Yellowstone National Park was the first one created. I went there with my parents in 1959 and then two more times in later years.
In the National Monument category, Devil’s Tower was the first. It’s one of my favorites, there’s a unique vibe there I haven’t felt anywhere else.
Yeah, I’ve been there also. It really is unique, and much larger than one might think. There were people scaling it when we were there. Gave me vertigo just watching them. We hiked around the base on the provided trail. After that, we drove to Buffalo, WY, then drove down the Crazy Woman Canyon road in our 28’ RV. That wasn’t a picnic.
I’ve been to both Yellowstone and Devils Tower, so I guess I can add both of those to my list.
I just remembered one, I’ve been to the original Black Dog Tavern on MV, although now it’s probably more known for the clothing line.
Herald Square &, just recently, the Wanamaker Building, which was one of the first department stores, & where the price tag was invented.
Nathan’s Coney Island, multiple times, including a couple of July 4ths (to watch the contest) & Pat’s; inventor of the Philly cheesesteak
We made a point of going to the original Famous Dave’s on the lake shore just east of Hayward Wisconsin. Sadly, that lovely place later burned down, and the chain itself has contracted considerably.
You beat me to it. The original one was not far from the current United Center. There is a Billy Goat location about three blocks east of that location there now, but the original no longer exists. I’ve been to the Hubbard/Michigan location many times, but it’s not the true original. (Though it’s the most OG of the locations that currently exist.)
Of the ones mentioned, I’ve been to Anchor Bar and Pizzeria Uno. I’m not sure I’ve been to any other well known famous original locations of establishments. Probably some regional stuff. I’ve been to Prince’s Hot Chicken in Nashville, where hot chicken is supposed to have originally started, though I’m not sure the current location is the true original.
I’ve been to the original one as well. My mom started working downtown in 1973 and would buy coffee there. Later (1976) the Crumpet Shop opened and we’d stop there as well.
Also been to the original Ivar’s, but that’s probably not well known outside of PNW.
Add me to the list of people who’ve been to Macy’s in NYC.
Also been to the original Hard Rock Cafe in London, and Yellowstone and Devils Tower.
Original L.L. Bean store in Freeport, Maine
As a budget alternative to the first Macy’s, Lower Manhattan has the first Century 21 department store, where I spent many an afternoon searching for marked-down dress shirts in my size. (Since 2020, it’s back to being the only Century 21, though others are supposedly on the way.)
Been to the original Oxfam in Oxford, England. And while we’re in England, I’ve been to the surprisingly small original shop of Twinings, the tea brand, in London’s Strand, where it’s been since 1706.
That’s the flagship store, but not the original. The original store was over the post office in Freeport, a building that no longer exists.
I’ve stood outside the first J. C. Penney store in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Unfortunately it was closed when I was passing through town.
Oh yeah, I’ve been there. I never knew that it was the original, though.
Here’s one nobody here can lay claim to: The original Bird Cage bar on the Seward Highway in Alaska. A really quirky place that I won’t go into other that to say that the ceiling was completely covered by ladies’ underwear. It burned down at some point and was rebuilt, but I heard that it was never the same.
I don’t want to brag or anything, but I’ve been to the original Disneyland.
I’ve been to the original Burlington Coat Factory store (when I lived in Burlington NJ). I believe they are just called “Burlington” now.
Yeah, well, I’ve been to the Original Ray’s Pizza.
(not to be confused with the original Ray’s Pizza, which closed in 2011.)
I’ve been to the original Original Tommy’s Burger on Rampart in LA.
From Wikipedia
The Papa John’s restaurant was founded in 1984 when “Papa” John Schnatter installed an oven inside a broom closet in the back of his father’s tavern, Mick’s Lounge, in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Today Papa Johns is not in the back of Mick’s Lounge. While I haven’t been inside Mick’s Lounge, I have driven by it many times and I have been in front in the parking lot. Does that count?
How about the original Legal Seafood in Inman Square?
After all, nothing goes better than ice cream after a big plate of fried clams.