All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
One girl, two brothers, and a messy love triangle that’s bound for a bittersweet ending—what’s summer without a juicy rom-dram? On June 16, Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah return for the third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, the Prime Video series based on the Jenny Han novel trilogy of the same name (she’s also the author behind To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before). Ever since the first season premiered back in 2022, the show has amassed a religious fanbase spanning multiple generations, with viewers falling into one of two categories: Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah. (Well, and Team Staylor, but that’s going too far down the rabbit hole.)
A detail all viewers can rally behind, however, is the show’s quintessential summer backdrop. The Summer I Turned Pretty was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the show is set in the fictional town of Cousins Beach.
- Where Was The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed?
- What to Do in Wilmington, NC
- Where to Stay in Wilmington, NC
- Where to Eat and Drink
- What to Pack
If the destination looks familiar, that’s because you’ve likely seen it before. Wilmington has been the filming location for many, many other coming-of-age dramas over the years, including Dawson’s Creek and A Walk to Remember. It’s also a travel destination in its own right. Wilmington captures the visceral essence of coastal culture with its relaxed downtown river district and three island beaches that feel worlds away from reality. Whether you’re a Pretty devotee seeking to retrace the steps of your favorite characters, or simply want a new underrated beach town to discover this summer, the Wilmington, NC travel guide ahead should serve you well.
Where Was The Summer I Turned Pretty Filmed?
Earning the nickname of “Wilmywood” and “Hollywood East,” Wilmington, North Carolina has a long list of film and TV credits; it has provided a scenic backdrop for iconic productions over the decades, including One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek. Joining the town s legacy of fostering angsty teen drama, The Summer I Turned Pretty is its newest cinematic accolade. While in town, fans can go on a self-guided walking tour to see and experience popular sites from the Prime Video series.
What to Do in Wilmington, NC
In the second episode of the series, “Summer Dress,” the girls descend upon a fictional boutique called Blush Haus of Beauté to find a perfect gown for the debutante ball. This was filmed at Camille s of Wilmington, which is a local bridal shop. If you happen to be engaged or need a new tuxedo, pop into the boutique to see their latest arrivals.
When Belly and her fellow debutantes hosted a volleyball tournament to raise money for charity, they did so at Capt’n Bill’s Backyard Grill Volleyball Facility. Although the show makes it appear as though the game takes place on the beach, Capt’n Bill’s is set on sand in a northern neighborhood further inland (which proves useful when the weather is unreliable). On top of the volleyball courts, there’s also a grill and on-site brewery, making for a lively day in the sun.
No coastal getaway is complete without a pier cameo, so make your way to Crystal Pier at nearby Wrightsville Beach where the show has also filmed.
Swing by Papercut Books in downtown Wilmington to pick up a new title to read on the beach. This small independent bookstore specializes in new and lightly used books and is the Whale of a Tale bookshop in fictional Cousins Beach.
Swing by Carolina Beach Boardwalk to ride the ferris wheel, play a few games, and soak up a little summertime fun à la Belly, Jeremiah, Conrad, and company.
Soak up the sun rays with a bicycle ride along the coast. To align your route with The Summer I Turned Pretty, head for Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach (as featured in episode five, “Summer Catch”).
Where to Stay in Wilmington, NC
With 34 rooms, a courtyard gazebo bar, and a Southern coastal restaurant, Arrive Wilmington by Palisociety is one of the destination’s most covetable bookings. When you’re not hitting Pretty hotspots around town, play a few lawn games at the property or cozy up at the fire pit with a cocktail. (Editor’s tip: Check out their Field Guide for an inside look at some of Wilmington’s most special spots.)
This four-room property is located in the center of Wilmington’s historic district and bridges the gap between a boutique hotel and home rental. The design at Dreamers (which is housed within an 1895 Queen Anne–style house) is intentionally distinct, with each room embodying a different persona. (We’re partial to ‘The Visionary’ room with its ceiling to floor Yves Klein Blue paint.)
Where to Eat and Drink
This beloved dive bar has been open since the ’80s and has a ‘walk-in cooler’ where you can select your own brew (the cooler is a large refrigerated trailer). It s also where characters Laurel and Susannah enjoy drinks in The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Olivero owner and chef Sunny Gerhart is a 2025 James Beard Foundation semifinalist and brings together flavors from Sevilla, Sicily, and Tangier alongside his co-executive chef Lauren Krall. As a nod to his Louisiana background, there’s a beignet on the menu served with mortadella, fontina fonduta, and Calabrian hot honey.
Seabird’s signature Seasonal Seafood Tower is a mouthwatering showcase of North Carolina seafood and shellfish (come hungry). The restaurants is in a historic building in downtown Wilmington and all of their seafood is caught by local, small-scale “fisherpeople.”
Hop in the car and make the quick 30-minute drive to Burgaw to visit the farm stand Belly and Jeremiah picked up a pie from in the show. At the real Old River Farms, you can pick and assemble your own floral bouquet and shop artisanal goods like soaps, organic bug sprays, and honey.
One of the first chefs in the area to embrace the farm-and-sea-to-table movement, Catch owner and chef Keith Rhodes is also a former James Beard Foundation nominee as well as a previous contestant on Top Chef. Don’t miss the cajun crusted North Carolina oysters.
What to Pack
The average temperatures in Wilmington are 58 degrees in winter; 74 degrees in spring; 88 degrees in summer; and 76 degrees in fall. Wilmington’s general ambience is casual coastal, so pack your favorite nautical staples and relaxed separates. And don’t forget a warm layer for chilly evenings by the water.
