Practical Magic

Perhaps the most famous movie ever filmed on Whidbey Island

Practical Magic was released in 1998 and has cast a spell over audiences ever since. Despite its fabulous sets, costumes, soundtrack, and all-star cast (Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, Diane Wiest, Aiden Quinn, and a young Evan Rachel Wood), the film wasn’t a box office success at the time. However, it’s developed such a cult classic status with devoted fans ever since, that an upcoming sequel was announced in 2024 with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprising their roles as the beloved Owens sisters.

The original movie follows several generations of Owens women, who have the gift of magic but are ostracized from much of society in their small island town. Coupeville is once again painted up in light colors to represent an East Coast hamlet, looking so charming and beautiful that it no doubt plays a big part in the film’s ongoing popularity. Another star attraction is the incredible Owens house, but sadly this witchy abode can’t be found in person. The exterior was built as a set on the San Juan Islands and dismantled at the conclusion of filming.

Revisit this 90s classic with a viewing and a visit to downtown Coupeville. In October the town goes all out with festive Halloween and Practical Magic activities, but any time of year is great for a visit. Relive the struggles of the Owens sisters to overcome a family curse, as they seek love and acceptance in their island community (not to mention hide a body!). Several locals served as extras in the movie and eagle-eyed viewers will notice many real Coupeville business names on signs in the quaint New England town.

Find your favorite Coupeville scenes at these time stamps (And yes, Coupeville starred in a lot of scenes!)

00:10:00
The Aunts (Stockard Channing and Diane Wiest) and Sally (Sandra Bullock) walk out of the “post office” (Vail Wine Shop & Tasting Room) and through the town, east along Front St. They have received a postcard from Gillian (Nicole Kidman).

00:10:35
The Aunts and Sally cross Front St. towards the intersection with Grace St.

00:11:01
Sally and Michael see each other for the first time as he’s coming out from the farmers market at Front & Grace Streets.

Fun Fact: This market set for the movie was largely stocked with actual local produce from Whidbey farmers and Penn Cove Shellfish. The real-life Coupeville Farmers Market is situated behind the library on NW Alexander Street and operates on Saturdays between April and October.

00:11:58
Sally runs into town to find Michael, not knowing the Aunts have “given her a nudge” with a love spell. Michael is at the farmers market at Front & Grace Streets again.

00:12:10
Where Sally first runs down the street with dogs behind her is at the intersection of Front & Alexander Streets, in front of the Coupeville Wharf.

00:12:25
Sally leaps into Michael’s arms for their first kiss in front of Kingfisher Bookstore, with a view of Penn Cove in the background when the camera spins around them.

00:12:46-00:12:55
Sally, Michael, and their two little girls are in town as Sally tells Gillian via voiceover how “blissfully normal” life is.

00:15:08
A dog follows Michael and barks at him as he walks through town near Toby’s Tavern. Note the “Fine Food” sign which actually appears on the side of that building and can also be seen in Danny DeVito’s War of the Roses.

00:15:23
Michael is working in town as Sally hunts for the Death Watch Beetle at home, pulling up floorboards.

00:15:45
A large group of cyclists come down Main St. and turn the corner onto Front St.

00:16:20
Michael breathes a sigh of relief, believing he’s out of danger as the bikes depart into the distance. He is standing in the street between Salty Vons Waterfront Inn and Penn Cove Gallery when the truck comes. Back to the Island can also be seen in the background, where Practical Magic gifts and merchandise are sold today.

00:25:39
A high angle view down Front Street, from attorney’s office and Seaside Spa & Salon on the left to Coupeville Wharf on the right. Sally walks to work at her shop Verbena Botanicals (formerly the long-running Knead & Feed Bakery, now Molka Xete Mexican Kitchen). Over this view, the camera tilts down, pans right, and drops to street level, where we cut to the interior of the shop.

00:26:13
From the inside of the shop, Sally and her staff look out the window to where her daughters act out silly scenes on the street for them.

00:26:28
A pack of kids walk down Main St. to where it meets Front St, and see the Owens girls across the way, at Sally’s shop.

00:26:36
The local kids repeat the earlier “Witch, witch, you’re a bitch” taunt at the Owens girls.

00:26:45
A birds eye view shows Sally coming out of the shop to defend her girls and break up the commotion. Note the real “McPherson & McPherson” sign on the attorneys’ office behind local kids and their parents at the 00:27:00 mark.

00:27:22
Owens girls walk off hand in hand along the boardwalk area above the deck lookout beside the shop that serves as Sally’s store.

00:44:38
A shot of downtown features Toby’s Tavern dressed up as the “Catch & Fry” with a big “Fish” sign on the roof.

00:44:42
Gillian tests the merchandise at Sally’s shop.

00:45:08
Sally leaves the shop, with a view across to Main Street and a glimpse of the Anchorage Inn up the hill.

00:45:11
The staff in Sally’s shop explain Phone Tree Day to Gillian.

01:01:55
Detective Hallet (Aiden Quinn) asks around town about the Owens sisters.

01:02:40-01:04:37
Hallet talks to the staff in Sally’s shop and glimpses her magic with the self-stirring coffee. She follows him outside and they have a discussion on the sidewalk while a boat sails by on Penn Cove in the background.

01:15:55-01:16:30
Hallet walks back into town after the ill-fated breakfast at the Owens house. He walks past real places Mariners Court, Kapaw’s Iskreme, and The Jan McGregor Studio. All of these feature their real signs, except for Kapaw’s which just reads “ice cream”. Sally chases down Hallet, compelled to confess.

01:20:05
Sally walks up a path that leads from Coupeville Wharf to the park up the hill. She senses something is wrong at home and begins running.

01:20:15
Sally reaches the top of the path with a beautiful view of the Coupeville Wharf and Penn Cove in the background. A very fitting final shot of Whidbey for the movie.

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