Hart of Dixie premiered on 2011 on The WB network, starring Rachel Bilson, Jaime King, Cress Williams, and Wilson Bethel.
In this “fish out of water” tale, New York Doctor Zoe Hart inherits a medical practice in small-town Bluebell, Alabama. When she doesn’t get her preferred residency, she moves there and isn’t prepared for the slower pace.
It was filmed primarily in Los Angeles, but used some Southern locations as background and inspiration.
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Looking to visit the real set used for Hart of Dixie? Take the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in California.
Where Was Hart of Dixie Filmed?
Wilmington, North Carolina
Early episodes of Hart of Dixie were filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. Zoe’s medical school graduation was filmed at Hoggard Hall on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
The exterior of the medical practice is a home on South 2nd Street. The Dixie Stop, where Zoe buys wine, is on the same street called the Village Market. The mayor’s plantation is a private home, but you can see images on real estate websites.
Zoe gets dropped off outside of town by the bus in neighboring Southport, which is often used for Nicholas Sparks movies. See the other Hart of Dixie filming locations from Wilmywood on 90210 Filming Locations.
Looking for a place to stay while in Wilmington? We recommend ARRIVE Wilmington (review here), set in a former hotel that hosted countless actors and film crews. It’s been renovated with stylish decor and a restaurant.
Places That Inspired Hart of Dixie
Gulf Shores, Alabama
While none of the Hart of Dixie filming locations are in Alabama, there are plenty of places that are similar to what viewers will find on the small screen. The Rammer Jammer is the town watering hole on the show, often serving breakfast and late-night drinks.
And while it doesn’t exist in real life, apart from on the studio lot, it is likely inspired by Flora Bama, a notorious dive bar on the Alabama state line. It’s the perfect place for oysters and a Bushwhacker. There was even a mention of the bar as the site of Lemon’s bachelorette party!
Looking for a place to stay while in Gulf Shores? The Lodge at Gulf State Park is surrounded by 6,000 acres of protected beach and has a gulf-front infinity pool.
Magnolia Springs, Alabama
While there’s not really a town called Bluebell, the show does reference real-life places on Alabama’s Eastern Shore. For example, the town is supposedly a few miles from Daphne and Fairhope, two of the charming areas along the Mobile Bay.
The real community of Magnolia Springs is close, as visitors come to the small-town charm and majestic oak trees lining the streets. It’s home to fewer than 1,000 residents.
Believe it or not, the mail is actually delivered by boat here! We can’t say that they celebrate Planksgiving and other Hart of Dixie festivals, though. Dine at Jesse’s Restaurant, similar to Fancie’s from the show.
Looking for a place to stay while in Magnolia Springs? Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast, pictured above, is a charming inn with cozy rooms and free WiFi.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama, is referenced a number of times in the show and is where Zoe and George go to the movies to see Annie Hall. It’s the closest major town to the Eastern Shore communities and has its own airport.
First settled as a fort in 1702, the city of Mobile has been occupied by the French, British, and Spanish, each leaving its influence. Visit the Saenger Theatre, which looks like the one they visit, or chow down on seafood at Wintzell’s Oyster House.
Looking for a place to stay while in Mobile? The Admiral Hotel Mobile is a stylish boutique hotel near Fort Conde with modern furnishings with two in-house restaurants.
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