Thrillist Explorers

On this episode (our SEASON FINALE), host Wil Fulton sits down with Thrillist editors Meredith Heil and Tiana Attride to talk about underrated summer destinations, “responsible” tourism, and why Jared Leto might be the worst celebrity to take a road trip with. In the back half, Wil chats with Scott Keyes (Scott’s Cheap Flights founder and author of Take More Vacations) about the future of flight prices, why tickets to Europe are surprisingly inexpensive this summer, and why some airlines are swapping out planes for buses (yes, seriously). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we’re celebrating our recent Webby Nomination (vote here!) with a look back at some of our favorite segments about restaurants and bars. Featuring a dive into Waffle House Records, a trip through LA’s Thai Town with Thrillist writer Kat Thompson (and her Mom), a profile on Jimmy’s Corner (New York’s best dive), an interview with the iconic Virginia Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl in D.C., and a look into finding the best cheesesteak in Philly (if that’s even possible). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton meets and profiles two of Los Angeles’ preeminent Private Investigators. We dig into the gritty details of what a PI in the City of Angels does, and how they’re able to see the city (and its many, many, many secrets) through a lens that most overlook. Along the way, we’ll collect some of their recommendations on how to experience the classic “noir” L.A., inspired by legendary flashpoints like Chinatown and the Big Sleep, so you can experience their version of Los Angeles yourself. Featuring Barbara Wolford of Kinsey Investigations, and Bruce Robertson of TriStar Investigation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton ventures to New York City’s “forgotten borough,” Staten Island, to meet a few notable locals and see why Staten Island has so much more to offer than just a (free) ferry ride. Featuring: Daniel Mondello (aka Meals By Cug), Julia Wijesinghe (Lakruwana Restaurant, Sri Lankan Art and Cultural Museum), NYC DOT Staten Island Borough Commissioner Roseann Caruana, Royal Crown Bakery, Denino's Pizza, Fort Wadsworth Recreation Center, Liedy’s Shore Inn Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Helen Thayer was the first woman to travel solo to the magnetic North Pole. She walked across both the Sahara and Gobi deserts, kayaked down the Amazon, and trekked 200+ miles through Death Valley in her 80s. Along the way, she fought off polar bears, lived alongside wolves, escaped a rebel firing squad, survived an attack by killer bees, and managed to outlast a nasty case of food poisoning in Death Valley. And chances are, you've never even heard of her. In this episode, host Wil Fulton is joined by the legendary explorer, who shares her stories and delivers inspiration that can apply to all aspects of life (she also tells us how to fight off a polar bear, too). Special guests include Tania Aebi and Emma Svensson. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton heads to Montana, to experience sub-zero temperatures, icy roads, and two of America's most increasingly popular tourist destinations: Bozeman and Livingston. We hear about the long and storied history of Livingston's historic Murray Hotel and Wil takes a plunge at the nearby Chico Hot Springs. In Bozeman, we chat with Dr. Shane Doyle about the Native history of the area, some of the nearby outdoor adventures, and some current and upcoming exhibits at the Museum of the Rockies. Afterwards, he talks with the team behind Bozeman's Lark Hotel about some attractions in the area, and the owner and general manager of Plonk, a nearby wine bar and (frankly, amazing) restaurant. Finally, with some help of a local meme page, "Good Ol' Bozeman" (yes seriously), we connect with a local who helps us cover a topic we hit throughout the episode: with increasing tourism and new transplants driving up prices and disturbing the local way of life, how can we, as visitors, manage to avoid being jerks while visiting Montana? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton sits down with advertising (and Vegas!) legend Billy Vassiliades of R&R Partners, who led the team that created the iconic "What Happens Here, Stays Here" campaign in the early 00s. We hear the untold story of the ideation (featuring two Minnesotan stay-at-home moms with a big secret) of the campaign, and its immediate cultural impact on the city, and the travel industry. We also hear from artist and podcaster Brent Holmes (check out Spectacle: Las Vegas, right now!) for a local's perspective on Vegas, including recommendations and a slice of history from Chinatown and Downtown Las Vegas (like the excellent Atomic Liquors, the city's oldest freestanding bar). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton profiles a handful of restaurants dedicated to serving regional favorites and "traditional" recipes in "new" surroundings. We speak with Chef Yia Vang (Union Hmong Kitchen) on cooking Hmong dishes in Minnesota, writer and restauraneuer Craig Carlson on opening an American diner (Breakfast in America) in the heart of Paris, along with two Brooklyn restaurants, Dog Day Afternoon and Brooklyn Kolache, who have brought beloved regional American staples to a new market. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton speaks with iconic risk taker, comedian, and world traveler, Steve-O. Topics covered include: his experience filming the new Jackass Forevermovie, why he (probably) won't do another project like Wildboyz again, how he smuggled weed inside himself while traveling, his dog Wendy, his recent run-in with police at one of America's most beloved national monuments, and his "shameless self promotion" (you can find all the products he references here, plus info on his upcoming tour). We also hear from Esther Zuckerman (Thrillist Senior Entertainment Writer and author ofBeyond the Best Dressed), who shares her thoughts on the new film, the enduring cultural legacy of Jackass, and why so many self-described cinephiles are major fans of the franchise. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton is profiling the culture around gas station food in America, and beyond. Brian Park and Youngmi Mayer (Feeling Asian Podcast) discuss their favorite gas station snack memories and their ideal (and well-balanced, naturally) gas station meals. Al Hebert (better known online as the Gas Station Gourmet) talks about his favorite gas station foods across the country… while eating at a gas station. We highlight Basecamp/Rations (Wilson, WY), the Whoa Nellie Deli (Lee Vining, CA), the Czech Stop (West, TX), the Market (Charlottesville, VA). pastry chef Caroline Schiff (Gage & Tollner,SlowUp) tells us why the Twix is the perfect gas station candy bar. