About Quirky Travel Guy

corn QTG

My LinkedIn profile

Hey there, I’m Scott, aka Quirky Travel Guy. Join me as I solo travel the world seeking out cool adventures, cultural experiences, off-the-beaten-path treasures, road trips, national parks, and unique attractions!

I’ve been a travel professional since the ’00s, adventuring around North America and writing about it as much as possible.

My goal on the blog is to bring you the photos and stories behind these fascinating places, and to show that travel doesn’t have to be super expensive. You can go just about anywhere in the world on an average-sized budget if you really want to.

I aim to uncover the most offbeat and most unforgettable destinations around. That means I cover everything from the beautiful landscapes of Iceland to the Toilet Seat Museum (yes, that’s a real place!)

Quirky Travel Guy: Personal Travel Stats!
Number of U.S. national parks visited: 46 (last: Glacier Bay, Alaska)
Number of worldwide national parks visited: 73 (last: Coiba, Panama)
Number of quirky attractions visited: 150 (last: The Kazoo Museum)
Number of road trips completed: 37 (last: Los Angeles to Austin)

Follow Quirky Travel Guy on Social Media
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

glacier pose
Landing on a glacier in Alaska’s Denali National Park.

Founder and author Scott Shetler is an experienced journalist and Seattle-based writer who has been featured in the Washington Post, Culture Trip, Viator, Rova magazine, Matador Travel, and many other sites.

Scott has been interviewed as a travel expert by Travel + Leisure magazine, Britain’s BBC Radio, and Canada’s CTV, and his photography has been featured on the Travel Channel.

The writing and photography on this site are almost 100% original. Unlike other travel blogs, I only write about places that I’ve visited personally. Besides travel, I’m way into popular music, hiking, wildlife, outdoor adventure, food, LGBT issues, and history, so you’ll see elements of those topics sprinkled into my writing.

Hopefully by reading, you’ll be inspired to move beyond your comfort zone and take that first step toward a brand new travel adventure!

puerto vallarta
On a boat in Puerto Vallarta.

Advertise on Quirky Travel Guy

Quirky Travel Guy is one of the longest-running travel blogs. The site debuted in January 2011 and has built up a dedicated readership of folks interested in the site’s fun, offbeat spin on travel. The blog is promoted regularly on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and various other social networks.

For advertising inquiries, such as sponsored posts, contact Scott via email at scott (at) quirkytravelguy.com or see this page.

rocky statue philadelphia

Readership

As of late 2023, Quirky Travel Guy receives more than 200,000 page views per month. The majority of Quirky Travel Guy‘s audience is from the United States and Canada, followed by the U.K., Mexico, Australia, Germany, France, Netherlands, South Africa, and several other European countries.

My audience is generally between the age of 25-45, with an even male-female split and a sizable LGBT readership.

Among the topics covered on the website:

  • Offbeat roadside attractions
  • Museums, arts and culture
  • Food, nightlife and neighborhoods
  • Interesting historic sites
  • Solo travel and outdoor adventures
  • National parks & road trips

Press Trips / Sponsorships

Quirky Travel Guy is always willing to consider sponsored trips to destinations that complement the theme of the site. I cover everything from national parks to urban adventures to small-town life, taking a special interest in fun and offbeat attractions around the world.

I will write honestly about your destination and do my best to put a fun spin on the biggest attractions and to seek out cool places that my readers would be interested in, which are often under-the-radar spots.

Awesome Destinations:

The Unforgettable Experience of Flightseeing and Landing on a Glacier in Alaska

Cruising Through the Streets of Havana in a 1956 Chevy Convertible

Going Back in Time in Vigan City, Philippines

Sights From a Hawaiian Helicopter Ride Over Active Volcano Lava Flows

many glacier kayaking
Kayaking in Glacier National Park.

Quirky Attractions:

The Toilet Seat Art Museum in San Antonio

Polebridge, Montana: The American Town With No Electricity

Joining the Sourtoe Cocktail Club in the Yukon

The Icelandic Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft

A few frequently-asked questions:

Where did you grow up?

I was born into Amish royalty. I was raised outside Pittsburgh, one of the most underrated cities in the country. Then I spent several years in Chicago before moving on to the Pacific Northwest and settling in Seattle.

indy car racing
In the back seat of an old Indy 500 race car.

Where have you traveled?

I first got the travel bug on a four-month van trip through 46 states. I eventually visited all 50 states, six Canadian provinces, and eight Mexican states.

In recent years, I’ve added several international destinations to my list, including Cuba, Iceland, France, Belgium, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. In the summer of 2018, I embarked on a nine-country tour through central and southern Africa. Click “Destinations” on the top menu for more.

calesa philippines
Riding in a horse carriage in Vigan, Philippines.

What’s the coolest place you’ve visited?

There are so many. Iceland was incredible for its scenery. Cuba felt like a journey back in time with its old cars and refreshingly slow pace of life. Dawson City, Yukon was a fun town with a hippie-ish vibe during the summer.

I’m totally in love with Mexico City, which feels like my second home. And, of course, nothing was better than seeing African safari animals in Tanzania, South Africa, and Botswana.

In the U.S., I’m a big fan of national parks. Death Valley was surprisingly awesome. Camping on a remote island in Dry Tortugas was a great life experience.

Glacier National Park might be my favorite because of its mountain scenery, hikes, and wildlife. New Orleans, San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Denver are among my favorite cities.

mosaic magic gardens
In pieces at Philadelphia Magic Gardens.

Do you travel by yourself?

Absolutely! Quite often I’m on my own. Other times, a friend will join me for an adventure. I traveled with my ex for a couple years. And occasionally I go with a group of travel writers on a press trip. Every journey is completely different, and that’s part of the fun!

Solo travel comes with some challenges, but sometimes traveling on your own makes it easier to connect with locals.

harmonipan player
My new friend the harmonipan player in Mexico City.
 

Where else have you been published?

I spent several years writing about pop music (woohoo!) and interviewing artists like Ed Sheeran and Jason Derulo for Popcrush, AXS, and Examiner, and I’ve gotten to attend the Grammy Awards as a journalist.

As a travel writer, I’ve been published on Matador, AOL Travel, Connect Magazine, Washington State Tourism, and EagleCreek.com, among many others. I’ve been blogging on the site since 2011, back when there were only a handful of legit travel bloggers on the internet.

johnny cash star

I am a Seattle freelance writer available for writing or blogging opportunities, so drop me a line if you have a project I may be able to help with. I run a handful of other niche sites, including Total Music Awards, a music blog focusing on the Grammy Awards and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

moose kissing

Thanks for reading!

I love hearing from folks who have enjoyed a story, or who have suggestions for where I might take my next trip. To email me with random comments or inquiries regarding advertising or press trips, drop me a line at scott (at) quirkytravelguy.com. Happy travels!