Writer Nicholas Sparks has decades worth of novels, many with romantic and tragic themes. The majority are set in the Southeast, where the calls home.
Starting in the late 90s, many of these books were turned into popular films, also set and shot in the region. We’ve rounded up some of the top Nicholas Sparks movie locations in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Louisiana.
While the majority of these locations are open to the public, a few are private homes. Please remember that trespassing is against the law, so respect the owners’ privacy.
Looking for more locations from Nicholas Sparks films? Visit Movie Maps and Enchanted Serendipity.
A Walk to Remember Filming Locations
In the 2002 tearjerker, good girl Jamie falls for bad boy Landon, who is in trouble after a prank leads to the injury of one of their classmates. As the pair gets closer, Landon learns that Jamie has a secret. Shane West and Mandy Moore star in the film.
Wilmington, North Carolina
The movie was filmed almost completely in Wilmington and the North Carolina coast. Jamie’s home in the film was a private residence at 1716 Chestnut Street, which was also used in One Tree Hill and Blue Velvet. Near the downtown market is the alley where Jamie reveals her diagnosis.
Visit this location and others on the Hollywood Locations Walk. There’s also a self-guided tour downtown.
Southport, North Carolina
Trinity United Methodist Church, in nearby Southport, was the site of Jamie’s church. Luola’s Chapel at Orton Plantation was the site of the wedding.
The home is privately owned and closed to the public, but the gardens and chapel are available for visits. The Old Smithville Burying Ground was also used when the couple goes stargazing.
The Notebook Filming Locations
Charleston was the backdrop to 2004’s The Notebook, perhaps the romantic film of the decade. Allie reunites with her first love Noah when she is engaged and has to decide who to end up with. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams star.
Charleston, South Carolina
Much of the city was used in the movie. The American Theater was the site of the couple’s first date. The campus of the College of Charleston was where Lon picks up Allie at school.
Boone Hall Plantation was used as the exterior of the Hamilton family summer home on Seabrook. The Calhoun Mansion downtown was used for interior scenes. Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner is where Noah and Allie paddle through the swamp inhabited by swans.
Charleston’s TV & Movie Tour by Van visits filming locations from The Notebook and other movies and shows.
Nights in Rodanthe Filming Locations
The 2018 film starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere is their third together, set in the Outer Banks town of Rodanthe. Adrienne works for her friend’s bed and breakfast while recovering from her split with her husband. A handsome guest checks in and they soon connect while weathering a storm.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
The main location from the film is the stunning home that stood in for the Serendipity Bed and Breakfast. Now called the Inn at Rodanthe, the home was moved after filming to prevent it from getting washed away. It operates as a rental home but you can also drive by to see it, located on Highway 12 and Beacon Road East.
Nearby, the Rodanthe Pier was used for a scene where the town throws a party after the storm passes. You’ll have to pay a small fee to access it.
Dear John Filming Locations
2010’s Dear John tells of a young soldier who falls in love while on leave. Their relationship withstands a number of obstacles along the way, but one eventually breaks them before they reunite. Amanda Seyfried stars alongside Channing Tatum.
Charleston, South Carolina
The campus of the College of Charleston is seen when Savannah finds out about 9/11, with real students serving as extras. The Citadel, South Carolina’s military college, was used for its infirmary, standing in for the German hospital where John is treated.
The couple first meets near the Isle of Palms fishing pier and later argue on Folly Beach. Sullivan’s Island was used as an African outpost, including Fort Moultrie, and as Savannah’s beach house.
The privately-owned Cassina Point Plantation on Edisto Island was used as Savannah’s parent’s home. John’s home was located on James Island, as is Bowen’s Island Restaurant, the site of the couple’s first date.
The Last Song Filming Locations
In the 2010 film, a troubled teenager and her brother are sent to live with their estranged father for the summer. She meets a local boy and quickly falls in love, despite their different upbringings. It stars Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Kelly Preston, and Greg Kinnear.
Atlanta, Georgia
The Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta is one of the world’s largest, featuring whale sharks, beluga whales, and sea otters. In The Last Song, Will takes Ronnie to the aquarium, where she can see her favorite animals up close.
Book your Georgia Aquarium General Admission before you go.
Savannah, Georgia
Wormsloe Historic Site in Savannah dates back to the early days of Georgia as a colony. It has exhibits on colonial life and walking trails.
The private home on the property, which is slightly seen from the road, was featured in The Last Song as the character Will’s family home.
Visit this area on the Wormsloe Plantation and Isle of Hope Tour.
Tybee Island , Georgia
Most filming took place on Tybee Island. The private home at 1904 Chatham Avenue was used for the Miller’s House. The young lovers meet at the pier and play volleyball on the beach.
Ronnie and Will also run into each other while dining at North Beach Grill, a real-life dockside eatery with local seafood. A wedding chapel was also built for the film and moved to 114 U.S. 80 afterward.
The Lucky One Filming Locations
The Lucky One came out in 2012, starring Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, and Blythe Danner. It tells of a young mother who falls for the Marine who tracks her down in Louisiana after believing it was a picture of her that saved him during his tour in Iraq.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Houmas House Plantation and Gardens near Baton Rouge is one of the New Orleans area’s most stunning plantations. The sprawling Greek Revival mansion dates back to 1840.
