A Millennial Day in Wilmington, NC

Why Wilmington Is the Ultimate Millennial Summer Stop

When I came up with the idea for Millennial Summer, one of the internal conflicts I faced was the question: “How much do I include actual filming locations?”

On one hand, I knew those spots were part of the draw — the physical connection to our feelings of nostalgia, the literal places that hold pieces of our teenage dreams. On the other, I wanted to leave room for the real-life cities to shine on their own, as well as for your own unique experiences to unfold.

In the full Millennial Summer travel guide, I chose to share some of the locations that could be found in each city, rather than giving exact addresses — almost like a scavenger hunt to get you out exploring. But as I drove into each city during the first act of this summer travel series, my friend and I found ourselves Googling several of the places we were curious to see.

While a few were spot-on, others left us plain frustrated. Every post we found about the wall Pacey bought for Joey in Dawson’s Creek led us in different directions, and none actually brought us to the wall. Through our own wandering, though, we eventually stumbled upon it on our last night in Wilmington.

Part of me wants to let you stumble upon it too. But the other part of me wants you to enjoy your time in Wilmington (and the other cities) without feeling defeated or disappointed if you can’t find a beloved spot.

So below is how I’d spend a day in Wilmington — enough Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill vibes to satisfy your millennial heart, while still leaving room for the city to play its own leading role.

The moment you set foot in downtown Wilmington, you’re already on the right path for a Millennial Moments experience. Whether you start by walking along the river or wandering through the charming shops downtown, you’ll feel the nostalgia kicking in almost immediately.

Coffee and Creek Vibes to Start Your Day in Wilmington

Between Luke’s Café in Gilmore Girls and Karen’s Café in One Tree Hill, coffee shops are the epitome of Millennial vibes. While Karen’s Café isn’t a real-life location, Maroon Monkey more than makes up for it — serving both charming coffeehouse energy and absolutely delicious coffee.

I loved the café and coffee so much that I was genuinely sad I hadn’t gone there on my first day. So, learn from my mistake and kick off your first (or only) day in Wilmington with a visit to Maroon Monkey Coffee. Whether you’re staying in a hotel along the Riverwalk and want to get your steps in while you start your day, or you’re driving by on your way to the first official filming location, you really can’t go wrong.

Tip: Follow them on social media to see when they transform into Karen’s Café around the holidays!

Airlie Gardens: A Dawson’s Creek Filming Location Worth the Hype

Whether you’re spending one day or several exploring Millennial moments in Wilmington, NC, Airlie Gardens is the perfect place to experience both full-on filming-location vibes and a touch of local magic.

First introduced to the millennial world as The Ruins in Season 1 of Dawson’s Creek, you’ll recognize Airlie Gardens as the backdrop for Dawson and Jen’s first kiss — and Pacey and Ms. Jacobs’s clandestine romance. While all of Airlie Gardens is beautiful, you’ll want to head for the Pergola Garden. Simply ask the person at the front desk to point it out on the map, then enjoy your walk.

At only $10 per person and a short drive from Historic Wilmington, there is no better way to kick off a Millennial Day in Wilmington (or a Millennial Road Trip) than at Airlie Gardens.

Tip: If you can get there close to opening, you’ll have a good chance of having the Pergola Garden to yourself for those dreamy photos — unless there’s a bride there, like I ran into. Still, despite the wedding photoshoot, my friend and I managed to get some great shots by patiently waiting for her to finish up.

Extended Day Trip in Wilmington, North Carolina

If you’re spending two or more days in Wilmington and want to see more filming locations from Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill, I’d recommend extending your visit to Airlie Gardens into a full day trip.

Maroon Monkey – Grab coffee to go on your way to Airlie Gardens.

Airlie Gardens – Spend the morning walking the trails and taking in the scenery.

Wrightsville Beach – Drive to Wrightsville Beach and visit the pier, or enjoy wandering through town. While it’s not an exact filming location for either show, it was featured in A Walk to Remember and gives full Millennial vibes.

Bluewater Waterfront Grill – Stop for an afternoon cocktail or lunch at the restaurant where the Miss Seabreeze pageant was filmed in Dawson’s Creek. You can imagine Joey singing Les Misérables while watching the boats glide into the dock.

