No matter where you travel, the languages, the cultures and the climates might change, but the Big Mac always stays the same. McDonald’s has become a fixture so integral to the American, and now international, landscape that most people have become desensitized to the overwhelmingly global presence of golden arches.
Studies report that more people are able to recognize the McDonald’s logo than the Christian cross, a symbol that has existed for hundreds of years. Due to its highly recognizable branding and consistent menu, McDonald’s is the world’s largest restaurant chain, with locations in over 100 countries.
This sheer number of McDonald’s restaurants combined with the fact that it has instilled serious brand loyalty in millions customers, makes Mickey D’s one of the most successful international business endeavors of all time. Keeping this in mind, I thought it would be interesting to see how many global tourist attractions had a McDonald’s within walking distance.
1. The Statue of Liberty
Name a more iconic duo than Lady Liberty and Mickey D’s. I’ll wait. Though there are no McDonald’s sharing the actual island with the Statue of Liberty, there are several in Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn from which you can see The Green Lady in the harbor.
2. CN Tower
For all we know, Drake could’ve eaten at this McDonald’s. A mere 830 feet away from McDonald’s, you won’t have to walk far between the tower and lunch.
3. Big Ben
Fish and Chips vs. Fillet-O-Fish. Which would you choose?Enjoy your meal while sitting at this McDonald’s, which looks over Thames.
4. Checkpoint Charlie
The guards standing at that iconic guard house must occasionally crave a Big Mac, right? If you can walk the length of a football field, you can manage the hike between this McDonald’s and Checkpoint Charlie.
5. The Arc de Triomphe
Is a trip to see one famous arch really complete without your two favorite golden arches? The mere 500 feet from the Arc to this McDonald’s was the premise for a struggle to keep fast food out of Paris’s historic food scene.
6. La Sagrada Familia
Who needs authentic Spanish paella when you can snack on some Mickey D’s while taking in this ridiculous piece of architecture? The kitty-corner commute to this McDonald’s will take you approximately 30 seconds.
7. The Trevi Fountain
Some people toss coins to make wishes about love, I toss coins and wish that McDonald’s was as good for your health as it is for your tastebuds. This McDonald’s is literally called “McDonald’s Roma Fontana di Trevi.” You don’t have to speak Italian to get a gist of where it is.
8. St. Peter’s Basilica
The pope needs his french fry fix, too. Vatican City wouldn’t be complete without Mickey D’s. Right in St. Peter’s Square, this McDonald’s just opened in December of 2016.
9. The Leaning Tower of Pisa
If you squint and tilt your head, the Leaning Tower of Pisa kinda looks like a McFlurry. This McDonald’s is quite literally surrounded by historic sites, so make sure you bring your camera.
10. The Moscow Kremlin
We may disagree about politics, but we can agree on McDonald’s. Russian history meets American legacy at this McDonald’s.
11. The Sydney Opera House
Nothing says a night out at the opera like pre-gaming with a nice candlelit dinner at McDonald’s. This McDonald’s sits right at the entrance of Sydney Harbour
Unsurprisingly, all of these famous landmarks and photo opp stops have a McDonald’s within a quarter mile radius. Not to mention some, such as La Sagrada Familia, have one right across the street.
From Chicago to Cairo, from countries rich to poor, you can always seem to find familiarity in the omnipresent golden arches. The McDonald’s menu generally stays the same and so do the prices (check out this Big Mac Index for an economist’s review), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out of your American comfort zone and try some real local cuisine. You can get the fries after.