Visiting for the first time and looking for things to do in Downey, California? We’ve got you covered. Tucked almost dead-center in Los Angeles County — roughly equidistant from downtown LA, Long Beach, and the beaches — Downey is one of those cities people drive past without realizing how much it’s packing. It’s the birthplace of the American space program, home to the oldest McDonald’s still flipping burgers, and, increasingly, a legitimate food destination. Whether you’ve got an afternoon or a full weekend, here are ten things worth stopping for.
1. Blast off at the Columbia Memorial Space Center
Downey isn’t just near aerospace history — it is aerospace history. The land the Columbia Memorial Space Center sits on was once part of the manufacturing complex where the Apollo command modules and Space Shuttle orbiters were built. Today it’s a hands-on science center with interactive exhibits, a robotics lab, and rotating programming that’s a hit with kids and space nerds alike. It’s the city’s marquee civic attraction and a must for anyone curious about how Downey earned its place in space history.
2. Shop and dine at the Promenade at Downey
Built on part of that same former aerospace site, the Promenade at Downey is the city’s go-to open-air shopping and dining destination. It’s an easy place to spend a couple of hours — big-name retailers, a movie theater, and a solid spread of restaurants covering everything from quick bites to sit-down meals. Good for a rainy day, a family outing, or just a low-key afternoon of browsing.
3. See where fast food began at the oldest operating McDonald’s
At 10207 Lakewood Blvd stands the oldest McDonald’s still in operation anywhere in the world. Opened in 1953, it was only the third McDonald’s ever and predates Ray Kroc’s involvement entirely. The building is a gorgeous piece of Googie architecture — red-and-white tile, soaring golden arches, glowing neon — that survived demolition in the ’90s thanks to a preservation push. There’s even a small, free memorabilia museum in the round building next door. Grab a burger and soak in the mid-century time capsule.
4. Bring the heat at Crimson Coward
No trip to Downey is complete without a proper Nashville hot chicken fix, and Crimson Coward (10405 Lakewood Blvd) is the spot. This is fresh-never-frozen, 100% halal chicken dry-rubbed a full day ahead and fried to order, with five heat levels ranging from “pleasantly warm” to “why did I do this to myself.” Order The Crimson — a boneless breast with signature Crimson sauce, house-made slaw, and pickles on a brioche bun — and pick a spice level you can be honest with yourself about. LA Eater and Reviews Universe put it on their Best Nashville Hot Chicken map for a reason. Open daily, 11 AM–10 PM.
Pro tip: Crimson Coward sits just up the block from the world’s oldest McDonald’s on Lakewood Blvd, so you can knock out two Downey landmarks in one short walk.
5. Get outside at Wilderness Park
When you need a break from concrete, Wilderness Park delivers a surprisingly tranquil escape. Shaded nature trails wind through greenery that’s great for walking, jogging, or an easy bike ride, and there’s a lake for a bit of fishing. Keep an eye out for birds and butterflies along the way. It’s a favorite among locals for a reason.
6. Dig into local history at the Downey History Center and Museum of Art
Two worthwhile stops sit close together for the culturally curious. The Downey History Center walks you through the city’s heritage — from its ranch-era beginnings to its aerospace heyday — while the Downey Museum of Art highlights local and regional artists across changing exhibitions. Together they make an easy, low-cost afternoon that rounds out the bigger attractions.
7. Catch local art at Stay Gallery
For a taste of Downey’s creative side, Stay Gallery in the downtown area is a community-driven art space showcasing local and emerging artists. Rotating exhibitions, workshops, and events make it a nice contrast to the city’s bigger attractions — and it’s walkable to plenty of downtown dining. Check their calendar before you go, since programming changes regularly.
8. Tee off at Los Amigos Golf Course
For a relaxed few hours outdoors, Los Amigos Golf Course is a well-kept public course that offers an enjoyable, accessible round whether you’re a seasoned player or just out for some California sunshine. It’s an easygoing way to spend an afternoon and a nice counterbalance to a museum-heavy day.
9. See a show at the Downey Theatre
When the sun goes down, the Downey Theatre — a fixture on Firestone Boulevard for decades — is the city’s premier live-entertainment venue and a perfect way to cap off the day. The year-round lineup runs the gamut — musicals, dramatic classics, kids’ plays, concerts, and community productions, much of it powered by local talent. Catching an evening performance here is one of the best ways to plug into Downey’s community spirit.
10. Step into the past at Bob’s Big Boy Broiler
Downey leans hard into its mid-century roots, and this classic ’50s-style drive-in is a big part of that charm. With its retro design, chrome-and-neon vibe, and car-culture history, Bob’s Big Boy Broiler is a fun stop for a milkshake and a burger — especially if you time it around one of the classic-car meetups the area is known for. It pairs perfectly with the historic McDonald’s for a full “old-school Americana” theme.
Planning your Downey day
If you only have a few hours, a smart loop is the Lakewood Boulevard food-and-history stretch: the Columbia Memorial Space Center, the world’s oldest McDonald’s, and Crimson Coward are all within easy reach of one another, so you can pack in space history, fast-food nostalgia, and the best hot chicken in town without moving your car much. Got a full day? Add the Promenade, a walk through Wilderness Park, and a show at the Downey Theatre to round it out.
Hungry yet? Save room for the hot chicken — just don’t say we didn’t warn you about the heat.
