This U.S. State Has a McDonald’s Shaped Like a UFO (And It’s Awesome)
Every town possesses a unique quality, and some places embrace that distinctiveness. Travelers driving through a desert expanse in New Mexico often notice peculiar art adorning building walls and streetlamps designed to resemble alien heads. The atmosphere prompts visitors to scan the horizon for other unexpected sights. Along this route stands a structure that compels passing drivers to slow down—a building that attracts road trippers, food enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the unusual.
The Most Unusual Golden Arches You’ll Ever See
Roswell, New Mexico, established its fame decades ago following reports of mysterious debris that transformed the town into a hub for alien-themed tourism. In 2005, a McDonald’s opened there that intentionally deviated from the typical brick-and-mortar design. Its roof extends outwards like a silver saucer while featuring smooth, shiny panels that reflect the sun and LED strips that illuminate its outline after dark. Families enter beneath a curved metal structure that looks more like a spaceship than a restaurant, and immediately inside, they discover a play area filled with space-themed slides and characters dressed as if prepared for a space launch.
Details That Make This Place a Magnet for Visitors
Image via Unsplash/ruddy.media
An exterior wall features a mural by artist Larry Welz, depicting Ronald McDonald and Birdie the Early Bird piloting strange machines around what appears to be a giant brain. Drivers waiting for their food often step out of their cars to take photos. While the building’s drive-thru section has a more conventional appearance, the main dome is where the atmosphere shifts dramatically. At night, the neon-like trim bordering the windows and roof glows brightly above the parking lot.
What You’ll Find on the Menu and Beyond
Inside, the counter serves the standard McDonald’s menu items, but locals rave about a green chile double cheeseburger, a common regional offering across New Mexico. Longtime manager Nicholas Snowberger has also mentioned a set of secret menu items, which were featured on the “Eat, Play, Stay” segment of the Very Local app. This keeps regular customers intrigued and provides travelers with another reason to visit.
Statues of Ronald McDonald and his original Playland characters, all in full astronaut gear, occupy various corners of the dining area, while the large glass Play Place allows children to climb among glowing planet models and through plastic tunnels shaped like rockets.
A Perfect Match for the Town’s Character
Roswell fully embraces its alien mythology, which is evident in its streetlights shaped like giant eyes and gift shops filled with metallic alien-themed souvenirs. This McDonald’s seamlessly fits into the town’s character without feeling contrived. Tour buses unload visitors who have already explored the city’s UFO museum and are now ready for a meal under a roof that looks capable of flight. For many, the food itself is secondary to the experience of being in a place they will recount for years.
A Fast-Food Stop That Became an Attraction
The building is located at 720 N. Main Street, directly along the main road that runs through the town. Many travelers intentionally plan their routes to include a stop for photos, and some even consider it the highlight of their trip. Roswell certainly has no shortage of alien-themed sites, but this particular McDonald’s successfully blends the familiar with the unexpected.