I Toured the Hocus Pocus Filming Locations (as a Witch), and Here's What Happened

It was around 10:30 p.m. when we arrived at the Dennison house (3 Ocean Ave., Salem, MA), and I couldn't believe my eyes. The house was everything I had imagined, and it looked exactly the way it did in 1993. I was legitimately like a kid at Disneyland for the first time, eyes wide and so happy to be there. I'd been obsessed with this house and the movie since I was a little girl, just like every other person I knew, so I was surprised to see that there wasn't a large group of people taking pictures. Fortunately, that meant we had the opportunity to take as many pictures as we liked.

Tip #1: Visit the house at night with a camera that shoots well in low light to avoid people in your pictures and to give it a real Hocus Pocus vibe. We went back the next day and there was a line down the street, which meant long wait times and only a couple of photos per person.

Another important note: the home is a private residence, so it should only be viewed from the street, and if you are driving, avoid parking in "resident only" areas. A parking ticket will definitely ruin the magic!

We all remember this beautiful mansion — it's the scene where Dani cries to her brother, Max, about accepting the fact that Salem is their new home. After making up, the two look up and see this gorgeous mansion. In the movie, it belongs to Allison's family (you know, Max's crush who he gets teased about for his admiration of her "yabbos"). Well, in real life, it's called the Ropes Mansion (318 Essex St., Salem, MA) and serves as a house museum with a garden in the back.

The Ropes Mansion hours are 12-4 p.m. on weekends only from May through October (for free self-guided tours).

Tip #2: Double-check your addresses! I followed an address that I found online and was lost for 20 minutes.

Let me tell you, Allison's mansion is just as big and gorgeous in person as it was in the movie. So, it makes sense that they had a jackpot of candy! We were surprised again at being the only tourists there for pictures, so we had another photo shoot. We even walked into the open and dimly lit garden and patio in the backyard, but after realizing how dark it was, I convinced my boyfriend that it was time to go.

Tip #3: If you're interested in touring the house, you'll have to visit during the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as they're closed on weekends.

The Witch House is the only structure still standing in Salem that was directly tied to the Salem witch trials. Pumpkins are sprawled out everywhere on the front lawn, making it the perfect Halloween photo opp for Instagram.

Tip #4: The witch house is only about 350 feet away from Allison's mansion, so make sure to plan those visits together.

The next day, we dressed up again and headed to Pioneer Village (98 West Ave, Salem, MA), which is where Thackery and Emily Binx lived. Designed to take you back to Salem in 1630, Pioneer Village is the first living history museum in America.

Not only was Pioneer Village free to park at and visit, but guests can actually go inside the houses and touch the props!

Tip #5: Be sure to check the Pioneer Village website for hours of operation, which was limited to 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays this time of year.

Be sure to walk beyond the houses and check out the backwoods, which make the perfect background for all of your creative witchy photos.

Tip #6: Walk through every structure, as there are hidden Hocus Pocus gems waiting to be found!

Yep! Before Binx was our favorite sarcastic black cat, he was a boy from Salem trying to protect his younger sister, Emily, from the Sanderson sisters. In one of the beginning scenes of the movie, we see a panicked Thackery in his bedroom shouting for his sister. Well, thanks to Pioneer Village, you can take photos in his mock bedroom, complete with a bed, desk, and fireplace. My mom describes this photo as me signing my soul away to the devil. I promise you, Mom, I didn't.

Tip #7: Just when you think you're done, keep walking through the village. There's one more surprise that'll definitely make you feel like a Sanderson sister.

Boooooook! I almost died when I saw this replica of Winnie's book. Of course, I had to give it a few taps and quote Winnie's famous line, "Wake up. Wake up, sleepy head." It did not wake up, but it was definitely the most memorable moment.

I did not visit the high school, the cemetery, or old town hall, but I saw everything I wanted to, and it was more than I could've ever expected. If you're a true Hocus Pocus fan, you have to make your way to Salem one day and check out all of the locations for yourself. Just be sure not to light any black flame candles!