My freshman year of college was spent rushing to get my work done so I could binge watch the life-changing TV series "One Tree Hill" on Netflix. It's all I could talk or think about, and if you loved it as much as me, you know exactly what I mean. When I found out that almost the entire show was filmed in an actual North Carolina town, I knew I had to go there soon. So, spring break rolled around and my boyfriend and I packed up my car for an 8-hour car ride to see Tree Hill (a.k.a. Wilmington, NC) up close and personal.
This town was so much more than I hoped for. I fell in love with the history, the proximity of the beach, the food, and most importantly, how you couldn't walk down the street without hearing some teenage girl scream because she was seeing the "real-life Karen's Cafe!"
Here are 8 places, with pictures from my trip, that you need to see as the ultimate OTH fan in Wilmington:
1. Brooke Davis' House
This red door was all that I had hoped it to be and more. Located just 10 minutes from downtown Wilimington and sitting in the prettiest neighborhood I have ever seen, Brooke's house was the best part of my whole trip. As I was posing for my picture and watched as people laugh as they drove by, I had to wonder how many times this happened in a day. I didn't care, though, because I got to see Brooke Davis' house in real life and it was perfect.
2. The Naley Bench
The Naley Bench is located in the center of town on the Riverwalk. There are many identical benches beside each other, so it would've been hard to tell the exact one, but we had a tour guide that pointed out exactly which one was in the iconic scene. All of the tables had "Naley forever" written all over them and my heart melted with each note. The tour guide also handed us a little charm bracelet and took our picture to reenact the entire "don't say I never gave you anything" scene. *heart eyes*
3. Karen's Cafe & Baker Man
Walking through downtown Wilmington one afternoon, I could not figure out why this certain intersection looked so familiar. We spent an entire hour talking about it until I realized, that was in fact the intersection of Karen's Café and Baker Man. Remember the scene of the Bakers walking out of Baker Man and the Scott's walking out of the café, arm-in-arm on their way to Jamie's high school basketball game? Yeah, how could you forget. Realizing I was walking on the same road as Nathan Scott made my heart skip a little beat, too.
4. The Rivercourt
Although the Rivercourt was the only aspect of the show that was taken down when it ended, the park that it was in is still there, and we still went over to see where so many important scenes had occurred. In the place of the Rivercourt was a small area with picnic benches that were covered in messages from fans, and even some notes from the cast, too. These benches were the coolest part because it showed how much of an impact OTH left on so many people. RIP Rivercourt, we miss you.
5. Peyton Sawyer's House
Peyton Sawyer's beautiful brick house was exactly how I thought it would be. And it was coincidentally right beside Haley's house, which they never showed us. It was on a busy road so it was a quick drive-by picture, but all I could think about was the episode where her crazy "brother" attacked Peyton and Brooke. So many memories of Peyton Sawyer in just 6 short seasons.
6. Lucas & Karen's House
Perhaps the most surreal house for me to see was Lucas Scott's house. So many important talks were had on the front porch, I could almost imagine Lucas and Karen sitting there as I took the pictures. And the door that led to Lucas' bedroom, that's it right there. Remember when Brooke moved in with him and he painted it red so she could still continue to be the "girl behind the red door?" I know, how could anyone forget.
7. Haley's House
I know what you're thinking, we barely ever saw Haley's house because she moved in with Nathan so soon, but this is the place responsible for raising The Haley Scott. Plus, how could we forget about the iconic kiss right on the sidewalk in the pouring rain? The beginning of probably the best fictional couple of all time.
8. OTH Bridge
The OTH Bridge was the very last stop as we were leaving the city. All week we had been warned to be careful because the bridge was in a sketchy part of town, and don't dare go under the bridge like the characters in the show once had. With that being said, we simply slowed down for a picture and didn't get out of the car. But, I couldn't let any warnings make me miss seeing the bridge that Lucas Scott ran across in the opening credits. *Cue Gavin DeGraw's theme song now*
Wilmington is the place to go if you are a "One Tree Hill" fan. Every street, shop, and restaurant is filled with locals that can tell you exactly what it was like when they were here filming, especially because they met most of the stars. Six years without "One Tree Hill" but never, ever forgotten. Wilmington, NC.. you'll always be Tree Hill to me.
"It's the oldest story in the world. One day you're seventeen and planning for someday, and then quietly, without you ever really noticing, someday is today, and that someday is yesterday, and this is your life." -Nathan Scott
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