We do have a little town called Hollywood here in the Charleston area…it’s not THAT Hollywood but we still have plenty of celebrities who spend time working here. Over the years, there have been many movies and tv shows shot in the Lowcountry. And why not? There are so many beautiful locations to choose from. So where are these locations you ask? You’re in luck! I’m going to break down the list of movies and tv shows and tell you exactly where you can see the filming locations.
Outer Banks
Probably one of the more famous shows to be filmed here in Charleston in recent years, there are locations all over town to see just where the Pogues and Kooks have been. I may need to dedicate another whole post to this one, but here are ten spots you’ll recognize from watching. Plus, I’m throwing in an extra one where I personally spotted John B. and Sarah (Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline).
The Wreck of Richard & Charlene
This Shem Creek hole-in-the-wall hotspot is used as the restaurant Kiara’s father manages in the show called just “The Wreck.” Fans may be surprised to know that before the restaurant was making headlines for being in Outer Banks, it also made headlines for another reason. In 2019, the dock on the Shem Creek side collapsed while a group of people were getting ready to pose for a photo during a 30th birthday party. As many as 20 people fell into the water as the dock came crashing down. Luckily, everyone was ok. Read more about it here.
Washington Square Park
John B. and Sarah visited this park as part of their daytrip to the University of North at Carolina Chapel Hill. The real park though sits just next to and behind City Hall on Broad Street. Last time I was shooting there, I even bumped into Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. He saw me taking photos of blooming trees and smiled and said “beautiful, aren’t they?” The planting beds and red brick walks throughout the park were installed in 1881 and of course, the park is named after none other than George Washington.
Breach Inlet
You see it in the first minute of the show. That famous “Welcome to the Outer Banks: Paradise on Earth” sign John B’s VW van passes is actually right on Breach Inlet. Breach Inlet is the cut into the Intracoastal Waterway that separates Isle of Palms from Sullivan’s Island and is known for strong currents and lots of dolphins. Get lucky and you may even see them strand feeding on the Isle of Palms side of the inlet. It’s also a popular spot for kite surfers as the wind can get pretty wild on both islands in that area.
Lowndes Grove
This downtown Charleston wedding and event venue serves as Tanneyhill Estate, the Cameron family’s house and is seen often through the show. It sits on 14 acres along the Ashley River in the Wagener Terrace neighborhood, just north of The Citadel. The home was built in 1786 and formerly belonged to William Lowndes, who was a U.S. Senator in the 1800s. Now, you can get married at the Cameron’s house. It has been serving as a wedding and event venue since 2007.
Ben Silver
On their daytrip to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
John B. and Sarah make a stop to upgrade their outfits. That scene was filmed at King Street’s Ben Silver. John B. chose a seersucker suit which is, of course, very Charleston.
Geechie Seafood
Heyward’s Seafood owned by Pope’s dad is actually a Shem Creek spot for fresh seafood, Geechie Seafood. Visit in real life and you can get some of the freshest shrimp in Charleston.
Bethel AME Church
This beautiful old abandoned church up Highway 17 in McClellanville, SC was a big part of season one. You may remember it went up in flames in episode nine. Unfortunately, because of the popularity of the show many people were stopping in to visit and the church became prone to vandalism. It has now been boarded up to prevent further break-ins. Check out the Post & Courier story about that here.
Burbages
You’ll see this store in the background of a scene in season two. There’s a battery sign in the window behind Sarah and John B, but Burgage’s is actually a great little local grocery store on Broad Street. The store was pretty excited to see itself the filming, as they shared on their Instagram.
This also happens to be one of my favorite lunch spots while I’m hanging around downtown. Go to the back of the store and they have a deli counter where they’ll slice meat and make sandwiches fresh. There are no tables, so grab it to go and walk down to Colonial Lake for a picnic.
