A few weekends ago, we headed to Wilmington for a UNCW college tour for our adopted daughter. And because I can never just do one thing on a trip... we turned it into a mini Summer I Turned Pretty tour too. 😂
If you didn't know, so much of The Summer I Turned Pretty was filmed right here in North Carolina, in and around Wilmington. Cousins Beach is basically our coast! So whether you're Team Conrad, Team Jeremiah, or just here for the beach vibes, here's where we went.
🍽️ Lunch at The Oceanic
We started with lunch at The Oceanic on Wrightsville Beach. This is where Belly and Jeremiah announced their engagement, and where Conrad ends up outside alone (my heart 💔). The views of the ocean are beautiful, and it sits right next to Crystal Pier.
Tip: Ask for an upstairs table with ocean views, or sit outside if the weather is nice.
I’ve eaten here more times than I can count, but this time was so different and fun to show our girl scenes from her favorite show.
🌊 Walks on Wrightsville Beach
After lunch, we took a walk on Wrightsville Beach. Even outside of summer, this beach is just so pretty. Sand between your toes, the waves, the sunshine... it really did feel like a Cousins Beach day.
📚 Whale of a Tale Bookstore
We walked past the Whale of a Tale bookstore from the show. In real life, it's Papercut Books in downtown Wilmington. It's such a cute spot, and downtown Wilmington is so walkable, with the riverfront right there too.
🎓 Conrad's Dorm and College Campus
Since we were already on UNCW's campus for the tour, we got to see the spot used for Conrad's dorm and college campus scenes. A college tour AND a filming location? Talk about multitasking. 😂
🍦 Ice Cream at Kilwins
You can't do a Summer I Turned Pretty tour without stopping at the chocolate shop from Season 3, which is Kilwins in downtown Wilmington. This is where Belly questioned her feelings for Conrad. And I have to tell you, Kilwins is amazing in real life. 10/10, would go again.
Fun fact: They actually have a location in Lake Worth Beach, FL that we’ve been to several times as well!
🥂 Belly's Bachelorette Party Scene
We ended with a walk by the spot where Belly's bachelorette party scene from Season 3 was filmed. Walking past places you've seen on screen is so fun, and it made the whole weekend feel extra special.
Plan Your Own Summer I Turned Pretty Weekend
If you're anywhere in North Carolina (or want a fun beach trip), Wilmington makes the perfect weekend getaway. Here's a quick plan:
Morning: Walk Wrightsville Beach and have lunch at The Oceanic (there’s an amazing coffee shop right across the street too called SunDays)
Afternoon: Explore downtown Wilmington, stop by Papercut Books, and grab ice cream at Kilwins
Evening: Walk along the Riverwalk and see the filming spots
There are so many more Summer I Turned Pretty filming spots in the area too, like the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Fort Fisher, so you could easily make a whole weekend of it.
Real Life, Real Magic
What I loved most about this trip was that it wasn't a "big" vacation. It was a college tour that we turned into a fun, memorable weekend together. That's what I love most about travel. The magic isn't always at Disney. Sometimes it's a walk on the beach, an ice cream cone, and a little Cousins Beach fun with your people. 🤍
Want help planning your own getaway, whether it's a beach weekend, a Disney trip, or something in between? Head to thatkatiefath.com/travel and let's plan it.
xoxo,
Katie