Forget #TeamConrad or #TeamJeremiah, and stay forever Team Wilmington, the real-life backdrop for Cousins Beach in “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. Follow this 3-day itinerary to explore the most iconic filming spots from Season 3. 

Day 1: Checking into Cousins

Afternoon

Check into ARRIVE Wilmington (Cousins Inn)
Known as Cousins Inn on the show, this boutique hotel in downtown Wilmington served as a major backdrop to Jeremiah and Belly’s wedding. With chic décor, an excellent location and an onsite restaurant, it’s the perfect place to kick off your time in “Cousins”.

Coffee or pastry at Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods
Just a few blocks away, Bespoke sits on the corner of Princess and Second Street. This trendy café serves creative coffee drinks and fresh pastries, making it an ideal afternoon pick-me-up after traveling.

Evening

Downtown walk
Ease into your trip with a stroll through downtown Wilmington. Stop at Papercut Books, known as Whale of a Tale in the series, where you can pick up your own copy of Jenny Han’s novels or browse for a new beach read. Continue to The Cotton Exchange, a historic shopping complex with dozens of boutiques and galleries. Here, you may recall the emotional scene where young Belly and Conrad separated and Belly played with hand-blown glass figurines.

Dinner at Dram Yard
Return to the hotel for dinner at Dram Yard, which doubled as the setting for several memorable moments, including Laurel and John sharing drinks before the wedding and Jeremiah drowning his sorrows afterward. The restaurant’s chef-driven menu highlights seasonal ingredients with a creative coastal twist.

Optional Evening Activity

Downtown drinks and ice cream
Recreate the crew’s bachelor and bachelorette nights out by stopping for drinks at Duck and Dive and the C Suite Lounge. Want a sweet treat? Head to Kilwin's for a scoop of ice cream and stand in the very spot where Belly questioned her feelings for Conrad the night of her party.

 

Day 2: Relive Belly's Wedding Day

Morning

Breakfast at Casa Blanca Coffee Roasters
Set in a former stucco house, this cozy café offers a full breakfast menu, grab-and-go pastries and a wide-ranging coffee and tea selection. It’s also where Conrad and his friend Agnes shared a quiet chat early in Season 3.

Relax at Coastal Massage & Spa
Treat yourself to a little pampering at Coastal Massage & Spa, the same day spa Belly and her bridesmaids visited before the wedding. Choose from signature massages, facials and spa packages designed for deep relaxation, exactly what every vacation needs.

Main Attraction

Trask Family Farms (Peach Scene) or Smith Creek Park
If you’re visiting in season, head to Trask Family Farms, where the iconic, all too juicy peach scene was filmed. While the farm doesn’t sell peaches, it does offer homegrown produce in summer, you-pick flowers and a fall festival with a corn maze from September through November.

Want another outdoor option? Try Smith Creek Park, where you can walk, jog or bike the scenic 1.5-mile loop around the lake like Conrad did with his friend Agnes. A dock and boat ramp make it easy to launch a kayak or paddleboard and enjoy the water until it closes at sunset.

Afternoon

Dinner at Covey ILM (Rehearsal Dinner)
Reserve a table at Covey, one of Wilmington’s newest fine-dining spots. With a menu built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, Covey offers an elevated dining experience, and it’s where Belly and Jeremiah’s rehearsal dinner was filmed. Keep an eye out for specials; rumor has it, lobster rolls make an appearance from time to time.

Evening

Drinks at the Gazebo Bar
Before turning in, unwind at the hotel’s outdoor Gazebo Bar, a scenic location for characters enjoying a pre- and post-wedding cocktail.

 

Day 3: Brunch and Beaches

Morning

Brunch at The Oceanic (Engagement Scene)
One of Season 3’s most talked-about moments took place at The Oceanic, where Jeremiah and Belly announced their engagement over a towering seafood platter. Grab an upstairs table for panoramic ocean views and enjoy a Southern coastal brunch, without the drama. Afterwards, hop on the social trend and take a video of you standing outside like Conrad after everyone left the restaurant.

Optional Activity

Wrightsville Beach
Spend the day at Wrightsville Beach, which has been central to the series since Season 1. It’s the backdrop for the Fisher family’s iconic summer house and the beach where Belly and Conrad shared their first kiss. Swim, paddle or simply stroll the shoreline for your own Cousins Beach moment.

Mayfaire Town Center
If the weather keeps you off the beach, head to Mayfaire. This shopping destination is where Belly tried on wedding dresses and where she and Conrad picked up wedding décor at Michaels. You’ll find a mix of national retailers and locally owned boutiques for a full day of browsing.

Departure

Treats from Little Loaf Bakery
On your way out of town, stop at Little Loaf Bakery and Schoolhouse. In the show, Belly asked for the widely talked about chocolate mirror-glazed cake before settling for cupcakes to go. Stock up on fresh-baked breads and pastries for the road — a sweet ending to your Cousins Beach getaway.

 

Browse other trip guides for Wilmington and its island beaches to find even more ways to explore our destination.