If you’re planning a fall trip to Salem, Massachusetts, and grew up watching Hocus Pocus, visiting some of the movie’s filming locations has to be on your Halloween bucket list.
We’re planning a New England fall getaway this October, and Salem is one of the places I’m especially excited to explore.
Between the historic streets, fall foliage, witchy shops and Hocus Pocus nostalgia, it feels like the perfect October day trip — with just a little Disney magic sprinkled in.
I’ve been researching the places I don’t want to miss, so I’m putting them all together here.
Here are some of the Hocus Pocus filming locations and Salem attractions I’m adding to our itinerary.
1. Pioneer Village
98 West Avenue, Salem, Massachusetts
Pioneer Village is one of the stops I’m most excited about because scenes representing the Sanderson sisters’ 17th-century world were filmed here.
The village was originally created in 1930 and recreates life in early colonial Salem, with historic-style cottages and structures that make the setting instantly feel different from modern Salem.
If you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, this is one of those places that immediately belongs on your list.
Because access and operating schedules can vary seasonally, I’m planning to check current hours before our visit.
Planning tip: This location isn’t directly in the middle of the main downtown Salem attractions, so I’ll likely plan it separately from our walking tour.
2. Allison’s House — The Ropes Mansion
318 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts
Remember Allison’s beautiful house in Hocus Pocus?
The exterior scenes were filmed at The Ropes Mansion, one of Salem’s most recognizable historic homes.
The mansion dates back to the 1700s and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Even if you weren’t visiting because of Hocus Pocus, I’d still put this on a fall Salem itinerary. The historic architecture surrounded by October colors looks like exactly what I’m hoping to experience on this trip.
Another bonus is its location on Essex Street, making it relatively easy to incorporate into a day exploring Salem.
3. Max and Dani’s House
4 Ocean Avenue, Salem, Massachusetts
This might be the Hocus Pocus filming location I’m most excited to see.
The exterior of the house used as Max and Dani Dennison’s home is located on Ocean Avenue.
If you’ve watched the movie a hundred times, you’ll probably recognize it immediately.
One important thing to remember is that this is a private residence.
We’re planning to view it respectfully from the public street, take a quick photo and move along without approaching the house or disturbing the people who live there.
That’s something I think is especially important when visiting movie locations that are also someone’s home.
4. Old Town Hall
32 Derby Square, Salem, Massachusetts
Old Town Hall appears during one of the most memorable scenes in the movie — the Halloween party where the Sanderson sisters perform “I Put a Spell on You.”
It’s also conveniently located in downtown Salem.
That makes this an easy Hocus Pocus stop to combine with shops, restaurants and other historic attractions while walking around the city.
The building itself dates to the early 1800s and is one of Salem’s most recognizable historic landmarks.
5. Old Burial Hill in Marblehead
Here’s one location where it’s easy to get confused when planning a Hocus Pocus tour.
While Salem’s historic cemeteries absolutely fit the atmosphere of the movie, the cemetery scenes involving Max were filmed at Old Burial Hill in nearby Marblehead, rather than Burying Point Cemetery in Salem.
If we’re able to fit Marblehead into our itinerary, I’d love to add this stop.
It’s another reason I’m glad we’re planning to have a rental car.
And because this is a real historic cemetery, we’ll treat it as a historic site rather than a movie set and be respectful of the graves and surroundings.
6. Salem Witch Trials Memorial + Burying Point
While the Salem Witch Trials Memorial isn’t a Hocus Pocus filming location, I still think it belongs on a Salem itinerary.
The memorial honors the victims of the Salem witch trials of 1692 and offers an important reminder that Salem’s real history is very different from the fictional witchcraft we see in Halloween movies.
Next to the memorial is The Burying Point, one of Salem’s historic cemeteries.
I’m looking forward to the fun Hocus Pocus side of Salem, but I also want our trip to include some of the city’s actual history.
Especially when traveling with a child, I think there’s an opportunity to balance Halloween fun with age-appropriate history and learning.
A Little Disney Magic in Salem
Of course, Hocus Pocus is a Disney movie, so I’m absolutely leaning into that part of the trip too.
I’m already thinking about a cute Halloween-inspired outfit for our Salem day.
Nothing overly costume-like — just a little nod to Disney and Hocus Pocus with fall colors, Halloween accessories or maybe some fun ears for a few photos.
Salem itself will provide more than enough Halloween atmosphere.
Other Things I Want to Do in Salem
I don’t want our entire day to consist of driving from one filming location to another.
Part of what makes me excited about Salem in October is simply experiencing the town.
I’m leaving room in our itinerary to:
- Walk the historic streets
- Browse local shops
- Find a fun Halloween treat
- Stop for coffee or hot chocolate
- See the Halloween decorations
- Explore Essex Street
- Learn about Salem’s history
- Take plenty of fall photos
And because we’ll be visiting with our 5-year-old, I’m looking for activities that are festive and magical rather than genuinely scary.
Visiting Salem in October With Kids
Salem in October is extremely popular, so I’m planning this portion of our trip carefully.
My biggest priority is not over-scheduling the day.
With a younger child, I’d rather choose a few Hocus Pocus locations we really want to see and leave plenty of time for snacks, shopping and wandering around.
Comfortable walking shoes are going to be essential.
I’m also planning on layers because New England weather in late October can change throughout the day.
Our Hocus Pocus Must-See List
For quick reference, these are the stops I’m currently planning:
- Pioneer Village — Sanderson sisters’ 17th-century village scenes
- Ropes Mansion — Allison’s house
- 4 Ocean Avenue — Max and Dani’s house
- Old Town Hall — Halloween party scene
- Old Burial Hill in Marblehead — cemetery filming location
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial + Burying Point — important Salem history
Is Salem Worth Adding to a New England Fall Trip?
For us, absolutely.
We’re already planning a fall getaway centered around Maine and coastal New England, so adding Salem gives us something completely different.
One day we’re exploring Maine lighthouses, pumpkin patches and coastal towns, and another we’re stepping into one of our favorite Halloween movies.
That’s exactly the kind of variety I love when planning a family trip.
Planning Your Own Hocus Pocus Day in Salem
If you’re visiting Salem in October, my biggest advice during the planning stage is to decide which Hocus Pocus locations matter most to you before you arrive.
Some are easy to reach while exploring downtown, while others require a car or additional travel time.
And remember that not every witch-themed attraction in Salem is connected to the movie.
I’ll update this guide after our trip with our actual route, photos, parking experience, what our daughter enjoyed most and which Hocus Pocus stops I think are truly worth visiting.
Until then, I’m counting down to our own little Hocus Pocus adventure in Salem.
Save this guide for your Salem fall trip!
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