Geography Geography 4 min read

Did you know these beloved sitcom sets are real places you can visit?

Image: Haberdoedas II

We’ve laughed, cried, and binge-watched our way through some unforgettable sitcoms over the decades. But did you know some of those iconic TV locations aren’t just set pieces? They’re real places you can visit. If you’re a sitcom lover, they should get a special place in your bucket list, or become a unique road trip. What’s certain is that this list will take you on a coast-to-coast tour of sitcom spots that live outside the screen.

1
The Friends apartment building in NYC

Image: Chalo Gallardo

In the heart of Greenwich Village sits a corner that any Friends fan would spot in a heartbeat. The building where Monica, Rachel, Joey, and Chandler "lived" is at 90 Bedford Street, right above a real restaurant called The Little Owl . While the inside scenes were shot in a studio, this exterior became one of the most recognizable TV landmarks ever.

2
Tom’s Restaurant from Seinfeld, New York City

Image: Albert Stoynov

If you’ve ever watched Seinfeld , chances are you’ve seen the bright sign of Tom’s Restaurant flash across your screen. Known in the show as "Monk’s Café", it’s located at the corner of 112th and Broadway in Manhattan. The indoor scenes were filmed elsewhere, but the real diner is still serving up burgers, fries, and some nostalgia on the side.

3
The Brady house on Dilling Street, Studio City

Image: Patrick Bohn

The exterior of the Brady Bunch home is as iconic as Alice’s blue uniform. Found on Dilling Street in California, the house was used for exterior shots, though the interior was all Hollywood magic. HGTV renovated it to match the show's set for a special series, making it even more of a shrine for longtime fans. It’s not open for tours, but you can still walk by and hum that catchy theme song. Wouldn’t you just love that?

4
Cheers bar on Beacon Street, Boston

Image: Chris Hardy

Where everybody knows your name... is actually at 84 Beacon Street in Boston. This classic pub was used for exterior scenes in Cheers, and still operates as a real bar today! Inside, it’s filled with memorabilia and a whole lot of warm nostalgia. Stop by, order a pint, and pretend you’re chatting with Norm and Cliff at the end of the bar.

5
M A S H filming site in Malibu Creek State Park, California

Image: Robert Ruggiero

The rugged Korean War setting of M A S H was actually a lot closer to home. All those outdoor camp scenes were in fact filmed in the scenic Malibu Creek State Park. Hike the trail and you’ll stumble across the old site, complete with rusted props and a replica of the famous signpost.

6
Painted Ladies from Full House, San Francisco

Image: Joshua Sortino

That sweeping shot of San Francisco and a picnic in the park? That’s Alamo Square Park, facing the famous Painted Ladies, the colorful Victorian homes seen in Full House . Funny enough, the Tanner family house is actually elsewhere, but fans still visit this spot for a taste of that opening credits magic. It's a great place to take in the skyline and maybe even sing a little "Everywhere you look."

7
Stately Pasadena City Hall from Parks and Rec

Image: Igor Shalyminov

The city of Pawnee may be fictional, but its town hall isn’t. The elegant building you see in Parks and Recreation is in fact Pasadena City Hall. Its beautiful arches and fountain-filled courtyard served as the setting for plenty of Leslie Knope’s proudest moments. And yes, the red tiles on the roof were digitally changed to green to give it a more "Midwestern" look!

8
The Dunphy house from Modern Family, Culver City

Image: Doug Bagg

Claire and Phil Dunphy’s cozy suburban home sits quietly on Dunleer Drive in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of LA. It was used for the show’s exterior shots and became an instant fan favorite. When the home went up for sale, it drew curious buyers and lookie-loos alike. While you can’t go inside, the outside looks just like it did when Luke crashed his bike in the driveway.

9
The Puck Building from Will & Grace, NYC

Image: Udara

Located in SoHo, the Puck Building is a real-life landmark that served as the fictional office of Grace Adler Designs. This towering red-brick beauty stands at Lafayette and Houston Streets. If you're a fan of the show, you’ll instantly recognize those massive arched windows from the opening credits. You can’t miss it!

