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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.
128 Episodes
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Send us a text Episode 128 Did you know there’s an entire trail of Santa-themed parks across the U.S.—some dating back more than 75 years? In this festive episode, I unwrapped a twinkle-lit road trip through America’s Santa Parks — the vintage theme parks, roadside attractions, and holiday wonderlands that keep the Christmas spirit alive all year long. From the snowy streets of Alaska’s North Pole to the retro reindeer rides of New England, each stop tells a story of nostalgia, creativity, an...
Send us a text Episode 127 What 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 two decades later, it’s one of Disney’s most beloved parks — home to Cars Land, World of Color, and Avengers Campus. In this episode, I’m tracing the park’s incredible transformation — from a cost-cutting experiment to a storytelling triumph. We’ll explore: Th...
Send us a text Episode 126 Ever 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. In Los Angeles, some hotels don’t just host guests, they host entire worlds. In this week’s episode, we check into some of LA’s most cinematic hotels to uncover how these iconic spaces became part of Hollywood’s story — from early Academy Awards banquets...
Send us a text Episode 125 Would 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. These aren’t just abandoned buildings and dusty streets — they’re places where legends still echo, and the past feels just a little too close. In this episode, I’ll take you to 8 ghost towns with fascinating backstories, haunted legends, and quirky revivals. From...
Send us a text Episode 124 What 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 and co-founders of the X-Files Preservation Collection in Saratoga Springs, NY, the only museum in the world solely focused on the groundbreaking series. This episode dives deep into fandom, preservation, and the personal stories behind one of TV’s most iconic shows.In this episode...
Send us a text Episode 123 What 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. Whether you're a fan of horror movies, the paranormal, witchy vibes, or just love an eerie gift shop, this curated guide covers some of the spookiest and most fascinating museums across the U.S. In this episode, you’ll hear about: A museum that houses actu...
Send us a text Episode 122 What’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 the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank, California. In this episode, I’m taking you along for one of the most iconic pop culture experiences in LA. From backlot facades and famous soundstages to Batmobiles and butterbeer, we’ll explore: How the studio tour wor...
Send us a text Episode 121 Have 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 explore the real-world locations tied to Walt’s early career and creative spark. From humble homes to historic restaurants, this is a walk through Walt’s LA. 🎙️ In this episode, you’ll discover: Where Mickey Mouse came to lifeThe backyard railroad that planted the seeds of DisneylandThe co...
Send us a text Episode 120 What 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, I’m sharing the charming, surprising story behind one of California’s most iconic boardwalk carousels—and why one particular animal stopped me in my tracks. Here’s what you’ll discover: Why the Santa Monica Pier is the unofficial “End of Route 66”The surprisi...
Send us a text Episode 119 What 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. In this episode of Pop Culture Passport, we take a walk around Echo Park Lake, dive into its surprising film history, and share what it’s like to explore the area today. Here’s what you’ll discover: The real-life inspiration behind Echo Lake at Hollywood Studio...
Send us a text Episode 118 What 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, we head to Northern Virginia for an unexpected pop culture scavenger hunt among the historic aircraft and spacecraft of this incredible museum. You’ll hear: ✈️ A little backstory on how the Udvar-Hazy Center came to be 🎥 The surprising movie and TV connections hidi...
Send us a text Episode 117 Located 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 I’m sharing what we found so you can try it too. 🔎 In this episode: The backstory of Jock Lindsey (yes, the guy from Raiders of the Lost Ark)Hidden artifacts from Indiana Jones films and ridesDisney deep cuts—from the Adventurers Club to the J...
Send us a text Episode 116 Did 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, but it’s had quite a journey to get here. In this episode, we’re taking a look back at the evolution of Disney’s Hollywood Studios—from its behind-the-scenes beginnings to its IP-packed present. In this episode: The origin story of Disney-MGM Studios and its ra...
Send us a text Episode 115 What 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 this episode, I’m sharing stories from our May adventure—from classic rides at Disneyland and fandom fun at Universal FanFest to the unexpected moments that made this trip so personal and inspiring. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: Highlights fr...
Send us a text Episode 114 What 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 episode, I’m sharing my visit to the former estate of Kodak founder George Eastman. Part historic mansion, part world-class photography museum, and part film archive, this place is a hidden gem for anyone who loves pop culture, innovation, or a good nos...
Send us a text Episode 113 Have 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. We’re talking about: A burger stuffed with molten cheese in MinnesotaDeep-fried Depression-era patties in MississippiPickles soaked in Kool-Aid (yes, really)Why a big plate of macaroni salad and meat sauce is the late-night dish in RochesterWhether yo...
Send us a text Episode 112 Did 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 companies that shaped American leisure time. In this nostalgic ride, we’ll cover: How trolley parks began and why they were builtWhat a day at a trolley park looked like in the early 1900sHistoric parks that still operate todayThe lasting legacy and ...
Send us a text Episode 111 What 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 villages, this trip has something for everyone—whether you're in it for the thrills, the snacks, or the nostalgia. Here’s what you’ll find in this episode: A road trip-ready route from New York to VirginiaThe story behind America’s first planned amuse...
Send us a text Episode 110 Ever 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 films. This week, we’re exploring the real-life landscapes behind iconic scenes from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Shining, Dances with Wolves, and more. In this episode: The national park that doubled as EndorWhere to find Tatooine (without leaving Ear...
Send us a text Episode 109 Ever 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 Pixar’s Cars and Disney’s Radiator Springs. From the truck that became Mater to motels glowing with vintage neon, these spots bring the movie to life in the quirkiest and coolest ways. In this episode: The Kansas gas station where the real Mater livesA ...
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