Because how could we skip the Electric City
Scranton, PA might be known for coal, railroads, and its place in U.S. industrial history – but for millions of fans (like us), it’s forever tied to regional paper sales, awkward birthday parties, and one beet-loving Assistant (to the) Regional Manager.
On our latest road trip, we made a detour to explore all things The Office, and Scranton did not disappoint. We may not have bumped into Michael Scott at Poor Richard’s or taken part in a fire drill (thankfully), but we had an unforgettable day full of laughs, photo ops, and even a behind-the-scenes Dundie encounter.
📍 Pro Tip: Before you head out on your own Office-inspired adventure, swing by the Scranton Visitors Bureau. You can pick up a free paper map with all the show locations – or download it here.
Oh, and if you’re wondering where Jasper was during all this – he wisely chose to sit this one out and held down the camper while we got our fandom on.
Cue the theme song: da-da, da-da-da-da-da-daaaa…
This is the building from the show’s intro with the tall tower, white facade, and that iconic signage. While it’s a fully operational business (so don’t expect a gift shop or Dwight impersonators), it’s a must-see from the outside. We may or may not have played the theme song in the truck as we slowly creeped by like dedicated dorks.
Located downtown, this giant mural is a love letter to Scranton’s most famous fictional employees. You’ll find all the fan favorites painted in vivid color – Michael, Jim, Pam, Dwight, Stanley, even Kevin with his famous chili (though thankfully not on the floor). It’s tucked into a parking lot and super easy to miss if you’re not looking for it – just another reason that visitor map comes in handy.
Remember that “Scranton Welcomes You” sign from the opening credits? It’s now located inside The Marketplace at Steamtown where it’s protected from the elements – and selfie-safe. No need to risk life and limb standing on a traffic median like the old days. Don’t forget to get your parking validated for free parking at any of the mall stores so you don’t have to pay to park in the garage.
No trip to Scranton would be complete without a look at the glowing, retro-cool Electric City sign made famous by Michael and Dwight’s unforgettable rap:
Scranton, what? The Electric City!
Scranton, what? The Electric City!
While we didn’t get to see it lit up at night (thanks to looming storm clouds), it’s still a fun and nostalgic spot to check off the list.
Courthouse Square is a lovely public plaza surrounded by beautiful historic architecture – and hidden inside Scranton City Hall is something very special: a giant Dundie Award!
Now, here’s the twist: the Dundie wasn’t in its usual display spot the day we visited. Turns out it had been moved for the Office 5K the weekend before (a real thing that exists and we now desperately want to return for).
But Scranton is the city that loves The Office, and a wonderful woman working at City Hall actually took us to the basement so we could see it! It felt like being led into a vault to view a precious artifact – just with fewer lasers and more cubicles. Worth it.
Next, we made a highly anticipated stop at Chili’s – yes, that Chili’s. This location has leaned into its Dundie fame with retro decor and a special menu that includes the legendary Awesome Blossom (cue Pam’s happy dancing).
While the food was solid and the vibe was fun, the Blossom was not available the day we visited. Layla took the news like a champ, though we still muttered “extra awesome” under our breath in her honor.
And just to clear things up – we didn’t get to sit in the exact booth from the episode, but there is one styled similarly in homage to the show. You can still snap a photo and pretend you’re moments away from being banned for life.
We had plans to see even more sites – possibly swing by Poor Richard’s or explore a few deeper cuts from the show – but as the clouds rolled in and the sky turned full-on Schrute Farms spooky, we decided to head back to camp. Jasper greeted us with his usual grumpy side-eye, clearly disappointed there was no tuna-themed Dundie for “Best Cat Left Behind.”
Whether you’re a hardcore Office fan or just mildly obsessed, Scranton is a quirky little gem that’s totally worth a stop. With friendly locals, a surprising amount of Office-themed landmarks, and a small-town vibe that somehow lives up to the show’s charm, it was everything we’d hoped for.
We didn’t encounter a “World’s Best Boss,” but we did leave feeling like we’d just spent the day with old friends.
Would we go back? Absolutely.
Would we bring Jasper next time? He says no, unless Chili’s adds a fish option.
Until next time—stay awesome (extra awesome).
Travel Turtles 