Tag: movies

There’s something about Salem in the fall that feels like stepping straight into a Halloween movie—and if you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, it’s even better.

We visited Salem on a girls trip and decided to fully embrace the experience by dressing as the Sanderson Sisters for the day. We explored Hocus Pocus filming locations, booked a professional photo shoot, wandered historic downtown Salem, ate some great food and ended up at a rooftop bar overlooking the city.

If you’re planning your own Salem girls trip, here are the places I’d put on your list!

When to Visit Salem

If you want the full Halloween experience, October is incredible—but busy. Salem’s Haunted Happenings season draws huge crowds, particularly on weekends, so make reservations and book experiences well in advance.

If your priority is seeing Salem rather than experiencing the peak Halloween atmosphere, September or early November can be easier.

One thing we learned firsthand: New England fall weather can change quickly. A nor’easter rolled in during our trip, so build a little flexibility into your itinerary if possible.

Where We Stayed

We stayed outside Salem in the Boston area and drove into Salem for the day.

This worked well for our particular road trip, but if Salem is the primary purpose of your trip, I’d consider staying in or near Salem so you don’t have to deal with driving back and forth—especially during October.

Another option from Boston is public transportation. Massachusetts tourism also notes that Salem can be reached from Boston by ferry. 

Parking in Salem

Once we parked, we explored Salem primarily on foot, which I highly recommend. Downtown Salem is very walkable and many of the major attractions are clustered fairly close together.

A convenient option is Museum Place Garage, which is right in downtown Salem. Another option closer to the waterfront is South Harbor Garage.

Important for October: parking rules and rates change during Salem’s busiest season. In October 2026, Salem’s city garages have special weekend/holiday pricing, and the city warns that rates and traffic patterns can change based on crowds. Check the City of Salem’s current October transportation information before your trip rather than relying on pricing you saw on an old blog or social-media post. 

Road Trip Queen tip: Arrive EARLY. Park once, wear comfortable shoes and explore on foot.

Book a Salem Photo Shoot

This was easily one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

We dressed as the Sanderson Sisters and booked a professional photographer to photograph us around Salem. If you’re traveling with girlfriends, celebrating something special or simply want something better than phone selfies, I highly recommend adding a photo session.

This is the photographer we booked:

Sarah Jennie Photography – Spooky Mini session

Another particularly fun option is Monsters of Salem photo sessions⁠, which specifically offers professional sessions around Salem landmarks and can customize the locations and overall vibe.

And if you don’t want to bring costumes with you, Witch Pix⁠ offers an immersive Salem costume-photography experience with hundreds of costume pieces and themed indoor sets.

Book early for October. Photographers and special experiences can fill up well before your trip.

Hocus Pocus Filming Locations in Salem

If you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, this is where Salem gets REALLY fun. Several scenes from the original 1993 movie were filmed in and around Salem.

This was one of my favorite stops, especially while dressed as the Sanderson Sisters. The rustic buildings make fantastic photo backdrops.

The opening scenes of Hocus Pocus, when Thackery Binx is still human, were filmed at Pioneer Village. The village recreates life in 1630s New England and is located at Forest River Park.

Important: Pioneer Village has seasonal access, so check the schedule before planning your visit.

Hocus Pocus fans will recognize the exterior of Ropes Mansion as Allison’s house. This is an easy stop while walking Essex Street.

Even if you aren’t interested in the movie connection, it’s worth stopping here. The beautiful garden behind the mansion is free and open daily from dawn to dusk. 

Remember the Halloween party where the Sanderson Sisters perform “I Put a Spell on You”? The exterior location was Salem’s Old Town Hall. 

It’s right in historic downtown, so this one is extremely easy to add while you’re exploring.

4. Salem Common

Several outdoor scenes from Hocus Pocus were filmed around Salem Common. It’s also a nice place to slow down for a few minutes during a busy sightseeing day. 

5. Max & Allison’s School

The former Phillips Elementary School near Salem Common served as the exterior of the school attended by Max and Allison. The building stopped functioning as a school shortly before filming. 

6. Max & Dani’s House

You can recognize the famous house from the movie, but remember that this is a private residence. Destination Salem specifically notes that the house is not accessible to visitors, and Ocean Avenue has October vehicle restrictions. 

