The Hocus Pocus Lover's Guide To Salem, Massachusetts, From Someone Who's Been Going For Years
Complete with places to eat, history to learn, and Hocus Pocus film locations to freak out over.
For the past two years, I've traveled to Salem, Massachusetts the week prior to Halloween to explore the beautiful, old streets and learn more about its witchy history.
Each year, I've been greeted by the fall street fair of artists, jewelers, candle makers, tattoo artists, and more.
Despite the unreasonable number of people that cram themselves into the small "city" each fall, it has a unique, charming, and calm energy to it.
Like the many people there, I was there to truly take in sights and experience magic rather than to take an annual vacation.
In addition to its magic being undeniable, its infamous history is fascinating and all of the beautiful old homes are unlike any I'd ever seen, having never visited New England.
It's by far my favorite place to be in October and I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it every other month too...or week...or sometimes every other day.
So I've put my never-ending cycle of Salem thoughts to good use and compiled a list of my personal picks as well as some top-rated fan-favorites!
You can also download the Destination Salem, Mass app to your phone for help along the way. The app shows a calendar of events, attractions, museums, tours, shopping, parking, and restrooms nearby on a color-coded map of Salem.
Restaurants And Bars
Sea Level Oyster Bar
My favorite restaurant on the water with a great view, an enjoyable atmosphere, fresh raw bar, and refreshing drinks. The upstairs is perfect for lunch on a sunny day. Try their Baked Seafood Pie. Don't question it. Just do it.
Finz
Voted a "2019 best mussels", this one is on the water too and a bit more formal - more of a dinner place. A traditional seafood restaurant with a twist… they have sushi!
Turner's Seafood
Voted a "2019 best fish and chips, best fish sandwich and best mussels", Turner's is the most impressive seafood in the more central area of Salem. It has a classic full bar, an oyster bar, a delicious menu with tons of options, and cozy fireplaces.
The Boston Burger Company
A top notch comfort food spot with four different kinds of mac and cheese and some pretty massive burgers. Great for a non-seafood option. This place has fried pickles so it also has my heart.
Life Alive
For a healthier option, try the "2019 best vegetarian" winner! It has smoothies, fresh juices, grain bowls, salads, wraps, tea, and coffee.
Bambolina
Voted a "2019 best pizza", this Neapolitan pizza shop has unique pies like Sea Beans & Prawns, Sausage & Fennel, or the Farmers Market. They've also got a few pasta dishes and some fancy-shmancy appetizers for a pizza joint.
The Ledger
A "2019 best brunch" spot with breakfast food and drinks at practically any time of day. Their chicken and waffles, maple-glazed pork belly, Banana Bread Forester, and daily flavored donuts are noted as favorites. They're open for dinner as well.
Red's Sandwich Shop
Voted a "2019 best breakfast", Red's is the go-to for a cheaper, more traditional breakfast and a great hangover cure... speaking from past experience. Grab a mimosa and try out their giant pancakes, lobster benedict, or fresh corned beef hash.
Witch's Brew
This is a must-visit... for name purposes obviously and also because it's a cozy one-stop bar/restaurant combo with an old-timey vibe that feels fitting for a Salem vacation. Go get a pumpkin beer with a sugar rim.
Mercy Tavern
Across the street from Witch's Brew, this is a fun one for boozy brunch, with drinks like The Pig-A-Rita made with tequila, sours, grenadine, and pineapple juice, The Ripple made with gin, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, lemon, and Prosecco, or The Mercy Mule made with vodka, blackberry, and ginger beer.
Village Tavern
Another solid bar/restaurant combo, attached to Witch City Mall, that's fun for games like pool, skeeball, air hockey, and darts. Don't feel weird that it's in the mall. It doesn't feel like it one bit and is even known for having some of the best burgers in Salem.
Lobster Shanty
My favorite lobster rolls in Salem and tons more. This is the tiny spot you find on vacation that's way better than you think. Sadly, a lot of other people have found it too and there's often a line on weekends - so pick odd hours or get there first thing!
Rockafellas
A spacious, beautiful building with a large bar, diverse menu, and weekly live bands. Some popular menu items here are the sirloin tips, sausage rustica, haddock, and the baked mac and cheese. They have Halloween parties upstairs in their event space in October sometimes.
Notch Brewery & Biergarten
This one is easy to miss if you just walk around looking for places to stop into but so worth the visit if you're into breweries. Go on a sunny day!
