This weekend in Wilmington, Sept. 18-20, the "Hey 23: A Call Back to Tree Hill" convention/reunion will celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the 2003 series premiere of Wilmington-shot TV show "One Tree Hill."
With a pep rally, celebrity basketball game, live music with "One Tree Hill" actor Tyler Hilton, a Clothes Over Bros fashion show, photo ops and autograph sessions, confirmed guests include actors Barry Corbin, Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty and Sophia Bush.
In honor of the 23rd anniversary of the iconic show, which is still bringing people to Wilmington, let's take a look at 23 Wilmington locations that every "One Tree Hill" fan should visit.
Black Cat Shoppe
Located at 8 Market St. in downtown Wilmington, the former home of the CD Alley music store (in
real life) is where Chris Keller (played by Tyler Hilton) worked on "One Tree Hill." Was also where Nathan (James Lafferty) asked out Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) for the first time on the show.
Outdoor Equipped
Located at 272 N. Front St. in downtown Wilmington, this outdoors clothing store was home to both Karen's Cafe and the Clothes Over Bros clothing store on "One Tree Hill."
Harry Forden Sixth Street Bridge
Located on North Sixth Street in downtown Wilmington, this bridge appeared in the opening credits when "One Tree Hill" premiered in 2003. It's regularly covered in quotes from the show written by fans who travel to see it from all over the world.
Naley Bench
Located on the Wilmington Riverwalk, the Naley Bench — a combination of the names Nathan and Haley, characters played by James Lafferty (as Nathan Scott) and Bethany Joy Lenz (as Haley James, later Haley James Scott after she and Nathan tied the knot) — turned up in numerous scenes over the course of "One Tree Hill's" nine seasons. In 2020, the bench was moved from its original location near Water and Market streets to Water and Dock streets next to Anne Bonny's Bar & Grill.
One Tree Hill Way
Though not used as a location on the show, this real-life street that connects to the Love Grove Memorial Bridge has been used in other locally filmed movie and TV productions, including "Driver's Ed" and "George and Tammy."
The Blue Post
Downtown Wilmington bar appears in multiple "One Tree Hill" scenes, and its cast occasionally hung out there in real life. "One Tree Hill" actor Sophia Bush is immortalized here, with her name on a plaque in the bar's "beer club."
Hell's Kitchen
Originally a set for Wilmington-shot show "Dawson's Creek" that was later turned into a real-life business, this Princess Street restaurant and bar played The Swinging Donkey bar on OTH. Hell's was also a location on "The Summer I Turned Pretty."
Cape Fear Community College
The home of CFCC's Health and Human Services programs and library played Tree Hill High School on the show.
Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center
Venue on the campus of CFCC was used as the exterior of One Tree Hill High School's gym, Whitey Durham Field House, on OTH.
Battleship Park
Home of the famed "River Court," which was actually a set.
Peyton Sawyer House
Located at 1901 Chestnut St., this house portrayed the home of character Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton). Wilmington writer John Jeremiah Sullivan wrote about living in the house in a 2011 essay for GQ.
Dan Scott House
Located at 1621 Country Club Road, this house was the abode of "One Tree Hill" villain Dan Scott, played by Paul Johansson.
Lucas Scott/Karen Roe House
Located at 1829 Wrightsville Ave., this house served as the residence for multiple "One Tree Hill" characters, including single mom and businesswoman Karen Roe (Moira Kelly) and her son, Lucas Scott, played by Chad Michael Murray.
Brooke Davis House
House at 2314 Tattersalls Drive in Wilmington was the home of character Brooke Davis, played by Sophia Bush.
Haley James Scott House
Located at 1811 Chestnut St., this four-bedroom, two-bath home was used as the home of character Haley James Scott (Bethany Joy Lenz) on "One Tree Hill."
1121 South Front St.
Historic warehouse that also appeared in David Lynch's Wilmington-shot film "Blue Velvet" was home of the TRIC nightclub in "One Tree Hill."
Laney High School
Home basketball games for the Tree Hill Ravens were shot at the home court of the Laney Buccaneers, famously the alma mater of Wilmington native and basketball legend Michael Jordan.
Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier
Wrightsville Beach spot is where Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush) shared a smooch in the sand.
Greenfield Lake/Park
Historic Wilmington park and gardens was the setting for the wedding between Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton) in the season six finale of "One Tree Hill." Fans turned out in droves to watch the scene being filmed in 2009.
Airlie Gardens
Several "One Tree Hill" scenes were shot in these historic Wilmington gardens, including a famous dream sequence ("look for me in the lilies) with the character Karen Roe (Moira Kelly).
Thalian Hall
Historic Wilmington theater, and for more than a century the home of Wilmington City Hall, played Tree Hill Town Hall in the TV series, with the building's iconic front steps and Corinthian columns appearing throughout the show.
Graystone Inn
Historic Wilmington structure at Third and Dock streets — which suffered a devastating fire in 2025 — was used as a location, both inside and out, in multiple seasons of "One Tree Hill."
New Hanover County Courthouse
Historic 1892 courthouse at Third and Princess streets served as a prominent "One Tree Hill" location, with scenes shot both inside and out.
John Staton is the arts and culture reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at jstaton@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: These 23 Wilmington spots are well known to 'One Tree Hill' fans
