What ingredients make for a one-of-a-kind visit to the loo? It depends on the amenities you’re after. And how urgently you need to visit the facilities. After all, a well-timed gas station bathroom stop can feel like a miracle after a long drive.
But some bathrooms go above and beyond when it comes to memorable places to indulge your number one and two needs. With that in mind, let’s check out ten bathrooms you need to experience before you die.
From Kentucky to Ohio, HOP Shop bathrooms are changing what we expect from our powder rooms. When you enter these disco-themed bathrooms, get ready to dance! Each facility includes a red button that activates a spinning disco ball, lights, and music. And depending on your location , you can expect a different aural treat.
For example, one HOP Shop disco bathroom in Verona, Kentucky, plays The Bee Gees’ disco classic “Stayin’ Alive,” and Carrollton, Kentucky’s water closet belts out ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” These bathrooms have proven such a hit that Tiana Ailstock and Logen Abney tied the knot in the Verona Hop Shop disco bathroom on Valentine’s Day 2024 .
The name says it all. The S.S. Relief is one of more than 100 floating bathrooms in California. Their purpose? To accommodate sailors in need of some, well, relief. The S.S. Relief is located in Ventura, California, and cost $50,000 to install.
It went into service in 1991 as a part of Casitas Municipal Water District. Although swimmers are not permitted in the area, kayakers are encouraged to take advantage of the bathrooms. What’s the experience of using a water-bound bathroom on the water like? If you’ve ever used the john on an airplane, you already know!
Are you looking for a toilet that’s so arresting that people regularly visit it for photo ops? If so, you’ve got to visit the Matakana Toilets in New Zealand. Matakana lad Steffan de Haan designed the facilities, and they celebrate local boat building in the area.
All told, these water closets took seven years to build and cost $400,000! The finished product? Loos that look like human faces and echo the hulls of ships. But these bathrooms aren’t for the faint of heart. Expect plenty of souvenir collectors outside getting awkward selfies.
Okay, who doesn’t want to pee in a urinal used by Mick Jagger? Talk about rock star treatment. Fortunately, you can do just that in San Diego’s Gaslamp District. There, you’ll find Tivoli Bar & Grill established in 1885.
Within this 19th-century bar, you’ll find a men’s bathroom with a urinal commemorating the Rolling Stones lead singer. A golden plaque by the urinal celebrates the fateful event, stating, "Mick Jagger used this urinal at the time of their concert at Petco Park 11/11/2005.”
Ever wanted to go while enjoying incredible views? If so, nothing beats the Mt. Shuksan toilet in Washington. Located at Sulphide Glacier base camp , this open-air potty offers breathtaking vistas of Mt. Baker. Don’t expect much privacy, though.
Like Mt. Shuksan, you’ll find more bathrooms with incredible views in Grand Canyon National Park. Just don’t expect to keep business to yourself. These composting toilets are located along the 70-mile-long trail. And they only boast slatted sidewalls with no front doors or roofs. But on the bright side, get ready to savor panoramic views from the throne.
As if not to be outdone, the Canadians have their own version of natural facilities without privacy. The Eco-Toilet in British Columbia is another composting toilet in Taylor Arm Provincial Park. While the freestanding lavatory doesn’t leave much to the imagination, the spot sits in pristine wilderness, providing a one-of-a-kind bathroom experience.
For a fun visual trip, check out the Sulphur Springs, Texas, lavatories that play tricks on your eyes. Known as “America’s Best Restroom,” the location was constructed in 2012 from one-way mirror glass. You’ll find them on a stroll through Celebration Plaza in downtown Sulphur Springs. By day, they’re illuminated with sunlight that floods through the one-way mirror glass on the roof. At night, LEDs take over, offering visibility without compromising privacy.
Few bathrooms have been designated historical monuments, but such is the case with the Lavatory de la Madeleine in Paris. Located near the Church Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, it was constructed in 1905 in the Art Nouveau style and includes mahogany, stained glass, and mosaics representative of the Belle Epoque. Just be sure to come with some pocket change for the two-euro admission at the door.
Looking to make a little history with your next tinkle? If so, head to the Minquiers Toilet in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands.
There, you’ll find the southernmost toilet in the British Isles. Find relief while visiting a spot of geographical distinction.
When it comes to places to squat, you’ve got plenty of choices, whether you’re looking for something outdoorsy, though lacking in privacy, in the Grand Canyon or British Columbia or a veritable historical monument in Paris. No matter what you’re after, bring a camera to document your monumental porcelain throne visits.
