A superfan’s guide traveling through the physical locations inside the world of Twin Peaks. Snoqualmie Valley is home to Snoqualmie Falls and less than an hour’s drive from Seattle, Washington.
“Diane, 7:30 a.m, February twenty-fourth. Entering the town of Twin Peaks.”
Twin Peaks, the brainchild between creators David Lynch and Mark Frost, has garnered a cult fandom through its gripping, mysterious plot, and the quintessential Lynchian quirks sprinkled throughout the characters and set design. In recent months, Twin Peaks has experienced a cultural resurgence. First airing its first season in 1990, its Avante-Garde story quickly captured late-night TV watchers’ attention. Its second season and movie, both released in 1991 and 1992, also garnered much success. However, it wasn’t until the show’s highly anticipated season 3 release came around in 2017, a whole 25 years after the last season aired. In February of 2020, Twin Peaks was put on Netflix and the younger, quarantined generation became enthralled by the nostalgic show. David Lynch’s set design and location decisions were all made for a specific reason, and what better way to understand the mind of David Lynch than to visit the locations themselves. You, too, can play a part in solving the Twin Peaks mystery in real life.
Great Northern Hotel
6501 Railroad Ave, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Google Maps
The Great Northern Hotel was a major informational hub within the show’s lore. Owned by fictional business tycoon Benjamin Horne, the Great Northern encompasses the cozy, rustic feeling of vacationing in Twin Peaks. You too can experience that great Great Northern “cup o’ joe” in the morning. In real life, the hotel is called the Salish Lodge and Spa, but besides the name change, it’s interior and exterior maintains the same mysterious lodge-living as the show.
The Waterfall
Just as majestic in real life as the show’s title montage. The Snoqualmie Falls (or the White Tail Falls) is the name of the glorious cascade we see directly next to the Salish Lodge and Spa (a.k.a the Great Northern Hotel). Also located less than an hour away from downtown Seattle, WA, the Snoqualmie Falls have become a trendy spot for Twin Peaks fans. Many superfans are even getting engaged in the same sport we see on the title screen. The waterfall is definitely one spot you can’t miss.
The Double R Diner
137 W North Bend Way, North Bend, WA 98045. Google Maps
Need a little pick-me-up? Why not stop over at Twede’s Cafe for a slice of their world-famous Cherry Pie and hot black coffee, a local favorite. Better known on the show as the Double R Diner, owned by local sweetheart Norma Jennings, Twede’s Cafe is Norma’s dream modernized. Located in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington, Twede’s most ordered item on the menu is their authentic “Twin Peaks Cherry Pie,” popularized through Special Agent Dale Cooper’s love of the simple yet “damn good.”
Sheriff’s Department
7001 396th Dr SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Google Maps
The Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Office is arguably one of the most critical sets in all of Twin Peaks, with much of the action and mystery deciphering happening within the meeting room with donuts piled high on the table. However, while you can visit the building in which director David Lynch got his inspiration, you’ll be shocked to find that the building’s use is far different than a Sheriff’s Office. The Dirtfish Driving School now operates out of the building, teaching rally driving (off-road racing) and defensive driving. While this is the least “Twin Peak’s Inspired” location, if you’re in the Snoqualmie Valley area and want to learn how to rally race, the Dirtfish Driving School is for you (donuts not included).
The Roadhouse
4200 Preston-Fall City Rd SE. Fall City, WA 98024. Google Maps
The Roadhouse Bar is a common location for Twin Peaks characters to deal with their angst, through music and the occasional judicial hearing. The Roadhouse Bar was quintessential in Twin Peaks world for its plot building and peaceful songs after a stressful scene. It’s real-life location, coincidentally, called “The Roadhouse,” though the full name is the “Roadhouse Restaurant and Inn.” Located in Falls City, WA, just 30 minutes west of Snoqualmie Valley. The Roadhouse is the perfect place to grab a pint of beer to swish down that late-night cup o’ joe to continue your investigation through Twin Peaks.
Ronette’s Bridge
SE Reinig Rd, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Google Maps
You too can walk across that same bridge Ronette Pulaski walked after re-emerging from captivity after Laura Palmer’s death. Though one of many traumatizing locations within the Twin Peaks lore, the Reinig Bridge (often dubbed “Ronnette’s Bridge) used to be a working railroad bridge but now serves as a pedestrian walkway and a piece of Twin Peaks history.
Entrance to the Black Lodge
2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Google Maps
Though the Black Lodge was a place of mirage imagery and fantastical sounds of , you cannot actually enter through the Black Lodge’s classic red curtain. Still, you can instead visit the location of its appearance. Nicknamed Glastonbury Cove, the Black Lodge entrance is located in the Santa Monica Mountains, California, just behind Windom Earle’s cabin from Season 2. Though only an area with sycamore trees, to a real Twin Peaks fan, this location marks the beginning and the end of yet another confusion plotline within the show. A must-see for any dedicated fan.
