You’ve seen the movie a thousand times. Every October, the Sanderson Sisters "run amok" on your TV screen, and naturally, you start thinking about booking a flight to Massachusetts. But here’s the thing: if you just show up in downtown Salem and start wandering, you’re going to miss half the magic.
Honestly, the most iconic hocus pocus locations salem fans hunt for are spread out way further than the local tourism brochures suggest. Some aren't even in Salem. One of the biggest spots—the cemetery where Max loses his sneakers—is actually in a completely different town.
I've spent years obsessing over the logistics of these sites. It’s not just about a photo op; it’s about understanding that the "Salem" you see on screen is a weird, beautiful Frankenstein’s monster of real New England history and Hollywood soundstages.
The Reality of Max and Dani’s House
Let’s start with the big one. 4 Ocean Avenue.
You know the house. It’s got that beautiful white siding and the little lookout tower where Max spent his time being a moody teenager from Los Angeles. In real life, it’s a private residence. People actually live there, which means you can’t go inside to see if there’s a "dead man’s toe" hanging from the ceiling.
Basically, the interior you see in the movie was filmed on a set in California. The real house doesn't have that sprawling, multi-level attic room with the trap door. If you visit, stay on the sidewalk. The owners are used to the crowds, but nobody wants a stranger in their flowerbeds at 7:00 AM.
The house is located about a 30-minute walk from the main tourist area of Essex Street. Most people find it easier to drive or take a quick Uber. If you go, look for the little "cupola" on top. That’s the most recognizable feature, and it’s still there, looking exactly like it did in 1993.
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Allison’s House: The Ropes Mansion
If you want a location you can actually engage with, head to 318 Essex Street. This is the Ropes Mansion, known to fans as Allison’s house.
Remember the scene where Dani tells the rich kids they’ll probably make them "drink cider and bob for apples"? That happened right on the front steps. Unlike the Dennison house, this one is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum.
- The Gardens: Behind the house is a massive colonial-style garden. It’s free. It’s open from dawn to dusk. Honestly, it’s one of the most peaceful spots in the city.
- The Decorations: If you visit during October, the museum usually hangs the same style of wreaths and buntings seen in the film.
- The Interior: You can occasionally take tours inside, but don't expect to see the grand ballroom where the Halloween party happened. Again, that was largely a Hollywood set.
The Cemetery Mix-Up
This is where most people get lost. They head to Old Burying Point in the middle of Salem, looking for the spot where Jay and Ice bullied Max.
They won't find it.
The daytime cemetery scenes were filmed at Old Burial Hill in Marblehead. It’s about a 15-minute drive from Salem. It is one of the oldest graveyards in New England, established in 1638. It’s incredibly hilly and overlooks the ocean.
If you want to find the exact spot where Max sat on his bike, look for the stone gazebo at the top of the hill. The filming happened just down the slope from there. It feels much more "authentic" than the downtown Salem cemeteries because it’s so quiet. You can actually hear the wind through the trees, which is much spookier than hearing the roar of a tour bus.
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Where Bette Midler Put a Spell on You
Old Town Hall is the heartbeat of the movie’s climax.
Located at 32 Derby Square, this is where Winifred Sanderson sang "I Put a Spell on You" while the parents danced the night away. It’s a gorgeous federal-style building. Today, it’s often used for "Cry Innocent," a live theatrical performance about the witch trials.
You can walk right up to the doors where the kids burst in to warn their parents. The brick plaza outside is always buzzing with energy. It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and people-watch, especially since half the people walking by will be dressed as one of the sisters.
The 1690s Village
The movie starts in the past. We see Thackery Binx running through a rustic, thatched-roof village to save his sister Emily.
That village is real. It’s called Pioneer Village, located at 98 West Avenue.
It was built in 1930 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Massachusetts. It’s essentially a living history museum. When you walk through the gates, it really does feel like you’ve stepped into the 17th century.
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- Binx's House: You can see the actual structures used in the opening shots.
- The Atmosphere: They used this location because it’s isolated from modern power lines and paved roads.
- Pro Tip: Check the hours before you go. It’s usually only open on weekends, and it closes for the season after October.
The School That Isn't a School
Jacob Bailey High School, where the sisters were "cooked" in the kiln, is actually the Phillips Elementary School building. It sits right on the edge of the Salem Common.
The school actually closed just before they started filming in 1992, which made it a perfect empty shell for the production crew. Today, it’s been converted into luxury condos. You can’t go in and look for the boiler room, but the exterior is unmistakable.
Just across the street is the Salem Common itself. This is where the scene was filmed where Allison gives Max his note back. It’s a massive park, and it's where the city hosts many of its biggest Halloween events.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common myth that the "Witch House" (the Jonathan Corwin House) was in the movie. It wasn't. People just assume it was because it looks so "witchy."
Also, keep in mind that many of the spooky woods scenes and the interior of the Sanderson cottage were filmed on a soundstage in California. If you’re looking for the giant "Black Flame Candle" room in a real Salem building, you're going to be disappointed.
How to Actually See Everything
If you want to do this right, don't try to walk the whole thing. Salem is walkable, but the hocus pocus locations salem fans love are spread out.
- Morning: Start at Pioneer Village. It’s the furthest out and the quietest in the morning.
- Mid-Day: Drive or Uber to the Max and Dani house on Ocean Ave. Take your photo and leave quickly to be respectful.
- Afternoon: Head back to the downtown area. Park your car and walk between the Ropes Mansion, Old Town Hall, and the Salem Common.
- Late Afternoon: Take the short drive over to Marblehead to see Old Burial Hill before the sun sets.
The best way to experience these spots is to bring a pair of headphones and listen to the soundtrack while you walk. There’s something about hearing that orchestral swell while standing in front of the Ropes Mansion that makes the 30-year-old movie feel brand new.
To make your trip easier, download a map of the "McIntire Historic District." This area contains the Ropes Mansion and many other houses that look like they belong in the film, even if they weren't featured. It helps you stay in the "Hocus Pocus" headspace without getting stuck in the tourist traps of the wharf.