90s Nostalgia Guide: Healthcare Traveler Edition
Whether you’re between shifts or between assignments, there’s always time to squeeze in an unforgettable stop, especially if you’re chasing the retro vibes of a simpler time. If you’re a ‘90s kid—or wish you were—this one’s for you.
From video rental shops and vintage arcades to malls frozen in time and places where payphones still work, here’s how to take a rad 1990s nostalgia tour across the U.S.—no Bill and Ted time machine required.
Where Healthcare Travelers Can Relive the ‘90s
Bend, Oregon – Home of the Last Blockbuster
It doesn’t get any more 1990s than a Friday night browsing your local Blockbuster shelves for all the movies you were going to watch with friends and family over the weekend. (Raise your hand if you ever waited by the return slot, hoping one copy of a popular new release would be returned before your mom was ready to go.)
While the convenience of streaming means never missing your favorite shows and movies while you are on assignment, there is something about the Be Kind, Rewind days that gives us all the ‘90s goosebumps.
Thankfully, there’s one Blockbuster still standing that lets you rewind to this experience. Head to Bend, Oregon, and step back in time at the very last Blockbuster. Browse the shelves (yes, you can still rent the movies!), grab your favorite candy and microwave popcorn, and don’t forget your Blockbuster merch (made locally and helps support the store staying open!).
Bonus: Bend is also a favorite destination for travel nurses and healthcare travelers thanks to its excellent outdoor recreation and assignment opportunities.
Los Angeles, California – The 90s Mall Experience
A ‘90s Saturday afternoon without a trip to the mall? As if! The ‘90s were a peak time for malls, especially with the teen crowds who could be found shopping for the latest in fashion or hanging out in the food court. Thankfully, Orange Julius, Claire’s, and other favorite stops are still open at your local mall, ready to welcome your credit card.
For the real deal ‘90s feel, head to Los Angeles to the Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park, where the Valley’s mall culture is still thriving. This SoCal spot is one of the last large malls that still holds that classic ‘90s layout.
Bonus: Plenty of 90s movie filming locations are nearby, such as the malls where Clueless was filmed.
Chicago, Illinois – Payphone Sightings and Retro Diners
Before the days of smartphones and endless texts, payphones were the way you stayed in touch when you weren’t at home. Who remembers calling your voicemail from home to see if you had any messages or using 1-800-Collect to call your parents when you were ready to get picked up (bonus points if you just shouted “mom, come get me!” as your name to avoid getting charged!).
Healthcare travelers can remember the good ol’ days of digging through their pockets for a quarter to make a call in Chicago. Though it may be surprising, Chicago is home to several working payphones—scope out downtown hotels and CTA stations for one of the few payphones left in the wild (pro tip: there are several Reddit threads to go down the payphone rabbit hole on to find specific locations!).
Bonus: The ‘90s brought a surge of nostalgia for the 1950s, especially classic diners serving greasy burgers, fresh-cut fries, and thick chocolate milkshakes. Thankfully, Chicago is also home to several retro diners worth checking out while you hunt for payphones. Don’t miss Ed Debevic’s, Stella’s, and Diner Grill.
Seattle, Washington – Grunge, Flannel, and the Original Starbucks
If the list so far smells too much like teen spirit, you’re probably more of a grunge-rock, coffee shop ‘90s traveler. In that case, it’s time to live your best flannel-clad, Nirvana-listening ‘90s life in Seattle. Visit the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) for its Nirvana exhibit, stop by the first-ever Starbucks for a throwback to 1990s coffee culture, and flip through records at Easy Street Records (which gives all the High Fidelity vibes). For added ‘90s vibes, see a show at popular grunge-era venues like The Crocodile, The Showbox, and Central Saloon.
Bonus: Swing by the Coryell’s Courtyard Apartments, filming location of the 1992 indie hit movie Singles, and take your selfie on the steps where the iconic characters lived in the movie (but please respect the current tenants’ privacy!).
