13 of the Most Unique McDonald's in the U.S.

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Once upon a time in 1940, two brothers named Richard and Maurice McDonald had a delicious dream. They opened a small restaurant in sunny California and served up mouthwatering burgers like nobody's business. Fast forward to 1955, a milkshake machine salesman named Ray Kroc joined forces with the brothers and bam! McDonald's went from one restaurant to a global phenomenon, making fast food lovers around the world do the happy dance for tasty burgers and crispy fries! Below are our favorite (and most unique) McDonald's restaurants.

Oldest Operating McDonald's

10207 Lakewood Blvd, Downey, CA

Saves: 642

Check-ins: 109

Downey, CA may not be a household name but it has a big claim-to-fame as home to the oldest McDonald's that still serves burgers. It is also the second restaurant to be franchised by legendary restauranteurs Richard and Maurice McDonald. While other McDs franchises have changed with the times and overhauled their appearances to simulate the muted tones of bourgeois coffeehouses, this location's design an...

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McDonald's Museum

1398 North E St, San Bernardino, CA

Saves: 536

Check-ins: 89

This odd “museum” is not officially owned by McDonald’s corp, but by another restaurant called Juan Pollo, purveyors of rotisserie chicken. Although this is the site of the first McDonald’s restaurant owned by the McDonald brothers, it was the business’s new owner, Illinois-bred Ray Kroc, who made it what it is today. Today, the fast food giant disavows this as the location of the “first McDonald’s” in f...

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Drive Under McDonalds

I-44, Vinita, OK

Saves: 33

Check-ins: 20

Vinita may be relatively unknown in the world but it is in fact home to one of the largest McDonald's on the planet - which is saying a lot when talking about a company with over 30,000 franchises. This one is unique, operating as an overpass spanning the I-44. The restaurant is a mini-mall too with a Subway and a convenience store.

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Barstow Station McDonald's

1611 E Main St, Barstow, CA

Saves: 16

Check-ins: 35

One of the more unique McD's doesn't follow the chain restaurant's architecture or color scheme. This one is a fake train station, and the dining areas are passenger train cars. While you're waiting entertain yourself with the fortune teller Zoltar. There are other businesses here too, such as Starbucks and a gas station.

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Flying Saucer McDonalds

720 N Main St, Roswell, NM

Saves: 64

Check-ins: 49

The world's only McDonald's shaped like a flying saucer is located in Roswell, New Mexico, of course! The flying saucer McDonalds also has a "play land" for kids but you cannot mistake its distinctive saucer shape and metal skin. Neon lighting enhances the saucer feel at night, so grab a burger and perhaps, take flight! (Photo by Bently Paiz)

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Only McDonald's w/ Turquoise Arches

2380 W US Hwy 89A, Sedona, AZ

Saves: 56

Check-ins: 61

The only McDonald's in the world with turquoise arches can be found in a region where the bright blue-green mineral can be found in abundance. Yet, that's not the reason for the unique arches. When this franchise was built in 1993 the city said the golden arches would clash with the natural Sedona background. Officials felt that turquoise would be blend in better. Although that's debatable, the turquoise...

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Zoo-Themed McDonald's

632 S R L Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX

Saves: 23

Check-ins: 8

This is the best kind of zoo out there - a reasonably priced fast food restaurant populated with fiberglass animals. It's one of the best-decorated McDonald's in the nation, if not the world- a rainforest in the middle of Dallas. You'll have plenty of photo opps to take with the elephant sentry, the 50-foot gorilla, or the giraffe eating leaves at your table. (Submitted by Lori Sharp Cuadros)

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Denton House McDonald's

2045 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde P...

2045 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY

Saves: 4

Check-ins: 1

A McDonald's in New Hyde Park, Long Island is housed in a historic Georgian-style mansion from the 1700s. The building was restored and designated a historic landmark after residents opposed its demolition. It retains its 1920s-style exterior with unique architectural features like a vestibule, double staircase, and portico, giving it an upscale feel. (Submitted by George Marsh)

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Metro McDonald's

3475 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

Saves: 3

Check-ins: 25

The Metro McDonald's near Planet Hollywood and CityCenter stands out with its massive two-story golden arch. Josephine Wee, McDonald's operations manager, aimed to create a unique restaurant that complements Las Vegas' urban landscape. With 24-hour service, vibrant decor, and modern art, it offers a fresh dining experience. The arch dominates nearby Panda Express and Chipotle, and the two-story establish...

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Retro McDonald's

14 Plaza Way, Fairhaven, MA

Saves: 0

Check-ins: 0

This famous restaurant is easily recognizable with its iconic golden arches, a symbol of McDonald's in the past. Inside, guests are treated to a fun atmosphere with a black-and-white tiled floor, classic booths, and colorful neon lights. The walls are adorned with records and 1950s memorabilia, and the service counter is designed like a piano. There's even a working jukebox where diners can choose from a...

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The Mansion McDonald's

11 Mallett Dr, Freeport, ME

Saves: 1

Check-ins: 3

In the 1980s when McDonald's wanted to open a restaurant in Freeport's historic Gore House mansion, locals were concerned about the clash between the fast-food brand and the mansion's classical Victorian-style architecture. McDonald's addressed these concerns by collaborating with the town and creating an "archless McDonald's" that blended the old and the new. The renovated building retained its Colonial...

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West Yellowstone McDonald's

100 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone...

100 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT

Saves: 1

Check-ins: 2

In the realm of National Parks and the great outdoors, McDonald's may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, a visit to Montana's iconic Yellowstone National Park can change that perception. Just outside the park's west entrance, near the Montana-Wyoming border, you'll find a unique McDonald's that blends in with its natural surroundings. This large log cabin-style building is adorned with bear ...

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McDonald's Museum

400 N. Lee St, Des Plaines, IL

Saves: 50

Check-ins: 6

UPDATE: The McDonald’s museum in Des Plaines, a replica of Ray Kroc’s first restaurant, was sadly demolished in 2018. The #1 Store Museum is located in a replica of the restaurant opened in 1955. Unfortunately, you can only view the interior by peering through the windows. Original fry vats, milkshake mixers, and grills are used by mannequins dressed in 1950s diner uniforms.

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13 of the Most Unique McDonald's in the U.S.

Oldest Operating McDonald's

McDonald's Museum

Drive Under McDonalds

Barstow Station McDonald's

Flying Saucer McDonalds

Only McDonald's w/ Turquoise Arches

Zoo-Themed McDonald's

Denton House McDonald's

Metro McDonald's

Retro McDonald's

The Mansion McDonald's

West Yellowstone McDonald's

McDonald's Museum

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