Although the American version of The Office wrapped over a decade ago, its fandom seems to grow every year thanks to its iconic characters, over-the-top timeless shenanigans, and availability on streamers like Peacock. And as names like Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute are synonymous with the NBC sitcom, so is Scranton, Pennsylvania, the city the plot’s based in.
So, does that mean it was filmed in Scranton? Well, some areas and buildings in Scranton are featured in The Office, but the show’s main set — the paper company’s office — was shot in a studio in California. Now called Quixote Studios’ Central Valley, the filming location was known as Central Valley Studios back in the day.
Whether it was the non-stop rivalry between Dwight and Jim Halpert, or the perfectly cringe decision-making from Michael, most of the beloved scenes through nine seasons took place in the office. But, the show frequently found itself outside of Dunder Mifflin walls. And according to NBC, some of The Office’s other locations were in Scranton.
For example, local restaurants Poor Richard’s Pub, Alfredo’s Pizza, and Cooper’s Seafood House were all used at some point. They’re all still open, so anyone in the neighborhood could check them out. Also, The Office’s classic theme song begins with a shot of the Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company, an actual paper company in Scranton that’s still operating.
Other locations in the show or the opening song include The Marketplace of Steamtown, Scranton City Hall, Scranton Lake, and Anthracite Heritage Museum. So, if any fans want to make a trip to visit landmarks from The Office, they won’t be disappointed if they head to the sitcom’s setting.