Where Was ‘Widow’s Bay’ Filmed? 11 Locations You Can Visit Right Now
While Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) made it his mission to pedal Widow’s Bay as the next Martha’s Vineyard (that’s definitely not cursed), the spooky happenings around the fictional island town wouldn’t warm most to the idea of a visit. Thankfully, most of the locales featured in the Apple TV horror comedy are actually quite quaint and not so haunted.
Filmed on location in various spots around Massachusetts, including Rockport, Gloucester, Berlin, Groton and Maynard, the series managed to capture the old-school New England charm, which makes for perfect summer excursions. So, while you may not be able to visit Widow’s Bay, you can seek out some of that TV magic on a New England adventure that we’re unraveling below.
Scroll down for a closer look at just some of the iconic spots and landmarks featured in the show as we unveil where they’re located, so you can start planning your visit today.
Widow’s Bay, Season 1, Streaming now, Apple TV
Widow's Bay Town Center & Salty Whale
The town center and Salty Whale exteriors were filmed on Old Harbor Road in Rockport, Massachusetts. The former Dark Star Philosophia at 14 Old Harbor Road is what people have come to know as the Salty Whale, the nicest restaurant on the island. Despite its outward appearance, the interiors where Patricia (Kate O’Flynn) held her Sunset Cocktails shindig were located on a soundstage.
Ice Cream Shop
The ice cream shop that makes a quick appearance in Episode 3, “The Inaugural Swim,” is also in Rockport, Massachusetts. Simply known as The Ice Cream Store, the business is located at 14 Bearskin Neck, offering visitors a sweet treat perfect for a summer’s day.
Patricia's Reading Spot
Meanwhile, Patricia’s reading spot, where she became entranced by the mysterious book she thought was teaching her to throw a perfect party, was also in Rockport. Located just behind the Salty Whale location, Patricia sat at a picnic table facing White Wharf, also on Old Harbor Road.
Widow's Bay Town Hall
As for Widow’s Bay’s iconic town hall where Tom Loftis, Patricia, and cohorts like Dale (Jeff Hiller) and Rosemary (Dale Dickey) work, the show selected the Berlin Town Hall’s exteriors. Originally built in 1870, the location offered the perfect feeling for the essential spot in this story. For fans hoping to get a peek at the building, it’s located at 12 Woodward Ave in Berlin, Massachusetts.
Harbor Master's Office
The Harbor Master’s Office in the show, where the ferries that take mainlanders to and from Widow’s Bay were filmed at Lanes Cove in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The building in real life is used as the public landing area for the town, offering visitors access to put their boats in the water. Located at 2 Lanes Cove Road, the Harbor Master’s Office spot is where viewers first see Tom and Wyck (Stephen Root) butt heads.
Richard Warren Statue
In the same spot from a different vantage point, fans can see where the headless Richard Warren statue should stand when the spot is transformed into Widow’s Bay.
Beach
Also located in Gloucester is the beach where Tom partook in Widow’s Bay’s inaugural swim, in which the mayor indicates the start of summer by taking the first plunge. Half Moon Beach is where much of the swimming was done, and per the Massachusetts Office of Economic Development, Rhys did his own stunts for the scene. For fans seeking their own water-based thrills, Half Moon Beach is located at 24 Hough Ave.
Lighthouse
As for the lighthouse featured in the show, the Eastern Point Lighthouse at Cape Ann in Gloucester was used. Closed to the public, fans can catch a glimpse of this location from Eastern Point Boulevard. Fans will recall the locale was used in an ongoing bit between Tom and the lighthouse keeper Garrett (Fred Robbins), who communicated with him via walkie talkie, often doing the opposite of what the mayor wants.
Widow's Bay Church
Martha-Mary Chapel stood in as the church where Reverend Bryce (Toby Huss) heard the bells toll and where he was later discovered dead, hanging from behind a door, by Tom, Patricia, and Wyck. The chapel is located in Sudbury, Massachusetts, where fans can find it at 35 Dutton Road.
Widow's Bay Inn
The building exteriors that served as the haunted inn where Tom spent the night in Episode 2, “Lodging,” are actually the Lorenzo Maynard House, located in Maynard, Massachusetts. Found on Dartmouth Road, the building is actually used for apartment spaces, but its historical outward appearance certainly fools anyone who is entranced by Widow’s Bay.
The Driftwood Diner
As for the Driftwood Diner, where Tom went on an impromptu date in Episode 3, and from where Patricia got the wrong takeout in Episode 8, it is actually Johnson’s Restaurant and Dairy Bar. Found at 164 Boston Road in Groton, Massachusetts, the restaurant surely has better service and is worth a visit, but don’t expect chicken parm and coconut cream pie on the menu!
Conversation2 Comments
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S
It seems a shame they couldn't be bothered to really film it in Maine. Great show, though.
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N
The show doesn't take place in Maine though.
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