10 Places to Go When You Feel Like Unleashing Your Inner Nerd
Jan 14, 2016
Nowadays, it’s totally cool to be a nerd. Whether you know all the spells taught at real-life Hogwarts, you own a utility belt that rivals Batman’s or you built your own Hobbit home, you can find your geeky brethren anywhere. Scroll on for some of the best places to nerd out about the stuff you love. You may never want to return to ordinary life on Earth.
Hobbiton
Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were both shot with the lush, green background of New Zealand, which stood in for Middle Earth. The hobbit village set is waiting for visitors to explore. There is also a re-creation of a hobbit inn if you are hankering for some mead while you order in elvish. (Photo via @hobbitontours)
Greyfriars Kirkyard
:The hazy, cobblestoned streets of Edinburgh would make anyone think that magic happens there. That must have been the case for J.K. Rowling, who used the city as an inspiration for many places in Harry Potter. Rowling found many names for her characters in this cemetery — you can even find Tom Riddle’s grave. (Photo via Marguerite Spellman)
American Museum of Natural History
Marvel at the wonders this universe has to hold by gazing up at the stars at the Hayden Planetarium or gawk at the animal figures in their natural habitats. (Photo via @amnh)
Christ Church
Any Harry Potter fan will recognize the Great Hall in Christ Church — it was used as the dining hall in the movies. Don your best wizarding robes and waltz around this real-life Hogwarts. (Photo via @christchurchoxford)
The Alcázar of Seville
: Game of Thrones fans will recognize this former Moorish fort for what it really is: the Winter Gardens Palace in Dorne. Stroll around the beautiful grounds, which are enough to get that image of Oberyn’s brutal death out of your mind. (Photo via Elliot Brown/Flickr)
Toy and Action Figure Museum
Pauls Valley, OK: At this museum, which boasts over 13,000 action figures, visitors can delight in seeing miniatures of their favorite heroes and villains. The museum also hosts events such as art demos and tours so you can get the story behind the creation of these tiny toys. (Photo via Toy and Action Figure Museum)
Mutter Museum
If you don’t mind the smell of formaldehyde, you’ll do just fine at this museum, which features a large collection of preserved medical anomalies. Seeing a wall of skulls might be disturbing, but you won’t be able to look away from the fascinating strides of medical science. (Photo via @muttermuseum)
International Cryptozoology Museum
: This museum specializes in the study of hidden or unknown animals. Here, you can marvel at artifacts and replicas relating to yetis and sea monsters. Maybe this museum will make a Bigfoot believer out of you. (Photo via Crytozoology Museum)
Pandorica Restaurant
:When Doctor Who opened the Pandorica, he unleashed a world of trouble. Hopefully your lunch will not involve the end of the world as you dine in this Doctor Who-themed place. It boasts a tardis bathroom, as well as a menu promising intergalactic goodies. Grab some fuel for your next space-time travel. (Photo via @thepandoricarestuarant)
Legoland
:Ever wonder what it would be like to shrink down and play in the tiny Lego worlds you used to create? Now you can, as you play among these tiny stackable characters. Let out your inner kid when you climb inside the Mega-Egga-Saurus or pretend you’re a giant in Miniland USA, a replica of seven spots in the US made entirely of legos. (Photo via @legolandcalifornia)
