The Roswell UFO Museum

The truth is out there, and little gray aliens have visited the planet. Well, at least according to those at the Roswell UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico.

Supposedly, on July 3, 1947, ranch owner Mac Brazel discovered a crashed flying saucer, along with several alien bodies. The military, at first, said it was a flying saucer, then later called it a weather balloon and swore everyone to secrecy. Many books have been written and TV documentaries have been filmed about it. Any potential evidence was removed and put in Area 51, the CIA basement, or some other super-secret place where they also keep Indiana Jones’ Ark of the Covenant.

Open to visitors in 1992, the museum’s mission is to educate the general public about all aspects of the UFO phenomenon. Its exhibits include information on Roswell, crop circles, sightings, Area 51, government cover-ups, and alien abductions. (Visitors are simply encouraged to ask questions.)

The highlight of the museum is a fake alien corpse from the 1994 Showtime movie “Roswell: The UFO Coverup.” The museum also has a new exhibit – a replica of the Mayan sarcophagus lid found in Palenque, Mexico, that supposedly shows a man blasting off in a spaceship.

Clearly, there is a lot of this weird stuff here, and if you are a sci-fi or alien enthusiast, this place is for you. Even if you are a skeptic, you should check it out anyways. It’s always good to know what the other side thinks.

As visitors began going to Roswell en mass, the town decided to come up with an annual anniversary to celebrate the crash. Since 1996, the annual Roswell UFO Festival draws people from all walks of life to the town. Here, activities range from carnivals to trade shows, from alien costume contests to UFO lectures, and everything in between. Famous UFO researchers attend to present up-to-date information on aliens and UFOs.

Museum exhibits include information on the Roswell Incident, crop circles, UFO sightings, Area 51, ancient astronauts and abductions. The exhibits are designed not to convince anyone to believe one way or another about their subjects. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions. Many visitors come numerous times and some spend days or even weeks doing research in the library designed to help people prove the existence of aliens and a government coverup.

There’s something for every interested person here – skeptic, curious, or true believer. At the very least, it gives you a chance to break up that long road trip through the desert and see a bit of quirky America.

More Things to See and Do in Roswell

Aside from the UFO museum, there are plenty of other things to see and do during your visit. Here are some of my top suggestions:

• Visit Bottomless Lakes State Park – Located just outside of town, these cenotes are a great place to spend a relaxing day. Have a picnic, go for a swim, and enjoy the scenic views while you ponder whether or not we’re alone in the universe.
• Roswell Museum and Art Center – Home to a collection of over 11,000 items, this museum showcases the history and cultural traditions of the American West.
• Explore the Historic District – There is some really interesting architecture here, and you can see the various influences on many of the homes and buildings are you walk around. To guide your walk, you can get a brochure (or download the app) from the local tourist board. There are also ghost tours available every Friday and Saturday night if you’re looking to go on a spooky stroll around town.
• Visit the Walker Aviation Museum – Located at the Walker Airforce Base, this is a great stop for aviation geeks or anyone traveling with children. They have some helicopers and planes, as well as some relics from WWII. Best of all, admission is free!
• Explore Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge – Walking trails can take you around this park and wetland, where you can see all sorts of birds and wildlife, as well as some 80 species of dragonflies!

How to Visit the Roswell UFO Museum

The Roswell UFO Museum is located at 114 N Main Street in Roswell, New Mexico. If you have a car, the museum is a 3-hour drive from Albuquerque, 9 hours from Phoenix, and just over 7 hours from Dallas. If you plan on taking the bus, Greyhound has tickets from $60-100 (one way) from each of those locations.

Admission to the museum is $5 for adults and there are discounts for children, seniors, military members, and first responders. They’re open daily from 9am-5pm (but closed on Chrismas Day, New Year’s Day, and Thanksgiving). The Museum also offers lectures and events throughout the year.