Where Was ‘The Runarounds’ Filmed? Exploring Beautiful Wilmington, North Carolina

Amazon Prime Video subscribers may have recently seen advertisements for the streamer’s latest series, “The Runarounds.” The show, which premiered on Sept. 1, highlights a group of recent high school graduates attempting to form a band that takes the music world by storm. Those who have seen the series will note a few key similarities to Netflix’s “Outer Banks,” which premiered back in 2020. Both shows center on elder teens and young adults, showcase a hyper-local culture in a Southern beach town and take place in scenic North Carolina. This is no accident, as “The Runarounds” was created and developed by the same writers and producers as the runaway Netflix hit. Unlike “Outer Banks,” though, “The Runarounds” actually shoots on location, allowing the fictional characters to inhabit the same city as the real-life actors. In the case of “The Runarounds,” the entire show has been captured in and around Wilmington, North Carolina.

Whether you’ve been interested in checking out Wilmington for some time or you’re just interested in walking in the same footsteps as Charlie Cooper and the band, be sure to read ahead. We’ll outline some of the show’s key filming locations, as well as a number of must-try restaurants, shops and local attractions. Wilmington has rapidly developed a reputation for being one of the East Coast’s nicest beach towns, making it a thriving hotbed for tourist activity already. With shows such as “The Waterfront,” “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” and now “The Runarounds” taking place here, you’ll want to secure your ticket before the beaches become overrun with overzealous TV fans.

Runaround Wilmington With A Band Of Your Own

Key Scenes: Since the narrative of “The Runarounds” takes place in Wilmington, the series doesn’t need to do much to disguise its filming location. A few local businesses have been outfitted with fake logos and names for the show, but most of the backdrops are presented exactly as they are in real life, as Star News Online reports.

Best Time to Visit: Though Wilmington is a gorgeous beach town suitable for visitors year-round, most tourists prefer to make the pilgrimage during the early summer. The months of May through June are especially enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. During this time, the weather is hot but not overbearing, in stark contrast to the overly humid months of July and August. The white sands and crashing waves of destinations such as Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach provide plenty of opportunities for surfing and water sports, while the downtown area’s thriving nightlife offers plenty of restaurants, bars, and social events.

Transportation Options: One downside visitors might experience while checking out Wilmington is the lack of comprehensive public transit. While there are buses, trolleys, and taxi cabs in the city, most tourists prefer to rent a car, especially if their hotel is located more than a brisk walk from the coast. If you’re trying to experience all that Wilmington has to offer, or even stop by each of the main “The Runarounds” filming locations without a rental, you’ll run the risk of spending a fortune on rideshare services.

Some landmarks and locales seen during “The Runarounds” include Gravity Records, the Seabird restaurant, The Basilica Shrine of St. Mary Catholic church, The Wilmington Riverwalk, The Brooklyn Arts Center and Greenfield Lake Park. Most of the series is concentrated in Wilmington’s popular downtown area, though there are a few notable excursions in the show. Airlie Botanical Garden and Jungle Rapids amusement park are two major backdrops represented in climactic scenes, showcasing some of greater Wilmington’s most fun and picturesque stomping grounds.

Things to Do: Even if you have little interest in checking out “The Runarounds” filming locations, you’ll find that Wilmington is packed with exciting activities for you to explore. Be sure to kick off your trip with a guided tour in order to get the lay of the land. These can be conducted via walking, biking, boat or bus, depending on where you book. For those that don’t mind a bit of a hike, the Wilmington Ghost Tour and the Historic Happy Hour are two highly-recommended favorites. From there, you’ll want to take some time to explore key historical sites in the region, such as the Bellamy Mansion, Wilmington Railroad Museum and the now-retired Battleship North Carolina. The Riverwalk is another major hotspot, which allows visitors to follow the length of the Cape Fear River while stopping to check out any number of bars, restaurants and the esteemed Museum of the Bizarre.

Where to Eat: Since the city has attracted so many young professionals in recent years, Wilmington has rapidly become something of a foodie paradise. A number of trendy restaurants are available for those in need of an upscale culinary experience, while simple beach staples like fried dough and pizza can be found at nearly every boardwalk. It’s hard to go wrong with food in Wilmington, though a few restaurants specifically shown on screen in “The Runarounds” include Prost Biergarten on South Front Street, the Seabird restaurant, Gelarto gelato and the Bespoke coffee shop and bar, which was transformed into Catesby’s music store within the narrative. Other local favorites that didn’t make the cut for the series include Fork N Cork and Circa 1922.

Where to Stay: Though tourism is positively booming in Wilmington, you’ll find that there are many affordable chain hotels in the region. The Doubletree by Hilton, Hampton Inn and Best Western Plus are among the cheapest, especially during off-peak months. If money isn’t an object for you, and you don’t mind shelling out for a luxury stay, you can always check out the rates at the Arrive Wilmington, the Hotel Ballast Wilmington or the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center. No matter where you wind up booking, be sure to bring an extra bathing suit, a good amount of sunscreen and any a cooler to make the most of your time on the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “The Runarounds” based on a true story?

Though “The Runarounds” is not based on a true story, many of the plot lines do stem from the actual experiences of the cast. Each of the band members in the show are real musicians, hand-picked by series creator Jonas Pate thanks to their musical knowledge and on-screen chemistry. Pate worked closely alongside the cast to tailor some of the dialogue and situations outlined in the show to their lived experience.

Will there be a season two of “The Runarounds”?

For now, there has been no official word of a season two for “The Runarounds.” Jonas Pate has expressed plans for a multi-season story, however. During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the director stated “We have a whole architecture for five-plus seasons mapped out that tells the story of what happens to them.” If the series receives a warm reception from audiences over the course of the next few weeks, it seems likely that Amazon will capitalize on their investment by offering Pate additional seasons.

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