Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA

Beth Schillaci - The Roaming Yeti
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  • PLACES & TRAVEL
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Pop Culture Passport is your guide to quirky, cool, and nostalgic travel across the U.S.—from movie filming locations and theme parks to roadside attractions and pop culture museums. If you'd happily add 60 minutes to your trip to visit a filming location, the Jell-O Museum, or a roadside diner from your favorite TV show, this podcast is for you. Every other week, I’ll take you behind the scenes of iconic and offbeat destinations, sharing their history, stories, and the fun details. Along the way, we’ll dive into theme parks, explore quirky museums, and uncover the real places behind your favorite movies and shows. I'm Beth Schillaci—aka the Roaming Yeti. I’m a travel content creator, pop culture nerd, and obsessive road trip planner who somehow turns an 8-hour drive into a 21-stop itinerary (because you never know what you’ll find). I’m also the creator of the Quirky & Cool Travel Guide, a curated directory of unique U.S. destinations, and I share even more travel stories and pop culture finds on The Roaming Yeti Blog. Think of this as traveling with your slightly nerdy, sort-of-cool friend who thrives on deep dives, unique finds, and laughter-filled road trips. Grab your Pop Culture Passport—let’s roam.

  1. Atlanta Side Quests: Quirky, Pop Culture & Hidden Gems Beyond the World Cup

    23H AGO

    Atlanta Side Quests: Quirky, Pop Culture & Hidden Gems Beyond the World Cup

    Send a text Episode 136 If you’re traveling to Atlanta for the World Cup… will you only see the stadium version of the city, or will you side quest into the places locals actually love? Atlanta is getting ready to welcome the world, and yes, the stadium energy is going to be incredible. But some of the most memorable parts of this city live outside the official fan zones. While researching this episode, I kept coming back to one idea: many of Atlanta’s most beloved places exist because someone cared deeply about one specific thing, puppets, folk art, public art, secret cocktail culture, or even a giant roadside chicken, and decided to build something around it. This episode is all about Atlanta side quests, the stops that make a trip feel personal, memorable, and very you. In This Episode, We Cover: • The Center for Puppetry Arts and why Atlanta became home to the Jim Henson Collection • Doll’s Head Trail and how one person turned a dumping ground into powerful folk art • Hidden and personality-driven stops like Tiny Doors ATL, Swan House, and the Red Phone Booth • Atlanta filming locations (Marvel, Black Panther, Stranger Things, and more) • Two iconic Atlanta food landmarks you can’t miss: The Dwarf House and The Big Chicken Atlanta isn’t just a host city. It’s a city full of creativity, obsession, and personality, and those are usually the places that make the best travel stories. If this episode inspires you to add a side quest to your next trip, even if it’s close to home, then it’s done its job. You ready? Let’s roam. 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.

    17 min
  2. Snack Society: King Cake, Fat Tuesday & The Foods That Connect Us

    FEB 13

    Snack Society: King Cake, Fat Tuesday & The Foods That Connect Us

    Send a text Episode 135 Did you grow up with King Cake… or was Fat Tuesday pancakes-for-dinner night? In this Snack Society episode, we’re opening both the Snack Files and the Test Kitchen to explore the foods Americans eat on the day before Lent — whether you call it Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday. From Louisiana bakery culture to Pennsylvania Dutch kitchen traditions, this episode looks at how food helps us mark time, build community, and share one last moment of indulgence together. In This Episode, We Cover: The history and symbolism of King CakeRegional Fat Tuesday foods across the U.S.My real-life King Cake Test Kitchen experience (including braid struggles and cinnamon sugar chaos)Fat Tuesday foods may look different across the country — but the story is the same: Food helps people gather, celebrate, and transition seasons together. You ready? Let’s roam. 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.

    13 min
  3. From Stranger Things to Twin Peaks: Real Towns Behind Your Favorite TV Shows

    FEB 6

    From Stranger Things to Twin Peaks: Real Towns Behind Your Favorite TV Shows

    Send us a text Episode 134 What if you could actually visit Hawkins, Dunder Mifflin, or the Double R Diner? In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re taking you on a TV pilgrimage to the real-life towns behind some of your favorite fictional places. From the brick-lined square that doubled as Hawkins, Indiana, to the shadowy forests of Twin Peaks, these locations aren’t just filming sites; they’re places you can walk through, eat in, and explore for yourself. What You’ll Discover: Where to find the Stranger Things library, Joyce Byers’ workplace, and that Season 1 alleywayWhy The Office’s Scranton is more real than you might think (even if it was shot in California)Whether you’re a nostalgic 80s fan, a drama junkie, or a quirky road tripper, you’re going to want to add these spots to your must-visit list. You ready? Let’s roam. 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.

    17 min
  4. Where to Eat & Drink in LA: A Snack Society Field Report

    JAN 30

    Where to Eat & Drink in LA: A Snack Society Field Report

    Send us a text Episode 133 From English toffee at the Original Farmers Market to the best smash burger I’ve ever had, this Snack Society field report is a highlight reel of food and drink stops in LA that have us still talking. These are the spots we tried and loved during our LA trip—unexpected gems, neighborhood favorites, and breweries with serious food game. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Where to find melt-in-your-mouth English toffee and potato-filled crepes in LAA smash burger that now lives rent-free in my mindFour local breweries with excellent beer, food, and vibesHidden gem pubs and taverns where the food deserves its own spotlightThe turkey club trail I didn’t mean to start—but I’m not mad about itWant more snack-fueled adventures? Get your free Field Notes Travel & Snack Journal by signing up for the newsletter at https://theroamingyeti.com  You ready? Let’s roam. 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.

