Why You Need To Visit Wilmington, NC If You’re A One Tree Hill Fan
The TV series One Tree Hill came out in 2003, during my sophomore year of high school, and I was hooked from episode one. It became my favorite show and remains to be to this day. If you’re a fan of this show, you need to make a trip to Wilmington, where the show was filmed. It will give you all the OTH feels.
Visit Filming Locations
Despite the show first airing 15 years ago and airing the season finale 7 years ago, there are still tons of spots in Wilmington that you can visit. Take a drive past some of your favorite character’s homes: Lucas Scott, Peyton Sawyer, Brooke Davis, Nathan Scott, and Haley James, just to name a few. One thing to note though: if you do visit these homes, please respect the now-owners. It might be cool to take a picture in front of Lucas’s bedroom door, but you don’t want to be arrested for trespassing!
Sadly, the River Court has been destroyed since the show. But, you can visit the spot where it once stood! It’s a perfect photo opportunity as you can see the great city of Wilmington just across Cape Fear. Even though you can’t stand on the River Court, you still get the chance to see what that backdrop looked like when Lucas and Nathan stood in that same spot. It’s pretty cool!
If you’re of drinking age, you must visit Blue Post, a dive bar just off the main strip in downtown Wilmington. This is the spot where Brooke and Lucas had their first date in season one. In fact, I’m almost positive all the bar scenes from season one were filmed here. Either way, when you step into this place, prepare to walk into a time capsule. They haven’t changed a thing since they filmed that episode!
You can also visit Tric, Tree Hill High School, the bridge from the opening sequence, and so much more. Do a simple Google search, and you’ll find all the addresses you need to check out your favorite spots.
Quaint Small Town
Unfortunately, Tree Hill, NC is not a real town. Fortunately, Wilmington, NC is. The town is just as quaint and cute as Tree Hill is. Take a walk through downtown and you will find quaint shops, delicious local restaurants, and gorgeous architecture. You’ll definitely recognize some filming locations here as well! Of course, there’s Karen’s Café (which is now an outdoor store). There’s also the Dixie Grill, which was used quite a bit in the last couple of seasons. It’s a yummy breakfast spot, so not only do you get to check out a filming location, but you can enjoy some delicious southern breakfast foods!
Another key spot on this show was the River Walk, a walking path that spread across Cape Fear. It’s a great spot to take a stroll, go for a run, or enjoy a cup of coffee! Seriously, if I lived there, I would walk the River Walk daily. It’s so beautiful and relaxing.
Proximity To The Beach
If you like the beach, you’re in luck in Wilmington because there are plenty of beaches not far from downtown. Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach are two of my favorites! Plus, what I love about them is they aren’t like beaches at Myrtle Beach, which are crazy crowded. These beaches seem much more private.
As a fan of the show, you know nearly everyone has a beach house. Why not visit those as well? You thought seeing these houses on screen was incredible? Wait until you see them in all their glory. Just, wow!
Makes A Great Vacation
Fans of the show love to visit Wilmington, but they’re not the only ones who can enjoy it! Wilmington is a fantastic vacation spot. You get beaches close by. There’s a quaint downtown area to enjoy. Plus, there are tons of attractions and festivals going on. You’ll never be short on what to do in this amazing spot. So, add Wilmington to your bucket list! You won’t be disappointed.
