Sam's houseboat on Lake Union
Sam's floating home is real, but it belongs to private owners, so admire it without knocking on the door. The interior scenes were shot on a soundstage anyway. For the best view, get out on the water, either aboard the Locks Cruise run by Argosy Cruises or in a kayak rented from Northwest Outdoor Center on Westlake.
Lunch at Pike Place Market
Over a meal at what was then the Athenian Inn, Sam and his friend Jay, played by Rob Reiner, talk about dating and tiramisu. Today the spot operates as Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar inside Pike Place Market. Step inside and look to the right for a plaque near the stool where Hanks sat, then take in the framed photos of the actor on the walls.
Fireworks with a little movie magic
From his deck, Sam watches New Year's Eve fireworks over Gas Works Park, but the film took a liberty here. The park is actually known for its Fourth of July celebrations, while the city's New Year's Eve show launches from the Space Needle. You can still catch that show from Gas Works, so the scene is not far off.
Dinner downtown and a stakeout in West Seattle
Sam's awkward dinner with Victoria was filmed at the original Dahlia Lounge, a Tom Douglas restaurant whose space now houses Serious Pie. For a similar mood, head to Lola Seattle on Fourth Avenue, another Douglas restaurant, where the menu is Mediterranean.
Later, Annie spies on Sam and his son Jonah as they play at Alki Beach. She watches from across the street, at the spot now occupied by Duke's Seafood & Chowder. Rent a bike from Wheel Fun Rentals and ride the path that runs alongside the sand to take in the full scene.
Screen Stops Around Downtown and Seattle Center
Seattle Center and the downtown core have appeared in more productions than almost any other part of town. Several of these sites sit close enough together that you can link them on foot or by monorail.
Frasier's 100th episode
In the milestone episode of Frasier, the radio psychiatrist flees a troop of Girl Scouts to Westlake Center, then rides the Seattle Center Monorail to an event at the Space Needle. Watch closely and you will spot Norm Rice, Seattle's mayor at the time, playing himself at the ceremony.
Retracing the route is simple and makes a fun outing with kids. Board at Westlake Center, the downtown monorail stop, and the ride drops you right at the base of the Needle.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette
In the film version of local writer Maria Semple's novel, Cate Blanchett plays Bernadette as she drifts through the shelves of The Seattle Public Library's Central Library. She also dines at the Space Needle's revolving restaurant, a space that is now the Loupe Lounge.
The hospital drama at Grey Sloan Memorial
You will not find a real Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, but its rooftop helipad does exist. The show uses the top of KOMO Plaza on Fourth Avenue North, near Seattle Center, and if your timing is right you can sometimes watch helicopters lift off from there.
The characters' famous intern house sits up on Queen Anne. Nearby Kerry Park also turns up on the show, and its skyline view rewards the trip even if you have never seen an episode.
A 1999 teen rom-com at Gas Works and the Paramount
Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger shot some of their best scenes in this 1999 comedy right here in the city. At Gas Works Park, Ledger's rebel character pelts Stiles with paint balloons. For the prom scene, where the two finally dance, head to the historic Paramount Theatre on Pine Street, where it was filmed.
The Waterfront and MTV's 1998 Reality Series
In 1998, MTV's hit reality series moved seven strangers into a house on Pier 70 along the waterfront, a building that is now the restaurant AQUA by El Gaucho. The cast spent plenty of time out in the city, which gives fans several more places to visit.
- Browse the flagship REI on Yale Avenue North, where they shopped.
- Catch a game at Climate Pledge Arena, the arena where they cheered on the Seattle SuperSonics.
- Stop by Pike Place Fish Market, famous for its flying fish, where one roommate briefly worked as a fishmonger.
Twin Peaks Country: North Bend and Snoqualmie
Twin Peaks, Washington, is fictional, yet the moody small town from the 1990s series and its 2017 Showtime revival has a real counterpart. Most of the show was filmed in North Bend, a former timber town roughly 30 miles east of Seattle, which makes it an easy day trip.
Cherry pie at the Double R Diner
Look for the big neon sign in downtown North Bend, where Twede's Cafe stood in for the Double R Diner. Order the cherry pie and black coffee the characters rave about on screen, just as fans come here to do. It is the closest thing the show has to a pilgrimage site.
Snoqualmie Falls and the Great Northern
A few miles west, the 270-foot Snoqualmie Falls roars beneath Salish Lodge. The falls appear in the opening credits, and the lodge played The Great Northern Hotel. Browse its gift shop for Twin Peaks souvenirs, or book one of the spa's cherry pie themed treatments.
Guided tours and Mount Si
To see more spots, such as the Packard Sawmill and the sheriff's station, book a four-hour outing with Twin Peaks Tour. Pickup and drop-off at downtown Seattle hotels are included, so you can skip the drive entirely. Check with the tour operator for current schedules and pricing.
Mount Si looms over the valley as one of the peaks the show is named for. Its eight-mile round trip hike is the most popular in Washington, and a sunset climb delivers a view that is lovely and a little eerie, very much in the spirit of the series.
Tips for Planning Your Screen Tour
- Respect private homes. The houseboats and the Queen Anne intern house are residences, so enjoy them from the water or the street.
- Group by neighborhood. Pair Pike Place Market with downtown and Seattle Center with Queen Anne, and give North Bend a day of its own.
- Confirm before you go. Restaurants and tours change their hours and offerings, so check official websites for current details.