10
The Electric City sign from The Office, Scranton

Image: Kelly Sikkema

"The Electric City" isn’t just part of a cringey rap from The Office ; it’s a real nickname for the Pennsylvania city. The sign featured in the show is perched on a building in downtown Scranton and makes a fun photo-op for any Dunder Mifflin devotee. Most of the show was filmed in California, but a few Scranton landmarks made it into the mix.

11
The Prince bar from New Girl, Los Angeles

Image: q u i n g u y e n

The gang of New Girl frequently hangs out at a bar called The Griffin , which in real life is "The Prince," a moody Koreatown spot with red leather booths and vintage charm. It's a favorite filming location, appearing also in shows like Mad Men and The Defenders . On which series did you see it first?

Culture Culture 5 min read

Which is your favorite music genre?

American music would not be the same without these 10 sonic pioneers

Image: Eugene Bolshem

Very rarely have musical genres been entirely created by a single individual. More often than not, when you trace the origins and environment of a musical pioneer, you will get a sense of where this person drew his or her influence from. America is rich soil for music, and the following ten artists have spearheaded genres that continue to grow and inspire to this day. Did you know any of them?

1
Ragtime - Scott Joplin

Image: Darius

The first entry on the list showcases the inventor of probably the most popular waiting-call tunes in history, Scott Joplin, the "King of Ragtime" himself. He composed over 40 ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his first and most popular pieces, the "Maple Leaf Rag," became the genre's first and most influential hit, later recognized as the quintessential rag.

Joplin considered ragtime to be a form of classical music meant to be played in concert halls and largely disdained the performance of ragtime as honky-tonk music, most common in saloons.

2
Blues - W.C. Handy

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Blues music can’t be traced to a single individual, but William Christopher Handy can definitely be identified as a founding figure in the genre. He was an American composer and musician who referred to himself as the "Father of the Blues."

One of many musicians who played the blues, Handy did not create the blues genre but was one of the first to publish music in the blues form , thereby taking the blues from a regional music style (Delta blues) with a limited audience to a new level of popularity.

3
Jazz - Buddy Bolden

Image: Laura Rivera

Charles Joseph "Buddy" Bolden was an American cornetist who was regarded by contemporaries as a key figure in the development of a New Orleans style of "jass," which later came to be known as jazz. Bolden was known as "King" Bolden, and he was known for his loud sound and improvisational skills, and his style had an impact on younger musicians.

Many early jazz musicians credited Bolden and his bandmates with having originated what came to be known as jazz , although the term was not in common musical use until after Bolden was musically active. At least one writer has labeled Bolden as the father of jazz.

4
Country - Jimmie Rodgers

Image: Katherine Hanlon

Widely regarded as the "Father of Country Music," James Charles Rodgers was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. He is best known for his distinctive yodeling , which is a singing style imported from the Alps.

He has been cited as an inspiration by many artists and he has been inducted into multiple halls of fame. By 1927, he stopped working for the railroad due to health issues and decided to focus on his music career.

5
Soul - Sam Cooke

Image: Mick Haupt

Considered one of the most influential soul artists of all time, Sam Cooke is commonly referred to as the "King of Soul" for his distinctive vocals, pioneering contributions to the genre, and significance in popular music.

During his brief eight-year career, Cooke released 29 singles that charted in the Top 40 of the Billboard Pop Singles chart, along with 20 singles in the Top Ten of Billboard's Black Singles chart.

6
Rhythm & Blues - Louis Jordan

Image: Austin Neill

Known as "the King of the Jukebox," Louis Thomas Jordan was an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.

Jordan blueprinted the map of classic R&B, urban blues , and early rock-and-roll genres with a series of highly influential 78-rpm discs released by Decca Records. These recordings presaged many styles of Black popular music in the late 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s and exerted a strong influence on numerous leading performers in these genres.

7
Rock n Roll - Chuck Berry

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

Best known as "Chuck," Charles Edward Anderson Berry was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter who pioneered rock and roll music. Nicknamed the "Father of Rock and Roll," he refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive , writing lyrics that focused on teen life and consumerism and developing a musical style that included guitar solos and showmanship.

He recorded "Maybellene"—Berry's adaptation of the country song "Ida Red"—which sold over a million copies and reached number one on Billboard magazine's rhythm and blues chart.

8
Funk - James Brown

Image: iggii

"The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business," "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk," "Godfather of Soul," "Mr. Dynamite," and "Soul Brother No. 1," Mr. James Brown himself, was an American singer, dancer, and musician and the founder of funk music , as well as a major figure in 20th-century music.

In a career that lasted more than 50 years, he influenced the development of several music genres. Brown was one of the first ten inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 23, 1986. His music has been heavily sampled by hip-hop musicians and other artists.

9
Disco - Donna Summer

Image: Bas Peperzak

Disco music was becoming increasingly popular in the early 1970s, but according to many historians, it was Donna Summer’s "Love to Love You Baby" that became the first "official" disco release .

The song did not have an immediate American release; it started its life with moderate success in Europe before finally gaining traction and being launched in the U.S., where it became her first number-one hit on the Hot Dance Club Play Chart.

10
Rap - DJ Kool Herc

Image: Matthew Moloney

While this name might not be as instantly recognizable as those from the previous entries, it certainly deserves to appear and close the list, as it is often cited as responsible for the birth of an extremely popular music genre. Clive Campbell, better known by his stage name DJ Kool Herc , is a Jamaican American DJ credited with being one of the f ounders of rap music in New York City in 1973.

Nicknamed the "Father of Hip-Hop," Campbell began playing hard funk records typified by James Brown. He isolated the instrumental portions of the records, emphasizing the drum beat—the "break"—and transitioned from one break to another. Campbell's announcements helped lead to the syncopated, rhythmically spoken accompaniment now known as rapping.

Geography Geography 6 min read

Secret landscapes

A "hell" in California? Discover 10 secret natural wonders of America!

Image: Jamie Street

Many Americans—as well as people from around the world—have already had the chance to visit iconic US landmarks , such as the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls. But beyond these famous landscapes, our country is home to many other spectacular natural wonders that have been overlooked for years. Have you ever heard of Thor's Well, Lost River Cave, or Turnip Rock? Whether you're familiar with them or not, you're going to find some surprises in this article about 10 of America's hidden natural treasures!

1
Thor's Well, Oregon

Image: Eric Muhr

Imagine there is a huge, circular hole in the sea where water seems to fall endlessly into an abyss. Spooky, right? Well, this is what you'll see if you look at the incredible Thor's Well, located on the Oregon coast.

Despite its name, it's not a well but a large, bowl-shaped sinkhole situated on the rocky shore. When you see it, it gives the impression that the ocean is being drained away! The ocean waves flow in and out of the hole, creating a dancing water spectacle. But that's not all; the site is surrounded by rugged volcanic rock that becomes slippery and hazardous when wet. It feels almost like stepping into a scene from a fantasy movie.

2
Devil's Den, Florida

Image: Michael Behrens

When it comes to spooky names, Devil's Den stands out. While its name might not sound very inviting—unless you’re a horror fan—this is actually an incredibly beautiful place with a charm that is hard to match.

Devil's Den is a prehistoric underground spring and cave system. Picture yourself walking through the state of Florida when suddenly you find a big, mysterious hole in the ground. When you look down, you discover a cave with a bright blue body of water inside. Scientists believe that the roof of an underground river collapsed here, exposing the water surface and creating what we now know as Devil's Den Spring.

If you haven't visited this spot yet, this is your invitation; you won't regret it!

3
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico

Image: John Fowler

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is an incredible landscape filled with reddish-purple rock formations on eroded terrain . The site has amazing geological structures sculpted from sedimentary rock.

While this scene looks like something out of a science fiction movie set on some distant planet, this extraordinary place is not only on Earth but also right here in northwestern New Mexico.

