Are you a fan of the hit NBC show, “The Office?” Then you won’t want to miss this Scranton “The Office” self-guided tour, where you can visit iconic locations like Poor Richard’s Pub, the Steamtown Mall, and Cooper’s Seafood. An easy day trip from Philadelphia or NYC!ffice Scranton
I don’t know about y’all, but I have a serious addition to watching The Office over and over again. If you’ve never seen it, please, stop reading this and GO WATCH IT. Feel free to skip the episode entitled “Scott’s Tots” unless you can handle a major dose of awkward.
Hey Superfan! Need The Office gifts and merchandise? We’ve got a list of our favorites, from Dunder Mifflin shirts and mugs to the sparkly Prison Mike throw pillows you didn’t know you needed.
Because Angie and I are such big Dunderheads, we always hoped to visit Scranton, the Paris of northeastern Pennsylvania, to immerse ourselves in the world of Michael, Jim, Pam and Dwight. While in New York to speak at TBEX and our epic Niagara Falls adventure, we did what any superfan would do. We rented a car, bought a mustard-colored shirt and took The Jet Sisters show on the road to The Electric City!
Obviously, there were many, many quotes uttered. You don’t just watch a show 700 times and NOT memorize just about every line.
Where is Scranton?
Scranton is a small city in Northeastern Pennsylvania (aka NEPA for locals). It’s just over 2 hours from both Philadelphia and New York City, making it an easy day trip from either location. It’s a small town of fewer than 100,000 people, making it Pennsylvania’s 6th largest city, and it’s full of small-town charm.
Was “The Office” Filmed in Scranton?
Most of The Office filming locations, including the office and the park, were filmed in Los Angeles. The show was just set in Scranton. However, they did a very good job at replicating small-town Pennsylvania and included many real-life businesses that you can visit on your own Scranton Office tour.
One of my favorite parts of The Office is how even though it’s filmed mostly in Los Angeles, they weave in so many tiny details that make it oh-so Lackawanna County. We found lots of these little Easter eggs just from our mini road trip to Scranton.
For example in “The Merger,” Dwight and Michael rap about Scranton’s reputation as the Electric City, and we never really gave any thought to the history. But electric lights were introduced in 1880 at Dickson Locomotive Works and a few years later, electric streetcars were operating all over town. The “Electric City” nickname stuck all these years later, and you can still see the bright Electric City neon sign downtown. What a reputation to uphold, and so funny that Dwight and Michael get to rap about it.
Does Dunder Mifflin Scranton Actually Exist?
Dunder Mifflin Scranton is a completely fictional company. However, the Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company is housed in a building that fans will recognize as the iconic Dunder Mifflin tower, though the owners of the family business are quick to confirm that “we’re not the colorful oddballs of The Office”.
5 “The Office” Locations You Can Actually Visit in Scranton
Of course, we knew before we visited that most of the actual filming locations are in L.A., including the office park and just about everything else, but we’ve compiled a list of real locations you can find in Scranton. So if you’re in Philadelphia or NYC or the surrounding area, take an extra day to swing by and pay homage to Michael and Stanley, Jim, Dwight, Creed, Andy and Kelly… for your business paper needs. Check out the following locations for The Office in Scranton.
Poor Richard’s Pub
125 Beech St, Scranton, PA 18505
Before you stand in the parking lot looking confused like we did, Poor Richard’s Pub doesn’t look the same way as it does in the show. The scenes were filmed at Pickwick’s Pub in California, but the real pub is located inside a bowling alley. It’s worth a quick visit to snap a photo.
Don’t pull a “Roy” and destroy the place though – that really irritates the staff.
Cooper’s Seafood
701 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18509
How amazing is it that you can grab lunch in the same place Holly and Michael argued about Meredith’s ethics?! We don’t often see Cooper’s Seafood in the show, but the writers name-drop it a ton.
The real restaurant is a popular spot in town with a heavily seafood-focused menu and quirky decor. There’s a gift shop inside with tons of “The Office” merchandise. Even if you don’t eat here, it’s a good place to stop in and buy souvenirs, like Dundies, employee IDs and Dunder Mifflin swag (stuff we all get).
If you’re a super fan, visiting Scranton is a unique way to squeeze a little more life out of your obsession with The Office. One thing to note: there aren’t just tons of places to buy merch – honestly, we were lucky to find anything decent outside of Cooper’s gift shop. So if you are going, get your gear BEFOREHAND so you are prepared for anything. Like a “Michael Scott’s Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race For The Cure” or even a visit to Lake Scranton.
Feel free to shout, “I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY” or “THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID” while wearing a Michael Scott badge. Go ahead, let it all out. The Office Scranton
The Steamtown Mall
300 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, PA 18503
The Steamtown Mall (now called the Marketplace at Steamtown) does exist, but you won’t find Victoria’s Secret or Jitterz (replaced by a candy store) inside. In fact, there are no major brand-name stores in the mall.
Sadly, it’s a relatively dead spot with a few shops but not a whole lot going on. BUT you will find the Scranton sign (from the opening of the show), and that alone makes it worth a visit.
There was no one around so we were able to act as ridiculous as we wanted without feeling too silly.
Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe
1040 S Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18505
Not to be confused with Pizza by Alfredo (a hot circle of garbage), this cafe is a must-do lunch spot for ‘The Office” fans. The Office Scranton
If you recall the episode “Launch Party,” Michael messes up a party by ordering from the wrong place, Pizza by Alfredo, which Kevin says “is like eating a circle of hot garbage. Michael ends up taking the delivery boy hostage and eventually the employees order from the good pizza place, Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe.
In real-life Scranton, this classic Italian eatery offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, pastas and pizzas. We ate there and think Kevin was onto something. No hot garbage here!
Pennsylvania Paper & Supply
215 Vine St, Scranton, PA 18501
Unfortunately, Scranton Business Park and Dunder Mifflin don’t exist in real life, though many think the Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company is the office for The Office. There is a little reminder at the very top of the tower – so look closely! The Office Scranton
We popped into Pennsylvania Paper & Supply in our Dwight gear and the employees were so friendly! They have signed photos from the cast and a real Dwight bobblehead from Rainn Wilson himself. And the company gives out free posters to all fans of the show.
Continue Your Scranton Office Tour
We only had a day for our tour of the Electric City, so we weren’t able to get to all locations mentioned in the show. Here are some additional places you can visit on your self-guided Office tour.
- Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
- Anthracite Heritage Museum
- Electric City Trolley Museum
- The University of Scranton
- Scranton Letter Mural
- Andy Gavin’s Eatery & Pub
- Dwight Schrute Mural at On&On
- Backyard Ale House
- The Bog
- Lake Wallenpaupack (a short drive away)
You can see a map with all of these locations (and more) on the Visit NEPA “The Office” Self-Guided Tour Map.
Is a Scranton “The Office’ Self-Guided Tour Worth It?
If we’re being honest, our favorite way to see Scranton is from the comfort of our couch, remote in hand. We’re glad we took this road trip, but would we do it again? Only if the original cast had some sort of epic reunion. Now that would be worth it.
Where to Stay in Scranton, Pennsylvania
If you’re heading into the Electric City to do some rapping of your own, or perhaps shopping at the Steamtown Mall, check out these hotels in the heart of the area.
- Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton
- Hilton Scranton & Conference Center
- Fairfield Inn Scranton
Explore more Scranton hotel options here, or top Scranton vacation rentals here.
Are you surprised to hear most of “The Office” wasn’t actually filmed in Scranton?
Do you have a favorite episode, quote or character?
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