Salem, Massachusetts was the first filming location for one of the crucial widespread Halloween films from the Nineties: Hocus Pocus.
It’s been almost three many years however Hocus Pocus followers can nonetheless run amok at a whole lot of the unique filming spots positioned all through the charming and engaging metropolis of Salem.
On this article, I will provide you with essentially the most environment friendly method to go to these filming websites and likewise provide you with some suggestions into tips on how to line up your pictures with film display screen stills!
Map of Hocus Pocus Filming Websites
The perfect routes for exploring Hocus Pocus places in Salem
The best method to see the entire Hocus Pocus filming places in Salem is to lump them into three separate teams after which determine the way you need to discover every group (strolling, driving, and so forth.).
Group 1:
- Ropes Mansion and Backyard (318 Essex St)
- Previous City Corridor (161 Essex St)
- Phillips Elementary Faculty (subsequent to 56 Washington Sq.)
- Salem Frequent (subsequent to 82 Washington Sq.)
Group 2:
- Max and Dani’s Home (4 Ocean Ave)
- Pioneer Village (98 West Ave)
Group 3:
- Previous Burial Hill Cemetery
- Crocker Park
- 85 Washington St
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Exploring Group 1 by way of strolling could possibly be performed in as quick as 15 to twenty minutes from level to level, so it’s an effective way to hit some cool Hocus Pocus spots in a really quick period of time.
If you wish to add on the websites from Group 2, the time wanted for the total strolling tour from the Ropes Mansion (318 Essex St) to Pioneer Village (98 West Ave) can be about one hour (one-way).
ThePrevious Burial Hill Cemetery is just not positioned in Salem and is a handful of miles away so for those who plan on strolling that can take you an extra couple of hours. Utilizing a rental automotive or calling an Uber can be a greater method to go for lots of people.
We broke our Hocus Pocus tour into two days.
The primary day we exploredGroup 1 websites after which took a brief break earlier than heading down to take a look at the Group 2 places.
The subsequent day, we selected to drive out to Previous Burial Hill Cemetery at dawn to keep away from the loopy October site visitors in Salem. After that go to we then took off to Danvers to take a look at among the actual witch trial memorial websites.
Tip: If you wish to begin from the very starting, you should utilize my pre-set instructions right here.
I’d additionally suggest to concentrate onHocus Pocus places individually from the Salem witch trial websites.
Whereas it may be extra environment friendly to take a look at each websites on the similar time, visiting the Hocus Pocus filming websites is extra about having enjoyable whereas visiting the historic websites and memorials for the Salem witch trials is extra about reflection and remembrance.
I feel it’s a higher expertise to discover them individually however that’s simply me.
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Ropes Mansion and Backyard
- Google Map handle: 318 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
- Web site
Picture/go to notes
TheRopes Mansion could be very straightforward to seek out and it’s proper subsequent to the The Witch Home at Salem.
To get your film shot, merely stand in entrance of theRopes Mansion and take your picture from the road or sidewalk. To align your picture with a screenshot from the movie, ensure you are getting all 4 posts from the gate.
Film scenes
The Ropes Mansion is Allison’s home the place that they had the flamboyant Halloween celebration with Colonial ball costumes. It’s additionally the location of the notorious and cringe-worthy “yabbos” scene.
Once we visited in October, we didn’t discover any jack-o’-lanterns or haystacks outdoors however a day or two earlier than Halloween they could enhance the home in Hocus Pocus trend.
The precise filming of the celebration within the inside of the home befell in California on the Crank Home, which apparently sufficient was additionally used because the Omega Beta Zeta home from Scream 2 in response to iamnotastalker.com.
Do you know? Dozens of black cats had been used for Binx with every cat having particular skills that could possibly be tapped into for the particular scene (e.g., leaping, staying nonetheless, and so forth.)
Extra on the location…
Inbuilt 1727 and extensively transformed in 1894, TheRopes Mansion is likely one of the most iconic buildings in Salem and is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
The mansion is now the property of the Peabody Essex Museum. You’ll be able to stroll onto the property and even head to the again the place there’s a fairly elaborate backyard. If you wish to discover the inside you may as well e-book a tour. Simply be warned, the mansion is outwardly haunted!
Previous City Corridor
- Google Map handle: 161 Essex Road
- Web site
Picture/go to notes:
The Previous City Corridor, a Nationwide Historic Web site, is positioned proper in the course of city and is about an 8 minute stroll from theRopes Mansion. The aspect of the constructing used within the film didn’t have stairs and it seems to be just a little totally different on either side so in case you’re doubtful concerning the appropriate aspect, take pictures from each angles.
