The Office is a workplace comedy, so obviously, it wouldn't have been anything without Dunder Mifflin. As much as we loved all the episodes that took place in the office, though, there's a strong set of episodes that took place outside of it. That's what we're looking at now.
In this list, we'll be considering any episode that took place primarily outside of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch. This means that we'll be considering episodes with cold opens or minor subplots that occur within the office, so long as the main plot and the majority of the scenes take place outside of it.
With that said, it's time to set out for Scranton; Here are the best episode of The Office with stories that play out somewhere that's not Dunder Mifflin.
Christening
The Season 7 episode had the gang heading to a church for CeCe's christening, much to Pam and Jim's annoyance. While the young parents hope for everything to run seamlessly, things go south when CeCe's dress gets ruined during a diaper change and the minister accidentally invites all the attendees to a family-only reception.
Meanwhile, Michael becomes inspired by the regular churchgoers and decides to head off to Mexico with the youth ministry. Andy decides to go as well in hopes that this will impress Erin, however, they both get scared and back out less than an hour into the bus ride.
Finally, Toby deals with his own feelings, as he ponders whether his bad luck and religion are linked to one another.
Company Picnic
Taking place in Season 5, this episode saw Michael trying to gain back Holly's affections while at a picnic run by Dunder Mifflin. This proves to be a challenge, especially when Holly's boyfriend, A.J., shows up. However, Michael and Holly's chemistry is undeniable when they perform a skit about the company together. It's too bad he had to spoil it by revealing that the Buffalo branch was closing.
The rest of the gang gets serious in a volleyball tournament, and it turns out Pam is a pretty good player. She eventually injures her ankle, however, and Jim takes her to the hospital. This is where the couple learns that Pam is pregnant.
Diwali
Season 3's "Diwali" saw the office heading to an Indian celebration with Kelly Kapoor.
At the Diwali, Ryan tries to make Kelly's parents like him and Michael decides that he wants to marry Carol after becoming inspired by Hindu marriage practices. Carol is not so receptive to his public proposal and ends up leaving the event.
Meanwhile, in Stamford, Jim, Andy, and Karen are forced to work late. They turn their office work into a drinking game that ultimately results in a sober Karen driving home a drunk Jim.
Happy Hour
During Season 6's "Happy Hour," Oscar organizes a hang out at a bar so that he can get to know Matt better. Of course, this has the rest of the office coming along.
Pam decides to bring a date for Michael, who she thinks he might hit it off with. However, after the beans are spilled to Michael that he is on a date, he decides to transform into his alter ego, "Date Mike." This causes all sorts of uncomfortable drama, as this new persona has been inspired by the winners and losers of reality TV dating shows.
The subplots have Dwight reconsidering his contract with Angela, Andy, and Erin handling their secret relationship, and Oscar dealing with his interest in Matt.
Booze Cruise
The gang sets sail for one crazy fun night in the Season 2 episode "Booze Cruise." Michael decides to turn the celebration into a leadership training exercise, but Captain Jack takes control of the festivities to keep Michael from doing this.
Jim brings Katy while Pam brings Roy to the event, however, it becomes evident how little these couples have in common. Despite this, Roy decides to declare a date for his wedding to Pam after becoming moved by a story from the captain.
Michael reminds a hopeless Jim that this might not be the end for him and Pam.
The Dundies
The Season 2 opener had Michael gathering the office in a Chili's for his yearly office award ceremony. Though he is ecstatic, everyone else is not as he is known to give out embarrassing and uncomfortable awards.
Pam gets super drunk after arguing with Roy in the parking lot of the restaurant and ends up kissing Jim after her long and nonsensical acceptance speech. This only adds to the craziness of Michael's show, as Pam is usually the one known for keeping things together.
As a result of this, Pam is banned from the Chili's.
Beach Games
Michael takes everyone to the lake for some beach games in this Season 3 episode. After making Pam the note-taker and tasking the crew with egg and spoon races and hot dog eating contests, he reveals that he is using the games to judge who should become the new manager.
Midday, Andy floats away in a sumo wrestling costume after Angela (in support of Dwight) doesn't help him out of the water. By the evening, however, Michael has gathered everyone together for a walk across hot coals. Dwight says he will stand on the coals until Michael gives him the manager job, but it proves to be too painful and they drag him off. Pam decides to run across when no one is watching and, full of confidence, comes back to the gang to reveal how she really feels about them.
Phyllis’s Wedding
In Season 3's "Phyllis' Wedding," the office gathers together for the marriage of Phyllis Lapin and Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration.
Michael has been tasked with pushing Phyllis' father's wheelchair down the aisle in exchange for extra honeymoon vacation days. When Phyllis' father reveals he can walk on his own midway through their trek toward the front, however, Michael gets in a sour mood, feeling useless.
Pam deals with how eerily similar Phyllis' wedding would have been to her own and watches longingly as Jim and Karen dance together. Despite this, Roy and Pam rekindle the flames and end up leaving the reception together.
Niagra
Pam and Jim celebrate their own marriage in this two-part episode.
In part one, the entire office ends up showing up for the rehearsal dinner after Michael offers them a vacation day incentive. Pam and Jim are nervous that someone will spoil Pam's pregnancy to her grandmother, Meemaw. However, Jim is actually the one who drops the news and Meemaw decides as a result, she won't attend the wedding. Michael helps change her mind while Andy injures himself at a dance party.
In part two, Pam rips her veil and feels upset at how everything is falling apart. To help her feel better, Jim cuts his tie with scissors and the two run away to get married privately by the falls before their public ceremony. They eventually do get married in front of the gang and everyone joins in on a dance routine. Michael also develops feelings for Pam's mother.
Dinner Party
Lastly, no outside-the-office episode list would be complete without "Dinner Party."
In this Season 4 episode, Michael tricks Pam and Jim into attending a small get-together at his and Jan's condo. Andy and Angela also show up, but things get really weird really quick. It is revealed that Jan and Michael are at odds with each other, and they passive-aggressively guilt each other in front of their guests who really just want to eat.
After Jan destroys Michael's plasma screen TV with a Dundie Award, the police show up, and Michael decides to go home with Dwight.