While Roswell, New Mexico, might seem a bit out of the way, it’s a destination brimming with unique experiences. The journey itself can be an adventure, especially if you approach from the west, as we did coming from the White Sands and Las Cruces area. This route takes you through the breathtaking Lincoln National Forest, a scenic drive that’s particularly magical in winter with snow-dusted trees against clear blue skies. Driving through charming mountain towns and even passing by locations tied to Billy the Kid’s legend, the approach to Roswell becomes part of the adventure. In contrast, a drive from the north via Albuquerque offers a more classic, flat desert landscape experience typical of New Mexico.
Explore the International UFO Museum and Research Center
As you enter Roswell and make your way onto Main Street, you’ll immediately notice the International UFO Museum and Research Center. It’s truly unmissable and stands as the town’s central attraction. Visiting on a weekday during the colder months, we anticipated a quiet experience, perhaps sharing the space with only a handful of fellow enthusiasts curious about extraterrestrial life and spacecraft. We were completely mistaken. Upon entering and paying the nominal $5 admission fee – granting all-day access, a bonus for those wanting a second look – we found the museum bustling. It was filled with a diverse crowd, from staunch believers to curious skeptics, all drawn to this small desert town. Whether driven by genuine intrigue or sheer curiosity, everyone seemed eager to delve into the enigma of what transpired in 1947.
It’s important to set your expectations realistically when visiting the alien museum. Even with a thorough read of every exhibit, you can comfortably navigate the entire museum in about an hour. The “International” in its name seems to stem from its inclusion of alleged UFO sightings from across the globe. The museum’s presentation style is reminiscent of a science fair, with information presented on laminated sheets of paper attached to the walls, complete with occasional typos. However, if you embrace this quirky, homespun charm, the museum offers a genuinely fun and engaging experience. The slightly unpolished aesthetic actually enhances its unique appeal. Was the 1947 incident truly a UFO crash outside of Roswell, or was it, as the government and U.S. Army maintained, simply a weather balloon? A visit to this museum might just help you form your own opinion, or perhaps, deepen the mystery even further.