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A podcast about smells? Well…. yeah. In this episode, host Wil Fulton discovers how scent and travel combine to create some of our longest lasting memories. Along the way, he speaks with: visually impaired travel writer Tony Giles on how scent helps him build a picture of the places he visits, and how it often guides him to points of interest; the General Manager of Homesick Candles, on bottling the smells of cities; and artist Dr. Kate McLean, who developed a notable method to map scents, visually. All of this concludes with Wil taking his own "scent walk" through New York City, which is very hit-or-miss, to be honest. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton is joined by Scott Keyes (founder of Scott's Cheap Flights and author of Take More Vacations) to discuss the recent disruptions in the airline industry, and how you can prepare for your next flight by learning how to deal with sudden cancellations, schedule changes, and more. We're also joined by Dr. Calvin Sun, an ER doctor living in New York City who also runs the travel group Monsoon Diaries, who speaks on how he plans international trips while keeping COVID restrictions in mind. Finally, we talk with bioethicist Kelly Hills of Rogue Bioethics, on the moral issues of traveling during a pandemic. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Wil Fulton goes old school and takes a quick road trip without the safety net of his smartphone…. and obviously, inevitably, gets very lost. We also look into pre-Internet travel in general: Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!, Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers) discussing how she planned early tours using the influential punk zineBook Your Own Fucking Life(note: they're selling old copies, here!), modern day travel agent Sarah Fazendin, founder of Videre Travel tells us how the pandemic has actually helped their business model, and AAA breaks down the (still relevant!) benefits of their legendary TripTiks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Holiday-themed episode, host Wil Fulton fully embraces the Yuletide spirit by finding some of the premier (and alternatively, underrated) holiday destinations in New York City, before being joined by Thrllist's Travel Editor Tiana Attride to discuss her picks for the three best cities in America to spend Christmas, and why Americans go so wild for Christmas/Holiday travel destinations in general. Plus, a lot of festive surprises, too. Featuring: Harlem Heritage Tours, Miracle on 9th Street, Santa Claus, Indiana, Leilehua Yuen (click here for more info on Makahiki!), and Frank Mangano (Dyker Heights) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Wil Fulton heads to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to stay at the iconic LGBTQIA+ destination, the District Hotel, in one of the most historic (and weirdly underreported?) queer districts in America: 39th Street. He attends the Heartland Transgender Music Festival, some drag shows, and gleans insight into the area via OKC's own Kelly Mantle (RuPaul's Drag Race, The Browns). Outside of 39th street, he stops at Edna's — one of the best dive bars in the country — to try their legendary "Lunchbox," speaks with chef Andrew Black (Grey Sweater, Black Walnut) about OKC's rising and ridiculously underrated culinary scene, and rides along with OKC-transplants, writers, and podcast hosts Matt and Brad Kirouac, as they give him a driving tour of the city. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Wil Fulton drives around his home state of New Jersey with Atlas Obscura co-founder Joshua Foer, to test out their new app (download it here!), and discover a handful of offbeat, inspiring, and illuminating destinations around the Garden State. We also hear from Dylan Thuras (the other co-founder, naturally) on his own personal travel ethos, and how Atlas Obscura manages to show travelers points of wonder all over the world, near and far. Featuring: White Manna Diner, Thomas Edison's Concrete Homes, the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, The Morris Museum, Deserted Village of Feltville Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Wil Fulton heads to America's most famous (and maligned) tourist destination, Times Square, New York, to sift through the souvenir shops and knock-off Elmos and see if there's a lovable neighborhood hiding inside Times Square, after all. Featuring: Adam Glenn of Jimmy's Corner, Kenneth McCoy of the Rum House, Tae Yoon, Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar, Tom Harris and Regina Fojas of the Times Square Alliance, Jean Cooney of Times Square Arts, The Russian Vodka Room,Joe Allen's, and a bunch of strangers in Times Square Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thrillist staffers play a round of "Ask a Flight Attendant" and learn why you should never drink the coffee (or any hot beverage) on an airplane. Host Wil Fulton talks with "The Grumpy Stew," the world's grumpiest flight attendant, on the things that bother him most about the job right now. We hear about the glory days of PanAm with writer Julia Cooke (Come Fly the World With Me) and former PanAM stewardesses Tori Werner and Betty A. Riegel (Up in the Air). Phil Tiemeyer (Plane Queer) tells us how they history of Gay men in America intersects with the history of Flight Attendants. We visit a crash pad via The Hotel Crash Pad Network (which is Veteran-owned and operated - happy Veteran's Day!) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Wil Fulton visits Philadelphia, PA to find the city's best cheesesteak, figure out why the cheesesteak is so beloved in Philly, and question what "best" even means when it comes to a sandwich, anyway. Thanks List: Carolyn Wyman, Jillian Wilson, Helen Hollyman, Alexandra Jones, Federoff's Roast Pork, Dalessandro's, Mike BBQ, John's Roast Pork, Jim's South Street, everyone driving in Philly the day we visited Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Wil Fulton spends the day walking around Salem, Massachusetts, with stops for a yoga class at the Satanic Temple, a brief encounter in a Witch's apothecary, and a conversation with the Mayor. Special Thanks: Daayani Yoga, the Satanic Temple of Salem, Artemisia Botanicals and Teri Kalgren, Cry Innocent, History Alive, and Kristina Stevick, Mayor Kim Driscoll,Gravestone Girls, Residency Records, the Magic Parlor, Zenovia, The Witch Board Museum, Matoula Music (Sandy and Marc!) and Cornucopious. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices