We got ancient walls, historical landmarks, and…a spaceship?
With over 40,000 locations worldwide, it’s safe to say that everyone knows or at the very least has heard of McDonald’s. In fact, there’s a good chance that you’re within driving distance from one right now.
McDonald’s is known for having a signature style that you can easily identify. Which is why these locations stand out from the rest and are definitely must see spots if you are a fan of the golden arches.
So pack your bags, we’re going on a trip around the world; one McDonald’s at a time.
10. Roma Termini, Rome, Italy
Let’s kickoff our list with a McDonald’s known primarily for housing the remains of an ancient structure that’s estimated to be over 2,500 years old! Never in my life did I think that McDonald’s would be associated with the preservation of ancient human history. But if you go to the basement floor of this particular McDonald’s, you’ll see what’s left of the Servian Wall which was constructed around the city of Rome during the 4th Century B.C. that served as their first line of defense against enemy invaders.
9. Batumi, Georgia
If you ever find yourself in the streets of Batumi, Georgia, you may want to drop by their absolutely stunning McDonald’s branch. This architectural wonder was designed by renowned architect Giorgi Khamaladze and was awarded the commercial building of the year in 2014 by ArchDaily. The futuristic structure has 460 glass panels that reflect the water around it creating a mesmerizing effect.
8. Birch House, Penang, Malaysia
McDonald’s has a knack for finding itself conveniently located in historical spots around the world. One such location is the Birch House in Penang Times Square. Once a colonial mansion that served as the main office of a 19th century smelting firm, this fascinating building now hosts a McDonald’s. Now you can enjoy a cheeseburger and fries while learning about how the tin smelting industry on Penang Island came to be.
7. Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Another amazing piece of modern architecture, this McDonald’s was once a cigar-house building that was voted as the ugliest building in all of Rotterdam. But thanks to the folks over at Mei Architects, it’s now one of the most beautiful buildings you could ever lay your eyes on. Like the Batumi McDonald’s, this one is also covered in glass except it’s transparent; allowing diners to enjoy an unfiltered view of the surrounding cityscape. At night, its golden facade is illuminated giving passersby a great view of its magnificent spiral staircase.
6. Taupo, New Zealand
Heading over to New Zealand, we have here a McDonald’s restaurant that features a decommissioned DC3 airplane. It once graced the skies and carried passengers for Australian National Airways during the 60s before being a permanent fixture around Lake Taupo by 1984. If you ever wanted to eat McDonald’s on an airplane, here’s your chance. During the daytime, you can actually eat inside the plane and can even get a view of its original cockpit. It was voted as the world’s coolest McDonald’s in 2013 and we can definitely see why.
5. New Hyde Park, New York, USA
Lovingly referred to as the “McMansion,” this historic building in the town of North Hempstead started out as a farmhouse in 1795 and eventually converted in the 1860s into a Georgian-style mansion. Since then, McDonald’s has purchased the place and has agreed to help maintain its status as a heritage site that actually helped increase the property value of the area. It was restored to closely resemble what the house originally looked like and earned its status as the most beautiful McDonald’s in America.
4. Roswell, New Mexico, USA
Roswell is famous for numerous alleged UFO sightings and extraterrestrial phenomena. So it’s no surprise that the McDonald’s in the area incorporated these themes into its design. Shaped like a flying saucer, this McDonald’s features the classic menu, a playplace, and a guaranteed out of this world experience! Don’t expect little green men to take your orders though…
3. Barstow Station, California, USA
Barstow Station located on the historic Route 66 is home to a very distinct McDonald’s that’s very hard to miss. This McDonald’s store is designed like a train station and has three refurbished train cars that can seat diners and enjoy the ambiance. You can get a glimpse of what it’s like to travel by train during the 50s; all while enjoying a delicious Big Mac.
2. World’s Largest McDonald’s, Orlando, Florida, USA
We can’t go through our list of must see McDonald’s around the world without mentioning the largest branch ever made. Also known as “Epic McD,” it has an expanded menu of over 50 additional items you wouldn’t get anywhere else like waffles, customized pasta dishes, omelets, and even brick oven pizzas! It doesn’t end there, the world’s largest McDonald’s has a whopping 22-foot tall PlayPlace and over 100 arcade games that will surely keep you entertained. They sure weren’t kidding when they called this an entertainment McDonald’s.
1. Downey, California, USA
And last but not the least, the oldest branch of McDonald’s in the world. We may not be able to go back to where it all started, but this is the closest we can get to experiencing what it was like to have McDonald’s before it became a corporate juggernaut. It feels different yet familiar at the same time. Employees are dedicated to giving you an immersive experience by wearing 1950s-style uniforms complete with the paper hats and bolo ties. It even features McDonald’s original mascot Speedee! If you ever want to have the quintessential McDonald’s experience, this is the place you need to go to.