You’ve seen it. That weathered, wrap-around porch where John B and the Pogues plot their next move while the marsh grass sways in the background. It’s called Chateau Nowheresville in the show, but if you’ve spent five minutes on Zillow or Google Maps, you know the real Outer Banks house isn’t even in North Carolina. That’s the first thing that catches people off guard.
The show is a vibe. It’s salt air, gold bars, and teenage angst. But for fans trying to track down the physical locations, the reality is a bit of a maze. Most of the "OBX" world is actually tucked away in South Carolina, specifically around Charleston and Mount Pleasant. It’s kinda funny when you think about it—the quintessential North Carolina show is a Palmetto State production through and through.
Where the Pogues actually live
The iconic Pogue home, that lived-in, slightly messy, absolutely beautiful shack, is actually a private residence in South Carolina. It’s located in Secessionville, which is a tiny historic district on James Island. The house isn’t a set built on a soundstage. It’s a real place with a real history.
It’s known locally as the Lowndes-Johnson House.
The structure dates back to the mid-1800s. It survived the Civil War and countless hurricanes, which explains why it looks so authentically "weathered." You can’t just walk up to the front door, though. People live there. Honestly, it’s a bit of a nightmare for the owners because fans constantly try to trespass to get that perfect TikTok shot. If you’re planning a trip, keep your distance. The marsh views from the public roads are just as good without getting a trespassing charge.
Why they didn’t film in the real Outer Banks
People always ask why Netflix didn't just film in Nags Head or Kitty Hawk. It boils down to politics and logistics. Back when the show was being developed in 2019, North Carolina had some controversial legislation—specifically House Bill 2 (the "Bathroom Bill")—which led many production companies, including Netflix, to boycott the state.
South Carolina welcomed them with open arms and better tax incentives.
Plus, the geography of Charleston actually fits the "look" the creators wanted. The real Outer Banks are narrow strips of sand. They’re gorgeous, but they don't have the same sprawling, moss-draped oak trees and deep, winding tidal creeks you see in the show. The "Pogue life" aesthetic relies heavily on that specific Lowcountry swamp-meets-ocean feel that Charleston provides in spades.
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Breaking down the Tanneyhill Plantation
Then there’s Sarah Cameron’s house. Total opposite of John B’s place. In the show, it’s called Tanneyhill. In real life, it’s the Lowndes Grove estate.
It’s a massive waterfront property built around 1786. Unlike the Pogue house, you can actually go here—if you have the budget. It’s a premiere wedding venue in Charleston. It sits right on the Ashley River and has that massive, sprawling lawn where the Midsummer Night's party happened.
- It's roughly 14 acres.
- The main house has those distinct tall columns.
- It’s been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978.
If you’re looking for the "Kook" lifestyle, this is it. But again, don't expect to find it anywhere near the actual town of Kildare because, well, Kildare doesn't exist.
The mystery of the "Old" Outer Banks house
The show leans heavily on the idea of generational wealth and ancient secrets. To make the Outer Banks house feel like it’s part of a 170-year-old mystery, the production designers had to do a lot of heavy lifting. While the exterior of John B’s house is real, many of the interiors are modified or shot elsewhere to allow for camera crews and lighting rigs.
There's a specific texture to the walls in the show. It looks like salt-damaged wood and peeling paint. Most of that is intentional aging. If you saw the house in its "off-season" state, it looks remarkably well-maintained for a "shack."
The "Kildare" Illusion
The town of Kildare is a mix of several locations.
- Old Village in Mount Pleasant: This is where you find the shops and the general coastal town vibe.
- Shem Creek: Most of the boat chase scenes and the docks where the Pogues hang out are here.
- The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene: This is a real restaurant! It’s owned by the family of one of the show’s creators, Jonas Pate. If you want a real-life OBX experience, you can literally sit there and eat shrimp while looking out at the water where Sarah and John B's characters were developed.
How the locations affect the story
The physical layout of these houses matters for the plot. The "cut" between the rich and the poor isn't just a metaphor; it's reflected in the distance between the filming locations. The Pogue house is tucked away in the marshes of James Island, while the Cameron estate is prominently featured on the peninsula.
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It creates a visual divide.
When the Pogues have to cross the water to get to the Kook side, they are literally crossing geographical barriers that exist in the Charleston area. This sense of "place" is what makes the show feel grounded, even when the plot involves legendary gold and cross-country manhunts.
Real-world tips for visiting
If you’re a die-hard fan, you’re probably going to visit. Here is how to do it without being "that" person.
Stay in Mount Pleasant.
It’s the hub for most filming locations. You can walk through the Old Village and see the building used as the Kildare County Sheriff’s office (it’s actually a building for the local park service).
Don't expect the ferry to go to Chapel Hill.
One of the biggest goofs in the show—which locals still laugh about—is when characters take a ferry from the Outer Banks to Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill is landlocked. It’s in the middle of the state. You can't take a boat there. If you try to plan your trip based on the show's geography, you’re going to end up very lost or very wet.
Check out the lighthouses.
The Morris Island Lighthouse is a frequent background star. You can see it from Folly Beach. It’s the one that’s stuck out in the middle of the water because of erosion. It perfectly captures that "abandoned and mysterious" vibe the show loves.
Essential Spotting Guide
- The Pogue House: Located in Secessionville (Private, stay on the road).
- Tanneyhill (Sarah's House): Lowndes Grove, Charleston.
- The Gazebo: Located at White Point Garden on the tip of the Charleston peninsula.
- The Surf Shop: Many of the "board shop" scenes were filmed near Folly Beach.
The Outer Banks house isn't just a building. It's the anchor for the whole series. It represents the freedom the characters are fighting for—a place where they don't have to follow the rules of the Kooks. Even though it's technically in South Carolina, the spirit of the place is what keeps people searching for it.
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Your OBX Travel Plan
If you want to experience the "real" version of the show, start in Charleston, not the North Carolina banks.
First step: Book a stay near Shem Creek. This gives you immediate access to the water and the docks that define the Pogue lifestyle. You can rent a kayak and paddle through the same marshes you see on screen.
Second step: Visit the Hunting Island Lighthouse. While the show is set in the OBX, they used the Hunting Island Lighthouse for several key scenes. It's one of the few lighthouses you can actually climb, offering a view that looks exactly like the intro sequence.
Third step: Eat at The Wreck. It’s the most authentic connection to the show’s creators you can find. It’s not fancy, it’s loud, and it’s exactly where the idea for the show began to take shape.
The reality of the Outer Banks house is that it’s a patchwork of beautiful, historic South Carolina locations stitched together to tell a North Carolina story. Knowing the difference doesn't ruin the magic; it actually makes you appreciate the production design even more. You're seeing some of the most historic architecture in the South, disguised as a teenager's hideout.
Take a boat tour of the Charleston harbor at sunset. Look back at the stilt houses and the marshes. For a second, you’ll forget you’re in a different state, and you’ll be right there in the middle of the treasure hunt.