In my humble opinion, fall is the best season. The chill in the air, the scents, the changing colors, and the mystery that seems to hang over everything as we await the bite of winter. It’s all my favorite.
With the recent release of Practical Magic 2, I’ve found myself reminiscing about the original film. Although it was released only a year after I was born, its soundtrack is nevertheless ingrained in my memory thanks to years of car rides with my mom who owned it on CD. The movie has always held a special place in my imagination, and its beautiful scenery played a part in inspiring a desire to experience the Northeast, especially in the fall.
The good news? You don’t need a generations-old curse on your love interests or a fictional ancestral home to find a little of that atmosphere. From coastal New England villages to misty Pacific Northwest shores, these destinations offer their own interpretation of the charm, scenery, and autumnal mystery that make Practical Magic so memorable.
If you’re wanting to recreate the Practical Magic nostalgia, here are five destinations throughout the U.S. I would consider for their beautiful scenery and enchantment.
Chatham, Massachusetts
There is something about a weathered New England home, a garden full of hydrangeas and roses, and a salt breeze drifting through an open window that feels a little like stepping into Practical Magic.
In Chatham on Cape Cod, cedar-shingled homes, flower-lined streets, historic inns, and a charming seaside downtown create the kind of setting that draws you in. If you want to disappear into an old house on the coast for a few days this fall, mix midnight margaritas at the kitchen island, and enjoy pancakes by the sea, Chatham is a great place to begin.
Where to Stay on Cape Cod for a Practical Magic Ambiance
The Chatham Bars White Foam House
This 3 bed, 2.5 bath home listed on Airbnb is steps from the beach and features lovely outdoor living space for enjoying your morning coffee or evening sits in the cool, ocean air…
Kennebunkport, Maine
While Chatham captures the romantic garden cottage side of Practical Magic, Kennebunkport brings the mystery. Its weathered historic homes, rocky shorelines, winding seaside roads, and undeniable charm of a New England harbor town make this corner of southern Maine ideal for a mystical fall escape.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Tucked into the wooded hills of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs is built along narrow winding streets adorned with ornate Victorian architecture. Its tree-covered hillsides and numerous hidden springs give the town an almost other-worldly charm. Spend the morning in a healing mineral water bathhouse, pop into antique shops and independent boutiques during the day, and for a little extra Practical Magic charm, retreat to a historic home with a wraparound porch and nearly-overgrown garden for the night.
It may be a very long way from the New England coast, but the Ozarks has a magic of its own; I would know, it’s the place I call home. 😉
Mackinac Island, Michigan
If Practical Magic had a storybook counterpart in the Great Lakes, I imagine Mackinac Island would be it. Its Victorian homes, sprawling porches, flower-filled gardens, and horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping down quiet streets make the island feel fantastically removed from the modern world.
Spend your days wandering past historic cottages, browsing the shops downtown, or cycling along the shoreline before retreating to a charming historic inn for the evening. Without cars crowding the streets, life moves at a slower pace here.
It may trade the Atlantic coastline for the blue waters of Lake Huron, but Mackinac Island has the same old-fashioned charm and sense of stepping into another time that make the world of Practical Magic so enchanting.
Stonington Borough, Connecticut
For a much quieter take on coastal New England, Stonington Borough feels like the sort of seaside village where you could spend an entire weekend wandering without an itinerary and still leave with the most memorable of visits. Tucked along Connecticut’s southeastern shoreline, this historic waterfront community is filled with old homes, narrow streets, independent shops, and expansive views of the harbor.
Spend an afternoon browsing local galleries and shops along Water Street, walk toward the lighthouse at the tip of the borough, and watch the boats come and go from the waterfront. When the weather turns cool, settle into a cozy inn or a historic coastal rental for the night.
Stonington may not have the dramatic cliffs or sprawling beaches of some New England destinations, but its understated charm is precisely the appeal: think weathered houses, salt air, quiet streets, and mystery.
Port Townsend, Washington
Although the movie was set in a small, Northeastern town, its filming actually took place in the Pacific Northwest. So for those who imagine Practical Magic with a little more mist, moss, and moodiness, Port Townsend is worth adding to the list. Settled on Washington’s Olympic peninsula, this town is known for its ornate Victorian architecture, mirroring the style most prominent in Practical Magic. Its old houses, tree-lined streets, and overcast skies create the perfect atmosphere for a little rooftop magic—umbrellas and brooms included.
Explore Port Townsend’s historic downtown, featuring bookstores and antique stores before wandering through the Uptown Historic District to admire the grand old homes and intricate architecture. Toward the waterfront, historic buildings and views across the water offer a different kind of coastal charm from the sandy beaches of New England. For your stay, look for a Victorian-era inn or a historic home with original woodwork, a garden, or views of the water.
Plan Your Own Practical Magic-Inspired Fall Getaway
You may not find the Owens sisters’ house waiting for you at the end of a winding New England road, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a little of the magic for yourself. Whether you spend your days wandering through a historic downtown or nights mixing up midnight margaritas and laughing with loved ones, there’s a little magic to be experienced in all parts of the country.
