Sites make spectacles of 'Harry Potter' props, locales

— -- This week's release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the latest cinematic version of author J.K. Rowling's literary blockbusters, gives wannabe wizards a perfect excuse to grab their broomsticks in search of Harry's favorite haunts.

British travel website Skyscanner.net spotlights 13 key locations in the Potter Universe, from Platform 9¾ at London's Kings Cross Station to Romania, home to the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary, while Fandango.com's Summer Movie Road Trips section offers Harry Potter's Rolling Green British Isles.

Closer to home for American Muggles (non-magical humans), Harry Potter: The Exhibition runs through Sept. 27 at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry (msichicago.org). The exhibit includes more than 200 props and costumes from the film series.