Port Hope's historic core played Derry itself. The main street, the library exterior at Town Hall, the cinema at the Capitol Theatre, and the park that held the Paul Bunyan statue were all filmed here. Many facades and signs were dressed for the 1980s and later restored or preserved. The Paul Bunyan statue was erected for the film and removed afterward. The area is public and popular with fans walking the 'Derry' streets.
The Short Answer
It (2017) was filmed mainly in Ontario, Canada, between June and September 2016. Port Hope's downtown stood in for the fictional town of Derry, Maine, with extra shoots in Toronto, Oshawa, Hamilton, Elora, and West Montrose. Most locations are public streets or parks that fans can visit, though a few, like the Neibolt House sets, are gone or private.
The 2017 adaptation of Stephen King's novel takes place in Derry, Maine, a small town haunted by a shapeshifting clown. Production never reached Maine. Instead, crews spent roughly 60 days shooting across Ontario, a shoot that cost the province nearly $30 million, transforming quiet Canadian streets into 1980s small-town America.
The good news for fans is that many of these spots remain easy to find. Downtown Port Hope still looks recognisably like Derry, the famous storm drain intersection survives in Toronto, and the quarry swimming hole is a functioning public park. Here is what was filmed where, and what to expect on a visit.
Every Location At A Glance
| Location | Where | What was filmed | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Hope downtown (Walton and Queen Streets) | Port Hope | Town of Derry, including main street, library exterior at Town Hall, cinema at Capitol Theatre, park with Paul Bunyan statue, and various street scenes | Free to see |
| Springmount Avenue and William Street | Toronto | Paper boat / storm drain scene with Georgie and Pennywise | Free to see |
| Eulalie Avenue and James Street | Oshawa | Neibolt House / well house exterior (set built on vacant lot) | Outside only |
| Cranfield House, 450 Pape Avenue | Toronto | Neibolt House interiors | Private property |
| Elora Quarry Conservation Area | Elora | Swimming hole / quarry scenes | Ticketed |
| West Montrose Covered Bridge | West Montrose | Covered bridge scenes | Free to see |
| Mount Mary Retreat Centre | Hamilton | Derry High School exterior and bullying scenes | Private property |
| Rouge National Urban Park (Scarborough) | Toronto | The Barrens / river scenes | Free to see |
Filming Locations Map
8 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Location By Location
This ordinary residential intersection in Toronto is where Georgie chases his paper boat to the storm drain and first meets Pennywise. A custom sewer grate was installed for the scene and the corner remains publicly accessible. Because people live here, visitors should be respectful, keep groups small, and avoid blocking driveways while taking photos. It is a quick stop on any self-guided itinerary.
The sinister Neibolt House exterior was not a real building. It was a temporary set constructed on a vacant lot at this Oshawa street corner and demolished after filming. Nothing of the house remains, so the reward is standing at the spot rather than seeing a structure. The corner is exterior viewing only and requires no ticket; pair it with other Ontario stops if driving between Toronto and Port Hope.
The interiors of the Neibolt House were shot inside this private historic mansion in Toronto. Unlike the demolished Oshawa set, the building itself survives, but it is not open to the public and access is private. Fans can only view it from the outside, and there is nothing to book or tour internally. Treat it as a drive-by or walk-by landmark on a broader Toronto filming itinerary.
The swimming hole and quarry scenes were filmed at this conservation area in Elora, which doubles as a genuinely popular summer swimming spot. Entry requires a ticket, fees apply, and capacity limits can mean queues or turned-away visitors on hot days, so arriving early is wise. Limestone cliffs frame the water much as they appear in the film. Check opening arrangements before travelling, especially outside summer.
Ontario's historic covered bridge at West Montrose stood in for Derry's bridge in the film. It remains a protected landmark that visitors can photograph freely, making it one of the easiest stops on the trail. The wooden structure cuts an atmospheric silhouette in autumn and winter in particular. It pairs naturally with the Elora Quarry, which sits a short drive away in the same region.
The Derry High School exterior and the bullying scenes were shot at this retreat centre in Hamilton. It remains private property with no public access, though the exteriors can be seen from the road. There is no tour, shop, or visitor facility, so plan a brief stop from the street only. Respect the privacy of the centre's guests and do not enter the grounds.
The Barrens and the river scenes were filmed in this large urban park in Toronto's Scarborough district. It is fully public, with multiple trails and points of river access, so visitors can walk the landscape the Losers' Club explored. Allow a couple of hours to wander properly. Its scale means it rarely feels crowded, and it is reachable within Toronto itself rather than requiring a long day trip.
Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The story is set in Derry, a fictional town in Maine, and the novel's geography draws on Bangor. The film, however, was shot almost entirely in Ontario, with Port Hope and other Canadian locations doubling for Maine. Even the water tower, the standpipe, was recreated with CGI, and no real filming occurred at the Bangor location.
The Studio Side
Interior work was handled at Pinewood Toronto Studios in Toronto, one of Canada's major film facilities. Like most working studios, it is not set up for public visitation, so fans should focus on the exterior locations listed above.
Tours That Visit These Locations
No dedicated It tour operates in Ontario, but film location tours in Toronto cover sites connected to the franchise. Both options below include a stop at Bay Street and Adelaide Street West, a filming location for It Chapter Two.
Half-Day Action Locations Van Tour
Action Film and Television Locations Half Day Tour in Toronto
A half-day guided tour of action film and television locations across Toronto, stopping at Bay Street and Adelaide Street West among other screen sites. Better suited to travellers who want a longer, vehicle-based sweep of the city's filming map rather than a walk.
Walking Film Tour, University Stop
Toronto: TV & Movie Tour with University of Toronto Visit
This TV and movie tour around Toronto includes a visit to the University of Toronto plus a stop at Bay Street and Adelaide Street West, a filming location for It Chapter Two. A solid pick for fans who want the It connection folded into a broader screen locations day. From $161.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit the town of Derry from It?
Yes, in the form of Port Hope, Ontario. Its downtown, including Walton and Queen Streets, Town Hall, and the Capitol Theatre, stood in for Derry and remains publicly walkable today.
Where is the storm drain from the paper boat scene?
At the intersection of Springmount Avenue and William Street in Toronto. A custom sewer grate was installed for filming. It is a residential street, so be considerate of the people who live there.
Does the Neibolt House still exist?
No. The exterior was a temporary set built in Oshawa and demolished after filming. The interiors were shot at Cranfield House on Pape Avenue in Toronto, a private mansion not open to the public.
Can you swim at the quarry from It?
Yes. Elora Quarry Conservation Area is a public swimming spot with entry fees and capacity limits. Arrive early in summer because it can fill up quickly.
Was It actually filmed in Maine?
No. Although the story is set in Derry, Maine, principal photography ran for about 60 days in Ontario, Canada, between June and September 2016.
Is there an official It filming locations tour?
Not a dedicated one. Toronto film location tours include Bay Street and Adelaide Street West, which featured in It Chapter Two, alongside many other screen sites.
Ontario makes a surprisingly rewarding pilgrimage for It fans. Port Hope delivers the most convincing dose of Derry, while Toronto, Oshawa, Hamilton, Elora, and West Montrose fill in the rest of the map, from the storm drain to the covered bridge. A rental car or a Toronto-based film tour covers most of it comfortably in a couple of days.





