Many, many moons ago, I began to compile what I call my “Stalking Bucket List” – a catalog of far-off filming locations that I would like to visit at some point during my lifetime. At the very top of that list is Wilmington, North Carolina, which masqueraded as the fictional “Capeside, Massachusetts” on one of my favorite television series of all time, Dawson’s Creek. Though the coming-of-age teen drama went off the air over a decade ago, I am still just as obsessed with it now as I was then. And while I have yet to make it to Wilmington, a fellow stalker/longtime reader named Toni Frazer has visited the coastal city several times over the years and was nice enough to write up her adventures to share on IAMNOTASTALKER. Thank you, Toni! Take it away!
[ad]
In high school, I used to escape to a little town in North Carolina called Wilmington.
Not literally…I lived in Australia; but every Thursday night Wilmington was shown as the location of Dawson’s Creek’s small Cape Cod town: Capeside, Massachusetts.
Wilmington (and its surrounds) has been used as a backdrop for many productions, most notably another teenaged focused show One Tree Hill and films like Domestic Disturbance, I Know What You Did Last Summer and A Walk to Remember.
Growing up, it was the ONE location I wanted to visit when I mentally planned my first overseas trip to the United States. When it finally happened in 2008, Wilmington was at the top of the list. I had to see it. I had to stand in front of Dawson’s house. I had to ‘enter’ Capeside (and by then, Tree Hill as well due to the current popularity of One Tree Hill which I loved just as much!)
I fell in love with Wilmington from that very first trip; and over the past decade I have managed to visit 3 times, seeing different locations every time I have done so (and returning to those I love, too). Things have changed over this time. Locations once there are no longer. Things don’t look how they did back on that first trip. But that’s ok. I just love being in this town any chance I get, whether I can see locations or not. It feels like home to me.
Here are 10 of my favourite locations over the 3 visits I have taken. I would include all of them, but there’s always time for other posts. I’ve placed these locations within the region of Wilmington they belong to so you can see which locations are where when you head there!
Maybe your favourite location made the cut?
Downtown Wilmington
Dawson Leery’s House – 6424 Head Road, Wilmington
On my very first trip to Wilmington in 2008, I trekked (as in walked for ages!) to Dawson’s house (pictured above) and it blew me away with how amazing the experience turned out. The house is not located right in the centre of town, so it isn’t easy to get there. It was closest to the mall more than anything, so I managed to get to that and then walked to the house as I was too scared to hire a car being only 22 and everything was the on the opposite side anyway. (These days, I love driving over there!)
Head Road residences fork off the street as you go along it, so you need to follow the fork to the right where Dawson’s and Jen’s houses are located. Mailboxes are near the road so it isn’t hard to find the right spot and the two houses are also located at the beginning of the road which helps.
Being a private residence, I arrived at the house and knocked on the door to ask if it was ok to take photos. But no one answered. Only planning on spending less than 10 minutes there, I had to risk the chance of trespassing because I had traveled too far to go back, and there is no actual fence on the property, so you literally can walk between the two houses and out to the creek from the driveway, just like in the show.
I will preface this by saying, I didn’t enter into Jen’s house (pictured below) whilst there, as it does have a fence and I am not sure the owner loves all the attention. But at least you can take a photo of it in any case.
Making my move, I walked to the back of the Leery house (which is actually the front on the show); and took some snaps. I saw Dawson’s famous window – the one Joey climbed into – and felt goose bumps immediately. Walking on the lawn and taking in the whole house as I stood on the dock that had also been used in the show many times (including that infamous crying face Dawson does when Joey chooses Pacey over him in Season 3); well, I cannot describe how it felt standing here. When you have watched the show as much as I have, every scene that played out there I could remember in that instant: the weddings, baby showers, elicit affairs being discovered…it was like walking through memory lane. Except, they weren’t my memories.