Dawson’s House – If you decide to venture to the famous house along the creek, it’s best to go on your way back from Wrightsville Beach, since it’s located a bit outside of downtown Wilmington. Disclaimer: This is a private residence with a long driveway, so please be mindful and respectful if you choose to visit.

Brooke’s House – Begin your One Tree Hill crossover by driving by Brooke’s house on your way back from Dawson’s. Located in a quiet neighborhood just outside downtown, you can easily pass by and enjoy a view of the iconic red door.

Lucas’s House – Found in Wilmington’s historic district, Lucas’s house is an easy stop as you move closer to downtown. It’s on a one-way street, so be mindful of traffic — you can always loop around for another look.

Peyton’s House – Just a few streets over from Lucas’s, Peyton’s house is another quick drive-by. You might see locals walking their dogs as you slow down to snap a photo.

The Bridge – Before heading back to your hotel, stop by the iconic One Tree Hill Bridge (aka the Harry Forden Bridge). Bonus points if you visit at dusk to capture that classic opening-scene glow.

Depending on how long you spend at Airlie Gardens and Wrightsville Beach, driving to each of these filming locations can easily fill a full day. If you only have one day to explore, I’d suggest visiting Airlie Gardens, then heading back toward the Riverwalk to enjoy Wilmington on foot. While the houses are fun to drive by, that’s all you can really do — so you may get more out of soaking up the city itself, beyond the filming locations.

If you want a little bit of a mix, you could easily drive by Lucas’s and Peyton’s houses on your way in or out of town.

Lunch and Nostalgia: Hell’s Kitchen Wilmington

After exploring Airlie Gardens, head back to downtown Wilmington to keep the Dawson’s Creek vibes going. If you’re already hungry, start with lunch at Hell’s Kitchen - a local bar used as a filming location during the Dawson’s Creek college years, where Joey worked with Eddie.

It’s a fun stop that feels just like it looks on the show. Grab a quick bite here to refuel before continuing your day of exploring. Keep in mind, this is a bar - which means classic bar food - so it’s definitely more of a nostalgia stop than a foodie destination. Whether you are there for the food, drinks, or nostalgia, make sure to duck into the restroom and see the debate between which Millennial Couples people still ship. 

Note: Hell’s Kitchen also makes a great late-night stop for a snack or beer, depending on where your day takes you.

Joey’s Wall: Finding Wilmington’s Hidden Dawson’s Creek Landmark

 As I mentioned above, this location almost didn’t happen for us! Every place that listed an address led us somewhere odd. We were close to giving up when we finally stumbled upon it while wandering around Wilmington on our last night.

Part of me hates to take away the excitement of that kind of discovery — but the other part wants you to enjoy your trip without the frustration of missing out on such an iconic spot.

The wall is located on the corner of Front Street and Dock Street. However, you need to be on Dock Street to actually see it! This is where most directions go wrong — they’ll tell you it’s on Front Street, and while the building technically faces Front, the wall itself does not.

The biggest clue you’re in the right place is the cobblestone street. The wall faces the cobblestone street, which is Dock Street. You’ll also know you’ve found it if you’re looking across the cobblestones toward the Reel Café patio. If you are, you’re standing right in front of the wall. Just peek over the half wall under the covered patio, and you’ll spot it = complete with “Ask me to Stay” scrawled on the door.

Whether you visit before or after refueling at Hell’s Kitchen, it’s an easy walk between the two.

Enjoy Wandering Through Wilmington

This is where you get to be the wanderer. Take in the city on foot and see where it leads you - pop into shops, slip down side streets, and point to places saying, “I think that’s from…”

Whether you spend the entire afternoon exploring or regroup back at your hotel, the evening invites you to shift into the moodiness of One Tree Hill as you head back toward the center of town, with the Riverwalk as your focus.

TRIC: Step Into Tree Hill’s Music Scene

If you want to start your One Tree Hill tour earlier in the day, swap out an afternoon of wandering for a tour of TRIC. Housed in a historic building, this is the spot where Peyton brought live music to Tree Hill and helped launch Haley James’s career. Tours are offered almost every day of the week and can be booked through the Friends With Benefits website.