Bit Bar
An arcade/video game bar and restaurant with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options - complete with their own Tetris Tots (Tetris tater tots)!
Coffee Shops
Gulu Gulu Café
A fun atmosphere with a little bit of everything - coffee, craft beer, and other alcoholic beverages, and light food. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: They have a $25 meat and cheese board. They also have a hummus plate, light sandwiches, bagels, waffles, crepes, and pastry items.
Brew Box
Coffee, tea, chai, matcha, hot chocolate, sandwiches, and baked goods. A standout item here is the Cereal Milk Latte, made with rotating flavors of cereal steeped in milk and combined with a shot of espresso...?
Red Line Café
Similar to Brew Box but subtract the baked goods and add ice cream and smoothies.
Jaho Coffee & Tea
Coffee, tea, boba/bubble tea, smoothies, and small food items like bagels, pastries, and yogurt. Throughout COVID-19, they've had cocktails to-go, including a Kahlua Latte, Bailey's Cold Brew, and Dirty Lemonade. I hope these stick for good!
Front Street Coffeehouse
Solid coffee, convenient location, cute small shop! A good place to pick up something quick to go, as it's a narrow space that can fill up quickly.
Attractions And Events
Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery
This is probably my favorite attraction in Salem. It's so unique, it's not overdone/over-posted from tourist photographs, and it has been visited by so many famous actors who have left their signatures behind. Get ready to come face to face with your favorite monsters.
Satanic Temple Headquarters
This was not at all what I expected. It's basically offices on the top floor and an art gallery and an informative mini-library on the bottom floor of an old house that has been turned into none other than the headquarters of the Satanic Temple.
The House of Seven Gables
This structure was originally built in 1668 as home to ship captain John Turner but is best known as the setting of world-renowned author Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1851 novel.
A tour through the old *house turned museum* details some surprisingly interesting history and discrepancies between the home and its portrayal in Hawthorne's book... like a secret passageway.
Friendship of Salem
This replica 1797 ship commemorates Salem's role as a center of global trade in post-Colonial America. Tour it at the Wharf, sometimes even for free! It's located in a great spot to take a picnic.
Crow Haven Corner
Meet witches and psychics specializing in tarot, palmistry, and mediumship or kick off your Witch Walk tour here with a spell! How impressive this tour is depends on who you get as your guide.
I had a blunt, bleached-silver-haired woman with a raspy voice who you'd never guess was a practicing witch. She was sassy, informative, and awesome. (If you know her please tag her).
Charter Street Cemetery/Old Burying Point
Recognized as Salem's oldest cemetery (1637), this is home to the Witch Trials Memorial stones. Fun Fact: My 9th great grandpapa John Proctor Jr. has his memorial here, as he was one of those executed.
Bewitched Statue
You can't forget to cross taking a picture with the Samantha Stephens statue off your list! Did you know "Bewitched" Season 7 was filmed in Salem? The cast is said to have stayed at the *haunted* Hawthorne Hotel, where they filmed a bit including a scene with the lobby's elevators. *PHOTO OPP*
The Salem Haunted Magic Show: Hysteria with Christopher Grace
A mostly-mental magic show (say that three times fast). I don't even have words for how amazing I thought this show was. My boyfriend and I left kind of speechless. S P O O K Y.
Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre
Gallows Hill is a museum and 4D immersive show of the Salem trials, witchy legends, and ghost stories from the area, including Proctor's Ledge (not Gallows Hill, believe it or not) which is believed to be the real site of the Salem Witch Trials hangings of 1692.
The Witch House
Salem's only standing building with direct ties to the witch trials and the 17th century home of Jonathon Corwin, one of the judges involved. It has self-guided tours with informative staff positioned throughout the house to answer your questions. *PHOTO OPP*
Salem Trolley Tour
A narrated 1-hour, 8-mile tour and all-day shuttle service past the Charter Street Burial Ground, the House of the Seven Gables, Witch Dungeon Museum, Salem Witch Museum, the historic waterfront area, and other locations. Get off at any of the 14 stops!
Candlelit Ghostly Walking Tour
I had an incredible time walking around town in the dark, learning from my very knowledgeable top hat and trenchcoat-wearing tour guide.
He told us myths and ghost stories, including the story of George Washington being so spooked by the apparent ghosts of (what is now) The Merchant inn that he left after just one night.
The Spellbound Tour
I haven't taken this tour but it seems to be a favorite of visitors and Things To Do In Salem Facebook group members (a helpful group to join). Their guides are professional paranormal investigators who teach you about paranormal investigation and ghostly image capture - you'll even get to see examples of ghostly photos.