Everything looked exactly as it did on the show: the outdoor furniture, the creek, the house…which was all I wanted in seeing this spot. So many times, when tracking down a location, the owners have changed the façade or even re-modeled or painted the residence. Luckily for me, it was as if I was standing on a preserved set (which I was)…and seeing it all made it that much more amazing! I couldn’t believe I was actually standing right there!
I walked out onto the dock and took a few more photos, sitting on the edge just like Joey and Dawson did many a time. The creek is just beautiful! Anyone who has a house along there is just lucky. What a view!
As I went to leave, ecstatic with my experience, the owners did pull up and I found they were an older aged couple who had lived there for many years. The female owner invited me inside for a cold drink (as it was a very hot day), and I couldn’t pass up the chance to see what the real inside of the house looked like (plus I was thirsty).
The Leery house was beautiful and getting a tour from the owner was more than I ever could have wished for. Seeing the real interior was awesome. It was so different from the Leery’s interior, but similar too. Many marriage proposals happen out there on the dock, which the owner was telling me about; and as a lover of the show I can see why this would be the place to do it if you’re dating a real Dawson’s Creek fan. (Future husband -whoever you are…take note!) She told me about the filming that took place on their lawn and about meeting Goldie Hawn’s son, Oliver, who joined the show in Season 5 as Eddie – and how lovely he was.
Finally, we went out onto the covered-in porch area that was featured many times on the show. It was EXACTLY as it was back then, down to ‘The Leery’s’ house sign on the wall near the door. After filming of the series ended, the owners kept the furniture and outdoor setting the show provided and left it as it was – which explains why everything looked so familiar…and again was information that I would never have known! Standing on the porch remembering all the different scenes that took place there was amazing. There was a replica porch built (which was featured when Dawson took Joey onto the set of his show in the later years), which means not everything was filmed at the actual house for every scene.
I left the house by exiting from the porch just as I had seen the many characters do and I truly felt like I was in an episode of the show. It was just amazing standing there and a real dream come true. Being able to see this house in such detail only 5 years after the show ended is a moment I will never forget. Whether the house still has all these features, I don’t care. I got to see it all for myself and it’s all I need. I don’t think I will re-visit this location because nothing will beat that first visit, and I don’t want to ruin the memories that I have if it has changed. Maybe one day I will change my mind. But I doubt it.
*Please do respect the privacy of the owners. Whether or not the owners still feel comfortable having people visit their house, I do not know. My experience was definitely an exception to any I have read.
Capeside High School – University Of North Carolina at Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington
The one mistake Dawson’s Creek made in their locations was to use a university campus for their high school setting. Why? Because when the college years came along…they had to go to Duke to get the feel for college life. But, it did mean that high school life in Capeside was a dream. And walking around the UNCW Campus in Wilmington is a dream.
I have visited the campus on many occasions and standing on the courtyard lawn is just stunning for a location, whether it is associated with a television show or not.
Alderman Hall is the only building that was featured on the show, and when I was last there in 2012, the park bench that is situated at the entrance of Alderman Hall (on the right) had a plaque on it about the show, which I thought was very sweet for them to acknowledge.
The interior was not used obviously, but many scenes took place on the campus whether it was Joey and Dawson’s massive fight at the dance after Jack and Joey’s kiss is discovered; or Pacey talking to Kristy Livingston for the first time thanks to Andie (even if he had to fake a “heart stripe”), or the high school graduation on the great lawn. So much happened right there, it is a Dawson’s Creek-lover’s delight.
Alderman Hall is located right off the roundabout on Wagoner Drive, so it is quite easy to find once you enter the campus. If you look at Alderman Hall on Google Maps, it actually has a tag saying ‘Capeside High School’ on it, which is pretty funny too.
Historic Wilmington
Market Street/Water Street/ Cape Fear Riverwalk
Market Street and Water Street are well-known locations from Dawson’s Creek. Numerous scenes were filmed there and along the adjoining Riverwalk. When I first arrived in Wilmington, I literally felt déjà vu unlike any other moment in my life.