Want to go beyond just the tour? Check their site for one of their famous charity events, where you can meet cast members from One Tree Hill.

The Riverwalk: One Tree Hill’s Most Iconic Scene Location

If there’s one place that truly feels like One Tree Hill, it’s the Riverwalk. First featured early in Season 1 as the backdrop for the burning of the boat, this filming location is nothing short of iconic.

Head down right before sunset to watch the sunlight shimmer on the Cape Fear River, maybe pausing to sit on the steps of the Federal Building and imagine what you would have given to the burning boat.

Then, look across the river toward the remnants of the River Court.

Dine Along the Riverfront

If you want to dine along the riverfront, make reservations early! Unfortunately, we didn’t realize how quickly places fill up for dinner in this part of town and missed out on my first choice - Floriana.

With its picturesque wrought-iron balconies overlooking Old Wilmington and the Riverwalk, Floriana caught my eye the moment we drove into town. Already intrigued, I asked the front desk agent at our hotel for dinner recommendations, and she immediately suggested it. Sadly, when we went inside to ask for a table, they were booked for the entire evening - and this was on a Wednesday night in July.

So, while I haven’t been there yet, I’d still highly recommend it! Another great option, especially if you want to stick with filming locations, is Michael’s on the Waterfront. Located next door to Floriana, this restaurant served as the filming location for Leery’s Fresh Fish in Dawson’s Creek.

If you aren’t able (or don’t want) to dine along the Riverwalk, there are several other highly recommended restaurants in town, all within walking distance. We ended up dining at Circa 1922 and thoroughly enjoyed both the food and the drinks!

Naley’s Bench: A Must-See One Tree Hill Filming Location

Wherever you choose to dine, make your way back down to the Riverwalk for a continued adventure down memory lane, and a moment at the iconic Naley Bench.

Standing across from Floriana and facing the Cape Fear River, take a left and walk toward the J.W. Brooks building. Follow the right side of the building along the river, and just keep walking until you run into the bench (literally) at the end of the metal walkway.

Although smaller than you might expect, you’ll know you’re in the right place by the writing that covers the bench. A little tip: bring a Sharpie to add your name and leave your own piece of millennial history behind. 

Bonus points if you bring a box of Cracker Jacks to share with your travel companion or a friendship bracelet to trade. 

Another Tip: Skip Anne Bonny’s Bar and Grill (or stick to simple liquors or beers). While its location on the river is definitely a vibe that might entice you on board, resist the temptation of any blended beverages - they kind of miss the mark. Still, for a simple drink, while staring out at the water, it can be a fun Wilmington addition to the night.

While your night could end here, where a forbidden love first took root, there are plenty of ways to keep exploring Wilmington - if you feel up to it.

Take a Ride on the River

One of the things I wish I’d done was explore Wilmington by boat. There are several tours that leave right from the Riverwalk, everything from a floating tiki hut to a classic riverboat. So, it’s easy to plan this as part of your visit.

The one that caught my attention was a sailboat flying a flag that read, The Raven’s Nest. Docked right along the Riverwalk, the name alone carries the nostalgia of One Tree Hill while offering a true Wilmington experience on the Cape Fear River.

You can learn more about their tours on the Raven’s Nest Sailing website, and if you get there before I do, let me know what you think!

Reflecting on Your Millennial Day in Wilmington

At the end of the day, there’s plenty more to explore in Wilmington that goes beyond nostalgia. This charming waterfront town will likely call you back. So, while one day may take you through several Millennial Moments, you might just find yourself planning another trip to experience this place through a modern lens.

Wherever nostalgia takes you next, remember: it’s never just about the destination, but who you become along the way.

How to Keep the Millennial Moments Going

The Millennial Moments don’t stop in Wilmington - they’re just beginning.
Consider taking the full Southern Charm Millennial Road Trip: from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Charleston, South Carolina, and ending in Covington, Georgia - the real-life Mystic Falls.

Three destinations full of Millennial nostalgia, cinematic charm, and plenty of drive time to reflect along the way.