Winter Island Light (aka the Fort Pickering Lighthouse)
A beautiful 1871 lighthouse which is now mostly a recreational area accessible at 50 Winter Island Road. *PHOTO OPP*
Peabody Essex Museum
Not a spooky attraction but I'd feel wrong leaving it out as this art museum is recognized as the oldest continuously operating museum in the country and home to a 200-year-old Chinese House that is the only structure of its kind in the U.S.
Witch Pix
Stop by Witch City Mall to visit this witch-themed portrait photo studio and play a bit of dress up for a spooky photo you'll have as a keepsake forever. *PHOTO OPP*
Hammond Castle
Just 30 minutes north of Salem in Gloucester, Hammond Castle is open as a museum and sometimes a haunted house around fall!
It was originally built in the 1920s as John Hays Hammond Jr.'s residence and laboratory, with architectural elements such as the medieval facades, doorways from French chateaus, and elements of Gothic cathedrals.
7 Seas Whale Watch
Also 30 minutes north of Salem, you can go whale watching from a dock in Gloucester! (Rockport, Mass is just 15 minutes further north and is a quaint, rocky art town on the water that's also worth a visit if you make the trip up this way)
Hocus Pocus Film Locations
Ropes Mansion
Allison's House - Since the old interiors of this house were kept as a museum, you can walk around to the gardens in the back of this beautiful house and even tour through the inside but, sadly, only the outside matches what you see in the movie. *PHOTO OPP*
4 Ocean Avenue
Max's House - This isn't a museum or landmark like Ropes Mansion so you can't go inside (unless the homeowner wants to welcome you in) but it's still so worth it. It sits right on the water. *PHOTO OPP*
Pioneer Village
"EMILY! EMILYY!" Home to the (human) Thackery Binx in the film, this village is recognized as the oldest living history museum in America, designed to represent Salem in the year 1630, and used for the beginning scenes of Hocus Pocus. If it's hard to find using your map, drive to Forest River Park. It's located close to Max's house. *PHOTO OPP*
Old Town Hall
This is where the famous "I Put A Spell On You" party and performance happen. You can go inside but it's a functional hall so there are often events or exhibits going on.
Salem Common
This is 8-acre public green has been a common area since the 17th Century and was used as such during the movie. Max rode his bike by here leaving school, talking with Allison.
Fun fact: they usually play Halloween movies in the park here so maybe one day you'll get to watch Hocus Pocus in a park here Hocus Pocus was filmed!
61 Washington Square S
It shows up a building off on the map but gets you there. This was Max and Allison's school, which hasn't been a functioning school since a year prior to the movie using it for filming.
It was known as Phillips Elementary and is still standing today, right alongside Salem Common as it appeared to be in the movie. *PHOTO OPP*
Old Burial Hill Cemetery
I didn't want to skip this one but, unfortunately, I'd say it's not worth the visit. The cemetery is located 15 minutes out of Salem in Marblehead.
This is in the day when Max runs into bullies Jay and "Ice" was filmed, the burial plot Billy Butcherson rises out of and the big gate reading "Old Burial Hill" the Sanderson Sisters fly over seems to have had been created by the filmmakers and no longer exist.
Gift Shops And Boutiques
Artemisia Botanicals
Your one-stop-shop for botanicals of healing, culinary, beauty, and magical uses. They also carry candles, clothes, décor, soap, teas, cauldrons, crystals, stones, perfume as well as books, magazines calendars, art, and tarot cards.
Fun fact: They offer $15 palm reading lessons for beginners.
The Coven's Cottage
A family-owned and operated witchcraft shop, carrying the same witchy necessities as Artemisia plus jewelry and... animal bones.
Die With Your Boots On
This boutique carries punk, gothic, and spooky brands such as the coolest Halloween-themed shoes by Strange Cvlt. They carry Brett Manning Art, Cat Coven, Foxblood, Demonic Pinfestation, Mary Wyatt London, Valfre, Laserbrain Patch Co./Lapels & Spells, Vera's Eyecandy, The Pretty Cult, and more.
HEX
A fan-favorite for sure. It has less of what you'd think of as a nature witch goodies and darker poetic kick knacks. Check out some deep, dark, informative books or grab a voodoo doll, if you dare!
Although jam-packed with tons of stuff, the shop size is pretty small so there's a line on busy days.
OMEN
Similar to HEX (because of how different can gift shops be) but they advertise their psychic readings, seances, and psychic classes you can book easily on their website.