Film scenes
That is the constructing the place Max’s dad and mom attended their Halloween celebration and Bette Midler did her well-known rendition of “Put a Spell on You.” The precise filming of the inside befell in California on the The MacArthur’s Elks Corridor in response to iamnotastalker.com.
Extra on the location…
You’ll be able to go insidePrevious City Corridor right this moment and it hosts a number of occasions.
Essentially the most notable of those occasions is the interactive play Cry Harmless (about to hit 30 years operating…). This tells the story of Bridget Bishop’s trial and permits viewers members to take part as members of the Puritan jury. Tickets are about $25. Learn extra concerning the play right here.
If you wish to get pleasure from a pleasant buttery lobster roll, you possibly can eat on the Lobster Shanty. Some tables arrange for outside eating have an amazing view ofPrevious City Corridor.
Associated: Goldbelly Lobster Rolls (McLoons) Assessment (Order from wherever within the US!)
Do you know? In South America, Hocus Pocus went underneath the title “Abracadabra.”
Phillips Elementary Faculty
- Google Map handle: 56 Washington Sq. (subsequent door)
- Web site: None
Picture/go to notes
The Phillips Elementary Faculty is positioned on the perimeter of the Salem frequent. You possibly can put within the handle 86 Essex St however that can take you to the again of the constructing.
So I’d simply head to the Salem Frequent after which stroll alongside S Washington Sq.. The previous elementary faculty can be proper subsequent to 56 Washington Sq.. You’ll be able to’t miss it.
Film scenes
Phillips Elementary Faculty was used as “Jacob Bailey Excessive Faculty” and featured within the early scene the place the scholars are leaving faculty. Considerably precisely known as a “jail, for youngsters” by the witches, it’s also the place in a while the place Max and Allison trick the witches and soften them down right into a inexperienced path of smoke.
Extra on the location…
The elementary faculty reportedly shut down in 1992 which was only one 12 months earlier than Hocus Pocus was made. From all the things I can inform, this constructing seems to be prefer it would possibly serve residential functions now.
Associated: Hobbiton Film Set Tour Assessment
Salem Frequent
- Google Map handle: 82 Washington Sq.
- Web site
Picture/go to notes
The Phillips Elementary faculty and Salem Frequent movie website are positioned in just about the identical spot so you must be capable of knock out two birds with one stone.
Film scenes
The scene within the Salem Frequent seems to be prefer it was shot from outdoors the fenced space close to 82 Washington Sq..
You’ll be able to attempt to line up your shot with the display screen nonetheless from the film through the use of the basketball court docket as a body of reference.
Nevertheless, this one is hard as a result of it’s doable they framed the shot with a pleasant zoom lens and I’m fairly certain the colour change timber had been faux, which type of throws off your alignment.
Extra on the location…
Established in 1667, the Frequent was initially a partial swamp the place livestock roamed freely. Over time, it additionally grew to become grounds for early militia drilling and will have even been the birthplace of the Nationwide Guard.
Ultimately, efforts had been made to beautify the world and the wrought iron fence across the Frequent was put up in 1850. In the present day, this is likely one of the widespread locations in Salem for strolling round and for native occasions.
You’ll probably encounter some meals carts right here serving up all types of various objects like crepes, sizzling chocolate, and fried meals. The costs right here had been very costly and the standard in my expertise was not very nice so hold that in thoughts.
Max and Dani’s Home
- Google Map handle: 4 Ocean Ave
- Web site: None
Picture/go to notes
From Salem Frequent this might be a few 1.5 mile one-way stroll so it is going to take you about half-hour to get there.
It’s a pleasant stroll down Lafayette Road and an amazing alternative to take a look at a whole lot of the native structure. Should you’re visiting in October, you’ll see a whole lot of homes going all out for Halloween. That is Salem, in spite of everything!
Max and Dani’s Home can be positioned extraordinarily near Pioneer Village so you possibly can knock these two out on the similar time.
Film scenes
You’ll see their home a number of instances within the film together with after they open the spell e-book and a vivid beam of orange gentle is shot from the crow’s nest atop the home.
Extra on the location…
Max and Dani’s Home is a non-public residence so that you completely need to hold your distance and present respect. I’ve heard that the proprietor is basically cool however your finest guess is to remain on the street to take a few pictures.
