Romantics swoon over the book-turned-film The Notebook, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, which was filmed around Charleston, South Carolina. It’s one of the most popular movies filmed in the city, based on the book by Nicholas Sparks.
While many of the locations were changed or developed for the film or on private property, there are a handful of places used in the movie that you can visit on your own.
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The Notebook Locations in Charleston
The American Theater
The American Theater is an iconic upper King Street location that was built in 1942 as a movie theater. It has its original sign and a changing marquee.
While it now functions as a special event facility, especially for weddings, you might have seen it as the site of Allie and Noah’s movie double date.
Stop here to pose for a romantic photo. The traffic light a few blocks down is where they lie down in the road, but this isn’t recommended.
Boone Hall Plantation
Located across the river in Mount Pleasant, Boone Hall Plantation has been captured on film a number of times over the years.
Built in 1681, the plantation is still in operation, growing crops onsite. Many original buildings are now lost, and the main plantation house was built in 1936.
There are also slave cabins and the famous Avenue of the Oaks. They host many events and festivals throughout the year and are open to tours. Please show respect when you visit because of this site’s history.
In the film, the exterior was used as the Hamilton family’s summer home on Seabrook. The Calhoun Mansion downtown was used for interior scenes.
Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner provided one of the most iconic scenes in the film when Noah and Allie paddle through the swamp inhabited by swans.
While they don’t actually live there, it was no less beautiful. In fact, you’re much more likely to spot alligators. The attraction was built in 1927, and visitors can go out in boats to see the swamp.
Alternatively, the Francis Beidler Forest has a similar cypress swamp that can be navigated by canoe. It’s about an hour north in Harleyville.
William Aiken House
Set on King Street, the yellow-painted William Aiken House dates back to 1810. Today, it’s one of the city’s most beautiful wedding venues with formal parlors, a wrap-around veranda, and landscaped gardens around a two-hundred-year-old magnolia tree.
Located right across the street from the American Theater, this setting was used in the scene where Allie hears about Noah and has a meltdown in the bathtub after her dress fitting.
College of Charleston
The campus of the College of Charleston, which dates back to 1770, has been featured in many television and film projects, including Dear John, O, and The Patriot.
The founders of the college included three signers of the Declaration of Independence. One of the buildings on George Street was seen where Lon picks up Allie at school, specifically across from the Porter’s Lodge.
Old Navy Base
The Navy Yard, turned Naval Base in North Charleston, operated from 1901 to 1996. The over 1,000-acre Old Navy Base has been used for concerts, festivals in Riverfront Park, and filming for shows like Army Wives and Outer Banks.
For The Notebook, interior shots were used on the base, including the admiral’s house and one of the chapels, as well as the production offices set up on-site.
Old Village Mount Pleasant
The charming downtown of fictional Seabrook, where Allie and Noah go on a date, is the Old Village neighborhood of Mount Pleasant. There are a number of restaurants and shops here, including the Post House Inn and Pitt Street Pharmacy. It’s also close to locations from the show Outer Banks.
Where is “The Notebook House”?
We’ve left out the location of Noah’s house that he lovingly restores in the film. Too many people were trespassing to go find it and invading the residents’ privacy. So instead, you can check out this video that Southern Living did with the homeowners for an inside look. Note that only the exteriors were used, and the interiors took place in a studio.
The Notebook Tours of Charleston
Sciway has even more locations and information about the filming process, best visited by car.
All About Charleston Tours also offers a tour specific to The Notebook.
Charleston’s TV & Movie Tour by Van visits filming locations from The Notebook and other movies and shows.
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Looking for a Charleston hotel? Some of our favorites include the Charleston Harbor Marina Resort and the Vendue Inn. Airbnb is another option. There’s no shortage of things to do in Charleston, including tours and museums, so check out our weekend guide for more information.
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