East Coast Intracoastal Waterway, Wilmington

Condé Nast TravelerSep 9, 2025

The beloved beach enclave stands in for a nebulous Northeast location.

Separates Wrightsville Beach from Wilmington

20 things in this story

Cape Fear RiverSightRiver waters were filming location
Cousins BeachNeighborhoodFictional name for Wilmington
East Coast Intracoastal WaterwaySightSeparates Wrightsville Beach from Wilmington
Front Street InnHotelBoutique hotel with espresso bar
Trolley StopRestaurant1970s hot dog shop
Tower 7RestaurantTex-Mex delights
Ceviche'sRestaurantCeviche and seafood in yellow building
YoSakiRestaurantSushi and pan-Asian dishes
Tempo LoungeRestaurantLive music after dinner
MannaRestaurantRefined American cuisine; local, sustainable
Wilmington BattleshipSightWorld War II battleship on Cape Fear River
Dawson's CreekPlace
One Tree HillPlace
UNC WilmingtonPlace
Outer BanksNeighborhood
Elsewhere
Great Smoky MountainsHotelGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, United StatesViews from Blueridge Parkway
Shell Island ResortHotelWrightsville Beach, United StatesLocal institution on white sand
Trailborn Surf & SoundHotelWrightsville Beach, United StatesNewly renovated; hip hangout pool
MasonboroNeighborhoodMasonboro Island, United StatesIsland for docking boats
Blueridge ParkwayTrailBlue Ridge Parkway, United StatesDrive to see Appalachian Trail crossings

East Coast Intracoastal Waterway