Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
Pop Culture Passport is your guide to quirky and cool travel destinations across the USA. Every other week, we explore unique things to do, from movie and TV filming locations and theme parks to roadside attractions, quirky museums, regional foods, and the fascinating stories behind the places you visit.
If you'd happily add 60 minutes to your trip to visit a filming location, the Jell-O Museum, a legendary roadside attraction, or a local spot with an incredible backstory, this podcast is for you.
I'm Beth Schillaci, aka the Roaming Yeti. I'm a travel content creator, pop culture nerd, and firm believer that the best discoveries happen when you layer a little curiosity on top of wherever you're already headed. I call them side quests: the detours, the unexpected stops, the "wait, THAT'S here?" moments that make any trip unforgettable and personal.
Whether you're planning a dedicated trip or looking for the perfect thing to add to somewhere you're already going, a work trip, a family visit, or a drive through a new city, there's always something worth the detour.
Think of this as traveling with your slightly nerdy, sort-of-cool friend who loves deep dives, unexpected discoveries, and finding the story behind the story.
Explore episodes about:
- Movie & TV filming locations
- Quirky museums & unique attractions
- Road trips & roadside attractions
- Theme parks & themed entertainment
- Regional foods, candy history & food tourism
- Day trips & weekend getaways
- Hidden history, origin stories & local legends
- Pop culture travel across the USA
Grab your Pop Culture Passport — let's roam.
Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
A Year in Quirky Travel: 5 Standout Moments Beyond LA
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Episode 130
What were your favorite travel moments this year — the unexpected discoveries, weird details, or hidden gems that stuck with you?
In this final episode of 2025, I’m taking a look back at some of the quirky and cool destinations that weren’t in Los Angeles (shocking, I know). From ghost stories and blue ice cream to offbeat art museums, these moments stuck with me in the best way.
Plus, I’ll share what’s coming in 2026 — including a big year for the Snack Society, more Pop Culture Passport episodes, and a growing audio tour project that I’m really excited about.
In this episode:
- My Top 5 favorite travel moments outside of LA — including Gettysburg, Rochester, and EPCOT
- A nostalgic trip to Kings Island, complete with Smurf-blue ice cream
- My unofficial Country Bears Easter egg hunt inside a dark ride
- What’s next for the Roaming Yeti Snack Society in 2026
You ready? Let’s roam.
Links & Resources:
- Explore Snack Society blog posts. https://theroamingyeti.com/category/journal/snack-society/
- Sign up for the Roaming Yeti newsletter to get the Snack Society Field Agent Journal in January. https://theroamingyeti.com
- Listen to the Haunted Frederick Ghost Trail podcast. https://theroamingyeti.com/haunted-frederick/
Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter.
Connect with me on social: Facebook or Instagram.
Like this episode? Share it in your stories and tag me @the_roaming_yeti
Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know where you'd like us to roam next.
Ready for more from The Roaming Yeti now? Visit our website.