I mean, I walked along the roads and recognized places that I had never seen in person before. I actually felt like I was walking in a dream. That I was in a place that felt like home – because it was. I knew it so well. It was extremely surreal.
Market Street runs vertical towards the Cape Fear Riverwalk, whilst Water Street runs along the Cape Fear River and intersects with Market Street. The minute you visit these streets, you will recognize them immediately.
Locations which are found here include:
-
In Season 1, the bus shelter where Joey and Dawson buy tickets so that they can head to the prison to see her dad, and the street where Pacey almost gets run over by Jen’s NYC boyfriend, Billy.
-
The art gallery that Joey and Jack visited in Season 2 and where Pacey picked up Andie and Jack for the Prom, which is actually the Alton Lennon Federal Building.
-
The many walk-and-talk scenes, whether it was Season 1 when Dawson and Joey shopped for an anniversary gift for Mitch and Gail, Season 2 when Dawson attempted to shoplift with Jen, or when Dawson, Mitch and Tamara Jacobs met on the street. This was right where it all happened.
-
Scenes from Season 3’s boat race regatta when Pacey and Dawson dueled it out for Joey were also filmed here. Honestly, it is endless.
No matter where you walk around here, you will feel like you’re in Capeside. That is a fact.
Two cool locations that also need to be checked out here are two of the restaurants that were featured on the show: Leery’s Fresh Fish and Pacey’s Restaurant in the last ever episode.
Leery’s Fresh Fish has changed owners over the years and is currently the Kabob & Grill Downtown, which specializes in Indian cuisine. The interior still looks exactly the same as it did during the filming of the show, and fans are proudly invited inside for a meal so they can enjoy seeing it!
The location of this restaurant is 5 South Water Street, Wilmington.
Pacey’s restaurant is on the Riverwalk, at a place called Elijah’s. It is one of the popular restaurants in the historic area of Wilmington, with gorgeous views of the Cape Fear River alongside it.
The location of this restaurant is 2 Ann Street, Wilmington.
“The Rialto” Movie Theatre – Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 310 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
Thalian Hall opened in 1858 and is one of the United States’ oldest theatres. It is a stunning place, whether you like the show or just history itself and is well worth the visit. Upon my first visit to Wilmington in 2008, I knew I had to see this location no matter what. Not only was it a huge part of my favourite episode (the pilot), but it was also used in other key moments in the series as well, which made me want to see it that much more.
Thalian Hall was the location of the Capeside cinema named “The Rialto.” The 3 scenes here that were featured on the show were more than memorable.
In Season 1’s pilot episode, Dawson takes the gang to the movies so that he can have a semi-quasi-date with Jen. Dragging Pacey and Joey along to take the pressure off, he instead finds Pacey is too interested in flirting with his new English teacher, Ms. Jacobs, and Joey is too love struck for Dawson to be spectator to his advances towards Jen. It ends in disaster and verbal and physical punches are thrown in more ways than one in the lobby.
In Season 2, however, Dawson and Joey have their first date at the Rialto. Things don’t go well, though, with Jen crashing their date and that lone yellow flower left on Joey’s seat is one of the show’s saddest moments. An honorable mention must also go to Grams who tells Jen that she came to the cinema for the Rialto’s final night (before its makeover) to be with her recently passed love.
Finally, in Season 3, Joey is the one crashing dates, as she tries to save Andie from her sleazy boss after he takes her here on a date.
The main stage and lobby of Thalian Hall were used in these episodes which means lovers of the show can truly reminisce about these particular scenes.
Sitting in Thalian Hall is a must for all fans of the show. They do hold events there and also offer tours Monday-Friday for $10 per person.
Hell’s Kitchen – 118 Princess Street, Wilmington
During the college years of Dawson’s Creek, Joey worked in a bar. This bar, much to the delight of fans, remains open and is still a bar today…and still named Hell’s Kitchen.
