Here’s the Only McDonald’s On Earth That Serves Big Macs Inside a UFO

It’s like no other McDonald’s you’ve ever seen

Roswell, New Mexico, situated in the High Great Plains and the Chihuahuan Desert, around three hours south of Santa Fe, is the place where, in 1947, when UFO sightings were popping up across the U.S. – sixteen or more of them, to be exact. 

Roswell became ground zero for all that alien talk, and it’s been riding the extraterrestrial wave ever since. You can find UFO-themed everything here, from murals to t-shirts. 

But the standout is the UFO McDonald’s.

Designed like a flying saucer, all glowing with neon lights, and decked out with spacey décor and mascots in spacesuits, this spot is as weird as it gets. It’s like a fast-food adventure through the cosmos. 

It’s one of the most visited McDonald’s locations in the world, and for good reason.

The McDonald’s Building is Shaped Like a Flying Saucer

The restaurant’s exterior resembles a silver UFO with glowing lights around its perimeter. 

The unique design was implemented in 2005, a homage to Roswell’s alien-themed culture and the 1947 Roswell incident. It is the only McDonald’s in the world with this architecture.

The structure’s metallic skin reflects sunlight during the day, enhancing its otherworldly appearance. At night, LED lighting outlines the saucer shape, creating a striking visual effect.

The Interior Features Space-Themed Decor

The ceiling is designed to mimic the interior of a spacecraft with corrugated metal and aluminum piping. 

Ronald McDonald, dressed in a spacesuit, greets you once you step in and what’s more? A large-scale McFlurry is suspended above the guests, resembling a giant ice cream spacecraft. 

All the McDonald’s mascots are decked out in space suits inside the restaurant. 

Grimace, that goofy purple guy, is now stuffed into a Coca-Cola cup that’s been transformed into a space suit. And then there’s Birdie, the aviator mascot, looking like she’s about to take flight in a giant red “Out Of This World Fries!” carton. 

The play area includes alien-themed obstacles and space-inspired play equipment. You’ll even come across a custom mural (created by cartoonist Larry Welz) depicting cosmic scenes adorning the walls.  

The Restaurant Offers Unique Menu Items

The unique extraterrestrial theme is a bigger draw than the menu options. For instance, customers can request “Martian-sized” portions for certain menu items. 

A secret menu includes items like the “Land, Air, and Sea” sandwich. They’ve even got Alien Fries emphasizing the restaurant’s quirky theme. 

Regional specialties like the infamous Hatch Green Chile Double Cheeseburger, are a New Mexico specialty featuring local hatch green chiles. It adds a distinctive Southwestern flavor to the classic McDonald’s menu. 

An “Apple Pie McFlurry” is available for dessert, including seasonal items, such as slushies in summer and the return of the McRib in fall and winter.

The McDonald’s Attracts Tourists from Around the World

It’s considered one of the most unique McDonald’s restaurants globally, located just 15 minutes from Roswell Air Center, making it easily accessible. Many tourists visit specifically to experience dining in a “spaceship.” 

Standing guard around the restaurant are these silver alien figures, each in a different pose. One’s just chilling on a rock, and another one’s got its hand up, ready to greet you like it’s been waiting forever for a handshake. 

With UFO McDonald’s drawing visitors from all over the world, they’ve set up this donation box, asking guests to chip in and support the Ronald McDonald Houses.

The restaurant is also part of UFO-themed tours of the city, which include other popular attractions like the International UFO Museum and Research Center and the Roswell Space Center.

The Building Next Door Features a Giant Mural

A large-scale mural covers the adjacent building’s wall, an unmissable sight as you drive by. As you wait in line for your meal, you can see McDonald’s characters in their intergalactic escapades. 

The mural was created by local artist Larry Welz, who’s known for his guerrilla art style in Roswell. Welz’s work often carries a sense of playfulness and surprise, which perfectly aligns with the quirky, out-of-this-world vibe of the UFO McDonald’s.

The mural depicts the McDonaldland gang engaged in space-related activities. The characters are portrayed in a surreal, cosmic setting, surrounded by stars, planets, and flying saucers. 

Over time, the mural has grown into an iconic part of Roswell’s streetscape. Make sure to get a photo here. 

The Restaurant Underwent Renovation in 2020

The renovation maintained the UFO theme while updating other facilities. 