Want to know what its name means? Bisti and De-Na-Zin are Navajo words that can be translated to "a large area of shale hills" and "standing rock," respectively.

4
Bumpass Hell, California

Image: Quentin Burgess

Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California has something to surprise visitors: a geothermal basin.

We're talking about Bumpass Hell, a place with a name that has an interesting history. This spot owes its name to Kern Bumpass, a miner who, in the 19th century, was one of the first to explore this little-known wonder. Bumpass suffered injuries and burns due to the geothermal activity, which gave rise to the ingenious name that the area has today.

What you see upon arrival is a series of steam vents reaching temperatures of up to 200°F , rising from bubbling hot springs. And as if all this weren't enough, Bumpass Hell is framed by the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

5
Havasu Falls, Arizona

Image: Cara Fuller

While the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona is one of our country's best-known natural landmarks, it also holds a special spot that many overlook. Although a permit is required and access is a bit tricky, the effort is well worth it to find the beautiful Havasu Falls. The most common way to reach Havasu Falls is by hiking , but you can also get there by helicopter.

The waterfall is an impressive 100 feet high and splashes against the unique rocky backdrop. This spot is mesmerizing, and this fact is reflected in its name: Havasu translates to "blue-green water" in the Havasupai language.

6
Turnip Rock, Michigan

Image: Cody Doherty

The Great Lakes are well-known for their beauty and size, but there's a hidden gem among them that has been overlooked for a long time.

Picture yourself standing on the shore of a lake and suddenly spotting a large rock formation that appears to be balancing on the water. If you experience this, you're probably in the state of Michigan, precisely standing by Lake Huron, witnessing the incredible formation called Turnip Rock.

Its name comes from its strange shape: over the years, the action of the waves has eroded the base of the rock, making it narrow while leaving the top wide. As a result, the rock now resembles a giant turnip. The best way to reach this site is by kayak, so if you like that activity, Michigan is the perfect place for you!

7
Apostle Islands Sea Caves, Wisconsin

Image: Spencer Fitzgerald

Wisconsin boasts some of the most beautiful natural areas and holds unexpected scenery.

If you enjoy museums and art, don't miss Apostle Islands Sea Caves in Wisconsin. Here, nature is the main work of art, with water as the star sculptor!

In this spot, the water has drastically affected the cliffs, carving out wonderful rock formations with incredible shapes. However, all of this becomes even more amazing in winter when the site is covered with ice water and adorned with icicles hanging like spikes!

8
Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

Image: Chris Bair

If you are someone who has always dreamed of traveling to space and stepping foot on the moon , this place might become your new favorite spot.

While it's not actually in outer space, Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho makes you feel as if you were there. As the name suggests, the landscape here resembles lunar craters. These pits and fissures in the dark, hardened ground are the result of volcanic activity that has occurred in the area over the past 15,000 years.

If you enjoy hiking, exploring caves, and taking in spectacular views, don’t miss the chance to visit this remarkable place!

9
Lost River Cave, Kentucky

Image: Bruno van der Kraan

As if descending into the dark depths of a cave weren’t enough, imagine the sensation of navigating an underground river! If you're not afraid of that scenario, then you can visit Lost River Cave in Kentucky.

After passing through a dramatic entrance, you'll enter the cave system, a mysterious world adorned with stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the entire space. But the highlight is the river flowing through it. Visitors can experience this adventure by taking a boat ride along the underground river with other guests. It’s an experience you definitely won't want to miss!

10
Providence Canyon, Georgia

Image: Shelby Cohron

Yes, the Grand Canyon is absolutely impressive and beautiful, but it's not the only canyon in our country. Right here in the US, we also have the Providence Canyon, located in southwestern Georgia.

Sometimes called "Georgia's Grand Canyon," this stunning place is approximately 120 miles southwest of Atlanta and covers about 1,000 acres. The rock formations here delight visitors with a varied color palette, ranging from pink to red, orange, and even purple.

In addition, the canyon's depth ranges from 15 to 50 feet, offering magnificent views to enjoy during the hike. If you love to explore, make sure to visit Georgia!

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