Hell’s Kitchen is just how it was in the show, which makes eating a meal or having a drink here that much more enjoyable. You can pretend you’ve got Eddie behind the bar, Joey waiting tables…it’s a real-life set right here. How amazing that we still get to enjoy it?
Joey’s Wall – Southern Side of City Limits Saloon, 28 South Front Street, Wilmington (across from The Reel Café)
Unfortunately, this is one location that is no longer around. Back in 2008, it was though. So luckily for me, I was able to see it for myself and stand in front of it just like Joey did in the show. Standing there was a dream come true. Of all the locations I have seen from the show, this was the most thrilling to see, because of what it represented: true love.
Although there were no words painted on it, and no one asking me to stay…a girl can still dream right?
The area itself was used as a vacant lot for many years following its use on the show. But, over the proceeding years, they did begin to build on it; last I saw it was a seating area for a restaurant. It looks nice, but alas; no wall. If you make the trek to this location, use your imagination and you’ll still see it.
Editor’s Note – Sadly, an outdoor seating area is now situated in front of Joey’s wall. You can check out comparison Google Street View images of the wall from 2008 and 2012 below.
The good news is that, despite the seating area, the top portion of the wall is still visible. This is especially good news for me because out of all the locations featured on Dawson’s Creek over the years, Joey’s wall is the one I want to see the most.
Wrightsville Beach Area
Airlie Gardens – “The Ruins,” 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington
Ever since the first season of Dawson’s Creek, with episode 3’s “The Kiss”, I dreamt of seeing this location.
The Airlie Gardens were used many times throughout the show’s run. The most notable episode was when Dawson took Jen to “The Ruins”, a private residence, to film the closing scene of his horror film. But instead, he ended up accidently filming Pacey and his English teacher, Ms. Jacobs, doing the deed.
It all worked out for Dawson though, as he finally got his first kiss.
Other scenes that were filmed here include when Dawson and Joey went to The Ruins to make out after getting a sex-ed talk from Mitch and Gail. Airlie Gardens have also been featured in other productions , too.
The location of The Ruins can be found in Airlie Gardens’ Pergola Garden. Staff will be happy to assist and direct you to this area with a map of the grounds. It really is a stunning place, even if the show hadn’t filmed here, I’d still want to see it.
Airlie Gardens is open every day from March 21st-December 31st; and Tuesday-Sunday from January to mid-March. Tickets are $9.
Dockside Restaurant – “The Icehouse,” 1308 Airlie Road, Wilmington
There were 2 locations used as The Icehouse, the restaurant Joey’s sister, Bessie, owned. One was located in Historic Wilmington on the Cape Fear River, but the show was no longer able to shoot there after Season 2, which is most probably why producers decided to write a storyline in which The Icehouse burned down in the episode titled “Parental Discretion Advised.”
Starting in early Season 2, the Dockside Restaurant was used as The Icehouse. Scene filmed there include when Abby and Jen met Vincent, their older seafaring man, and the time Devon, the actress playing ‘Joey’ in Dawson’s film, mirrors her as she waits on her table and ultimately freaks her out.
You can definitely tell scenes in which Dockside was used because the restaurant actually sits on the water in the marina, unlike the other location that faced the Cape Fear River. But best of all, you can eat at Dockside and enjoy being on the set of Dawson’s Creek. People actually park their boats to eat here too. Pretty cool huh?
The Roadside Bend – Airlie Road, Wilmington
Airlie Road also has 3 key scenes from the show that are a must for any fan to remember.
Coming onto Airlie Road from Eastwood Road, just past Dockside Restaurant, there is a clear bend in the street up ahead. For all of the Pacey and Joey lovers out there, right before this bend is the very location of the kiss that changed the show.
The second scene worth remembering was when Joey was pulled over by Deputy Doug for going too slow, all because he wants to inform her that Pacey is leaving for the summer.
