Hocus Pocus Filming Locations Guide – Salem, MA
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Image Source: Disney “Hocus Pocus” 1993
Hocus Pocus is one of those iconic Halloween movies I have to watch every year. It gets me in the spirit every time! Since the movie has been around for almost as long as I’ve been alive, the tradition has been happening for a pretty long time now. Because of this, visiting the locations I’ve seen on a screen so many times before makes a trip like this to Salem, MA so much fun. Check out the locations below and make sure to comment you’re favorite below!
Location Summary
Salem Common
Max and Allison’s School / Phillips Elementary School on Salem Common
Halloween Party / Old Town Hall
Allison’s House / The Ropes Mansion
Max and Dani Dennison's House
Salem Village / Pioneer Village
Cemetery / Old Burial Hill
Map
Locations
Salem Common
N Washington Square, Salem, MA
Salem Common is not only a pretty and quiet place to relax but there were also a bunch of scenes filmed here. One of them is the initial flirting scene between Allison and Max. Even more exciting, Salem plans a showing of the movie here every year! Click here to find the next planned event. Just look for Salem Common Family Movie Night on the calendar.
Max and Allison’s School / Phillips Elementary School on Salem Common
86 Essex Street, Salem, MA
Image Source: Disney “Hocus Pocus” 1993
Phillips Elementary School, or Jacob Baily High School/prison for children as known in the movie, actually stopped functioning as a school in 1992, conveniently in time for the filming of the movie. The inside of the building, which is now a condo complex, is not open to the public but the exterior can be seen from the common. The exterior of the school is immediately recognizable, including the tower, or “chimney” which is a large part of the scene that was filmed here.
Halloween Party / Old Town Hall
161 Essex Street, Salem, MA
Image Source: Disney “Hocus Pocus” 1993
After spending time hanging out in Downtown Salem I bet you didn’t even realize that you visited one of the filming locations! Sitting in the middle of Essex’s walking street is the Old Town Hall. Here is where the scenes for the Halloween Party were filmed and Bette Midler’s performance of “I Put a Spell on You”. It is also one of the oldest surviving municipal buildings in the city dating back to 1816-1817. Now, the building still functions as a public hall along with being a space for other local events. It also doubles as the Salem Museum. Make sure to visit this super easy stop while shopping on Essex Street!
Allison’s House / The Ropes Mansion
318 Essex Street, Salem, MA
Image Source: Disney “Hocus Pocus” 1993
The Ropes Mansion is a gorgeous historic home in the heart of Salem, MA, and a part of the Peabody Essex Museum. It also happens to be Allison’s home in the movie! You can see the first shot of this house in the film as Max and Dani go trick-or-treating and find out that Allison happens to live here. The Ropes Mansion is a beautiful place to visit and even has a great garden to walk around in outside that is open to the public.
Max and Dani Dennison's House
4 Ocean Avenue, Salem, MA
Image Source: Disney “Hocus Pocus” 1993
Max and Dani’s residence in the movie is exactly how you would picture a New England house. There are a couple of iconic scenes showcasing the house and when you come to visit you’ll feel like you’re in the movie! However, keep in mind, this is a private residence and not a movie set. You can stop by and admire the outside but please be respectful. Take your photos from across the street while enjoying the waterfront and park in safe areas. Surrounding streets may be closed to non-residents during October. Expect to walk 5-10 minutes to the house.
Salem Village / Pioneer Village
98 West Avenue, Salem, MA
pioneervillagesalem.org
Image Source: Disney “Hocus Pocus” 1993
The opening scenes of the film take place in the 1600s and feature Thackery Binx as a human, prior to his curse to live as a cat, were filmed in Pioneer Village, a living history museum located at Salem’s Forest River Park. Pioneer Village was built in 1930 and is America’s first living history museum, and is a reconstruction of what the village may have originally looked like centuries ago.
Cemetery / Old Burial Hill
Orne Street, Marblehead, MA
Image Source: Disney “Hocus Pocus” 1993
Early on in the film, Max rides his bike through a cemetery and meets his new, not so much, friends and is given the nickname “Hollywood.” This scene was not actually shot in Salem but in a neighboring town called Marblehead. The cemetery is called Old Burial Hill and is one of New England’s oldest cemeteries, some graves dating back to the 17th century. It is actually a beautiful area with impressive views of the ocean and surrounding homes. Take some time to wander around and see what old dates you can make out in the headstones.
Note: There is street parking along the street below Old Burial Hill. Make sure to park in a safe location not blocking traffic or any of the homes in the area.
Hi, I’m Karen!Travel Blogger & Photographer + Founder of The Everyday Adventure
Here I share travel tips, packing guides, planning help, and photography from many different parts of the world. I help other working 9-5 adventurers get out into the world and see as much as they can with the little time they have available.
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