Wednesday is “Twin Peaks” Day, the day when fans celebrate the cult-classic TV show that emblemized the mysterious gloom of the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s.
The day was chosen to represent the hit show as it is the same day that FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, played by Kyle MacLachlan, arrived in Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer.
Created by David Lynch, the show had its first run on television from 1990 to 1991, where it tantalized viewers with quirky characters — remember Log Lady? — populating the titular small town and the mystery of who killed Palmer.
The show was cancelled after its second season, but remained a fan favorite, growing a cult following over the years, and experienced a much-anticipated revival in 2017 with MacLachlan returning to the sleepy town of Twin Peaks as Agent Cooper 25 years later.
The fictional town of Twin Peaks is stated to be “five miles south of the Canadian border, and twelve miles west of the state line,” but the filming locations are a bit closer to Puget Sound. Lynch and his crew scouted locations in Snoqualmie, North Bend and Fall City for the pilot and kept those sites as exterior footage.
In 2018, the mayors of Snoqualmie and North Bend even proclaimed Feb. 24th officially Twin Peaks Day, noting how much tourism the show had brought over the years from fans.
And if you’re in the mood for a nearby road trip to get out of the house, there’s certainly plenty of places to see. Here’s a look at some of the real-life locations you can visit in Washington and their equivalent in the show.
Twedes Cafe with Mt. Si in background on Thursday, March 17, 2005 in North Bend, WA.
JIM BRYANT/SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCERStop for coffee and cherry pie at Twede’s Cafe
The first thing that you notice when you drive into North Bend is Twede’s Cafe built in the 1940’s. Formerly known as the Mar-T Cafe, the old-school cafe feels like a step back in time and graciously welcomes fans of the show.
It served as the Double R Diner in the show, one of the more iconic places where the townspeople would meet in chat in retro booths or at the lunch counter. You can still pick up a slice of cherry pie and “damn fine” cup of coffee, in Cooper’s words.
Talk a walk over Reinig Bridge
A bit off the beaten path, Reinig Bridge is where Ronette Pulaski wandered back into town following the death of Palmer. The railroad track that adorned the bridge is long gone and it is now part of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, a popular path for pedestrians.
There is also an off-leash dog park just over the bridge, in case your dog is a fan of the show as well.
Swing by the Sheriff’s Department
If Sheriff Harry S. Truman was your favorite character, head over to the exterior site of the sheriff’s department which is now occupied by Dirtfish, a driving school.
Sheriff Truman’s iconic blue Ford Bronco is parked outside, but the Sheriff himself is nowhere to be seen. Deputy Chief Hawk, the show’s most underrated character, is also not present.
Ironically, Snoqualmie’s lumber mill, which was Packard Mill in the show, is also located nearby, although it has long been defunct.
Railroad Park & Centennial Log Pavilion
Tannis L. via YelpVisit “The Big Log”
It’s not Log Lady’s log, nor did it have a particularly pivotal role in the show, but Snoqualmie’s giant log at Railroad Park was featured in the pilot episode as a symbol of the town’s lumber business.
Salish Lodge and Spa
Salish Lodge and SpaCheck in at the Salish Lodge
Overlooking Snoqualmie Falls, he exterior of the Salish Lodge served as the Great Northern Hotel, where Cooper stayed during his visit to Twin Peaks. In the show, the lodge was owned by Ben Horne, the father of Audrey and the richest man in town who was also a suspect in Palmer’s murder.
Today, Salish Lodge even offers a Twin Peaks package featuring cherry-pie and coffee for a certainly one-of-a-kind experience.
While the falls certainly make for a magnificent shot in the opening sequence, the wood-paneled interior was actually Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo, Washington. The beach near Kiana’s Lodge is also home to “Laura’s Log,” the log where Palmer’s body was discovered.
Laura Palmer’s house
Courtesy Casey Price and Tyler Gardner/Windermere Real EstateDrive by Laura’s house
The homecoming queen and protagonist’s house is actually a bit closer to the Emerald City, with the Dutch-colonial house located in Everett. Along with being featured in the pilot for the original series after Palmer was discovered missing by her mother, the house was also the final location seen in the 2017 reboot.
The house was put up for sale in 2014, and Twin Peaks fans wanted to turn it into an AirBnB. The new owner welcomes fans, but try to be respectful.
Leave town with a good photo-op
Upon word of the revival, a permanent “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign was installed to attract tourists. It was a popular destination for photo-ops, but unfortunately the sign kept getting vandalized or stolen.
You can still pull off the road and bring your own sign, as some industrious fans have.
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