The third scene that was filmed here involved the death of Mitch Leery in Season 5. This was the spot where his car accident occurred. In later episodes, this was the place Pacey took Dawson to deal with his father’s death to help him move on.
This is the one location any true fan must see. I actually had goose bumps standing here and remembering those scenes.
Southport – The Marina, Yacht Basin Drive and West Brunswick Street
Southport is a famous place. Home to I Know What You Did Last Summer and Nicholas Sparks’ Safe Haven to name just a few. Dawson’s Creek really made use of Southport as a location over the years.
The key location here was the Marina that sits right on Yacht Basin Drive and West Brunswick Street. The most famous episode took place in this spot, Season 3’s “The Longest Day” – you know, the episode that repeats over and over as Pacey and Joey’s affair is finally discovered by Dawson?
In the episode, Pacey finishes his boat and the gang celebrates by christening it at the dock. As the episode repeats over and over, the marina is featured numerous times.
This location plays a large part in other Season 3 episodes, as well. One of the first scenes of the season starts right here, as Joey works at her job at Logan’s Marina…which Dawson ends up crashing Mitch’s boat into after an afternoon with Eve.
And it is at the marina that Joey finally professes her love for Pacey with her “I think I’m in love with you” speech in the Season 3 finale, which ends with the two sailing off into the sunset. Funnily enough, the real location that sits on the marina is called Potter’s Seafood. Go figure.
Standing here is a true moment and one I was so happy to find. You will also notice that West Brunswick Street was also used in quite a few scenes – in Season 1 when Billy comes to town and speaks to Dawson about Jen and in Season 3’s “The Longest Day” when Joey confides to Jen about her relationship with Pacey.
There are many locations in Southport that were also used in the credits over the years, from the swings they all sit on, to Pacey standing on his anchor. Many other scenes from the series were shot there, as well, primarily from Seasons 1, 2 and 3, which I could discuss all day.
Southport is well worth a stop.
BONUS LOCATIONS: Pacey’s Boat – Screen Gems Studio – 1223 North 23rd Street, Wilmington/Dawson’s Windows – The Children’s Museum of Wilmington – 116 Orange Street, Wilmington
Two ‘locations’ I have been lucky enough to see were Pacey’s boat and the windows from Dawson’s bedroom; yes the windows Joey climbed through herself!
These were both seen in 2008 & 2011, so whether they are still something one can see now is another story.
Firstly, Pacey’s boat, aka the ‘True Love,’ was at Screen Gems Studios, where the Dawson’s Creek set could be found. They used to do studio tours, however during the visits I took, I was only able to see things from One Tree Hill, but that was still pretty awesome.
The ‘True Love’ was sitting in the backlot, though, and since it had been 8 years since the show ended, most people walked past it without even knowing what it was. The tour guide did explain that the boat had been auctioned and never picked up when we asked if it was Pacey’s boat. How is this even possible?? They no longer offer tours at Screen Gems, but when they did, tours were offered every weekend at 12pm for $10, should they resume it.
As for Dawson’s windows, they were and still are located at The Children’s Museum of Wilmington. At one point, Joey’s dorm room from Seasons 5 and 6 was also there, but I never saw it. The windows are a little weird, though, as they are closed shut and fixed into the wall. So it is a little odd to see a wall with huge windows, but for a fan and knowing what these windows represent? Well, it is just priceless!
These locations are really just the beginning. There is so much to see and experience in Wilmington from the show and other productions, too; it really is a TV show lover’s paradise.
If you’d like to see more filming locations from these shows and others, check out my website Enchanted Serendipity. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
Editor’s Note – Big THANK YOU to Toni for this fabulous Dawson’s Creek write-up. Reading it only has me wanting to visit Wilmington more than I already did!
For more stalking fun, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Los Angeles magazine and Discover Los Angeles.