    15 min
  5. Shop, Snack, and Nerd Out: Pop Culture Stops in LA

    JAN 23

    Shop, Snack, and Nerd Out: Pop Culture Stops in LA

    Send us a text Episode 132 Ever wonder where to shop or snack like a pop culture nerd in Los Angeles? From iconic comic shops and vintage bookstores to on-screen diners and galactic cantinas, this episode is your guide to the quirky, cool, and cinematic side of LA, one bite and book at a time. In this episode, I share: The bookstores and record shops where Hollywood history lives onWhere to shop for actual TV costumes (with a scavenger-hunt twist)A legendary pub from The Office, plus a Star Wars-themed cantina you’ll want to nerd out inThe perfect stops for film buffs, comic lovers, and pop culture explorers alikeWhether you’re planning your own LA adventure or love a good armchair side quest, this episode is packed with pop culture travel inspo and some seriously snackable detours. You ready? Let’s roam. 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.

    25 min
  6. Quirky & Cool Rochester: Side Quests While Visiting the Finger Lakes

    JAN 9

    Quirky & Cool Rochester: Side Quests While Visiting the Finger Lakes

    Send us a text Episode 131 Heading to the Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls, or even Buffalo? Don’t skip Rochester — this city’s full of side quests you didn’t know you needed. In this episode, we’re heading to Western New York for a quirky detour through Rochester — a city that’s quietly cool, full of history, and packed with creative surprises. From legendary guitar stores and speakeasies to living art galleries, this stop proves you don’t need to travel far to find something extraordinary. In this episode, we’ll cover: House of Guitars & Record Archive: Two legendary music stops with stories (and vinyl) for days.Marge’s Lakeside Inn & The Blind Pig: Dive bars, speakeasies, and cocktails with a side of local lore.Clock of Nations & ArtisanWorks: Nostalgia, reinvention, and immersive creativity in motion.Bonus Sip Stops: Favorite breweries and casual hangouts to round out your Rochester road trip.If you love discovering destinations with heart and history, this episode will have you adding Rochester to your next Western NY adventure. You ready? Let’s roam. 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.

    30 min
  7. A Year in Quirky Travel: 5 Standout Moments Beyond LA

    12/26/2025

    A Year in Quirky Travel: 5 Standout Moments Beyond LA

    Send us a text 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 EPCOTA nostalgic trip to Kings Island, complete with Smurf-blue ice creamMy unofficial Country Bears Easter egg hunt inside a dark rideWhat’s next for the Roaming Yeti Snack Society in 2026You 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.comListen 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.

    18 min
  8. Nerds, Fun Dip & Stranger Things: Exploring 80s Candy Culture with Jason Liebig

    12/19/2025

    Nerds, Fun Dip & Stranger Things: Exploring 80s Candy Culture with Jason Liebig

    Send us a text Episode 129 What was your go-to candy in the 80s — and why do those flavors and wrappers still feel so nostalgic today? In this episode, Beth sits down with Jason Liebig, one of the country’s top nostalgia experts and the self-described Indiana Jones of snacks. Jason is a brand historian, packaging archivist, and behind-the-scenes consultant for hit shows like Stranger Things, Mad Men, The Goldbergs, and more. Together, they dig into the sweet, surprising world of 1980s candy — from iconic favorites like Nerds and Fun Dip to long-lost treats and the stories behind the wrappers. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Jason went from Marvel Comics to building the largest candy-packaging archive in the U.S.Why the 1980s were a groundbreaking decade for candy innovationHow real packaging helps make shows like Stranger Things feel so authenticThe wild evolution of Fun Dip, Pixy Stix, Big League Chew, and moreAn incredible story about a rare Kit Kat wrapper that survived World War IIWhether you grew up in the 80s or just love a good pop culture deep dive, this episode is packed with nostalgic fun and fascinating behind-the-scenes details. You ready? Let’s roam. Follow Jason on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/collectingcandy/ 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.

    1h 5m
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About

Pop Culture Passport is your guide to quirky, cool, and nostalgic travel across the U.S.—from movie filming locations and theme parks to roadside attractions and pop culture museums. If you'd happily add 60 minutes to your trip to visit a filming location, the Jell-O Museum, or a roadside diner from your favorite TV show, this podcast is for you. Every other week, I’ll take you behind the scenes of iconic and offbeat destinations, sharing their history, stories, and the fun details. Along the way, we’ll dive into theme parks, explore quirky museums, and uncover the real places behind your favorite movies and shows. I'm Beth Schillaci—aka the Roaming Yeti. I’m a travel content creator, pop culture nerd, and obsessive road trip planner who somehow turns an 8-hour drive into a 21-stop itinerary (because you never know what you’ll find). I’m also the creator of the Quirky & Cool Travel Guide, a curated directory of unique U.S. destinations, and I share even more travel stories and pop culture finds on The Roaming Yeti Blog. Think of this as traveling with your slightly nerdy, sort-of-cool friend who thrives on deep dives, unique finds, and laughter-filled road trips. Grab your Pop Culture Passport—let’s roam.

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