You may additionally need to take images in the wrong way since this home has a fairly superb view of the water, which was not depicted within the film (however included within the deleted scenes).
Pioneer Village
- Google Map handle: 98 West Ave, Salem, MA 01970
- Web site
Picture/go to notes
The village is tucked away behind a baseball park and could possibly be very straightforward to overlook. It’s only a few 7 minute stroll fromMax and Dani’s Home. Take a look at the open hours and dates under if you wish to go to.
Film scenes
The opening scenes of the movie (earlier than Thackery Binx made his feline transition) had been filmed at Pioneer Village. As a result of it was closed after we visited, we weren’t capable of discover this place intently. However even whether it is closed while you arrive, you possibly can nonetheless peak over the fence and take a look at a few the constructions that had been used within the film.
Extra on the location…
Pioneer Village, constructed within the Thirties, is America’s first dwelling historical past museum and nonetheless affords excursions. As of October 2021, they had been solely open on weekends from 12 to 4pm with a $5 admission ticket. So be ready for odd and restricted hours.
Previous Burial Hill Cemetery
- Google Map handle: Marblehead, MA 01945
- Web site
Picture/go to notes:
From Salem Frequent this might be a few 4.5 mile one-way stroll, taking you about 1.5 hours. For that motive, you could need to drive or take an Uber.
There are a couple of areas to park alongside the road close by and for those who go early within the morning (we went round dawn) you must be capable of simply discover a spot someplace shut.
Once you get there, you will notice Fountain Park on one aspect after which some steps taking you to the cemetery on the opposite aspect. It’s a brief uphill stroll and to seek out the particular spot that was used within the movie.
Film scenes
This scene is the place Max finally ends up shoeless after he has a run-in with the 2 bullies: Jay and Ernie (aka Ice). This spot is cool as a result of you will get in the very same location that was filmed within the film by discovering the particular tombstones.
Shortly after you enter the graveyard you’ll look to your left and also you’ll be in search of two tombstones which might be angled in direction of one another (pictured under within the backside left). The title on the tombstone you’re in search of is: Mary Doak.
I feel that the tombstone pictured under on the appropriate is both a faux or was eliminated for some motive as a result of I didn’t see it in particular person.
There are additionally a few different tombstones you’ll find that had been utilized in particular person scenes, like when Max was using his bike into the cemetery.
Extra on the location…
In case you couldn’t inform it is a actual graveyard (and in reality it is likely one of the oldest in New England courting again to 1638). It’s mentioned that about 600 Revolutionary troopers had been buried right here so be sure you be respectful.
If you wish to add an additional location to your cease take a look at close by Crocker Park. There’s the place a fast scene was shot the place Max is overlooking the town proper after coping with the bullies and you’ll take a look at that overlook.
You may as well head to a close-by intersection at 85 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945. That is the place one other very quick clip of Max using his bike again dwelling after getting bullied was shot.
Los Angeles, CA Areas
As talked about above, among the photographs from the film had been additionally filmed in Los Angeles.
Should you keep in mind the scene the place the Sanderson sisters discover themselves within the dwelling of their “grasp” aka Devil (and his not so joyful spouse), that home is positioned at 6536 Buddies Ave, Whittier, CA 90601.
One other home was used was 6546 Buddies Ave, positioned simply two homes down from the home above. This home was solely seen briefly in a scene the place children had been trick-or-treating.
Apparently, the shot the place they’re celebrating after melting the witches was really shot on the Warner Bros. Ranch. It’s the identical park and fountain used within the intro of Buddies.
Additionally, in case you had been questioning the graveyard the place the Sanderson sisters turned to stone/died and their home the place they brewed their potions had been filmed on Stage 2 on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, CA.
Info discovered by way ofiamnotastalker.com.
Hocus Pocus 2 filming location
Hocus Pocus 2 how now been launched!
Filming started within the fall of 2021 and not less than one filming website was open to the general public at Chase Park in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
A big portion of the park was partitioned off however they nonetheless left a path on the fringes that you possibly can comply with and get a very good view of the set.
The set at Chase Park consisted of a small colonial village, which we had been capable of seize under.
Last phrase
Salem Massachusetts already has a ton of attention-grabbing and engaging locations to see. However in case you are a fan of Hocus Pocus, you’ve received the added pleasure of trying out these cool websites. Should you comply with this information you must be capable of effectively go to all of those filming locations and know precisely what to search for.