Back in 1993, Disney released a film that has since become a Halloween classic: Hocus Pocus. Starring Bette Midler as Winifred, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah and Kathy Najimy as Mary the film follows three 17th century witches who are accidentally brought back to life in Salem on Halloween night. Teenager Max his little sister Dani and their new friend Allison have to stop the Sanderson Sisters from stealing the souls of Salem’s children before sunrise.
Even though it was released more than 30 years ago Hocus Pocus is still loved by families around the world and has become a must watch every October. My daughter and I have watched it together so many times and visiting Salem to see the filming locations was like stepping right inside the movie.
Salem was the perfect choice for filming Hocus Pocus. Known as the “Witch City,” it has a long and fascinating history connected to the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. With its cobblestone streets, historic houses and eerie atmosphere, the city already feels like a movie set. When Disney began filming in the early 1990s, Salem’s charm and spooky reputation made it the ideal backdrop for the Sanderson Sisters’ story.
Ropes Mansion
318 Essex Street
This beautiful white house with its formal gardens was used as Allison’s house in the film. It’s here that Max and Dani first meet her at the fancy Halloween party. Standing outside, we could almost hear Dani blurting out, “Max likes your yabos. In fact, he loves ’em!” The gardens are open to the public and free to wander, which made it the perfect place to start our adventure.
Salem’s Old Town Hall
32 Derby Square
This is where the Sanderson Sisters crash the parents’ party and Winifred belts out her unforgettable line, “I put a spell on you, and now you’re mine!” Even standing outside, it was easy to picture the hall filled with lights, costumes and music as the witches took control of the night.
Max and Dani’s House
4 Ocean Avenue
Probably the most iconic location of all. The white clapboard home with its slanted red roof and quirky little tower bedroom is instantly recognizable. In the film, Dani comes flying out of the front door in her Halloween costume, while Max sulks about moving to Salem. “You’re going to turn me into one of those fat, useless, contented housewives!” he moans before his first night in town. Today it’s a private residence, so we made sure to be respectful, but it was still incredible to stand outside such a familiar piece of movie history.
Salem Common
Washington Square
Is a leafy public park right in the heart of town and was used for several outdoor scenes. One of the most memorable moments filmed here is when Max rides his bike across the park and runs into the bullies Jay and Ice. Seeing the wide open space, it was easy to picture the 1990s costumes, bikes and dialogue playing out against the backdrop of the Common.
Philips Elementary School
Salem Common
Max and Allison’s high school in the movie. The classroom scenes were filmed in California, but the exterior of the building appears throughout the film, including when the kids lure the witches inside near the end. The school is no longer in use and isn’t open to the public, but you can still view the outside from the Common a fun detail for fans retracing the story.
Pioneer Village
98 West Avenue
Was transformed into 17th century Salem for the opening of the film. This is where Thackery Binx runs through the wooden huts and dirt paths calling out, “Emily? Emily!” It’s America’s first living history museum and walking through it felt like stepping into the very first moments of the story.
Beyond The Filming Spots
Salem itself is a place full of atmosphere. We wandered through witchy shops filled with spell books and crystals, explored museums, and enjoyed the cobblestone streets that give the city its year-round Halloween feel. Everywhere we went, the mix of history and magic made the trip even more special.
Blackcraft Salem
Watching Hocus Pocus together has always been our tradition, so to walk through the real filming locations was a dream come true for both of us. From Scotland to Salem, it was more than a holiday it was stepping inside a story we’ve loved for years. And as Winifred Sanderson would say, “Oh look, another glorious morning. Makes me sick!”
Official Tourism Website
If you’re planning your own trip, Destination Salem is the official tourism website for the city and a brilliant place to start. It has everything from maps of filming locations and walking tours to tips on where to eat, shop and stay. Whether you’re visiting for the Hocus Pocus magic or Salem’s rich history, the site is packed with helpful information to make the most of your time in the Witch City.
Escapes with teens 
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