Set in the small seaside town of Capeside, Massachusetts, the WB’s “Dawson’s Creek” was actually filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. (The CW’s hit “One Tree Hill” is currently filmed there, though that show does take place in North Carolina. Check out our story on “One Tree Hill” here.)
Welcome to Wilmington! (Photo credit LiveTheMovies.com)
This small city on the coast will quickly become a favorite spot, due to the beautiful weather, beautiful architecture, friendly and helpful locals, great restaurants and stores, and of course the abundance of filming locations.
One spot that was a crucial part of the “Creek,” especially during the first season, was the movie theater The Rialto, where the gang went in the very first episode and was also the site of Dawson and Joey’s first date. Wilmington’s Thalian Hall stood in for The Rialto.
Thalian Hall, exterior. (LTM)
Thalian Hall, interior. (LTM)
You can find Thalian Hall at (310 Chestnut Street). N Salo at (212 North Front Street) stood in for Screen Play Video, where Dawson and Pacey worked.
Formerly known as Screen Play Video. (LTM)
Joey’s Season Six place of employment, Hell’s Kitchen, can also be found in downtown Wilmington. Not only does it appear just as it was on the show, but it’s a great place to stop for dinner too! Hell’s Kitchen is located at (118 Princess Street) and has also been used on “One Tree Hill.”
Oh hey, Hell's Kitchen. (LTM)
You’ll recognize much of downtown Wilmington from the show, especially the spots down by the Riverfront. Pacey and Andie had their first kiss in “The Dance” along the river and near this fountain.
Pacey and Andie's first kiss took place in this romantic spot. (LTM)
These downtown court steps also stood in for the art museum Joey and Jack went to in the second season:
(LTM)
The Wilmington riverfront is a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon and reminisce about your favorite “Creek” moments, many of which took place amidst the cute coastal scenery.
Lovely Wilmington riverfront. (LTM)
Several stores lining the downtown streets were also used in episodes of “Dawson’s Creek,” including Island Passage Elixir (4 Market Street) and CD Alley (8 Market Street):
Jen shopped here with both Abby and Dawson; Joey picked out her prom dress here. (LTM)
Dawson and Gretchen met up at CD Alley in Season Four. (LTM)
A must-stop on any “Creek” tour is the Water Street Restaurant, which was used on the show as Leery’s Fresh Fish, the restaurant owned by Dawson’s parents. The restaurant is open, and still looks just like Leery’s! Take a break and grab a bite — the soup and salad lunches are delicious, and you can just pretend Mitch and Gail are minding the kitchen while you’re there. Restaurant staff is very friendly as well! Find it at 5 South Water Street.
A slice of "Creek" life: Leery's Fresh Fish! (LTM)
Inside the Water Street Restaurant. Is that Gretchen Witter at the bar? (LTM)
Who could forget when Pacey bought Joey a wall in Season Three? (Swoon.) Though Joey never painted on it, Pacey made a sweeping romantic gesture when he painted, “ASK ME TO STAY.” Joey didn’t take his advice… but she did hop on the True Love and sail away with him for the summer in one of the series’ most defining moments. The wall still stands in downtown Wilmington, at Dock Street & Front Street:
That epic wall. "ASK ME TO STAY." (LTM)
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington at 601 South College Road stood in for Capeside High in many sequences, and it’s a lovely campus to visit. (If you’re college-bound, check out the University’s programs — what would be more awesome than going to school in Capeside?)
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington stood in for Capeside High. (LTM)
Finally, no visit to Wilmington would be complete without swinging by Screen Gems Studios, which is where all of the sets for “Dawson’s Creek” were housed. It’s at 1223 23rd Street North.
Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington. (LTM)
Most of the props and decorations were sold when the show wrapped, but you can still get a “Creek” feel from the fun and reasonably-priced tour ($12 for students). When we went, we got to sit on Dawson’s bed, hide out in his closet, climb through the famous window, check out Joey and Audrey’s dorm room, get our hands on the True Love, and pay respects to Mitch’s headstone. We also wandered the inside halls of Capeside High, which are now used for “One Tree Hill.”
Exterior ads at Screen Gems. (LTM)
Tour guides also include fun facts and trivia to accentuate the sights, and you can find autographed cast photos and some random memorabilia all around.
Some random memorabilia in the tour's main office. We miss you, Pacey! (LTM)
“Creek” fans and others will love Wilmington — we didn’t want to leave, and we can’t wait to go back!
- Story and Photos by Christina LeBlanc, Executive Editor
[...] Don’t forget that WB favorite “Dawson’s Creek” was also filmed in Wilmington! Many “Creek” locations are still up and running, and you can get more information about them in our “DC” story here! [...]