From Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade, there were an enticing variety of unusual emporiums to visit in the wizarding world. From joke shops to sweet shops, from apothecaries to banks, there was truly something for every witch or wizard. Here are some of the shops and pubs that would make for the ultimate day out.

Ollivanders

Ollivanders was the cramped, dusty hotspot for wizards hoping to get their hands on a wand (or, rather, for the wand to get its hands on a wizard). Ollivanders was a pivotal moment for Harry realising his wizarding potential. After all, it was one of the first places he visited in Diagon Alley and where he acquired his all-important 11-inch holly and phoenix feather wand. But there was also a lot of personal value for Harry at Ollivanders. The misty-eyed, soft-spoken owner was also one of the first people in the wizarding world to talk to Harry about his parents. For an orphan who had only recently learned the truth about his mum and dad, this must’ve been a really special moment.

‘You have your mother’s eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work.’
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The apothecary

The walls of the apothecary were lined with unicorn horns and black beetle eyes. The shop had an… interesting aroma to it, but it was a perfect spot for stocking up on potion ingredients. If you had a proper rummage around, who knew what manner of oddities lay on its shelves?

Then they visited the apothecary’s, which was fascinating enough to make up for its horrible smell, a mixture of bad eggs and rotted cabbages. Barrels of slimy stuff stood on the floor, jars of herbs, dried roots and bright powders lined the walls, bundles of feathers, strings of fangs and snarled claws hung from the ceiling.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Honeydukes

Where else could you pick up a Chocolate Frog or a jar of Pepper Imps or even some of Dumbledore’s favourite goodies, Acid Pops, but in Honeydukes? The famous Hogsmeade establishment was one of Harry, Ron and Hermione’s most-frequented places and it was well known by Hogwarts students for the oodles of exotic confectionery it stocked. Ron, especially, was a strong advocate for its business.

‘It’s this sweetshop,’ said Ron, a dreamy look coming over his face, ‘where they’ve got everything ...’
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The Magical Menagerie

Filled to the gunwales with all manner of magical creatures, the Magical Menagerie was best-known for being the place where Hermione met Crookshanks, the once-neglected ginger cat. It was exactly the kind of unkempt, slightly chaotic establishment that fit well into Diagon Alley.

There wasn’t much room inside. Every inch of wall was hidden by cages. It was smelly and very noisy because the occupants of these cages were all squeaking, squawking, jabbering or hissing.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Flourish and Blotts

A good bookshop is something to treasure and, despite being in the wizarding world, Flourish and Blotts was no different. A dusty treasure trove of literature, it was absolutely perfect for any budding wizard hoping to catch up on their reading (providing you could actually open the book, in the case of The Monster Book of Monsters).

The shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather; books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk; books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with nothing in them at all.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Gringotts

While strictly not a shop, you certainly couldn’t shop without it. Gringotts was an essential part of Diagon Alley experience, and the street would be a lesser place without the grand bank, which was run by a team of grumpy goblins. Also, who doesn’t love a rollicking, slightly dangerous-sounding cart ride in order to draw out a bit of cash?

‘Gringotts is the safest place in the world fer anything yeh want ter keep safe – ’cept maybe Hogwarts.’
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The Leaky Cauldron

The Leaky Cauldron was never just your standard joint for a quick pint of Butterbeer. Without this iconic little pub, you’d be short of the gateway going into Diagon Alley, so we don’t think we’d be going out on a limb by saying that this is probably more than the average London pub offers. This was also the place where Harry truly realised he was kind of a big deal, and who doesn’t love good old Tom?

It was a tiny, grubby-looking pub. If Hagrid hadn’t pointed it out, Harry wouldn’t have noticed it was there.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The Three Broomsticks

Life at Hogwarts seemed like it could be quite tiring sometimes, what with all the homework and the occasional troll in the dungeons. The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade was just the ticket for a spot of much-needed relaxation. Toasty, comfortable with the colourful Madam Rosmerta running the shop, the Three Broomsticks was perfect for when Harry, Ron and Hermione just wanted somewhere cosy to hang out, or overhear a bit of gossip.

It was extremely crowded, noisy, warm and smoky. A curvy sort of woman with a pretty face was serving a bunch of rowdy warlocks up at the bar.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes

Fred and George were the kind of chaps who were born to run a joke shop like Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Packed with Pygmy Puffs and more practical jokes than you could shake a stick at, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes was one of Diagon Alley’s most brightly coloured and popular destinations, and a welcome appearance during the ascent of Lord Voldemort. (U-No-Poo, anyone?) Thank goodness Harry decided to be the mysterious benefactor for the twins’ eccentric business, donating his Triwizard winnings to Fred and George as startup money.

Set against the dull, poster-muffled shop fronts around them, Fred and George’s windows hit the eye like a firework display. Casual passers-by were looking back over their shoulders at the windows, and a few rather stunned-looking people had actually come to a halt, transfixed ... Harry’s eyes began to water just looking at it.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince