The “Summer I Turned Pretty” Filming Locations: Complete Guide

We’ve spent hours mapping every real-world location used across all three seasons of The Summer I Turned Pretty — from Cousins Beach to Paris.

Finding accurate information is harder than it should be. Most guides list locations without telling you which scenes were filmed there, whether you can actually visit, or how to connect the dots into a real trip.

This guide gives you every confirmed filming location, what happened there on screen, and exactly how to visit each one.

QUICK ANSWER: The Summer I Turned Pretty was filmed primarily in Wilmington, North Carolina, and surrounding areas including Southport, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. Southport stands in for the fictional Cousins Beach town. The Fisher house is in Porters Neck Plantation — a private community. Season 3’s final episodes were filmed on location in Paris, France.

Where Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Actually Set?

The show is set in the fictional Cousins Beach — a sun-soaked coastal town somewhere along the US East Coast.

• Avoid confusing the setting with the filming location — they are different
• The books imply Cousins Beach is in the Carolinas, roughly five hours from Boston
• Production chose Wilmington, NC, as its filming hub from Season 1 onward
• Wilmington’s nickname “Wilmywood” comes from decades of major productions filming there
• Southport, NC — 30 miles south of Wilmington — doubles as the Cousins Beach town center
• Interior scenes for many locations were filmed at Cinespace Studios in Wilmington

The show stitches together multiple real towns to create one fictional place. Keep that in mind as you plan your visit.

Cousins Beach in Real Life: Southport, NC

Southport, a historic coastal town, was used again and again to create the fictional town of Cousins Beach throughout the series’ three seasons. Oak Island Rentals

• Visit Southport first — it delivers the most concentrated TSITP experience
• Drive along West Bay Street to see the iconic Cousins Beach riverwalk establishing shots
• Park downtown and walk East Moore Street to hit multiple locations on foot
• Allow half a day minimum to explore the full Southport filming circuit
• Southport is a 45-minute drive south of Wilmington via US-17

The “Entering Cousins Beach” Sign

West Bay Street, which includes the city’s Riverwalk, served as a major establishing shot for Cousins Beach and the location of the iconic “Entering Cousins Beach” marker. You can stand at this exact spot for photos. Oak Island Rentals

The river pilot tower visible in the background is one of Southport’s most recognizable landmarks. It appears in multiple establishing shots across all three seasons.

East Moore Street & Downtown Southport

Numerous shops along East Moore Street helped to establish the small town location of Cousins Beach throughout the series’ three seasons. The street appears in holiday scenes and shopping sequences, including Belly and Conrad’s first Christmas visit to Cousins. Oak Island Rentals

In Season 3, Conrad and Belly drive throughout downtown Southport and along Howe Street between wedding errands. Walk Howe Street slowly — you’ll recognize the storefronts. Oak Island Rentals

The Whale of a Tale Bookshop Exterior

The State Port Pilot, a local newspaper serving the greater Southport–Oak Island area since 1928, served as the exterior of Cousins Beach’s Whale of a Tale Bookshop in the early seasons. The interior later moved to Papercut Books in downtown Wilmington. Oak Island Rentals

Old Elegance Antiques was transformed into Maureen’s Millinery for the series — the shop where Susannah, Belly, and Laurel shopped for fascinators ahead of deb season. Oak Island Rentals

The Fisher Beach House: Can You Visit It?

This is the most-searched TSITP location — and the most misunderstood one.

• The house is a private residence — do not approach or trespass
• Exterior shots are possible from public roads nearby
• Interior scenes were not filmed here; they were shot at Cinespace Studios in Wilmington
• The production team made significant landscaping changes for the Cape Cod aesthetic
• Fans regularly do drive-by visits along Futch Creek Road

Porters Neck Plantation

The beach house was actually filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, specifically in a gated golf-course neighborhood known as Porters Neck Plantation. ele HOME

Built on Futch Creek, this luxury community is surrounded by ponds, lakes, creeks, and protected natural areas. The gated entrance means you cannot drive inside, but the surrounding roads offer some views. Atlas of Wonders

What the House Looks Like in Real Life

The actual house is a real-life mansion, with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, infinity pool and private dock. According to real estate websites, this spectacular home, built in 2005, boasts 6,144 square feet of space and has an estimated market value of about two million dollars. Marie ClaireAtlas of Wonders

To nail the Cape Cod feel, the production team did more than just find the perfect home — they reshaped the landscape. Palm trees were removed, and hydrangeas were planted in droves. ele HOME

INSIDER SECRET: The prom scene in Season 2 was filmed at the on-site country club at Porters Neck — not at the Fisher house itself. Several locations fans assume are the same property are actually different spots within the same neighborhood.

Wrightsville Beach: The Heart of Cousins Beach

Wrightsville Beach is one of the show’s most iconic filming spots, doubling as the dreamy shores of Cousins Beach. Most of the beach scenes — bonfires, Fourth of July moments, and long walks — were captured here. Bovenderteam

• Plan a full day at Wrightsville Beach to cover all key spots
• Arrive early for parking — it fills fast in summer months
• Crystal Pier is walkable from the main beach access points
• The Oceanic restaurant requires a reservation for weekend dining
• Wrightsville Beach is a 15-minute drive east from downtown Wilmington

Crystal Pier & The Oceanic Restaurant

Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach is where you’ll find the Oceanic, an Atlantic-facing seafood restaurant that served as the setting for the dramatic moment in Season 3 when Belly announces she’s engaged to one of the brothers. Frommers

Request upstairs seating for ocean views that match what you saw on screen. The pier itself is photographable from the beach — and it looks exactly as it does in the show.

Wrightsville Beach Access 40

This specific beach access point appeared in Season 1 as the beach Belly and Jeremiah use to reach the water from the house. Wrightsville Beach Access 40 is the beach access used by Jeremiah and Belly in Season 1. It’s a public access point — just follow the numbered beach access signs. TikTok

Carolina Yacht Club

The Carolina Yacht Club at 401 S Lumina Ave was used for some of the posh debutante scenes, offering an elegant coastal vibe that fits perfectly into the show’s storyline. The building is visible from the road, though the interior is members-only. Bovenderteam

Carolina Beach & Kure Beach Filming Spots

These two beaches south of Wilmington handle the more casual, fun-filled scenes of the show.

• Carolina Beach Boardwalk is free to walk and fully accessible to the public
• Jungle Rapids is open year-round — a solid backup on rainy days
• Fort Fisher requires a short drive but offers the most dramatic beach scenery
• The nighttime bonfires of Season 1 took place at Kure Beach’s Fort Fisher State Recreation Area — where bonfires aren’t allowed in real life Frommers
• Budget 3–4 hours to cover both beaches in one day

Carolina Beach Boardwalk

The teens go to spend the day at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk at Pleasure Island in Season 2. The nearly 100-foot Ferris wheel and the Cousins Beach Arcade are located in this popular East Coast vacation destination built in the 1930s. Atlas of Wonders

The boardwalk is exactly as it appears on screen. The Ferris wheel, arcade games, and food stands are all operational during summer months.

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

Though all exterior arcade shots from Season 2 were filmed on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, the interior arcade and go-kart scenes were filmed at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. Wilmington & Beaches

The laser tag, the rock climbing wall, and the go-kart track called the Cousins Beach Jungle Raceway are located at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park in Wilmington. It’s open year-round, making it one of the most reliably visitable spots on this list. Atlas of Wonders

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Remember when Belly and Conrad ran through the snow on the beach in Season 2? Most of that was filmed at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach. Visit North Carolina

In Season 1, Belly and Cam are cycling near the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach, Pleasure Island. Park at the main entrance and use the central beach access. The beach here is wider and less crowded than Wrightsville. Atlas of Wonders

Downtown Wilmington: Season 2 & 3 Locations

Downtown Wilmington carries most of the show’s everyday life scenes — coffee shops, bookstores, bars, and restaurants.

• Front Street is the main strip — walk it end to end for multiple recognizable spots
• Most businesses here are open daily and welcome TSITP fans
• Many of the show’s interior shots weren’t filmed where the exteriors were captured, but at Wilmington’s Cinespace Studios Frommers
• Airlie Gardens at 300 Airlie Rd appears in quieter romantic scenes — worth a visit regardless
• The University of North Carolina Wilmington campus stood in for both Brown University and Conrad’s dorm Atlas of Wonders

Papercut Books (Whale of a Tale Interior)

Serving as the stand-in for Whale of a Tale Bookshop is Papercut Books, an indie bookstore in the heart of downtown. You can browse new and used books — and yes, they stock Jenny Han’s novels. It’s one of the most fan-visited spots in Wilmington. Wilmington & Beaches

Bespoke Coffee & Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria

Bespoke Coffee in downtown Wilmington is where Belly and Taylor sip iced lattes and chat about life in Season 3. The branded merch here makes for a strong souvenir. Wilmington & Beaches

Belly and Steven share a heart-to-heart at Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria in Season 3. Known for its wood-fired pizzas, hot honey drizzle and craft cocktails, for the full TV moment, request a table near the recognizable cheese grater mural in the back. Wilmington & Beaches

UNCW Campus (Brown & Finch Universities)

The scenes at Brown University were filmed on the University of North Carolina campus at Wilmington. The elegant Alderman Hall, featured in the first episode, hosts some of the college’s administrative offices. Atlas of Wonders

The fictional Finch College first appears in the seventh episode — it’s actually the courtyard of St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. Both are accessible during regular hours. Atlas of Wonders

Season 3 Paris Filming Locations

The final three episodes of Season 3 mark a dramatic shift in setting. Production filmed on location across Paris — and it shows.

• The entire Paris sequence is exclusive to the show and was not included in The Summer I Turned Pretty books Whatshotblog
• The airport scenes in episodes 8 and 9 were actually filmed at Charles de Gaulle Airport Destinationdreamerdiaries
• Belly’s neighborhood is set around the 10th arrondissement — Canal Saint-Martin area
• Most Paris locations are fully accessible to any visitor
• Many of the places Belly shops and spends time are all next to each other in the 10th arrondissement Destinationdreamerdiaries

Canal Saint-Martin

Season 3 episode 10 starts with Belly on the phone calling her mom from one of the infamous green bridges along the Canal Saint-Martin while eating a pain au chocolat. Destinationdreamerdiaries

This is one of the most recreatable moments in the entire Paris sequence. The green footbridges are iconic, photogenic, and easy to reach via the Jacques Bonsergent or République metro stops.

Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

23 Rue de Chevalier de la Barre is the exact location outside Belly’s new apartment where Conrad sits to wait for her to come home in The Summer I Turned Pretty finale. Flytographer

The street sits directly below the Sacré-Cœur basilica in Montmartre. Belly and Conrad share key moments in Paris, including a visit to the Louvre, one of the city’s most iconic sights. South China Morning Post

The Louvre & Versailles

Key scenes in Season 3 were shot at the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. Both require advance ticket booking — especially Versailles, which sells out weeks ahead in summer. GrahmsGuide

The Louvre scenes add visual grandeur to Conrad and Belly’s Paris relationship arc. Standing in those same galleries with the same views is genuinely moving for fans of the show.

How to Plan Your TSITP Location Tour

Travelers who visit Wilmington often underestimate how spread out the filming locations are.

• Use Southport as your Day 1 base — it’s most concentrated and requires the most time
• Stay in downtown Wilmington for central access to Days 2 and 3
• Rent a car — public transport does not connect most filming spots efficiently
• For an exhaustive list of Wilmington area filming locations with a map and driving directions, the region’s official tourism website WilmingtonandBeaches.com maintains a current guide Frommers
• Add Paris as a separate trip — attempting both in one itinerary is not realistic

Suggested 3-Day Wilmington TSITP Itinerary:

• Day 1: Southport — Riverwalk, East Moore Street, Howe Street, bookshop exteriors
• Day 2: Wrightsville Beach — Crystal Pier, Oceanic, Beach Access 40; evening in downtown Wilmington
• Day 3: Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Jungle Rapids, Fort Fisher; drive past Porters Neck Plantation on the way back

The Verdict

Our research confirms what fans already sense: Wilmington, North Carolina, is one of the most accessible TV filming destinations in the US. Most locations are free, open to the public, and within a 45-minute driving radius. Southport delivers the strongest “Cousins Beach” feeling — walk East Moore Street at dusk and you’ll understand why production kept coming back. The Fisher house remains private and should be treated with respect. For Season 3 completists, Paris is worth it — the Canal Saint-Martin and Montmartre locations are among the most beautiful spots in the city, TSITP fan or not. Plan three days in Wilmington, book the Paris trip separately, and bring a copy of the books for the flight.