Las Vegas, Nevada – The Pinball Hall of Fame
Calling all gamers! If you miss the click-clack of arcade buttons, slipping dollar bills into the quarter machine, and spending all afternoon trying to beat the high score, the Pinball Hall of Fame in Vegas is a must. It’s home to one of the largest collections of vintage pinball and arcade games from the 1980s and ‘90s. Admission is free, and most games are just 25–50 cents to play.
Bonus: Pair your visit with lunch at the Peppermill Lounge, a classic Vegas diner that hasn’t changed much since the Clinton years (hello, neon everything!).
Double Bonus: Check out the museum as part of your trip to Vegas to attend TravCon. TravCon is the largest conference dedicated to traveling healthcare professionals, offering numerous opportunities to have fun, expand your network, and connect with fellow travelers.
You’ll come away from this conference with a whole new set of skills on how to manage your traveling career—check our socials for current discount rates through TNAA!
Phoenix, Arizona – Drive-In Movies and Retro Arcades
Nothing screams the ‘90s like pulling into a drive-in movie, but many of these once-popular weekend hot spots have disappeared from existence. Fortunately for healthcare travelers in Phoenix, the West Wind Drive-In in the suburbs is still in operation. This throwback movie site plays current hits but feels straight out of a TGIF Friday night. Pack your Scrunchies, hypercolor sweatshirt, and a mixtape for the drive—and don’t forget the Dunkaroos, Gushers, and Slurpee for your movie snacks.
Bonus: For even more nostalgia, check out Cobra Arcade Bar, where ‘90s games and themed cocktails keep the vibe alive.
Rapid City, South Dakota – Blacklight & Black Hole Sun Vibes
Rapid City may be best known for its proximity to the Badlands, but it also hides some serious ‘90s gems. Spend your day off digging through racks of Nirvana, Alanis, and Pearl Jam at Black Hills Vinyl, a cozy record shop that’s heavy on the alt-rock nostalgia.
When the sun goes down, don your best neon and head to Putz n Glo Mini Golf, where glowing blacklights and a 90s-heavy soundtrack make for the perfect night of between-shift fun.
Bonus: Crank up your Discman and cruise the scenic byways on your way back to Mount Rushmore.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Fashion Flashbacks & Power Rangers Tees
Relive your best mallrat years at Time Warp Boutique, a vintage shop in Baton Rouge that nails the fashion of the late ’80s and ’90s. From windbreakers to Lisa Frank backpacks and even those “Saved by the Bell” color palettes, it’s like stepping into a Delia’s catalog. If your healthcare traveler off-the-clock therapy is retail therapy, this is your spot.
Bonus: The retro accessories rack has plenty of bling-bling, featuring butterfly clips, chokers, and slap bracelets, to accessorize your bomb-diggity cargo pants and graphic tees.
Indianapolis, Indiana – The Roller Rink That Time Forgot
The Roller Cave in Indy is pure throwback magic. With ‘90s hip-hop nights, disco lights, and rental skates that haven’t changed since your middle school birthday party, it’s the kind of place where you half expect to hear “This Is How We Do It” as you lace up. Perfect for blowing off steam after a long shift or turning a travel healthcare meet-up into a full-blown nostalgia night.
Bonus: Look out for theme nights—past events have included ‘90s boy band battles and retro costume contests.
Ready to Start Your 90s Throwback Travel Assignment?
Whether you’re booking your next healthcare travel assignment or already on the road, there’s always room for a bit of nostalgia. These destinations offer the perfect mix of work and retro play, letting you time-travel without missing a shift.
Want to make your assignment even more ‘90s? Travel with an agency that’s been rocking the travel nurse world since 1999. At TNAA, we’ve been helping travelers live their best travel life for 25 years—with best-in-class benefits, full-circle support, and top-rated recruiters who actually answer your calls (just like you did on your see-through landline phone).
Ready to find your next radical travel assignment? Check out our available healthcare travel and travel nurse jobs and apply today!
