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

Beth Schillaci - The Roaming Yeti
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  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. What is Cincinnati Chili: Skyline vs. Gold Star and an Official Taste Test

    APR 24

    What is Cincinnati Chili: Skyline vs. Gold Star and an Official Taste Test

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 145 Is Cincinnati chili really chili… or is it something completely different? In this Snack Society episode, we dive into the history, controversy, and flavor profile of Cincinnati chili, the Greek-inspired meat sauce that divides an entire region. From Skyline to Gold Star to the lesser-known Worthmore, we conduct an official taste test and unpack how this unexpected dish became a city icon. In This Episode: The surprising Greek origins of Cincinnati chiliHow to order it “the right way” (and why you never twirl the spaghetti)An official Snack Society taste test: Skyline vs. Gold Star vs. WorthmoreWhether you’re Team Skyline or still skeptical, Cincinnati chili proves that the best regional foods are the ones bold enough to be unapologetically themselves. 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
  2. Seattle Side Quests: Quirky Stops Beyond the Space Needle

    APR 17

    Seattle Side Quests: Quirky Stops Beyond the Space Needle

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 144 What happens when you wander just a little off the main path in Seattle? Seattle is famous for coffee, the Space Needle, and grunge music, but the real magic of the Emerald City shows up when you lean into curiosity. In this episode, we explore the quirky landmarks, pop culture filming locations, and creative spaces that make Seattle a city that rewards side quests. In this episode, we’ll cover: How Seattle’s geography shaped its creative and independent spiritIconic side quest stops like MoPOP, the Fremont Troll, and Gas Works ParkHidden gems, filming locations, and playful food stops that go beyond the obviousIf you’re planning a trip or just love discovering what makes a city feel unique, this episode is your guide to Seattle’s curious side. 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.

    14 min
  3. Jungle Jim’s International Market in Cincinnati: A Snack Society Playground

    APR 10

    Jungle Jim’s International Market in Cincinnati: A Snack Society Playground

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 143 There are many things people prioritize when visiting a new city, such as landmarks, restaurants, and museums. Me? I like to find the grocery store. And my favorite one so far? Jungle Jim’s International Market in Cincinnati. What started as a roadside produce stand in the 1970s has grown into a 200,000-square-foot international food playground complete with animatronics, a fire truck in the hot sauce aisle, a shark hanging over seafood, a monorail track overhead… and yes, a full bar inside the grocery store. In this Snack Society episode, I share why grocery stores are one of my favorite travel side quests, what makes Jungle Jim’s so delightfully over-the-top, and why it’s absolutely worth the stop, even if you don’t need groceries. Grab a cart. Trust me. You’ll need it. You ready? Let’s roam. More info on the blog. 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.

    21 min
  4. From Santa Rosa to St Paul: Peanuts Places You Can Visit

    APR 3

    From Santa Rosa to St Paul: Peanuts Places You Can Visit

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 142 Did you know there are real places across the United States where the world of Peanuts comes to life? From the California hometown where Charles Schulz created the comic strip to a few surprising side quests across the country, this episode explores destinations where Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the Peanuts gang still leave their mark. In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re following the trail of Peanuts through real places you can visit — including the museum dedicated to Schulz’s life and work, the ice rink he built for his community, and even a few unexpected stops tied to Snoopy’s most famous daydreams. In this episode: • Visiting the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California • Charles Schulz’s early life and inspiration in St. Paul, Minnesota • The surprising connection between Snoopy and NASA Whether you’re a lifelong Peanuts fan or just love discovering quirky pop culture destinations, these stops offer a fun way to connect with one of the most beloved comic strips ever created. You ready? Let’s roam. More info on the blog. 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
  5. Snack Files: The Sweet History of Peeps and a Taste Test

    MAR 27

    Snack Files: The Sweet History of Peeps and a Taste Test

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 141 Are Peeps a nostalgic springtime favorite… or just sugary packing peanuts? In this episode of Snack Society Snack Files, we’re diving into the surprisingly strange history of one of Easter’s most divisive treats. From hand-piped marshmallow chicks in Pennsylvania to scientific experiments, pop culture chaos, and our own Spring Break taste test, Peeps have a much bigger story than you might expect. In this episode, we cover: How Peeps began at the Rodda Candy Company before Just Born turned them into a candy powerhouseThe invention that cut production time from 27 hours to just 6 minutesThe bizarre science behind why Peeps are so weirdly durableOur Peep taste test, including favorites, disappointments, and the fresh vs. stale debateWhether you’re Team Fresh, Team Stale, or firmly anti-Peep, this episode is a fun look at how a tiny marshmallow chick became a seasonal icon. You ready? Let’s roam. More info on the blog. 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
  6. Beyond the Liberty Bell: Quirky Side Quests Around Philadelphia

    MAR 20

    Beyond the Liberty Bell: Quirky Side Quests Around Philadelphia

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 140 Philadelphia is famous for its rich history, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and its role as the birthplace of the United States. But the Greater Philadelphia area also tells another story: one about the people who decided that culture, fandom, and everyday memories were worth saving. In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we explore quirky and fascinating side quests across the Philly region — from a museum dedicated entirely to the Three Stooges to a warehouse packed with vintage Americana, a historic theater where The Blob still comes to life every year, and of course, one of the most iconic movie locations in the country. Along the way, we’ll also talk about the food traditions that Philadelphians fiercely protect — from cheesesteaks to soft pretzels. If you’re visiting Philadelphia for the 2026 World Cup or just planning your own pop culture road trip, these stops show a different side of the city: one built not just on what Philly created first, but on what it cared enough to keep. You ready? Let’s roam. More info on the blog. 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
  7. Snack Society Snack Files - The Surprising History of Hard Candy in America

    MAR 13

    Snack Society Snack Files - The Surprising History of Hard Candy in America

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 139 Have you ever unwrapped a piece of hard candy and suddenly felt eight years old again? In this week’s Snack Society: Snack Files episode, we’re diving into the surprisingly deep history of hard candy, from early American port cities to mid-century candy dishes and the iconic sweets that quietly shaped our memories. In this episode, we explore: Gibraltar candy and early American sugar craftRock candy as both a science experiment and a Victorian spectacleThe rise of the mid-century candy bowl eraThe mystery of strawberry candies (you know the ones)Butterscotch discs, Werther’s, and portable nostalgia. Root beer barrels and pharmacy-era soda cultureHard candy isn’t flashy. It doesn’t trend, but it carries centuries of trade, chemistry, hospitality, and memory in one small, dissolving bite. You ready? Let’s roam. More info on the blog. 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.

    16 min
  8. From Salem to Hershey: Candy Stores That Feel Like Time Capsules

    MAR 6

    From Salem to Hershey: Candy Stores That Feel Like Time Capsules

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 138 Candy stores aren’t just about sugar. They’re about memory, place, and tradition. In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re traveling across the country to explore some of America’s most iconic candy stores, from one of the oldest candy companies in the country to neighborhood nostalgia archives and full-scale candy destinations. In this episode, we explore: The maritime roots of American candy at Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie in Salem, MAHow Economy Candy in NYC became a living archive of American sweetsThe longest candy counter in the world at Chutters in Littleton, NHA full-scale candy destination at b.a. Sweetie Candy Company in Cleveland, OHHow Hershey, PA, built an entire town, and tourism industry, around chocolateThese destinations remind us that candy has always been about more than sugar. It’s been about community, ritual, celebration, and the feeling of finding a tiny piece of your childhood in a glass jar. You ready? Let’s roam. More info on the blog. 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
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5
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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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