7 Iconic Dawson’s Creek Filming Locations You Can Still Visit In Wilmington, NC Today

For fans of the 90s teen drama phenomenon, the question of "where was Dawson's Creek filmed" conjures images of New England charm, but the reality is a sunnier coastal city. As of today, December 11, 2025, the heart of Capeside, Massachusetts, is still beating strongly in the coastal city of Wilmington, North Carolina, a town that served as the primary, and most iconic, backdrop for all six seasons of the show. The series, which ran from 1998 to 2003, cemented Wilmington's reputation as "Hollywood East" and created a timeless treasure trove of accessible filming locations for modern-day fans.

The show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, successfully transformed the unique maritime atmosphere of Wilmington into a quintessential New England setting, utilizing its historic architecture, picturesque waterways, and academic campuses to bring the complicated lives of Dawson, Joey, Pacey, and Jen to life. From the famous creek to the bustling high school, nearly every memorable scene was shot in and around this beautiful North Carolina port city.

The Creative Minds Behind Capeside: Key Figures Biography

The world of Dawson's Creek was built on the vision of its creator and brought to life by its core cast, whose early careers are inextricably linked to the Wilmington filming experience. The show’s success is a testament to their collective talent and the compelling narratives they explored.

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• Kevin Williamson (Creator/Writer/Executive Producer): Born March 14, 1965, in New Bern, North Carolina, Williamson is an American screenwriter and producer. He is best known for creating Dawson's Creek, as well as writing the screenplays for the blockbuster horror franchises Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. His North Carolina roots likely influenced the decision to film the show in Wilmington.
• James Van Der Beek (Dawson Leery): Born March 8, 1977, in Cheshire, Connecticut. He played the titular character, an aspiring filmmaker whose life mirrored the show's own cinematic themes. He later starred in the series CSI: Cyber and the film Varsity Blues.
• Katie Holmes (Joey Potter): Born December 18, 1978, in Toledo, Ohio. Holmes portrayed the ambitious and artistic best friend, Joey. Her career post-Dawson’s Creek includes major roles in films like Batman Begins and the TV series The Kennedys.
• Joshua Jackson (Pacey Witter): Born June 11, 1978, in Vancouver, Canada. Jackson played the charming underdog, Pacey. He went on to star in hit shows like Fringe, The Affair, and Dr. Death.
• Michelle Williams (Jen Lindley): Born September 9, 1980, in Kalispell, Montana. Williams played the troubled New York transplant, Jen. She has since become one of the most critically acclaimed actresses of her generation, earning multiple Academy Award nominations for films such as Brokeback Mountain and Manchester by the Sea.

The Real-Life Capeside: Unmasking the Iconic Filming Locations

The fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts, required a versatile and picturesque setting, and Wilmington, NC, delivered. Over 128 episodes and six seasons, the production used dozens of locations throughout the city and its island beaches, creating a seamless, believable small-town environment.

1. Capeside High School: University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)

The most recognizable academic setting in the show was Capeside High School, where the core four spent their early seasons. The exterior shots of the high school were actually filmed at the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW).

Specifically, UNCW’s Alderman Hall is one of the most frequently seen and recognizable buildings used to represent the high school campus. The transition from a college campus to a high school setting was a common trick used by the production team to lend a sense of scale and grandeur to the teenage drama.

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2. Dawson’s House and The Creek: The Leery Residence

The iconic Leery house, with its window facing Joey’s bedroom across the water, is perhaps the most famous single location from the series. The house is a private residence located on a specific creek in Wilmington. The actual waterway known as "The Creek" in the show was a combination of two real-life creeks: Hewlett Creek and Bradley Creek.

While the Leery house is privately owned and not open to the public, the general area near these creeks offers the same beautiful, marshy, coastal North Carolina scenery that defined Dawson’s childhood dreams and his backyard. This setting perfectly captured the serene, water-centric life of Capeside.

3. The Commercial Hub: Downtown Wilmington and The Riverwalk

Many of the town's commercial and public scenes—including the characters' various workplaces and hangouts—were filmed in the historic downtown area of Wilmington. The Riverwalk, which runs along the Cape Fear River, was a frequent backdrop for introspective conversations and romantic moments between the main characters.

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Key streets like Market Street and Water Street are well-known locations where numerous scenes were filmed, capturing the vibrant yet small-town feel of Capeside.

4. Joey’s Workplace: The Icehouse and Potter B&B

Joey Potter's family life revolved around the Icehouse, the restaurant she worked at, and the Potter Bed and Breakfast. While the Icehouse set was a construction, the production utilized the feel of the downtown area. Fans often confuse the location with another famous Wilmington TV spot, Karen's Cafe from One Tree Hill, which was filmed nearby.

The atmosphere of the Riverwalk and the surrounding brick buildings provided the perfect New England-esque setting for these vital character locations.

5. The Beach Scenes: Wrightsville Beach and Banks Channel

Although Capeside is a fictional Massachusetts town, the show’s beach scenes were filmed at the gorgeous North Carolina coast. Wrightsville Beach and the adjacent Banks Channel were frequently used for exterior shots, especially those involving water activities like boating and swimming.

The beautiful, sunny disposition of the North Carolina beaches is one of the few visual cues that subtly betray the show's fictional New England setting, offering a sunnier, more vibrant coastal feel than a typical Massachusetts beach.

6. The Capeside Hangout: Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

For scenes requiring a fun, arcade-like atmosphere, the crew turned to Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. Specifically, the arcade and the Big Splash Café and Pizzeria within the park were used to represent various Capeside hangouts and date spots.

This location highlights the show's commitment to using real, accessible Wilmington businesses, adding a layer of authenticity for local viewers.

7. The College Years: Boston University and Other Locations

As the characters grew and moved on to college, the show occasionally expanded its filming locations to represent their new lives in Boston. However, even these "Boston" scenes were often cleverly shot in Wilmington or other parts of North Carolina, utilizing various buildings to stand in for Boston University and other urban settings. The show's commitment to its Wilmington base remained strong throughout its run.

Wilmington’s Enduring Legacy as "Hollywood East"

Dawson's Creek is not an isolated case; its filming in Wilmington is part of a much larger history. The city's journey as a major filming hub began in 1983 when producer Dino de Laurentiis established a studio there to produce the film Fire Starter.

Wilmington's intracoastal waterways, sunshine vibes, and small-town atmosphere made it an ideal, cost-effective substitute for the more expensive and logistically challenging New England. Following Dawson's Creek, the city continued its legacy by hosting other major teen dramas, most notably One Tree Hill, further cementing its status as "Hollywood East."

The show's enduring popularity means that the iconic locations, from the University of North Carolina Wilmington to the historic Riverwalk, continue to attract dedicated fans. These sites are not just relics of a 90s television show; they are living parts of Wilmington's cultural and cinematic history, offering a tangible connection to the beloved characters of Capeside.