Scranton. What? The Electric City! Are you a super fan of all things The Office? If so, a pilgrimage to Scranton, Pennsylvania is a requirement! There are many nods in the show to actual Scranton landmarks that are definitely worth a visit. This is The Office Fan’s Guide to Scranton!
Penn Paper
The theme song just started playing in your head, didn’t it?
Penn Paper is the iconic shot that no visit to Scranton would be complete without getting! Penn Paper is located at 215 Vine Street, but the best vantage point is actually up the road a bit. The best place to park is here (on the corner of Vine and Oakford), and found it was the perfect distance and angle! This will be the picture you post that will make your fellow Dunder Mifflin enthusiasts jealous 😉
Poor Richard’s Pub
What is Poor Richard’s most iconic scene? The jury is still out, because there are just so many! It’s where Roy and his brother trash the bar after Pam confesses to kissing Jim in Cocktails (Season 3, Episode 17). Devin invites everyone to get a drink here after getting fired in Halloween (Season 2, Episode 5). Well, not everyone (because the people he doesn’t name can “go to hell.”). It’s also where Michael hosts a viewing party for his commercial in Local Ad (Season 4, Episode 5). This is also when we all definitely started crying. The list goes on.
Poor Richard’s is a little trickier to find. In the show, it is a standalone bar, but in real life it is actually located inside a bowling alley. Possibly the same bowling alley that Ryan worked at before joining the Michael Scott Paper Company? South Side Bowl is found on Google Maps by clicking here. Once you arrive, head into the main doors and turn immediately to the right. The famous “Poor Richard’s Bar” sign is hung right outside the doors. They may be propped open though, so be sure to look behind them for the photo op!
Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe
IMPORTANT: Not to be confused with Pizza by Alfredo! According to Kevin, Pizza by Alfredo is “like eating a hot circle of garbage!” Alfredo’s was brought to life in the episode Launch Party (Season 4, Episodes 5/6). Michael accidentally orders pizza from Pizza by Alfredo, and the holds the delivery boy hostage when he refuses to accept a coupon. Toby also wins a week of free pizzas when Alfredo’s pulls his business card in Fun Run (Season 4, Episodes 1/2).
As it turns out, Pizza by Alfredo does not actually exist (which is a good thing). However, Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe is a very real restaurant in Scranton. It is located in a strip mall very close to Poor Richard’s and can be found on Google Maps by clicking here.
Cooper’s Seafood
Cooper’s is a fan favorite of Dunder Mifflin employees and is mentioned several times throughout the series. The restaurant’s claim to fame is that it’s the site where Michael takes Holly in the episode Business Ethics (Season 5, Episode 3). Here, they discuss what should be done about Meredith confessing to sleeping with a Hammermill paper rep in exchange for discounts on supplies (and Outback Steakhouse coupons).
Cooper’s is easy to find on Google Maps, but an exact pin to the location can be found here. Parking is easy, and the lot is located on N Washington Street. It is very spacious for walking around and getting the iconic shot of the lighthouse and nautical getup.
Lake Scranton
Ah, scenic Lake Scranton. America’s eighth-largest indigenous body of water (is it?). Lake Scranton is the famous site of the Beach Games (Season 3, Episode 22) where Michael takes the employees for a day at the beach to find his successor.
The real Lake Scranton unfortunately doesn’t have a beach that you can lay on and eat hot dogs (even if that’s all you’ve ever wanted). There is however, a walking path around the circumference that is about 3.5 miles. Located on the corner of Moosic and Lake Scranton Road, parking here is very easy. Coincidentally, it’s near the Northeast corner where the famous games were held. If you listen closely, you may hear Andy screaming in his sumo suit as he floats on the lake.
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