Witch Way Gifts
Your best bet for finding a straight-forward but memorable gift to bring someone at home - it's not as niche as the other shops and has lots of good options.
Emporium 32
Former renaissance fair performer couple / local Steampunk community members display their own line of handmade jewelry, art prints, and leatherwork, and also carry work from over 90 independent artists and small businesses. l love this shop.
Wynott's Wands
Salem's only handcrafter of fine magic wands, also carrying candles, books, games, puzzles, collectibles, and Harry Potter merch.
VampFangs
Shocking contact lenses, beauty products, candles, creepy stuffed animals, incense, fragrance, jewelry, clothing, bags, pins, décor, cups/mugs, and, of course, fangs.
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My 10 Favorite YouTubers
They can all teach you something
I've fallen down into the rabbit hole that is YouTube. Lately, I've been finding the videos on YouTube much more entertaining than anything on Netflix or Hulu. There are so many videos out there about literally everything. Some of my favorite videos are murder mysteries or unsolved crime videos. But I also love watching movie commentaries or anything funny. If you like YouTube as much as I do, I highly recommend checking out these YouTubers.
1. Hailey Reese
Hailey is such a light in this world. Even though she talks about paranormal things which can oftentimes be scary, she always brings light and love to the video. Her videos are so informational and spooky. They're so fun to watch and interesting to think about. She is one of the soul siblings, and you will understand what I mean by that if you watch her channel. Also, you get to be a Reese's Peaces, what a cool name!
2. Kendall Rae
Kendall does a lot of different kinds of videos, but some of my favorite ones that she does are the True Crime videos. Many of the stories are sad or disturbing, but she does a fantastic job of being respectful of the families who lost a loved one as well as the person who is deceased. These stories really bring into perspective how messed up people in this world can be, but at the same time the beauty of our humanity and that there are good people in the world.
3. Dylan Is In Trouble
Ah, Dyan. Where to begin. He does a lot of movie commentaries. He has done commentaries on everything from kids movies, rom-coms, horror, and thriller. He apparently went to film school and so he actually analyzes the movies in a critical way. He always points out plot holes and cliches and makes it so entertaining to watch. He also shows the movie as he's watching it, so it's like you get to watch it without actually spending the hour and a half watching it. He's so entertaining to watch and makes me laugh every time, even if it's a serious movie. One of my favorite things is that he calls his followers "troublemakers" and as someone who rarely ever gets into trouble, I like it.
4. Jon Solo
If you're someone who loves Disney movies and fairytales, this channel is for you. Jon goes into the origin stories of various Disney movies, heroes, villains, and other fairytale creatures. It's amazing the amount of research he does in order to find and explain the origins of some of our favorite characters.
5. tiffanyferg
I'm a bit new to her channel, but she covers a range of topics that I think are very important. She talks about beauty standards, the college scandal, minimalism, mental health, and college struggles. As someone who is finishing college and still learning about myself, I really appreciate her analysis of these topics and the advice that she gives.
6. Brandi TV
Brandi is too funny. While I don't condone doing drugs, she does really funny "makeup" tutorials. I feel like I always cry from laughing so hard. One of my favorites is when she does a makeup tutorial for Ursula from the Little Mermaid. So funny. She is such a sweetheart and a pure soul.
7. Loey Lane
Loey is another light in this world. She talks about paranormal things, reads scary viral stories, body positivity, and her own personal experiences. Her makeup is always on point and brings so much light to sometimes dark topics. She is one of the soul siblings too!
8. The Try Guys
Do I even have to give an explanation for these guys? They try everything, and it's hilarious to watch them. My favorite series of theirs is when Keith eats everything on the menu from different fast food places. And they don't waste the food so that's a plus!
9. Alex Myers
Alex is another great YouTuber who does movie and Tv show commentaries, but he animates himself and his dog into the videos. It's very interesting to see, especially because sometimes he will talk about his own personal experiences and its very relatable. Also, his dog is super cute!
10. AndrewTMI
Last but not least, we have Andrew. I love how totally open and honest he is. He is very relatable and honestly hilarious. He is dramatic and that just makes his channel so entertaining. He is the last member of the soul siblings. When Hailey, Loey, and Andrew are together some real spooky stuff happens and it's some of the most entertaining videos to watch.
If you haven't heard of any of these YouTubers, please check them out. They are so great at entertaining and presenting facts. Even though I haven't met any of them, they all seem like really great, genuine people.