A couple of weeks ago, I took Sarah, Alex and one of Alex’s friendsto Manhattan to see the new Harry Potter, the Exhibition. Located in this city’s Discovery Times Square, this will be the traveling show’s last North American stop.

We took the train in and, on the way, Sarah got the chance to try on some new headphones that I received. Called ChicBuds, they were a cute pink, a welcome alternative to the usual black headphones.

But how did they work? Sarah liked the fact that they were light weight, and could be folded up to put in her handbag. These weren’t Bose, but she liked the sound, and she found the cushions around the ear parts made wearing them comfortable.

It was raining the Saturday that we went to the exhibition, and the crowds were huge with at least two rows of people waiting outside in the rain for their turn to get into their specified time slot. The kids and I thought that this was a good show, especially if you’re a big Harry Potter Fan.

We had the opportunity to view what was advertised as being 200 authentic costumes and props from the Harry Potter films displayed in settings inspired by the films sets – including the Great Hall, Hagrid’s hut and the Gryffindor common room.

While touring through the exhibition space that we had been invited to view, we saw various wands that had been used in the movies,  Harry’s original eyeglasses, the Marauder’s Map, Gryffindor school uniforms, and costumes worn at the Yule Ball.

Part of this show was interactive as well, and we tossed Quaffles in the Quidditch area and pulled screaming Mandrakes.

An additional audio component was also available which permitted you to hear a further explanation from members of the movies’ production team about many of the items on display.

However, what I really enjoyed was seeing the enthusiastic fans dressed in their own Harry Potter costumes. They ranged from a young man dressed in a blond wig, a padded bra, and a graduation gown to two women wearing sexy corsetted gowns and wildly curly black wigs to a young attractive couple who must have spent hundreds of dollars on elaborate 19th century outfits.

When: April 5, 2011-September 5, 2011

Place: Discovery Times Square, 226 West 44th Street, New York, NY

Hours: This is a times-entry experience and will be open 10 a.m. through 8:00 pm seven days a week, with the last ticketed entry at 6:30pm.

Admission: $25/adults (13 and older); $22.50 for seniors (65 and older); $19.50 for children (4-12); children under 4 years of age are free. I’ll keep you posted if I hear of any discount codes.

Click here for more info.