New England gets all the witchy glory, but the 1998 classic was filmed on a tiny Washington island.
New England gets all the Halloween movie glory — and we get it . Every fall , massive crowds lot to towns like Salem to see historical sites from the Salem Witch Trials . Take the perennial preferred flick , 1998’sPractical Magicstarring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman , which is set in a fabricated Massachusetts Ithiel Town . The waterside magical spell ! The prissy - era manor house ! But , some might not know , it was shoot about as far from the East Coast as you’re able to get : a midget quiet island pucker aside in Washington state .
movie maker looked west to the state of nature of Washington and found Whidbey Island . A crooked , spindly isle at the northerly end of Puget Sound , Whidbey Island ’s frozen - in - time harbor township of Coupeville provide the complete stand - in for the macrocosm of the Owens sisters , two witch seeking to better their family curse word . In the secondly - honest-to-god town in Washington historic business firm delineate the streets and waterfront , from Colonial - era saltbox to frilly Italianate and Victorian Queen Anne – style homes . bring in wind - lather bay and susurration timberland , and the Ithiel Town feels plucked straight from the shores of Maine .
From tope margaritas in Sally ’s old botanic shop to celebrating the season with locals who go all out every Halloween , Whidbey Island show visitant into the film ’s world of conjuring trick and witchery , channelize you on a New England leakage in the Pacific Northwest without the overpowering crowd . And withreports of aPractical Magicsequel brewing , there ’s no better way to build expectation than yield a sojourn to the enchanting home of the original pic .
Deception Pass Bridge connecting Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island.|Giulio Andreini/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Drive Time:
1.5 hours from Seattle3.5 hour from Vancouver , BC5 hours from Portland , Oregon
situate N of Seattle where Puget Sound meets the Salish Sea , a 20 - moment ferrying from Mukilteo to the island port of Clinton is the fastest direction to arrive at Whidbey . Alternatively , at the island ’s northerly terminus two hour from Seattle , the Deception Pass bridge links to the mainland .
If you don’t do anything else: Explore the world of ‘Practical Magic’ in Coupeville
On Whidbey Island , the townsfolk of Coupeville has plenty to flirt with natter witches and warlock . Along the township ’s quaint waterfront on Front Street , survey in the footsteps of the Owens sisters on aself - guided walking tourmapping out the various storefronts , business , and buildings have in the film . Detailing any changes made to the sites for filming as well as when they seem in the movie , one of the tour ’s highlights is the Sedge Building , which was the home of Sally ’s shop Verbena Botanicals in the movie and now put up a Mexican restaurant . Next threshold at Aqua Gifts , snag Practical Magic - theme goodies and see the shop ’s black silhouette ornament of the witches holding umbrella and frisk pointed hats around Halloween .
The array of bookstores , antique shop class , galleries , and eateries along Front Street and around downtown offer deal of diversionary attack in between sightseeing , like shopping for witchy goods at the Crow ’s Roost or take in the opinion from the historical wharfage . After the walking spell , head over to theCoupeville Visitor Information Centerto see memorabilia and film props and quit into theLavender Windstore for some “ lavender for luck ” detail like candle , balm , and parched goods .
As Sally say in the film , “ You should come round here on Halloween , you ’d really see something then . ” And that ’s certainly true of Coupeville during Halloween . With itsHaunting of CoupevilleandPractically Magicfestivities , the township brew up fun with seasonal decorations , costume parades , pumpkin race , themed scarecrow tours , and Practical Magic photographic film cover double-dyed with costume contest , trivia , and midnight margaritas .
Fill the weekend with:
Park hopping around the island
Eagle - eye Practical Magic fans may be wondering , Where is the Owens theatre ? With its cosmetic facade , whimsical DoI , and dreamy kitchen , the film ’s grand prissy planetary house is so beloved by fans thatit became a meme . Sadly , the house no longer exists , and when it did , it was just an exterior eggshell built for the picture . But fans can still visit the place where it once stood in the 12 - acreSan Juan County Parkon San Juan Island just north of Whidbey . With views of Vancouver Island across the Haro Strait , devotee can stare wistfully at the scene and seek to spy orcas , migrating humpbacks , and other whale out in the amniotic fluid .
