Just outside Chicago, there’s a famous McDonald’s that is known for something other than food. More than six decades ago, the first of these fast-food restaurants was built in Chicagoland, but was later replaced by an iconic attraction that has seen some better days. Due to unfortunate circumstances, this old place may soon be torn down; however, there’s still plenty to do and see in this unique Chicago suburb.

Des Plaines is a quiet town northwest of the city. Naturally, it lies along the Des Plaines River and is a crossroads of major roadways and train lines.
Wikimedia Commons/Zol87
The town has a population of more than 58,000 people, but takes up only about 14.5 square miles. Des Plaines is less than 30 miles from the Loop, so on a clear day, you can still see the skyline rising in the distance.
Perhaps the most iconic attraction is this vintage replica of an old McDonald's from 1955.
Wikimedia Commons/Bruce Marlin
Though it was the ninth franchise, the owners of the company consider the Des Plaines location to be the original. The actual original Des Plaines McDonald's was torn down in 1984 and was replaced with this museum. There is a working restaurant across the street that features some memorabilia from the first one as well.
Anyone who has lived near the Des Plaines River knows that when it rains in Chicago, it pours... and then it floods. Due to this, the museum closed to regular visitors in 2008.
Wikimedia Commons/tjb1215

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Over more than two decades of operation, the museum attracted thousands of visitors. Those who stop by today can only marvel at the mannequin fry cooks and crew working the vintage memorabilia displays from outside of the building.
Flickr/Jerry Huddleston
The structure follows much of the original blueprints laid out by the McDonald's brothers when they introduced the franchise in 1953. Ray Kroc opened his Des Plaines location in 1955.
There may still be hope for this little old replica, though. Demolition was scheduled for sometime in December, but The Volo Auto Museum has offered to have the museum relocated to Volo, Illinois, a village in Lake County.
Google Maps
The Volo Museum features 30 acres and five showrooms of old cars, antiques, and souvenirs. Guests enjoy seasonal activities and events like trolley tours, battle scenes, and dinners.
Whether or not this attraction stays in one piece, it certainly won't be subjected to the floods in Des Plaines anymore, so stop by soon for one last look at it in its original glory!
Flickr/Jerry Huddleston

The McDonald’s #1 Store Museum is located at 400 N Lee Street in Des Plaines, and you can stop by anytime to view the museum’s facade and peer into its interior through the windows.

Though many live in the suburbs for cheaper rent and Chicago accessibility, there are also many things to enjoy about Des Plaines itself, even if it loses the iconic McDonald’s Museum. It has a bustling downtown with many shops and restaurants to enjoy while in town; some local favorites are Paradise Pup, The Sugar Bowl, and The Choo Choo. There are also many places to access the Des Plaines River Nature Preserve and its myriad of interconnecting trails.

Has anyone actually been inside this McDonald’s museum? Share your experiences and photos with us! Do you have other favorite spots in Des Plaines that shouldn’t be missed on a visit to the area? We’d love to hear about those too!

For more out-of-the-box attractions in and around the city, check out these 11 underrated places to visit when you think you’ve been everywhere.

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