Pitt Street
The Kildare County Sheriff’s Station is actually a condominium building at Venning Street on the corner of Pitt. Called the Old Village section of Mount Pleasant, this area is full of cute little shops and restaurants, which can be spotted in clips throughout the show. The Pitt Street Pharmacy is a local favorite. It’s an old-time neighborhood drugstore complete with a soda fountain, root beer floats and milkshakes. At the opposite end of Pitt Street, you’ll find the Pitt Street bridge which makes many appearances in the show, including a scene in season 3 where JJ rides his dirt bike out to the end of the bridge.
Shem Creek
So many of the show’s boating scenes take place on this Mount Pleasant hotspot. There are tons of restaurants to check out, great spots for an afternoon drink on the creek and dolphin watching. If you’re more adventurous, rent a kayak or paddleboard from one of the creek’s shops and spend the day in the water.
Longitude Lane
If you’ve seen season two of Outer Banks, you’ll likely remember the chase scene through downtown Charleston. I happened to stumble upon the filming of this scene while on a photo walk in October 2020. Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline were on set filming at the East Bay end of Longitude Lane. Of course, there was also a gaggle of local girls across the street watching the whole thing.
If you want to see some of these locations in person, there are several tours you can take, like the Outer Banks Film Location Tour. It’s run by a guide who was an extra during season one. On your half-day tour, you’ll hear stories about the cast and crew and visit locations seen in the series.
Or you can hop on two wheels to see some of the famous locations with the Outer Banks Film Location E-Bike Tour. Spend 2.5 hours cruising through Old Mount Pleasant discovering the film locations featured in the Netflix series. Along the way, your guide will share interesting stories and take photos and videos of you and your group.
The Notebook
It’s everyone’s favorite romance movie, right? Noah and Allie’s romance was only made better by the beautiful setting of the Notebook and much of it was filmed around the Charleston area. Here are some spots you may remember.
Boone Hall Plantation
This charming Mount Pleasant attraction served as the Hamilton’s summer home and can be seen in many scenes throughout the movie. It is open to the public for tours and hosts several festivals and events throughout the year. Grab your tickets to see Boone Hall in person here.
You can also get married at Boone Hall. They have some beautiful locations to host your ceremony and reception.
Cypress Gardens
Does row boat romance surrounded by swans and geese ring a bell? One of the most epic scenes in the movie was filmed in the cypress swamp at Cypress Gardens. Little known fact: all of the swans and geese in used in this scene went on to live at Longwood Plantation, the home of former longtime Live 5 News Anchor, Debi Chard and her husband.
Rice Hope Plantation
On the bank of the Black River, 10 miles north of Georgetown, this private property served as the nursing home where Noah visits Allie. This one is a bit of drive from Charleston. I recommend a stop in Georgetown for lunch on the Riverfront.
Williams Mansion
Charleston’s largest home at 24,000 square feet and 35 rooms, this extravagant mansion was used as the inside of the Hamilton’s home. Sitting on lower Meeting Street, it was formerly know as the Calhoun Mansion and today, it is a private residence but there are daily tours.
The American Theatre
The downtown Charleston theater at the corner of Radcliffe and King Street is where Noah & Allie dance after a double date to the movies. A few blocks north, at the corner of King and Mary is where they lay down in the middle of the street. I don’t recommend trying to relive that part, but it’s a great spot to snap some photos and the theater often gets creative with their marquee board. You can’t watch movies here anymore, but you can rent out the historic space for events.
College of Charleston
The “New York” college Allie attends is actually the College of Charleston. Every time I walk campus, I wonder how students get any work done. Situated just south of Calhoun Street, the campus is full of live oaks dripping in Spanish moss and is so pretty, it makes my eyes hurt.
Edisto Island
The house that was used as Noah’s father’s home is located on the drive into the main house at Sunnyside Plantation on Edisto Island. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public.
Old Village, Mount Pleasant
Remember Allie smushing ice cream in Noah’s face as they strolled through the fictional town of Seabrook? That scene was shot in the beautiful Old Village section of Mount Pleasant.
