Where was The Last Song filmed? (2024)

The Miller's house scene in The Last Song

1806 Butler Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328, USA

Kim Miller (Kelly Preston) sends her two children, Veronica “Ronnie” and her younger brother Jonah, to spend the summer with their father Steve (Greg Kinnear). Steve, a former Julliard School professor and concert pianist, resides in Wrightsville Beach, his hometown. He is preoccupied with making a stained-glass window to replace the one lost in a recent fire at the local church.

Steve’s picturesque beach house with its sun-drenched living room, expansive backyard, and inviting front porch gives viewers a sense of nostalgia for simpler times. The scenes were filmed at 1806 Butler Ave on Tybee Island in Georgia. The island itself is known for its pristine beaches, historic architecture, and laid-back atmosphere that makes it a favorite among tourists and locals alike.

The beautiful beach property features an old-fashioned beach cottage, tall palm trees, and a tranquil atmosphere. However, it is now private property, so be mindful of that when dropping by.

From Atlanta to Tybee Island, take I-75 S and I-16 E. Get on Washington St and Pulliam St SW to access I-75 S. Keep following I-75 S and I-16 E until you reach Montgomery St in Savannah. From here, use exit 167B from I-16 E. Finally, in Savannah, take E President St, Islands Expy, and US-80 E until you reach 18th Pl in Tybee Island.

Ronnie meets the love of her life scenes in The Last Song

Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion, Tybrisa St, Tybee Island, GA 31328, USA

The pier is a recurring backdrop throughout various scenes, and it is one of the places Ronnie and Will interact with each other. Ronnie behaves unfriendly towards people, even towards the charming and well-liked Will Blakelee. During a volleyball game, Will collides with her and spills a shake on her.

Ronnie disregards the incident and interacts with Blaze (Carly Chaikin), an unpopular person who resides with her partner Marcus (Nick Lashaway). At a beach bonfire later that night, Blaze makes advances toward Ronnie, after he mistakenly thinks that she initiated it. As retribution, Blaze frames Ronnie for theft and gets her arrested.

The Tybee Island Beach Pier is a community landmark; locals often go fishing off it while visitors partake in people-watching or visiting its snack bar. The first pavilion that was built on this spot burned down in 1967 due to a fire but it was rebuilt three decades later before the 1996 Olympics. This second pavilion has since been standing as a symbol of hope and resilience amongst beachgoers.

To visit The Last Song filming location, the closest airport to Tybee Island Beach Pier is Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, located around 29 miles away from it. If traveling by car, follow US-80 West and drive straight until you arrive at your destination. Additionally, local bus routes from downtown Savannah run directly to Tybee Island Beach Pier multiple times daily.

The aquarium kiss scene in The Last Song

Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Will and Ronnie share a passionate kiss in the middle of the aquarium. Set against the vibrant backdrop of colorful marine life, it is a beautiful moment between two star-crossed lovers. After their first meeting, Will invites Ronnie to the aquarium where he works.

Ronnie later discovers that taking girls to the aquarium is something Will frequently does. This upsets Ronnie, and she expresses her frustration to him at the turtle's nest. However, they end up kissing and getting into a relationship.

The scenes were filmed at the Georgia Aquarium, while most indoor shots were filmed in a high-tech studio. The Georgia Aquarium is one of the world's largest aquariums by water volume, encompassing more than 10 million gallons of fresh and saltwater.

Spanning over ten acres, it boasts an impressive array of creatures, including beluga whales, whale sharks, manta rays, penguins, and sea otters. It is organized into seven interactive galleries focusing on ecosystems like rivers, coldwater and tropical oceans.

From Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), take MARTA train line N (Gold Line) to Peachtree Center Station. From there, it’s a 13 minutes walk to the Georgia Aquarium. You can also take a taxi or ride-sharing service if you prefer.

Will gets Ronnie to his house scene in The Last Song

Wormsloe Historic Site, 7601 Skidaway Rd, Savannah, GA 31406, USA

The scene at Will's mansion was filmed at the Wormsloe Plantation. This majestic property lies on 7601 Skidway Road in Savannah, Georgia, and is home to one of the city’s most iconic oak alleys. Its picturesque scenery provided the perfect backdrop for Ronnie’s initial meeting with Will’s parents (Kate Vernon and Nick Searcy).

Will takes Ronnie home, assuming his parents are not there, but she soon finds out that he lives in a massive mansion behind a grand gate. When his parents unexpectedly return early, they all have an uncomfortable dinner together. Afterward, Will confides in Ronnie that his brother recently died. They both declare their love for each other and Ronnie surprises Will by playing the piano.

The Wormsloe Plantation was built by English settler Noble Jones back in 1739 and was passed down to his descendants until it was taken over by the state in 1973. It is one of the most popular places to take pictures because of how impressive it looks. There are exhibits with information about colonial history that visitors can check out and walking trails to explore.

You have the option to either go on a guided tour or explore the trails on your own.

To visit Wormsloe Plantation, drive from downtown Savannah or get there by public transportation. The bus line #31 from downtown goes directly to Wormsloe every 20 minutes from 7 am-9 pm daily, which will take about 45 minutes.

Alternatively, cycle or walk there, it’s only 9 miles from downtown Savannah. Once you arrive at the site, you will be required to pay an entrance fee to gain access to both the exhibits and walking trails.

Ronnie finds out about the church scene in The Last Song

1112 U.S. 80, Tybee Island, GA 31328, USA

In the initial scenes, we learn that Steve (Greg Kinnear) is creating a new stained-glass window to replace the one lost in a fire at the nearby church. In the end, during Ronnie's father's funeral, she announces that no words can do justice to how amazing he was. Instead, she decides to express her feelings by playing their song. As she starts playing, the stained-glass window lets in sunlight, and she can't help but smile, feeling her father's presence with her.

The scene was filmed at The Tybee Island Wedding Chapel and Grand Ballroom, located on a beautiful beachfront island in Georgia. The chapel was initially built for a movie and is situated at the junction of 6th Ave and 13th. Later, it was relocated to U.S. 80 and transformed into a wedding chapel for the community.

Located at 7601 Skidway Road in Savannah, the Chapel is open to the public. To get there, drive or take one of the buses from downtown Savannah that run to the plantation every hour on weekends from April through October.

The main element of the film, the star-crossed love story, is compelling and engaging, with Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth giving solid performances in their roles as Ronnie and Will. However, the script often falls into cliches of the genre, and some plot points, such as class disparity and terminal illness, could have been explored more deeply.

Ronnie, who recently graduated from high school, goes to spend some time at her father's beach house in Georgia with her younger brother. Her parents are divorced, causing distress to the siblings. Ronnie is a gifted piano player but gave up on her dreams of attending Juilliard when she got into legal trouble.

The performances in The Last Song were good overall, and they did their best to honestly bring out the characters' emotions. Additionally, while some exciting ideas are present in this movie's plot, they often need more depth and resolution. Also, many twists rely on coincidence more than plausible storytelling, which can cause disbelief from viewers.

In conclusion, if you're looking for an entertaining yet predictable viewing experience, then The Last Song may be worth watching. However, this is not your preferred choice if you want something fresh or innovative.