They decked the McDonald’s characters in fresh space suits and expanded the play area with space-themed elements. Think rocket-shaped slides, alien-themed obstacles, and play equipment that makes you feel like you’re in an intergalactic adventure.

New technology was integrated, including self-order kiosks. Interactive touchscreens allow customers to place their orders quickly without waiting in line, blending modern tech with the retro space vibe. 

This includes energy-efficient lighting to enhance the nighttime UFO effect. It’s like a beacon calling you to step inside. The floors and walls were also revamped to fit the theme. 

The renovation aimed to improve customer experience while preserving the unique concept.

Special Events are Held at the UFO McDonald’s

The restaurant hosts alien-themed birthday parties for children. Kids can have their dream birthday bash here, complete with themed decorations, space-inspired party favors, and, of course, McDonald’s food.

During Roswell’s famous UFO festivals, this joint features special promotions and limited-time menu items. Costume contests are a big thing here during Halloween, encouraging alien-themed outfits. People come dressed as Martians, astronauts, or anything else that fits the galactic theme. They’ve even got prizes for the best space-inspired outfits. 

Every so often, the restaurant transforms its parking lot into an outdoor movie theater, screening classic sci-fi films under the stars. You’ll get to kick back in your car, munching on fries while watching movies like E.T. or Star Wars in true extraterrestrial style.

The Restaurant Sells Exclusive Merchandise

Snag a UFO McDonald’s branded t-shirt or hat. These items often feature the iconic flying saucer design and the restaurant’s unique alien twist, giving visitors a cool keepsake to remember their visit.

For kids (or the young at heart), there are custom alien-themed toys available with certain meals. These toys range from mini Martians to spaceships, each with its unique design, making them collectible items.

The restaurant offers limited-edition postcards showcasing the spaceship-like exteriors against Roswell’s backdrop. It’s perfect for sending home a piece of the experience. Customers can also buy alien-shaped cups and containers. These items are sold as souvenirs and designed to look like little Martian heads or UFOs. 

During special events or holidays, they release exclusive pins and badges, often featuring the UFO McDonald’s mascot or other alien-themed designs. These collectibles are a hit among die-hard fans and alien enthusiasts. 

The UFO McDonald’s Has Its Own Mascot

A custom alien mascot greets visitors. But this isn’t just any old Ronald McDonald. It’s the restaurant’s own space ambassador, greeting visitors with an out-of-this-world charm. 

You’ll spot it at local parades and community events, adding to the excitement with its quirky, space-themed persona. It’s a local celebrity in Roswell, showing up at anything from UFO festivals to town-wide celebrations.

Inside the UFO McDonald’s, kids can get their picture taken with the alien mascot. It’s a fun photo op where you can snap a pic with the mascot in full space gear, creating a memory to take home with you.

The mascot’s costume isn’t static. It changes with the seasons, sometimes rocking holiday-themed accessories. Whether it’s sporting a Santa hat during Christmas or a spooky costume for Halloween, it keeps things fresh.

Bonus: A plush toy version or your very own alien buddy, is available for purchase too.

The Restaurant Incorporates Educational Elements

Throughout the restaurant, there are plaques giving visitors a crash course on space and UFOs. To engage visitors further, there are interactive touchscreens that let you test your knowledge of space trivia. 

Near the entrance, there’s a small exhibit dedicated to the 1947 Roswell UFO incident. It features artifacts, documents, and photos from the time, offering a deep dive into the event that made the town famous.

The restaurant also partners with local schools to offer educational field trips. Students come in, learn about the history of UFOs and space, and enjoy a meal, making it both a fun and informative experience for young minds.

A “Space Explorer of the Month” program recognizes local students interested in astronomy.

The UFO McDonald’s Supports Local UFO Tourism

The UFO McDonald’s acts as a hub for UFO tourism in Roswell. The restaurant provides maps and brochures detailing other UFO-related attractions in the area, helping them plan the rest of their extraterrestrial journey.

Pro tip: If you’ve visited another UFO-related attraction in town, bring your ticket to the UFO McDonald’s, and you’ll get a discount.  

It partners with the International UFO Museum and Research Center for cross-promotions, making it easy for tourists to dive deeper into the UFO culture of Roswell. 

Staff members are trained to be UFO experts themselves. They’re not just serving burgers; they’re sharing the lore with everyone who asks.

Whether it’s a local UFO convention or a community gathering, the UFO McDonald’s plays an active role. Just last year, the owner gave $5,000 back to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.