessible Parks and DEC lands. read more »
  • Save a life from stroke

    Tips from the American Stroke Association

    Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age – even young people. Despite being one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States, strokes are largely preventable, treatable and beatable – if you can control your risk factors. read more »
  • Take steps now to protect your vision

    Regular eye exams are the best thing you can do

    Your quality of life and overall well-being depend on developing healthy habits. These practices are essential to your eye health. read more »