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Love Hocus Pocus? Visit Salem, MA This October to See Allison’s House Decorated Like the Movie!

Disney's Hocus Pocus Allison's House
Credit: Disney

If you are a fan of Disney’s Hocus Pocus (1993), a visit to Salem, Massachusetts is probably already on your bucket list. Visiting the locations around Salem, MA where this Disney Halloween classic was filmed has become one of the most popular things to do in the historic seaport, especially during the fall season. If you are planning your visit for this Halloween weekend, you’ll be able to take in even more Hocus Pocus, as Allison’s House will be decorated like just like the movie, October 29-31, 2021!

“Allison’s House” aka Ropes Mansion

One of the most iconic scenes from Hocus Pocus is when Max Dennison takes his sister Dani trick-or-treating around Salem, and they stumble upon a beautiful historic house that happens to be home to Max’s crush, Allison.

Outside of Hocus Pocus, Allison’s House is actually the Ropes Mansion, part of the architectural collection of the Peabody Essex Museum in downtown Salem, MA.

The mansion is one of the most thoroughly documented historic homes in New England, housing four generations of the Ropes family and perhaps even stirring up some ghost stories (but you’d have to take ghost tour in Salem to come to your own conclusion on that one!)

In celebration of the museum’s Salem Stories exhibition, which covers the A-Zs of what makes Salem the unique city it is today, the Ropes Mansion will be decorated in the style of Hocus Pocus for a limited time this Halloween weekend!

Visit Allison’s House this October

If you are planning a trip to Salem Haunted Happenings this October, you can see the Ropes Mansion decorated as Allison’s House October 29-31, 2021, 10 am-8 pm. The mansion is located at 318 Essex Street, Salem, and no reservations are required for this must-see photo opp for Hocus Pocus fans.

The interior of the mansion was not what you see as Allison’s House in Hocus Pocus, but we do recommend checking out the inside of the mansion if you are able to while visiting Salem! The Ropes Mansion is open seasonally on weekends for self-guided tours, 12-4 pm (this year tours run through October 24.)

You wouldn’t be able to tell from your re-watch of Hocus Pocus, but Allison’s House actually has quite an impressive garden! The garden behind the Ropes Mansion is open from dawn until dusk and features nearly 5,000 beautiful flowers planted annually according to notes by the original designer.

For more Hocus Pocus in Salem, MA…

Disney's Hocus Pocus Pioneer Village Salem

Pioneer Village. Credit: Destination Salem.

Many exterior scenes from Hocus Pocus were filmed in Salem, Massachusetts (interiors were primarily done in Hollywood). You can find a guide to Hocus Pocus film locations here, including Old Town Hall where “I Put a Spell on You” was performed, Salem Common, where Max and Allison’s school is located, Pioneer Village, home to Thackery Binx in 1693, and more!

Note that the cemetery where Max is caught by school bullies is actually Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, MA, and Max’s house is located just outside of downtown Salem and is a private residence, (so remember to be respectful while viewing it from the street if you visit.)

You can also shop for Disney officially licensed Hocus Pocus shirts and gifts at the Salem Witch Museum store and you may spot a familiar Sanderson Sister as one of the figures inside Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery.

Lastly, you can watch this Disney Halloween classic right where it was filmed on Salem Common during this October’s family movie nights! Movies run Friday nights during October 2021, with Hocus Pocus being shown on October 22.

If you visit Salem this October, please note that masks are required in indoor public areas, and you can view a full events calendar and confirm COVID-19 guidelines on hauntedhappenings.org. Information about visiting Salem year-round is also available on salem.org.

Can’t make it to see the Hocus Pocus sites in person? Stream Hocus Pocus on Disney+ during this year’s Hallowstream event, and check out shopDisney for the latest Halloween and Hocus Pocus merchandise you can order from home.

About Brittany DiCologero

Brittany is a New England-based writer focused on the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is the author of "Red, White, and Disney: The Myths and Reality of American History at the Walt Disney World Resort," and "Brittany Earns Her Ears."

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