Apple TV‘s new horror comedy, Widow’s Bay, takes viewers on a unique getaway to a small New England town with no cell service, no wi-fi, a charming lighthouse, and a seriously checkered past.

As noted in Decider’s full review, when Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) invites a high-profile reporter to spend a weekend on the island, Widow’s Bay is surprisingly dubbed a destination as desirable as Martha’s Vineyard. Sounds great, right?! Except for the fact that the costal town is also cursed!

Since the town of Widow’s Bay becomes such a crucial character in the series, viewers will likely wonder if they can visit the island in real life. So is Widow’s Bay real? And if not, where was Widow’s Bay filmed? We’ve got answers!

Read on for everything to know about the real-life locations that inspired the wonderful world of Widow’s Bay. We’re breaking down Widow’s Bay filming locations and sharing comments from creator Katie Dippold, executive producer Claudia Shin, director/EP Hiro Murai, and more members of Widow’s Bay‘s creative team.

Where Was Widow’s Bay Filmed? Is Widow’s Bay Real?

First things first: Is Widow’s Bay a real seafaring town? Sadly, no! The cursed island in the Apple TV series is fictional, but it was inspired by several real places.

As noted in our Widow’s Bay review, the show’s unique, carefully crafted tone was partially inspired by the fun and fear Dippold felt when visiting a haunted house in Long Branch, New Jersey as a kid. In the early 2000s, Mike Schur hired Dippold as a writer on Parks and Recreation Season 2 after reading her original Widow’s Bay pilot script, and though the project was on hold for years, Widow’s Bay production notes revealed “the idea deepened” after Dippold visited a diner in Marblehead, Massachusetts. “It was very lived-in, cozy, nostalgic,” Dippold said. “I kept wondering about what a place like this could hide, and what could happen if stirred.”

So where was Widow’s Bay actually filmed? According to production notes, “interiors were constructed at the New England Studios in Denver, Massachusetts, to ensure the quality and authenticity of the sets, as well as to facilitate the filming process.” To achieve the show’s authentic and immersive feel, the team also filmed exterior shots with real-world coastal backdrops. “We were so fortunate to shoot in Gloucester and Rockport, and the stunning North Shore. It’s such a significant part of our show’s visual identity,” executive producer Claudia Shin said. Back in June 2025, local reporting specified that Vita Bella Ristorante in Essex, Massachusetts was a filming location for Widow’s Bay, as well as Bearskin Neck in Rockport, Good Harbor Beach, Vincent’s Bar at 49 Suffolk St., Shirley Center Town Hall, and more.

Widow’s Bay‘s production notes also praised art director Peter Borck, set decorator Jennifer Engel, and Emmy Award-nominated production designer Steven Arnold for their essential roles in perfecting the show’s visual landscape. “Steve once told me that a trip to Disneyland as a kid inspired him to get into production design. The idea that you could build all of these different atmospheres and worlds,” Dippold said. “I really think he was able to make his own Disneyland for this show. The centuries-old haunted Breakwater Inn. A wood-paneled New England town hall. The sticky-floored, neon-lit dive bar that Loftis would never set foot in. A timeworn seafood restaurant. He created a very special world.”

While locations and sets are crucial components of Widow’s Bay‘s world, the show’s production notes also made sure to stress the importance of VXF from supervisor Brian Drewes and his team from ZERO. “VFX is a glue that seams together all the different departments on Widow’s Bay, the photography, the art department, the SPFX, and the physical location,” Drewes explained.

So there you have it, Widow’s Bay fans. While you can’t visit the fictional town inhabited by Tom and friends, you can plan a Widow’s Bay-themed New England trip to see the sights that set the stage for and inspired the new series. And tune in Wednesdays on Apple TV for new Widow’s Bay episodes.

Stay tuned for more Widow’s Bay coverage from Decider.