3 Days in Wilmington, North Carolina: What to Do and Recommendations

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If you’re a TV fan like me, Wilmington, North Carolina is basically paradise. I’ve been a huge One Tree Hill fan for years (I watched it religiously back in the day), so visiting the filming locations has always been a dream.

But funny enough, Wilmington isn’t just about OTH—it’s actually called the Hollywood of the East Coast and has hosted a ton of shows and movies. If you loved Dawson’s Creek or more recently The Summer I Turned Pretty, then you’ve definitely seen Wilmington on screen without even realizing it. That’s why this trip felt so special—getting to explore the city through the lens of all these shows I grew up with and still love.

Beyond the filming locations, Wilmington has a lot to offer. You’ve got a walkable historic downtown filled with shops, a pretty riverwalk, beaches only a short drive away, and of course plenty of good food. What I really loved was how easy it was to balance a day of sightseeing with some downtime at the beach or just hanging out by the boardwalk in the evening. The vibe here is relaxed but also full of little surprises (like spotting an alligator near the Battleship park or stumbling on a plaque marking a One Tree Hill bench).

If you’re planning a trip, three days is the sweet spot. You’ll have enough time to explore the main filming spots, soak up the coastal atmosphere, and sneak in a few local eats that are genuinely worth your time. I’ll walk you through exactly how we spent our three days, with all the details on where to go, what to see, and where to eat. And don’t worry—even if you’re not a die-hard fan of the shows, a lot of these places are still cool to check out.

Where to Stay

For hotels in Wilmington, I recommend checking out Booking. It’s super handy since you can see hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals all on one map—making it easy to book something close to downtown or even by the beach.

Booking Activities

If you want to add tours or activities to your trip (like guided walks, boat tours, or even day trips), GetYourGuide is the best place to book. It’s user-friendly, and you can see reviews before booking so you know exactly what to expect.

Where to Eat in Wilmington

• Chopt: Perfect for personalized salads that are actually delicious. Big portions, really fresh, and so good we went back to one in South Carolina.
• Rebellion: Located downtown. The service was excellent, and the food was genuinely good (and we’re European, so that says a lot!). We got the wings and the classic burger with fries—both worth it.
• Sunny Daze Smokehouse: A great pick for BBQ. Perfect after a long day exploring the beaches.
• Cast Iron Kitchen: Amazing brunch spot with a chill vibe and really tasty food.

Day 1: One Tree Hill Walking Tour

Morning: Visiting the Houses and Iconic Spots

• Brooke’s House: 2312 Tattersalls Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403. Gorgeous neighborhood—worth a visit even if you aren’t a fan.

• Tric Building: 1121 South Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. This iconic club also doubled as Peyton’s record label later in the show. Bring a sharpie to leave your mark on the wall. I got to write on the wall and thought that was cool!

• Lucas’ House: 1829 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403. It was under renovation when we visited but still worth checking it out.

• One Tree Hill Sign: 1223 North 23rd St. Cool spot, and it’s close to the army base, so we actually saw planes flying overhead.

• Haley’s House: 1811 Chestnut St., Wilmington, NC 28405.
• Peyton’s House: 1901 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. Looked much smaller than it did on screen.

• 6th Street Bridge near Hanover Street: A must if you want to leave a note. Bring a sharpie or pen to write on the bridge.

• Battleship Park: The famous River Court location. Walking around here was really cool—we saw crabs and even an alligator near the boardwalk!

Afternoon: Downtown Filming Locations

• Wilmington Riverwalk: This is where you’ll find the Naley Bench with a plaque that explains its role in the show.

• Black Cat Shoppe: They sell OTH shirts, but honestly, I’d recommend the souvenir shop across the street instead—way better selection. I ended up getting a Wilmington sweater and an OTH T-shirt there.
• Karen’s Café: 300 North Front St. Used in the pilot.
• Clothes Over Bros/Karen’s Café Corner: Grace Street at North Front Street. It’s a store now but still fun to walk around.
• Tree Hill High School: Front entrance of the Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center at 610 North Front St. Walkable from the Riverwalk. It definitely looks smaller in real life!

For dinner, we recommend going to Rebellion, downtown Wilmington. We got the wings and a burger and it was really good! Also, note that during the week, parking is free after 6 pm – we didn’t know and were scrambling for change for the meters until kind locals told us!

Day 2: Beach Day

The beaches are a big deal in all the shows filmed here, and they’re stunning in real life too.

• Johnnie Mercer Fishing Pier, Wrightsville: Great spot for a beach walk.

• Crystal Pier: Have lunch at Oceanic Restaurant, where The Summer I Turned Pretty filmed the restaurant scene. We got the tuna salad and the tacos. The food was good. I wouldn’t rave about it but the scenery, getting to eat on the beach, the view and it being a filming location made it cool.

• Fort Fisher State Recreation Area: This is where Nathan and Haley got married by the rocks in OTH. It’s a beautiful setting and the visit of the fort is actually free. Be aware that the parking lot closes around 5pm in the summer. We hadn’t planned on visiting it but we still got to walk around, see the canons, and we even saw some deer. If you don’t want to worry about the gates, you can park down the road on a different lot and then walk there (it’s about a 5 minute walk).

• Kure Beach Pier: Some TSITP scenes were filmed here, and it’s a nice walk and very nice beach.

• Carolina Beach: Great for walking the boardwalk. There’s a fair with a Ferris wheel where they filmed scenes from Season 2 of TSITP. Be mindful of the turtle nests on the sand—they’re protected.

Dinner: Head to Sunny Daze Smokehouse for BBQ, then enjoy the swinging chairs on the Carolina Beach boardwalk.

Insider Tip: You might spot dolphins at Kure Beach or Carolina Beach. We weren’t lucky this time, but keep an eye out.

Day 3: Wrap Up & Travel Time

We stayed at Portners Neck Plantation community, which is where they filmed the indoor prom and the rainy prom scene between Belly and Conrad in TSITP. The golf course here was also used for the scene where everyone sleeps outside. This is a private community so there is no public access. However, you can see the golf course from the road. So if you want to drive by you can (there is space to pull up). Other scenes were filmed at the Cape Fear Country Club which is also private.

If you want to squeeze in a few more filming spots before leaving:

• Quinn and Clay’s House: 650 New River Inlet Rd., North Topsail Beach, NC 28460.
• Scott House: 1621 Country Club Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403.
• Tric/Red Bedroom Records: 1121 S Front St., Wilmington, NC 28401.

Brunch: End your trip at Cast Iron Kitchen for a laid-back but really good meal before heading out. We both got the Southern breakfast and loved it!

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