The last episode of the hit series "The Summer I Turned Pretty" may have come and gone, but you can still soak in the vibes of the real-life Cousins Beach with our local filming locations while you wait for the highly anticipated motion picture to hit screens. Though a majority of the scenes for the hit series were filmed in Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Wilmington and New Hanover County, the historic coastal town of Southport, NC, was used again and again to create the fictional town of Cousins Beach throughout the series' three seasons.
Southport's Riverwalk & West Bay Street
Season 1 | Episode 1 | 07:04-07:07
Viewers of the hit Amazon series The Summer I Turned Pretty might just do a double take when driving along West Bay Street. This location, 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. Local and frequent visitors to Southport might recognize the iconic river pilots' tower in the background.
Southport's Yacht Basin
Season 1 | Episode 1 | 07:08-07:19
"It smells exactly the same. Tastes the same, like it's been waiting for me to get here," narrates Belly in the series premier. Southport's Yacht Basin has that effect on people. Whether you're grabbing dinner at visitor favorites like the Frying Pan or Fishy Fishy, taking part in an early morning class at Southport Yoga Dock or listening to open mic night at American Fish Co., this is the kind of place you'll yearn to come back to.
The State Port Pilot
Season 1 | Episode 1 | 14:42-14:50
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 before future filming for the bookstore moved to downtown Wilmington. In this scene, Susannah and Laurel navigate through parked cars on East Moore Street before crossing the sidewalk and entering the brick building. The scene leads into that first awkward meeting between Laurel Park and Cleveland Castillo, when Laurel loudly dubs him a masculine “off-brand Jonathan Franzen” intellectual with horn-rimmed glasses.
West Brunswick Street
Season 1 | Episode 2 | 00:22-00:41
Ever woke up at dawn to "see about a whale?" Isabel (Belly) Conklin may have not peddled down Southport's West Brunswick Street fast enough to catch the whaling tour boat and Cam Cameron, but it's worth a leisurely stroll early or late in the day for the incredible light bouncing off the water of the Yacht Basin. This area has been a favorite spot for filming, also serving prominently in the move "Safe Haven." Another angle of Belly's bicycle ride on West Brunswick Street captures the beauty of azaleas in full bloom and, viewers of the show can even catch a glimpse of the Oak Island Lighthouse (better seen on the big screen) in the background.
Southport City Dock
Season 1 | Episode 2 | 00:42-01:11
Belly's look of disappointment on missing the boat is palpable on the Southport City Dock, which has stood for over half a century (with major repairs made in 2021). Visitors to this corner of Southport can schedule a sightseeing tour with Southport Water Tours, which departs just around the corner from this filming location (it's recommended to arrive 15-20 minutes early as tours leave on time).
Old Elegance Antiques
Season 1 | Episode 2 | 05:11-05:26
"They're called fascinators and all the girls will be wearing them," says Susannah during a shopping spree with Belly and Laurel ahead of deb season at Cousins Beach. Southport's Old Elegance Antiques was transformed into Maureen's Millinery for the series. Belly walked away with a rose pink fascinator (think tiny hats worn to the Kentucky Derby or a royal wedding) for her first deb tea. Numerous shops along East Moore Street helped to establish the small town location of Cousins Beach throughout the series' three seasons.
East Moore Street
Season 2 | Episode 2 | 28:27-28:56
Southport's East Moore Street featured again as an establishing shot in all its holiday splendor during Belly and Conrad's first Christmas visit to Cousins Beach (we won't mention the fallout from that second Christmas stay together; IFKYK). Watch this season two scene closely and you'll see the Duck, Duck, Goose gift shop, Moore Street Oyster Bar and more.
Howe Street
Season 1 | Episode 3 | 5:03-5:04
Season 3 | Episode 5 | 20:15-21:57
Some of the Southport local scenes pass so quickly in The Summer I Turned Pretty series that if you blink, you'll miss them. Such is the case in season one during Belly's driving lesson with Jeremiah after Conrad forgot her birthday. The aerial shot shows Jeremiah's red Jeep driving north on Howe Street in front of Southport Baptist Church heading toward Franklin Square Park.
In a season three scene, Conrad and Belly drive throughout downtown Southport (look out the car windows during the tighter shots to catch glimpses of different downtown landmarks like the pilot house and riverwalk in the background) and along Howe Street between wedding errands. Just behind the silver SUV in the picture above is the historic Amuzu Theatre and Port City Java to the right. Series trivia for TSITP fans...which real life NC city served as the location where Conrad picked up Belly and her bicycle to begin the shopping trip? Hint, it's hours away from Southport, NC.