SoutheastTop City Vacations

Re-Live The Romance Of The Notebook In Charleston

By , February 13th, 2015

Called by some a modern-day Casablanca, The Notebook quickly became a classic romantic story of two young lovers from different worlds who get a second chance. It made stars out of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, propelling them into the international spotlight. Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, the movie was filmed throughout the inspiring location of Charleston, South Carolina. While the stunning house Noah built for Allie is private property, you can still visit many of the sites featured in the beloved film. Welcome to The Notebook in Charleston!

The Double Date

THE AMERICAN THEATER, 456 KING STREET, DOWNTOWN

American Theater Charleston

Photo by author

Located on upper King Street, The American Theater was used as the site of Noah and Allie’s double date during the shooting of The Notebook in Charleston. While the 1940s picture house no longer shows movies, it’s a popular wedding and event venue and proposal messages are regularly featured on the marquis. The scene where the couple lay in the middle of the street watching the traffic lights change is a few blocks up from the Theater in front of the Morris Sokol Furniture store.

The Wooing of Allie

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON CAMPUS,  66 GEORGE STREET, DOWNTOWN

College of Charleston The Notebook

Photo by author 

Future fiancé Lon woos Allie on the campus of her school, which was filmed on the historic campus of the College of Charleston. Established in 1770, the historic campus is an inspiring place to be both on film and in real life. The scene is set across the street from the Porter’s Lodge, the area where visitors once dismounted from their carriages and entered the area known as the Cistern and Randolph Hall. Snap some photos under the majestic oaks and catch students sunbathing between classes.

The Hamilton Family Summer Home

BOONE HALL PLANTATION & GARDENS, 1235 LONG POINT ROAD, MOUNT PLEASANT 

Boone Hall The Notebook

Photo by Rennett Stowe CC BY

The city is full of beautiful plantations, but Boone Hall is a cut above the rest, particularly for its Avenue of the Oaks, which was featured in Gone with the Wind before becoming the location of the Hamilton family summer home in The Notebook in Charleston. The “modest home” in the film was actually a lucrative cotton plantation built in 1681 that originally opened for tours in 1956. The plantation regularly hosts events, like their strawberry and oyster festivals, so be sure to check out the calendar of events before planning your trip!

The Bathtub Breakdown

WILLIAM AIKENS HOUSE, 456 KING STREET, DOWNTOWN

William Aiken House Charleston

Photo by Patrick Properties CC BY

When Allie finds Noah’s picture in the newspaper right before she’s set to get married, she has a breakdown in the bathtub. The bright yellow historic home next to the American Theater was once the residence of the founder of the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company. It was damaged in the 1886 earthquake and became a historical landmark in 1963. Today it’s one of South Carolina’s most popular places to get married.

A Flock of Swans

CYPRESS GARDENS,  3030 CYPRESS GARDENS ROAD, MONCKS CORNER 

Cypress Gardens South Carolina

Photo by author 

Once Allie goes in search of Noah, they paddle out into the river where their boat meets a flock of swans in a cinematically stunning moment. While you are more likely to spot alligators than birds, you can relive this moment for yourself by borrowing a boat from Cypress Gardens and paddling out into the cypress swamps. Also check out the facility’s butterfly garden and reptile center during your visit.

Which of these locations do you remember most from the movie?

Find your ideal hotel in and around the grand oaks of Charleston.

 


More from trivago magazine:

9 Classically Charming Charleston Hotels

Where To Get Your Southern Snack-On in Charleston, SC