For all those Game of Thrones fans across the globe (and there are millions) suffering from withdrawal syndrome, with the final season expected to air next year, there are glad tidings as The Seven Kingdoms are about to be open for business.

HBO is celebrating the upcoming end of “Game of Thrones” by turning some of its Northern Ireland filming locations into tourist attractions, allowing fans to visit the iconic sets for the first time ever.

Standing sets for locations like Winterfell, Castle Black, and Kings Landing are under consideration for inclusion in the “Game of Thrones Legacy” project, along with a tour of Linen Mill Studios, which will showcase a wide array of subject matter from the series spanning all seasons and settings. The attractions are tentatively set for a 2019 open date. (Yes, we know “GoT”s eighth and final season is slated to premiere in the first half of 2019 — gonna be a busy year for Westeros.)

The official description of the project:

Building on the success of past “Game of Thrones” live branded experiences, including the Touring Exhibition and Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience, HBO will open up the archives and share them with the series’ loyal fans. In true Game of Thrones fashion, the Game of Thrones Legacy attractions will be on a scale and scope bigger than anything the public has ever seen, offering the first opportunity for the public to set foot inside some of the most iconic locations from the series and behind the camera lens to see how the world’s biggest TV show was made. Each site will feature not only the breathtaking sets, but will also exhibit displays of costumes, props, weapons, set decorations, art files, models, and other production materials. The visitor experience will be enhanced by state-of-the-art digital content and interactive materials which will showcase some of the digital wizardry the series is known for.”

“HBO is thrilled to celebrate the work of the Game of Thrones creative team and crew by preserving these locations and inviting fans to visit Northern Ireland and explore Westeros in person,” said Jeff Peters, vice president, licensing and retail, HBO. “We look forward to opening the gates and sharing the excitement of stepping inside these amazing sets with Game of Thrones fans from around the world. The opportunity to celebrate Northern Ireland’s pivotal role in the life and legacy of the show and share its culture, beauty and warmth is also a huge inspiration behind these Legacy projects.”

“We couldn’t be more excited about the Game of Thrones Legacy project coming to Northern Ireland. While fans have seen the stunning landscapes, coastlines and mountains in the series, we are thrilled they will now have the opportunity to fully experience the charm of Northern Ireland and immerse themselves into the world of Westeros,” said John McGrillen, chief executive of Tourism NI. “The Game of Thrones Legacy project will be a game changer for Northern Ireland on the global tourism level. We very much welcome this exciting announcement by HBO and look forward to welcoming many more visitors to our beautiful country as a result.”

source: thewrap.com