Pop Culture Passport - Exploring Quirky & Cool Travel Destinations in the USA
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.
Episodes
127 episodes
The Evolution of Disney California Adventure: From WestCOT to Cars Land
Episode 127What happens when Disney builds a brand-new park… and it flops?When Disney California Adventure opened in 2001, critics called it everything from “underwhelming” to “a state fair with better landscaping.” But t...
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Episode 127
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23:19
From Ghostbusters to Taylor Swift: Hollywood History at LA’s Hotels
Episode 126Ever walked into a hotel lobby and felt a strange sense of déjà vu?Maybe it’s the chandeliers, the marble floors… or the feeling you’ve seen this place before, like in a movie, a show, or even a Taylor Swift video. ...
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Episode 126
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15:51
8 Ghost Towns You Can Actually Visit
Episode 125Would you explore a town where the residents left long ago — but the spirits never did?This week on Pop Culture Passport, we're taking a road trip through America’s eeriest and most intriguing ghost towns. Thes...
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Episode 125
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21:44
Inside The X-Files Preservation Collection in Saratoga Springs, NY
Episode 124What if you could walk into a room filled with real props, costumes, and behind-the-scenes treasures from The X-Files?In this episode, I interview Kelly and Jim, the dedicated collectors an...
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Episode 124
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37:22
Ghosts, Ghouls & Gift Shops: Spooky Museums Across the US
Episode 123What do haunted saloons, vampire folklore, and alien encounters have in common?They all live in museums you can actually visit — and we're taking you there in this Halloween-ready episode of Pop Culture Passport...
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Episode 123
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19:50
Lights, Camera, Backlot! Touring Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank
Episode 122What’s it like to walk through Sheldon and Leonard’s apartment, visit the Friends fountain, and the school from Abbott Elementary—all in the same afternoon? Join me on this behind-the-scenes adventure through...
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Episode 122
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22:45
Walking in Walt’s Footsteps: A Pop Culture Pilgrimage Through Walt Disney’s LA
Episode 121Have you ever wondered where Walt Disney lived, worked, and dreamed—before Disneyland?In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re heading off the beaten path in Los Angeles to e...
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Episode 121
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21:49
The Santa Monica Pier and Carousel: Route 66, Movie Magic, and One Very Good Pig
Episode 120What do a Paris museum, a Route 66 road trip, and a carousel pig have in common? They all showed up in the most unexpected way during a walk along the Santa Monica Pier.In this episode of Pop Culture Passport...
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Episode 120
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8:44
Echo Park: LA’s Hidden Hollywood Backlot (and the Real Echo Lake)
Episode 119What do swan boats, silent films, and a rack of vintage Disney clothes have in common?They’re all part of the story in LA’s Echo Park—a neighborhood with deep Hollywood roots and a laid-back creative spirit.I...
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Episode 119
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13:56
Udvar-Hazy National Air & Space Museum Near D.C.: Iconic Aircraft and Movie Magic
Episode 118What do Transformers, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Raiders of the Lost Ark have in common? You’ll find pieces of all of them at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center.In this episode, ...
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Episode 118
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14:20
Hidden Details at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar: A Disney Springs Scavenger Hunt
Episode 117Located in Disney Springs, this Indiana Jones–inspired watering hole is packed with hidden treasures, Easter eggs, and deep Disney lore. On a rainy afternoon, my husband and I turned our visit into a full-on scavenger hunt—and...
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Episode 117
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12:30
From Backlot to Batuu: The Evolution of Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Episode 116Did you know Disney’s Hollywood Studios used to be a real working production studio—with animators, soundstages, and even the house from The Golden Girls?Today, it’s now focused on immersion into the movies, bu...
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Episode 116
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15:13
LA Stories & Theme Park Magic: Disneyland, Universal FanFest & Superlative Highlights
Episode 115What do Randy’s Donuts, a Hollywood parking lot papal announcement, and a Back to the Future dance party on the Universal backlot have in common? They were all part of our unforgettable family trip to Los Angeles.In thi...
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Episode 115
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36:15
Kodak Moments - Exploring the George Eastman Museum
Episode 114What do vintage cameras, organ concerts, and a pie recipe have in common? You’ll find them all at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY—where photography, film history, and personal storytelling collide.In this epi...
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Episode 114
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14:08
7 Quirky Regional Foods Worth the Road Trip
Episode 113Have you ever tried a Slugburger? Or eaten chili straight out of a bag of Fritos? In this episode, we’re wrapping up our road trip series with a delicious detour through some of the quirkiest regional foods in the U.S.W...
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Episode 113
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15:55
Trolley Parks: The History of America’s Original Amusement Getaways
Episode 112Did you know many of today’s amusement parks started with a streetcar? In this episode, we’re rolling back to the late 1800s to explore the fascinating world of trolley parks—recreational destinations created by trolley compan...
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Episode 112
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15:00
Mid-Atlantic Theme Park Road Trip: 6 Must-Visit Parks for Thrills & Nostalgia
Episode 111What makes a perfect road trip for theme park fans? In this episode, we head down the East Coast on a journey to six standout parks in the Mid-Atlantic. From chocolate-scented coasters to vintage carousels and European ...
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Episode 111
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16:37
National Parks on the Big Screen: Real Places from Star Wars, Indiana Jones & More
Episode 110Ever watched a movie and thought, “That view can’t be real”? In some cases—it absolutely is.From redwood forests to alien deserts, America’s national parks have quietly played starring roles in some of your favorite fil...
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Episode 110
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13:43
Visit the Real Radiator Springs: Route 66 Stops That Inspired Cars
Episode 109Ever wish you could step into Radiator Springs? What if I told you it was inspired by real places you can actually visit?This week, we’re hitting the road to explore the real-life Route 66 destinations that inspired Pix...
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Episode 109
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15:33
The World’s Largest Roadside Attractions: From Giant Twine to Jumbo Pistachios
Episode 108What is it about giant versions of everyday things that makes them so unforgettable? From a massive ketchup bottle to a frying pan big enough to cook 365 chickens, we’re diving into the wonderfully oversized world of America's...
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Episode 108
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18:18
The Evolution of Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Part 2 – Everest, Pandora, and What’s Next
Episode 107From giant crashing kites to a mythical Yeti stuck in disco mode, Animal Kingdom has had quite the glow-up since opening day.In Part 2 of this two-part series on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’re picking up the stor...
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Episode 107
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18:33
The Origin of Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Part 1 – Vision, Controversy, and Conservation
Episode 106What does it take to build a Disney park with no castle, no parade, and nature as the main character?In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we’re heading back to the early 1990s to explore the origin s...
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Episode 106
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17:30
Washington, DC Monuments in the Movies: From Forrest Gump to Superheroes
Episode 105Have you ever stood at the Lincoln Memorial and thought, “Wait… wasn’t this in Forrest Gump?”You’re not alone—and once you start spotting filming locations in DC, you’ll never look at the monuments the same way a...
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Episode 105
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12:05
10 Years of Hamilton – Where History and Broadway Collide
Episode 104Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Hamilton premiered on Broadway? Whether you’re a history buff, a Broadway fan, or just love a good story, Hamilton has left a lasting impact on bo...
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Episode 104
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53:47
Epcot 2025 Guide: Thrill Rides, Relaxing Attractions, and Food Picks
Episode 103Are you team thrill ride or team chill vibes? At Epcot in 2025, you don’t have to choose. Whether you're getting launched into space by a talking raccoon or floating past hydroponic lettuce, there's something for ever...
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Episode 103
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22:41
