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Manteo
Start your movie trail in the town of Manteo, where some scenes were filmed at the boat slips downtown. Both Richard Gere and Diane Lane were spotted here often during filming, as both stayed at the Tranquil House Inn on Manteo’s waterfront. Treat yourself like a movie star by dining at the Inn’s restaurant, 1587, or explore the town’s history and boutique shopping.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
From Manteo, cross the US 64 bridge and head south on NC Highway 12. You'll immediately enter Cape Hatteras National Seashore and be drawn in by the windswept coastal scenery. Consider a stop at the 156-foot Bodie Island Lighthouse on your way.
Highway 12
About 15 miles farther, just before you get to Rodanthe, you’ll start to encounter a set of twists in the road. In the movie, on the ocean side of Highway 12, a scene was filmed with Diane Lane and a herd of wild horses. While the Corolla wild horses do roam free on the Outer Banks, the ones in the movie were imported. However, this particular stretch of beach is very real and very popular, thanks to its dynamic shore and natural beauty.
Inn at Rodanthe
Continue south for a few miles, and shortly after entering Rodanthe, turn left on Beacon Road to see the home where Lane and Gere’s characters met. Called the Inn at Rodanthe, the property has always been a vacation rental home. It was moved away from the edge of the surf and no longer has the dramatic (and dangerous) proximity to the ocean, but it still affords a romantic view of the sea. Decked out in its star-turn trim, the six-bedroom house is available for rent (reservations might be competitive), but even if you stay elsewhere, you’ll want to snap a picture.
Rodanthe Pier
In the film, Rodanthe Pier was where the villagers threw themselves a party after the storm passed. The scene was shot with about 400 extras and most of the principal cast. The wind speed on the night of the filming was between 25 and 30 miles per hour, and filming lasted until 4 a.m. It was a night locals will never forget.
Buxton
Head south on Highway 12 to Buxton Village and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at Rusty’s Surf & Turf or Diamond Shoals. If you’re lucky, catch a performance by the band Coyote, whose members appeared in “Nights in Rodanthe” and regularly play on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry
Begin your second day on the movie trail by driving onboard the free Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry, which departs every 30 minutes from May through October. Scenes with Richard Gere were filmed on this route, as Gere’s character Paul Flanner arrived on the island after driving in from Raleigh.
Ocracoke Village
After the one-hour ferry ride, enjoy your 16-mile drive on Ocracoke Island. A few scenes from the movie also were shot in Ocracoke Village, so take some time here and enjoy sights such as the Ocracoke Lighthouse and the Banker pony pens.
Cedar Island
Then it’s time to board another ferry, this time a 2.5-hour ride across Pamlico Sound to Cedar Island. Enjoy the views of Hatteras Village, the pristine beaches at the end of the island and the wildlife on the sound. After you exit the ferry at Cedar Island, you’ll drive through Beaufort, Morehead City and Jacksonville on your way to Wilmington.
Wilmington
Wilmington and its island beaches have been home to more than 400 film-related productions since the area was first “discovered” in 1983. Several interior scenes for “Nights in Rodanthe” were shot here at EUE / Screen Gems Studios, one of the largest movie studios outside of California. Though the studio isn't open for tours, you can get a look at sites featured in “Nights in Rodanthe,” “One Tree Hill,” “Iron Man 3” and other locally filmed projects on a self-guided tour.
Snapshot Module
Your trip at a glance
Stop 1
Manteo
Stop 2
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Stop 3
Highway 12
Stop 4
Inn at Rodanthe
Stop 5
Rodanthe Pier
Stop 6
Buxton
Stop 7
Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry
Stop 8
Ocracoke Village
Stop 9
Cedar Island
Stop 10