Inside the Real-Life ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Town—and Its Impressive Hollywood History
🎬 Real Cousins Beach: Wilmington, North Carolina
While Cousins Beach is a fictional seaside haven inspired by Cape Cod, the Hamptons, and Nags Head, the entire series was filmed in and around Wilmington, NC—affectionately known as “Wilmywood” for its prolific film scene, from Dawson’s Creek to One Tree Hill and Iron Man 3 House Beautiful+10Seventeen+10Cosmopolitan+10.
🌊 Iconic Filming Spots & Scenes
-
Beaches:
Major scenes—including the bonfire nights and the emotionally charged snow-on-the-beach sequence—were shot at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Other scenic backdrops include Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach ELLE+7People.com+7Wilmington & Beaches+7. -
Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach provided the romantic setting for Belly and Conrad’s kiss and coastal strolls—perfect for recreating those iconic moments Seventeen+8People.com+8Wilmington & Beaches+8.
-
Cycling & scenic shots: Belly and Cam ride along coastal sidewalks near the Fort Fisher Monument and Historic Site—a favorite filming corridor Decider+11People.com+11Wilmington & Beaches+11.
🏠 The Fisher Family Beach House
-
Exterior footage: Filmed at a luxury estate in the gated Porters Neck Plantation community—a true East Coast Cedar-shake mansion with private dock, tennis court, and infinity pool IMDb+9ELLE+9People.com+9.
-
Interior scenes: Shot at Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington to maintain privacy and production control Sportskeeda+10People.com+10Decider+10.
🏌️ Other Classic Wilmington Locations in the Series
-
Cape Fear Country Club: Served as the setting for Belly’s debutante dance and the summer job scenes. Interestingly, it’s North Carolina’s oldest private country club Cosmopolitan+13Coast & Port+13marie claire+13.
-
Papercut Books: Doubles as Laurel’s Whale of a Tale Bookshop during her author event. Fans can actually visit this indie bookstore downtown Vogue+5Coast & Port+5People.com+5.
-
Russell’s Gas & Groceries: The quaint convenience store from the pilot where Belly stops before the summer house—a real Wilmington roadside spot Screen Rant+11People.com+11Wilmington & Beaches+11.
-
**Other local scenes**:
⋅ The Fat Pelican bar in Carolina Beach (featured in a memorable girls’ night scene)
⋅ Rooster & The Crow restaurant and Hell's Kitchen lounge (longtime favorites among fans)
⋅ Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Jungle Rapids (used for amusement-park fun and summer vibes)
⋅ UNC Wilmington stood in for Brown University scenes, keeping with Jenny Han’s alma mater tie-in VogueVogue+4ELLE+4People.com+4Glamour+2People.com+2Decider+2.
🌟 Wilmington: Hollywood East
-
Beyond TSITP, Wilmington has hosted numerous beloved teen dramas, including One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek. This cinematic legacy helped create a bustling film-friendly environment ideal for storytelling and tourism alike People.com+8Vogue+8ELLE+8.
-
Fans can enjoy self-guided tours to visit these spots—Oak-lined coastal paths, boutique shops, restaurants, and serene beaches—immersing themselves in the on-screen magic VogueWilmington & BeachesAffpot.
🧭 Summary Table
| Fictional Setting | Real-Life Filming Location |
|---|---|
| Cousins Beach (Mass.) | Wilmington, NC (Carolina, Kure, Wrightsville, Fort Fisher) |
| Fisher Beach House (Mass.) | Porters Neck Plantation (Wilmington area) |
| Country Club | Cape Fear Country Club |
| Bookshop (Whale of a Tale) | Papercut Books (downtown Wilmington) |
| Gas Station | Russell’s Gas & Groceries |
| University (Brown) | University of North Carolina Wilmington |
Wilmington’s charm—with its beaches, historic downtown, and cinematic pedigree—brings Cousins Beach to vivid life. Whether you're a fan of Belly’s summer journeys or Johnny’s debutante moments, this real-world setting offers a perfect slice of coastal escapism.
0 Comments