If you go by, be respectful of the homeowners and neighbors—view it from the public area and keep moving.

BONUS: Old Burial Hill in Marblehead

Here’s one that surprises people: the cemetery where Max encounters the bullies wasn’t actually filmed in Salem. Those scenes were filmed at Old Burial Hill in nearby Marblehead, Massachusetts. If you’re driving and have extra time, this makes a fun addition to your Hocus Pocus tour.

Other Salem Must-Sees

Don’t make your entire trip about Hocus Pocus. Salem has a fascinating history that deserves time of its own.

• The Witch House — The former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin is the only surviving structure in Salem with direct ties to the 1692 witch trials. You can tour the interior, and October reservations may be required. 
• Salem Witch Trials Memorial — A worthwhile stop to learn about and reflect on the people who lost their lives during the witch trials.
• Essex Street Pedestrian Mall — Give yourself time to wander. You’ll find shops, restaurants, witchy boutiques and plenty of quintessential Salem atmosphere.
• The House of the Seven Gables — One of Salem’s most recognizable historic properties and the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel. The waterfront location and gardens are beautiful, too. 
• Peabody Essex Museum — A great choice if you have additional time—or if New England weather suddenly changes your outdoor plans. The museum sits right in the heart of Salem. 
• Salem Maritime National Historic Site & Derby Wharf — Head toward the waterfront for a completely different side of Salem. The Derby Wharf Light Station is one of the city’s iconic sights. 

Where to Eat & Drink in Salem

Salem has far better food than you might expect from such a tourist-heavy destination. During October, I would make dinner reservations whenever possible.

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall is a great choice if you want classic New England seafood in a historic downtown setting.

Ledger Restaurant is housed in a former bank and is a good choice for a nicer girls-trip dinner, cocktails and New American food.

Finz Salem is on Pickering Wharf and is a good pick when you want seafood with a waterfront atmosphere.

Sea Level Oyster Bar is another waterfront option with oysters, lobster rolls, seafood, pizza and cocktails.

For something more casual and atmospheric, Mercy Tavern offers comfort food, cocktails and a neighborhood-pub feel near the waterfront.

Don’t Miss the Rooftop

One of our favorite stops was The Roof at The Hotel Salem.

It’s located at 209 Essex Street, right on the Essex Street pedestrian mall, and serves drinks and casual food from an open-air rooftop overlooking Salem. The rooftop is seasonal, so verify that it’s open when you’re visiting. 

For a girls trip, I’d absolutely put this on the list for an afternoon drink or sunset.

A Simple One-Day Salem Itinerary

If you only have one full day like we did, I wouldn’t try to see everything.

• Morning: Arrive early → park downtown → Witch House → Ropes Mansion → walk Essex Street.
• Late morning/early afternoon: Salem Common + Hocus Pocus locations → lunch downtown.
• Afternoon: Pioneer Village → professional photo session → shopping and wandering downtown.
• Late afternoon: Drinks at The Roof.
• Evening: Dinner → Salem Witch Trials Memorial → nighttime walk or ghost tour.

You can easily rearrange this depending on your photo-session time and any ticketed attractions you’ve booked.

If I Were Planning the Trip Again…

I’d give Salem at least one full day, and ideally two if I wanted to tour museums and historic sites rather than simply see the highlights.

I’d also keep the itinerary flexible. Salem is extremely walkable, and part of the fun is wandering down Essex Street, discovering shops, taking photos and soaking up the Halloween atmosphere.

And yes—I would absolutely dress up again.

Walking around Salem as the Sanderson Sisters with my girlfriends was half the fun.

Before You Go

A few final tips: book October accommodations, tours, restaurants and photo sessions early; arrive early if you’re driving; wear comfortable shoes; check attraction schedules because some locations are seasonal; and check the City of Salem’s current October parking/road information before leaving.

Most importantly, don’t pack your itinerary so tightly that you don’t have time to simply experience Salem.

It’s one of those destinations where wandering around is part of the attraction.

Save this guide for your Salem girls trip—and send it to the friends you’d run amok with!