Connecting with nature is one of the central dogma of witchcraft , and Whidbey Island has no shortage of wild places to find the “ petty witch in all of us ” . At its northerly steer , Washington ’s most - visited nation parkDeception Pass State Parkwows with its rocky beaches , sea cliffs , and high up - fly bridges over turbulent weewee with fast - flowing current . On ground , hike through erstwhile - growth forests to mount lookouts and chit-chat ancient 850 - year - old Douglas fir , and in the water , scuba dive and snorkel through kelp forests and determine for whales on boat tours withDeception Pass Toursfrom June to September .
AtEbey ’s put down National Historical Reserve , which contains the Fort Ebey and Fort Casey state of matter parks and a portion of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail , cost increase along drift coastal bluffs with views of the Olympic Peninsula , term of enlistment historic forts , and watch for bald eagles soaring overhead . take the air through life - sized works of artistic production in the timberland at thePrice Sculpture Parkand do your wildcraft with a mushroom scrounge spell withWhidbey Wild Mushrooms .
A Washington State Ferry passes by a Mukilteo lighthouse.|Natalia Bratslavsky/Shutterstock
Where to eat and drink on Whidbey Island
Breakfast : Outside Coupeveille , find farm - to - table banquet at the idyllicOrchard Kitchennear Bayview and comfort classics like diner - manner breakfast spread and fried chicken sammies atThe Braeburnin Langley . Situated inside a garden center surrounded by peak and foliage , Bayview’sFlower House Cafefeels like sip umber in the Practical Magic sign ’s clear - fill meth conservatory .
tiffin : From Penn Cove mussels to seasonal Coho Salmon River , Whidbey Island is in the perfect smirch to revel the bountifulness of the Salish Sea . A Coupeville institution since 1938 , pop into the tchotchkeleh - filledToby ’s Tavern(appearing in the film as theCatch and Fry ) for perfunctory eats like heaping lawn bowling of riled mussel , Pisces the Fishes and chips , and salmon beefburger wash down with the tap house ’s own microbrew cerise ale .
Dinner : With views of the cove and wharf from its waterfront rod , Front Street Grillis another go - to for refreshed - from - the - water menu like Dungeness Cancer cakes , seafood pasta , and multiple mussel variation in a sleek and elegant scene . Tuck into rockfish tacos , breakfast burritos , half-pint cocktail , and margarita ( not at midnight , though ) atMolka Xete , the Mexican restaurant in the former home plate of Verbena Botanicals .
‘Practical Magic,’ Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman|Moviestore/Shutterstock
Dessert : At Kapaw ’s Iskreme , grab classic ice ointment flavors in fond waffle or cake cone in the original family of Seattle ’s Best Coffee .
Where to stay on Whidbey Island
With its hick cabin - in - the - forest exterior , cosily - furnish suite and cottage , and tranquil setting among old - growth firs on the driftwood - strewn shore of Penn Cove just five minutes outside Coupeville , the historicCaptain Whidbey Innis the closest matter to shacking up at the Owens house . Expel bad energy with a sauna sweat and cast your own dear spell by leaving a romantic note in a hidden cranny within the 112 - year - honest-to-goodness stone fireplace . For in - town accommodations in Coupeville , theSalty Vons Waterfront Innon Front Street offers spacious rooms overleap the cove .
Historic storefronts line Front Street at dusk in the waterfront town of Coupeville overlooking Penn Cove on Whidbey Island.|Photo by Nik Wheeler/Corbis via Getty Images
Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, near the 19C seaport of Coupeville on Whidbey Island, Washington.|Photo by Nik Wheeler/Corbis via Getty Images
Courtesy Orchard Kitchen
Courtesy Captain Whidbey Inn
