In this post, we’re taking a class field trip to all the popular Hocus Pocus filming locations in Salem. Most millennial kids know Hocus Pocus which premiered on July 16, 1993. (I was only three years old at the time!)
When I was planning my New England fall foliage road trip, I knew I wanted to stop in Salem. One of the first questions that came to my mind was, “Where was Hocus Pocus filmed in Salem?”
I then set out to find all the Hocus Pocus sites in Salem and now I’m compiling this amazing list for you so you too can find some childhood nostalgia.
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Hocus Pocus Filming Location Map
The Hocus Pocus setting wouldn’t have been complete unless the actors filmed on location in Salem, Massachusetts. Here is a map of all the Hocus Pocus Salem locations (and you can transfer it over to Google Maps too).
Hocus Pocus Tour
If you’re wondering, “Where did they film Hocus Pocus?” There are also really cool Salem tours you can do if you’re not a DIY person.
For instance, this Hocus Pocus tour has some really great reviews plus you can learn Salem’s dark history and how it became known as “Witch City”.
1. Pioneer Village | Salem Village
The opening scenes of the film show Sarah luring Emily Binx to her doom at the Sanderson Sister’s house. Thackery Binx’s house is also in the village. We can see him sleeping in his home when he finds his sister Emily gone from her bed.
Salem’s Pioneer Village was built in 1930 and is America’s first living history museum in Salem’s Forest River Park. The park is still home to different events and festivals throughout the year. Admission into the park is $5.00.
2. 4 Ocean Avenue | Max & Dani’s House
If you’re looking for the Hocus Pocus house, it’s on 4 Ocean Avenue. This is a private home (worth half a million dollars now) and is not open to the public.
If you do visit, please keep in mind people live there. Be quiet, and respectful, and don’t go on the property. I took my photos from the street.
The coolest part is the house still has the original construction so you can still see Max’s attic bedroom. Fun fact, many of the interior scenes were filmed in Los Angeles.
3. Phillips Elementary School | Max and Allison’s High School
The Phillips Elementary School is a red-brick building that ended its run as a school in 1992. When Hocus Pocus Filming locations were scouted, it conveniently became the location of Max and Allison’s school, John Bailey High School.
The building is now a private residence and condo complex not open to the public, but it can be viewed from the Salem Common. The exterior of the school makes for excellent photos!
4. Salem Common
One of the most famous outdoor scenes was when Max’s crush Allison totally shot him down. As they walk around in the Salem Common Allison returns the paper with Max’s phone number on it.
This is one of my favorite filming locations for Hocus Pocus because of the gorgeous backdrop with beautiful colored leaves. It’s the perfect location for an Autumn picnic too!
5. The Ropes Mansion | Allison’s House
Hocus Pocus fans will definitely recognize The Ropes Mansion as the backdrop for the exterior shots of Allison’s house. One of my favorite scenes from the movie is when Max attends a Halloween Party at Allison’s house.
His younger sister Dani embarrasses him in this classic party scene, which has us all laughing. The Ropes Mansion is one of the most prominent 18th-century homes in Salem.
The Mansion is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum. The gardens in the back are free and open to the public. It’s also a beautiful location to take photos!
6. Old Town Hall | Halloween Party
One of my favorite scenes in Hocus Pocus takes place on Halloween night when Winifred Sanderson and her sisters sing, “I Put A Spell On You.” Max tries to warn the partygoers they’re the real sisters, only for everyone to think it is a Halloween prank.
The Old Town Hall located in Derby Square is still one of the most popular Hocus Pocus spots in Salem. The building is open to the public and hosts cool events during the spooky season.
7. Old Burial Hill Cemetery
Another Hocus Pocus filming location you can visit is Old Burial Hill which is one of the oldest graveyards in New England. This was the backdrop of the daytime cemetery scenes and a unique place due to its history.
In the scene, Max encounters his not-so-nice classmates (bullies Jay and Ernie) who take his shoes from him. Surprisingly enough, the Hocus Pocus cemetery was not shot in Salem.
The crew filmed it at the nearby Marblehead at Old Burial Hill, one of New England’s oldest cemeteries.
8. Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
This isn’t a Hocus Pocus filming location, but it does have a real-life figure of Winifred Sanderson.The Museum is located on 217 Essex Street in downtown Salem.
These places will indeed have you saying… “It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus!”
I hope have the best time exploring all these Hocus Pocus filming locations in Salem, Massachusetts. It was a surreal experience for me to be able to go to places I saw in my childhood and explore them as an adult.
It definitely gave me some 90s nostalgia and I’m so excited for it!
What is Hocus Pocus about?
This famed classic stars big names like Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. The film’s story follows the Sanderson Sisters who are executed for sucking the life out of Emily Binx and cursing her older brother Thackery Binx to life as an immortal black cat.
Before they get deleted, the sisters cast a spell promising to return on the night of All Hallow’s Eve. Three hundred years later, a teenage boy named Max (played by Omri Katz) lights the black flame candle and unwittingly brings back Winifred, Sarah, and Mary.
Max, along with his sister Dani (played by Thora Birch), love interest Allison (played by Vinessa Shaw), and black cat Thackery Binx embark on a mission to put an end to the Sanderson sisters once and for all.
Is Hocus Pocus based on a true story?
Hocus Pocus may be a cult classic, but it is based on the Salem Witch Trials which put 19 people to death in the 17th century for being witches. You can do a self-guided tour in real life or you can do a Salem Walking Tour to meet new friends and learn about history.
I also recommend doing a tour of the Salem Museum of Witchcraft to learn all about
What is the streaming release date of Hocus Pocus?
The original Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 are now streaming on Disney Plus. If you don’t wanna bother with it, you can watch the original Hocus Pocus on Amazon Prime.
Is there a Hocus Pocus 3?
According to Entertainment Weekly, there have been talks about a third film. The success of the second movie (filmed in Rhode Island) makes Disney think about another sequel.
This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!
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