Is it possible that anyone with way too much time on their hands pieced together from all the previews where the nearest Dwemer Ruin is? I just want to go to one as the first real thing I do.

You have the game?

probably not the best place to go right away. Afraid i dont know where one is located tho.

No. I've preordered from Steam so I have to wait till Friday... and even if I get my head handed to me in 10 seconds flat, that is still the first thing I want to do.

Westward would be my guess. I've been avoiding spoilers and leaked materials, but Markarth is built into Dwemer ruins so I'd assume near or around that city would be your best bet. TES Lore would indicate there shouldn't be many, if any, dwemer ruins in the central areas of Skyrim.

Probably westward but this game has changed up quite a bit of lore so it could Be elsewhere. Try checking the online interactive map it should show you.

If the yellow squares on this photo are indeed dwemer ruins, there is one west of Riften (SE of Riverwood). Looks to be the closest one to me.

Here is the link: http://manatank.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Sky3.jpg

Your best bet is the mountain area to the west near Morrowinds borders~