In the film, it served as the Clayton Estate, site of the garden party. It’s also been used in The Green Book and Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte.
The Houmas House Plantation Tour includes transportation from New Orleans and guided tours of the home.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Much of the production was based in New Orleans. The Union Passenger Terminal, where Amtrak and Megabus arrive in the city, can be seen. The Iraq scenes were filmed at the St. Bernard Port, which was damaged during Hurricane Katrina.
Northshore, Louisiana
The towns of the Northshore, set north of New Orleans on Lake Pontchartrain, were used in the film. In Covington, both Christ Episcopal School and the Covington Trailhead of the Tammany Trace were used. St. Joseph Abbey was where Ben’s treehouse was built around the lake.
The Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Abita Springs was also used. Camp Salmen Nature Park in Slidell was the site of Logan’s fixer-upper home. In real life, it’s a Creole trading post.
Port Eads, Louisiana
The Port Eads Lighthouse, also known as the South Pass Light, is seen in the background of Beth’s photo and is how Logan finds his way to her. In real life, the lighthouse is in a small town south of Grand Isle and was built in 1831.
St. Bernard, Louisiana
Creedmoor Plantation, along the River Road south of New Orleans, served as Beth Green’s home and kennels in the film. The home was built in the 1800s as a sugar plantation. The privately-owned home can be seen from the road, Southern Natural Oil Plant Drive.
Safe Haven Filming Locations
Safe Haven came out in 2013, starring Josh Duhamel, Julianne Hough, and Cobie Smulders. In it, a young woman with a secret finds herself in a coastal town where she falls for a widower.
She then must confront her past. Filming took place primarily in Wilmington, Southport, and a few scenes in Louisiana.
Linville, North Carolina
Katie travels to the coast by bus, passing through the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Linn Cove Viaduct is seen in the scene, located near Grandfather Mountain.
Southport, North Carolina
The majority of the film is set in Southport. Alex’s house is a private home at 410 W. Brunswick Street. Katie’s house was built for production at Pleasant Oaks Plantation, a private residence.
Local restaurants were also used. Katie gets a job at the American Fish Co. Restaurant, called Ivan’s Fish Shack in the film. It has a poster from the film outside.
Ports of Call Bistro was also used. At the real-life Moore Street Market, Katie and Jo talk about Alex. The July 4 parade runs in front of it.
Kure Beach, North Carolina
The couple goes to the beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, located across the river from Wilmington. The Fort Fisher Ferry Terminal stood in for the Southport ferry terminal where Alex and Katie reunite.
The Best of Me Filming Locations
The Best of Me, released in 2014, is a tale of high school sweethearts who reunite later in life back in their small hometown. James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan star in the screen adaptation, which was filmed in Louisiana.
Covington, Louisiana
Much of the movie was filmed in Covington, including Marsolan’s Feed Store, a local store that hosts live music, along with the Covington Presbyterian Church, and Bissell law firm.
Morgan City, Louisiana
The International Petroleum Museum and Exposition has an authentic offshore drilling rig called “Mr. Charlie” that visitors can learn about the oil industry or train to work on a rig. The museum was used in The Best of Me.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Founded in 1930, Dillard University is a historically black college affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.
It was made up of other institutions dating back to the 1800s. The Gentilly neighborhood campus was used in the film.
Schriever, Louisiana
Magnolia Plantation, located north of Houma, is a private residence and former cotton plantation dating back to 1858. In the film, it served as Amanda’s childhood home. It’s also been used in 12 Years a Slave.
Slidell, Louisiana
Slidell’s Camellia Produce was used in a scene where Amanda and Dawson eat out front. In real life, you can pick up fresh produce like peaches.
The Longest Ride Filming Locations
A professional bull rider falls hard for a college student going after her dream of taking on the art world of New York City. Their story is intertwined with the love story of another couple decades before.
Britt Robertson, Scott Eastwood and Alan Alda star in 2015’s The Longest Ride. A real PBR scene took place in Jacksonville.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Much of Wilmington was used in filming, including the Temple of Israel, the Union Station Building, St. Mary’s Catholic School, and a number of historic homes.
Cameron Art Museum stood in for multiple museums in the movie. Graystone Inn, where the party was filmed, has been used in multiple films and television shows.
Brunswick Islands, North Carolina
Caswell Beach in the Brunswick Islands, located south of Wilmington, was used in place of the Outer Banks, where Ruth’s family spent the summer.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
The Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem was used as another location for the rodeo. It’s also used for Wake Forest University basketball games.
The Choice Filming Locations
The Choice, released in 2016, stars Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Maggie Grace, Alexandra Daddario, and Tom Welling. Neighbors Travis and Gabby connect and quickly develop a relationship, despite dating other people. After a breakup, they get back together but meet tragic circumstances.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Many restaurants and locations in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach were used. Dockside Restaurant and Bar is a popular waterfront attraction where Travis and his friends hang out in the film. It’s also been used on Dawson’s Creek.
Bridge Tender Marina, Hanover Seaside Club, and Brasserie du Soleil were used along with Airlie Gardens and Fort Fisher. The couple also spends the day on the water at Masonboro Island.
Learn about these filming locations and others on the “A Ride to Remember” tour.
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