Martins Point Plantation
The private home on Wadmalaw Island is the house Noah buys to fix up for Allie. Rather than actually renovating a home, the movie crew distressed the current building to make it look old for the earlier scenes.
High Cotton
The scene where Noah sees Allie through the window eating with her fiancé was filmed at the well known East Bay Street restaurant.
William Aiken House
The scene of the wedding dress fitting happened at the William Aiken House, an historic downtown estate built in 1807. This beautiful mansion on King Street is full of sweeping ballrooms, lush gardens and open-air piazzas and now serves as a wedding and event venue that can hold as many as 400 guests.
Dear John
Sullivan’s Island at Fort Moultrie
This beach is where you’ll find Savannah’s family house. Near the beginning of the movie she and John attend a bonfire there with the beach in the background.
College of Charleston’s Randolph Hall
Savannah is shown at her school which is actually the College of Charleston. The Cistern Yard outside of Randolph Hall was also used in the scenes where Savannah and John were writing letters to each other.
Fort Moultrie
The military installation where John is serving on the Congo coast is actually Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. The fort was named for U.S. patriot commander General William Moultrie who led troops there during the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.
Isle of Palms Pier
At the beginning of the movie, John rescues Savannah’s soggy purse by jumping off the Isle of Palms Pier. You can’t actually jump off of it and in fact, only guests of the condos behind it can even access the pier.
The Legend of Bagger Vance
What better place to film a golf movie than here in the Lowcountry? Some of our most beautiful courses served as the backdrop for this 2000 movie directed by Robert Redford, and starring Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron
The Ocean Course- Kiawah Island
Several scenes from this movie were filmed on the famed Kiawah golf course. They even created a hole just for the movie. Unfortunately, the hole is unmarked and not on any of the official courses.
The Pete Dye Course- Colleton River Plantation
Bluffton is a bit of a drive, but a beautiful day trip. This course was the backdrop for many of the other golf scenes.
Brookland Plantation
This Edisto Island home served as the home of Matt Damon’s character.
The Patriot
This epic historical war film both takes place and was filmed around the Lowcountry. Here are some of the noteworthy spots.
Cypress Gardens
This beautiful, swampy spot was used as the location of the Old Spanish Mission Black Swamp Militia’s secret headquarters.
Mansfield Plantation
An antebellum rice plantation on the banks of the Black River in Georgetown County, this home’s exterior was used as Aunt Charlotte’s plantation home.
Middleton Place
One of the movie’s ball scenes was filmed inside the historic plantation home. It’s open daily for tours, so go ahead and dance it out! See Middleton Place yourself on this tour that leaves from Charleston and includes a three-course meal at their amazing restaurant.
Botany Bay Plantation
The beach slave camp was shot on the beach of this beautiful Edisto Island hideaway.
College of Charleston’s Randolph Hall
The interior of this building, which serves as the College’s main administrative building, was used as the location for some of the assembly meetings.
Poyas-Mordecai House
The exterior of this private home at 69 Meeting Street served as Aunt Charlotte’s abode.
Halloween
Magnolia Cemetery
The beautiful and historic cemetary in downtown Charleston was the scene of Haddonfield Cemetary in this thriller starring Jaime Lee Curtis.
James Island
The home at 40 Fenwick Drive off of Folly Road is where Laurie sees Michael in the second floor window and fires her gun at him.
Hanahan
The gas station at 1256 Yeamans Hall Road is where Michael kills the mechanic.
President Street
The home at 330 President Street downtown is where Michael stalks a woman, taking a hammer from the garage and a knife from inside the house. He also attacks a woman at 332 President. Shudder. This movie is so romantic.
Military Magnet Academy
This public school in North Charleston was Smith Grove Sanitarium, where Michael was being held in the courtyard.
Danny Jones Complex Armory
This building served as Haddonfield High School.