Bears, Beets, Besties- Our Scranton Adventure

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably watched The Office more times than you can count (and quoted it even more). So when I got the chance to explore Scranton, PA—aka the real-life backdrop of Dunder Mifflin—with my daughter (aka my adorable and hilarious assistant), I packed my suitcase and my sense of humor and hit the road.

This wasn’t just any trip—it was a mother-daughter bonding adventure with a side of beets, paper, and enough nostalgia to make my heart do a little Michael Scott happy dance.?

The Highlights of Our Dunder Mifflin Day Off: The “Welcome to Scranton” Sign – First stop? That iconic sign from the opening credits. It felt so real pulling up to it—we were practically humming the theme song the entire time. ????

Penn Paper Building (Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Co.) – As we rounded the corner and saw the building, my eyes welled up. No lie. Something about seeing that real-world landmark brought back all the cozy, chaotic, and lovable memories from the show. It’s just a building to some people... but to fans like us? It’s holy ground.

Alfredo’s Pizza Café – Not to be confused with Pizza by Alfredo (a delicacy only if you have the taste buds of cardboard), Alfredo’s Pizza Café is the actual delicious spot featured in the show. And YES—it lived up to the hype. We shared a pie and laughed about Kevin’s take on pizza economics.

Poor Richard’s Pub – Tucked inside Idle Hours South bowling alley, this place was everything. YES, it’s real. YES, it’s casual. YES, I felt like I could turn around and see Meredith at the bar. It was surreal in the best way—and my daughter loved seeing how low-key and authentic it was.

The Marketplace at Steamtown – A stroll through this nostalgic spot included a visit to the Office-themed store—where we absolutely did some damage. From Dundie Awards to Schrute Farms merch, it was a fangirl’s dream come true.

The Office Mural – This colorful downtown tribute to our favorite Scrantonites is unmissable. We had so much fun posing with each character and recreating our favorite looks. My daughter NAILED her Pam Beesly shrug.

Cooper’s Seafood House – A fun and funky dinner stop mentioned in the show, and totally worth the visit. Between the seafood, the sailor décor, and quoting Kevin’s chili debacle, we were full of food and full of laughs.

Steamtown National Historic Site – Because every great road trip deserves a little bonus adventure. The trains were impressive and gave us a chance to decompress before heading home with full hearts (and full camera rolls).

The Real MVP: My Assistant – Traveling with my daughter made this all the more special. Watching her fall in love with the show’s world and humor—and hearing her yell “Parkour!” as we walked down the street—was the ultimate reward. We may have started the trip as travelers, but we ended it as full-fledged Dunder Mifflin superfans. She definitely deserves a Dundie!

Would I recommend a Scranton trip to fellow Office fans? One hundred percent. It’s quirky, charming, and full of those small-town details that make The Office feel so real. Whether you’re quoting Michael, channeling Dwight, or just craving good pizza and great memories, Scranton delivers.?? Pack your camera, your sense of humor, and someone you love. And in the immortal words of Michael Scott: "Catch you on the flippity flip!"