Want to drive past Meredith Grey's house?

Sorry, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. You've been replaced by Meredith Grey and Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd.

Used to be, or so I've heard, that visitors to Seattle would want to see the "Sleepless in Seattle" houseboat from which Hanks wooed Ryan in the 1993 movie.

But I've lived here for a decade now, and the people who come visit me are much more interested in seeing locations from the ABC doctor drama "Grey's Anatomy."

It's actually a little tougher than you think. "Grey's" uses some exterior scenes shot in Seattle, and the crew travels here about once a television season to get a few more. But most of the scenes, especially the hospital interior, is shot on a studio lot in L.A. I've been on that set, and although the inside is decked out with posters for Seattle events and takeout menus from city restaurants and copies of Seattle Magazine sit on the coffeetable, you walk outside into Southern California sunshine, not Pacific Northwest rain.

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And the setting that interests most people ? that long glassy atrium of Seattle Grace Hospital, where it just so happens nearly every doctor must stop and have a heart-to-heart? That's shot at a Veteran's Administration building in Northridge, Calif.

But back in Seattle, I can drive my "Anatomy" loving friends past the home whose exterior was filmed as Meredith Grey's house. It's in the Queen Anne neighborhood. Needless to say, we never bother the residents of the $1.3 million home. It's a quiet neighborhood and you can snap a photograph or two, then walk on. The exterior's hardly seen on the show, but still, it's a popular trip.

I can also take them to KOMO-TV downtown. The local TV station has a helipad that stands in for the Seattle Grace rooftop when emergency cases are seen flying in. As far as we know, "SGH," for "Seattle Grace Hospital," isn't actually painted on the helipad permanently.

And of course, the famous Space Needle and city skyline are seen in almost every episode. They look pretty good at night, I must say. If you're an Elvis fan, rewatch 1963's "It Happened at the World's Fair" before you visit. He rides the monorail and dines in the Space Needle restaurant.

The "Sleepless in Seattle" houseboat still floats on Lake Union ? it was up for sale just a few years ago for $2.5 million. But you don't have to buy it to get a decent view. If you take one of the touristy Argosy Cruises on the lake, your boat sails right by it, and the owners might give you a wave if they're around.

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Other popular pop-culture sites with my crowd? Lakeview Cemetery in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, where Bruce and Brandon Lee are buried. The home where Kurt Cobain killed himself is all but hidden from sight, but benches in nearby Viretta Park serve as graffitied memorials to the singer. Fans of "Singles" can check out numerous locations, including the main apartment building.

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And day trips to Roslyn ("Northern Exposure") and North Bend ("Twin Peaks") are also much in demand for those with a little time to spend in the car.

If you really don't mind driving, head out to Forks, where the "Twilight" films are set. That town is really tourist-friendly. The house used as Bella's home in the films has a sign out front reading "Home of the Swans," and there's even a sign at the local hospital marking reserved parking for Dr. Cullen, vampire Edward's doctor dad.

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Seattle's souvenir stores have capitalized on the popular shows and movies. Before heading home, you can stock up on Seattle Grace scrubs, "Sleepless in Seattle" pajamas and "Twilight" candy hearts.

And if you happen to see McDreamy hanging out somewhere in my city, please give me a call.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper is TODAY.com's movies editor.

? 2011 MSNBC Interactive.? Reprints

Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44963344/ns/today-entertainment/

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