The Office Fan's Travel Guide to Scranton, Pennsylvania

Any fan of NBC's hit comedy The Office will tell you they've heard of a small town named Scranton, Pennsylvania. After all, that's where Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) creates his awkward magic as Regional Manager of Dunder-Mifflin, a fictional paper supply company.

While Dunder-Mifflin's employees are actually actors in a Van Nuys, California soundstage, the Scranton locations they mention on the show are very much real. If you are one of the many inspired fans who have decided to visit Scranton, it'll be helpful to know what Office spots are available to visit. Here's a helpful guide to enjoying Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Dunder-Mifflin way.

The Mall at Steamtown: Aside from being referenced on the show several times (Michael takes the female workers there to buy lingerie), the Mall at Steamtown features several Office attractions, the most popular being the "Scranton Welcomes You" sign from the opening credits. Since many fans were veering off the highway to take pictures with the roadside sign, Scranton officials moved it to the mall, a safe and convenient place for tourists to get their Office fix. Located in the food court on the second floor, the "Scranton Welcomes You" sign is surrounded by Office portraits, goodies, and paraphernalia. Check out http://www.themallatsteamtown.com/ for more info.

The Anthracite Heritage Museum: As Michael Scott said himself, "If you like coal mines and you wanna see them, check it out ya'll: the Anthracite Museum!" Michael Scott's plug for the coal museum in his "Lazy Scranton" rap makes it another popular spot for visiting Office fans. Located a few miles from the mall in the Scranton hillsides, the museum is best accessible by car. Visit http://www.anthracitemuseum.org/ for directions and further information.

Poor Richard's Pub: The pub is by far the characters' favorite hangout spot in Scranton. The characters reference it almost religiously and even film several scenes inside a replica pub ("Cocktails," "Local Ad" episodes). If you are going to visit Poor Richard's, be informed that it is located inside a bowling alley called South Side Bowl. For directions and hours of operation, check out http://www.poorrichardspub.net/index.html.

Penn Paper Tower: The Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Co. tower is the first site viewers see during the opening credits, offering an ironic twist to Dunder-Mifflin's role as a fictional paper supply company. The tower is located in downtown Scranton and is easily accessible by foot or car. It's roughly a 15 minute walk to Penn Paper from the Mall at Steamtown, so if you're already parked in the garage, why not take a short walk through the quaint streets of Scranton? You might even pass the Electric City sign featured in "Lazy Scranton" or the Mulberry Street sign featured in the opening credits. The tower's address is 215 Vine St. and can be found on http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl if you type in "Penn Paper."