The world is a big place and there are many wonders to gaze at. Some people travel to see the Eiffel Tower or take a picture of the Mona Lisa. Others want to experience different cultures, people and eating amazing food they’ve never heard of. But for us, those who have been changed by our childhood movies, comics and video games, our travels are about collecting all the Gundam Wing model kits or reenacting running through a brick wall on platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station. If this sounds like you, then these are the spots you have to go and visit.
Tokyo, Japan
If you have not yet included Japan on your bucket list of places to visit, I am here to tell you that you must make it a priority. It is the mecca of all things nerdy. Anime and manga are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what this country has to offer. If you want a plush toy of your favorite Final Fantasy character, they have it. If you want a PlayStation 2 in Japanese, they got that too. And if you need more than just delicious sushi for dinner, how about mix things up at a Pokémon Café? The possibilities are endless and if you can’t find what what you’re looking for in Akihabara alone, I’m not sure where else in the world you will be able to find it.
London, England
Photo by Aditya Vyas on Unsplash
So you got an owl too, huh? You must be a witch or wizard. Pack your bags because it’s time to head to London to catch the next train to the world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In London, make a trip to King’s Cross Station and visit Platform 9 3/4 where other wizards await their journey. But it doesn’t end there; there are many tour group options available for the full experience including Warner Bros Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter, private filming locations tour, and even a magic potions class. Just make sure you don’t make any foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in the class.
New York City, NY (USA)
Source: Barcade
The home of Spider-Man and other superheroes, New York City is a must-see for any comic book fan. It’s also the birthplace of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who live in the sewers beneath Times Square. New York City is a beautiful city that must be visited regardless of your intentions to do there but it also has its great nerdy side to it. Bring your Magic deck to The Uncommons, Manhattan’s first board game café and duel some of the locals. If you love arcades and bars, then Barcade is the place for you: it has both in one place.
San Diego, CA (USA)
Photo by János Venczák on Unsplash
We can’t talk about a nerdcation without mentioning the Super Bowl of conventions, Comic Con. The San Diego Comic Con may not be the only convention dedicated to comics but it’s truly the one you must go to at least once in your life. Actually, it might even become a yearly thing for you when you experience it once. However, it’s also not for everyone; the large crowds can be overwhelming and maybe tickets are hard to get but that shouldn’t discourage you from visiting sunny San Diego. Outside of the festivities during every summer, you can check out the Comic Con Museum that is open all year around, take a day trip to Legoland theme park, and if you like Space Invaders, you can find tiles hidden all across the city for you to discover.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA (USA)
Source: Altas Oscura
The City by the Bay is the home to the Letterman Digital and New Media Arts Center, also known as the headquarters of Lucasfilms. Although there are no public tours available, the lobby and the amazing Yoda statue outside of the facility are still worth visiting if you are a huge Star Wars fan. Outside of San Francisco, head 40 minutes south to get capture your inner tech-savvy side by visiting the Computer History Museum, located in the heart of Silicon Valley. And if you are a huge Apple fan, pay a visit to the unique Apple Park Visitor Center located in the spectacular and famous Infinite Loop only fifteen minutes away from the museum.
