Check out a new updated (2020) version of this post on my new blog: Its Just A Bunch Of Hocus Pocus Self Guided Tour
I’ve been a fan of Hocus Pocus since 1993, which just so happens to be the year it was released. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Sanderson sisters descending upon the children of Salem to remain young and beautiful forever. I know, how is the movie 26 years old?
In case you are unfamiliar with this Halloween classic, basically, a teenage boy moves to Salem, Massachusetts from Los Angeles, California. He struggles to fit in and after learning about a town legend involving three witches and a teenage boy turned cat, decides that Salem is not for him.
To impress his crush, Allison, he lights the black flame candle and famously exclaims, “Let’s light this sucker and meet the old broads.” By lighting the candle, he awakens the Sanderson sisters; three diabolical sisters that were executed during the 17th century for practicing witchcraft. After 300 years, hilarity and plotting ensue as the sisters from the
What you may not know is that while Hocus Pocus is considered a Halloween cult classic today and is perhaps the most (or one of the most) popular Halloween movies around, that wasn’t always the case. I know, Witch, please!
Sadly, it’s true, mostly because Hocus Pocus was first released in July of 1993 while other classic Halloween flicks such as; Addams Family and The Nightmare Before Christmas were released in October of the same year. By releasing the film in July it had no competition. It stuck out from the crowd but not in a good way! It got terrible reviews from the critics. While it wasn’t a smash hit in 1993 because of its summer release date it quickly picked up steam.
Living so close to Salem, Massachusetts I make it a point to go every Halloween season. Being obsessed with Hocus Pocus since I was 7 made me NEED to see these filming locations. While no story involving witches would be complete without a connection to Salem very little of Hocus Pocus was actually shot in the Witch City. However, some prominent filming locations can be easily visited on a trip to Salem.
Salem offers a guided Hocus Pocus Tour with Historic Salem Tours and while the tour is not based on the movie it does feature several of the movie filming locations. It also includes Salem’s rich history. The tour is $17 for adults and $10 for children (5-10). While I’m sure this tour is amazing it’s also possible to run “amuck, amuck, amuck, amuck, amuck” in Salem and tour the filming locations all by yourself. Don’t worry fellow 90’s kids, I’ve got your back!
(Picture: Disney)
Mary – “It reeks of children!”
Wini – “It is a prison for children!”
What was once the Phillips School, which closed in 1992, is located right on the Salem Common at 86 Essex Street. It’s easy to miss and I have to admit that I went here for the Salem Food Truck Festival a few years ago and didn’t even realize what the building was!
Dani: “Rich people, I bet they make us drink cider and bob for apples.”
Allison’s house in the movie is actually the historic Ropes Mansion. You can tour the house and gardens during your visit. The Ropes Mansion is only open Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm in October. You’ve gotta at least stop and take a few photos of the place where Dani infamously exclaimed, “Max likes your
While both the school and the Ropes Mansion are on Essex Street they are on opposite ends. It’s not a long walk and you get to enjoy some of the really cute shops in Salem. You will also walk right past the Witch House, ‘witch’ is worth a visit. Check back next Tuesday for more information.
“I put a spell on you, and now you’re mine!” – Winifred Sanderson
Ah, the townhall Halloween party where the townsfolk of Salem are instructed to “Dance! Dance! Dance until you die!” is actually located at Salem’s Old Town Hall. It’s a historic building that features a small museum inside. It’s worth a visit if you are stopping by to take a photo of the townhall anyway. Also, right across the street is the Lobster Shanty, which has fantastic lobster rolls, and the spicy crab cake sandwich is amazing. They also have both Guinness and Far From the Tree Cider on tap. Townhall is located at 32 Derby Street.
Technically this is walkable at 1.1 miles from Old Town Hall. It will take you about 22 minutes to walk or 5 minutes to drive, your choice! The house is located at 8 Ocean Avenue.
The house is on a residential street. It is a private residence and you are asked to stay across the street to take photos and not to bother the residents. Can you imagine having a bunch of 90’s kids wanting to stop and take pictures of your house? I can’t! Not gonna lie, I felt like a little bit of a creeper parking across the street to snap a few photos but it was worth it!
“I’m sorry Emily, I had to wait 300 years for a virgin to light a candle.” – Thackery Binx
The Thackery Binx house is located at Salem Pioneer Village. This village was built in the 1930s and was one of America’s first living history museums. Technically, you could also walk to this filming location. It is 1.4 miles and takes about 30 minutes to walk or 6 minutes to drive from Old Town Hall. If you time your visit right you may be able to experience Lanterns In the Village. This usually happens at the beginning of October. Also, the Pioneer Village is only open Saturday and Sunday from 12:30-3:30 in October. Salem Pioneer Village is located at 98 West Ave.
You have to time your visit to Salem just right to be able to experience Salem Pioneer Village. I’ve never been able to catch it when it’s open. I’ve read several not so great reviews lately but I hope to catch Lanterns in the Village at some point!
Max – “Los Angeles”
Jay and Ice look confused…
Max – “L.A.”
Jay – “Oh, duuuuuuuude!”
Ice – “Tubular!”
The cemetery that Max rides his bike through after school, where he has his first encounter with Jay and Ernie “Ice” is the longest trek from downtown Salem. It’s called Old Burial Hill Cemetery and is located in Marblehead, MA. It’s only a 16 minute drive from downtown Salem but it’s a gorgeous ride. The cemetery also has some impressively old headstones. The Old Burial Hill Cemetery is located at 50 Orne Street, Marblehead, MA.
And that concludes the self-guided Hocus P ocus filming location tour in Salem. Click here for a free printable checklist to take with you to Salem!
It’s pretty impossible not to have fun while you are doing this self guided tour! Enjoy!
I’m not affiliated with any of these companies or places! Just passing on the information!