Places: New York Comic Con

Don't judge too quickly. I am a huge fan of the New York Comic Con and you should be too. Besides being a mecca for all things comics, it also houses the latest news for film and television. I read a few comics here and there, but the reason I attend is to learn more about my favorite tv shows and films. Each day is filled with panels that include the filmmakers, writers, and actors of the series' you love. You get to see clips and previews months before anyone else. There is also a question/answer part to every panel, which usually ends up being pretty funny depending on the fan questions. I have attended three years in a row, and this will be my fourth. (It starts this Thursday October 13th-16th). 

In the past I have seen panels for Hellboy, Wanted, The Chronicle of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Hurt Locker, Dollhouse, Watchmen, Fringe, Friday the 13th, Terminator Salvation, Nikita, The Vampire Diaries, The Thing, Battlestar Gallactica, Hanna, and Your Highness. 

 Your Highness 

 Nikita

Vampire Diaries

Each day is extremely long but completely worth it. Its great to hear the thoughts and ideas from the creators and actors of these tv/films. You get to learn crucial information about where a tv series may be heading or see 20 minutes of a film long before it will hit theatres. 


Besides the tv/film part there is also a huge gaming following at NYCC, a massive amount of signings, shopping from hundreds of retailers, so much free stuff or special edition things you wouldn't believe, and it also holds the Anime Festival. 

It wouldn't be Comic Con without costumes. You will see every type of costume you could ever imagine (though superheroes definitely take the cake). Don't worry! You don't have to dress up to fit in, there are plenty of people not in costumes as well. 


I highly recommend attending if you are in the tri-state area, if you're not, there are tons of travel accommodations that NYCC will help you with. For more information click HERE. 

Places: Concours d'Elegance

So I understand this isn't so much a place but rather an event. The Concours d'Elegance takes place all over the US and abroad, around the year. It is a car competition for new, classic, and restored cars. It's a great event for those that love cars or even those that appreciate great design. Personally, I love classic cars especially those from the 40s and 50s. 

The Concours d'Elegance also features an auction of some of the classic cars and seminars you can attend to learn more about car care. You can also buy art or other automobile memorabilia such as signed photos and helmets of well known race car drivers. 

If its a nice day I definitely suggest you try to attend one of these Concours events. I attended the Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance. To find out more check out their website HERE

Places: Harry Potter The Exhibition

Today I visited Harry Potter: The Exhibition at Discovery Time Square for the second time. If you like the Harry Potter films or at the very least admire the craftsmanship in film design, you should definitely stop by the exhibit. 

This is from back in March (the 1st time I went).

The exhibit highlights some of the most well known props and costumes from all 8 films as well as some that aren't as well known such as the Gryffindor Bulletin Board that stands in the background shots in Gryffindor tower. 

The best part is that you can really appreciate the attention to detail. Everything from Colin Creevey's extraordinary petrified figure to the tiny cat pin on Umbridge's pink dress suit or the zodiac signs on the curtains of the Gryffindor boys' four poster beds. The exhibition has it all. (There is Harry's red sweater and corduroy pants from The Sorcerer's Stone and you just about die at how tiny he was!) 

The entire exhibition can feel like a walk down memory's lane if you, like I did, grew up alongside the release of the books and films. There are seven areas to walk through; Gryffindor Common Room, Classrooms, Quidditch (including Quidditch World Cup), Hagrid's Hut, the Forbidden Forest, Death Eaters and The Great Hall. 

Photos by Chris Hollo, Hollo Photographies, Inc.

It is definitely a trip worth taking and gives new insight to the beloved story. The Exhibition is currently in New York at Discovery Times Square until September 5th. Afterwards the entire exhibition, which is hundreds if not thousands of artifacts will be transported to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney Australia. There it will run from Nov 18th to March 18th.

HERE you can find more information about the exhibition and how to get tickets.