Home of the UFO Museum, Roswell, New Mexico is famously known for being the location where aliens supposedly landed in 1947.
Many books and movies and commentaries have been written about the place detailing all the theories about the ET spacecraft that was said to have gone down in the desert.
But what is Roswell like now? I decided to find out.
Roswell, New Mexico: Full of alien-themed shops
Not surprisingly, the town attracts a lot of tourists, so the businesses and restaurants in Roswell cater to them by playing into the interstellar theme. You’ve got your “Not Of This World” coffee shop (above.)
And even the local Arby’s welcomes aliens. Why not try an intergalactic roastburger?
You’ll find plenty of gift shops selling UFO souvenirs. Get your Roswell souvenirs and trinkets to take home and impress your friends!
Some even sell inflatable aliens, in case you long for an alien to cuddle up with at night. Don’t worry, I won’t judge you.
Visiting the UFO Museum in Roswell
Officially called the International UFO Museum and Research Center, Roswell’s UFO Museum attempts to inform and entertain visitors about the history of alleged alien activity in the area.
I’ll say it flat out: This place is not good.
It does a lousy job of telling the story of the alien landing. Most of what’s on display are just old newspaper clippings, posted on peg boards that look like they came from K-Mart in the 1970s.
Honestly, I think someone off the street could put together a better museum than this in a week’s time.
There should be multimedia displays, interactive exhibits, giant posters listing the possible explanations for the UFO reports… but instead the place seems like a glorified gift shop.
That’s fine, I suppose. People really want those Roswell souvenirs. Make sure to get your $3 green golf balls with an alien logo before you leave!
DISCLAIMER: It’s now been several years since I visited the Roswell UFO Museum, so it’s very possible they’ve improved their exhibits and made the place more interesting and modern. I’m reporting what I saw at the time… but if you’ve visited recently, feel free to leave a comment with your experience!
The gift shop also sells alien-themed coffee mugs, koozies, mouse pads (yes, still, even now), socks, luggage tags, vanity license plates, magnets, keychains, and more.
Only one UFO museum exhibit caught my attention, and that was the actual alien from the 1994 Showtime movie ‘Roswell.’
Admission to the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell costs only $7. There’s a reason it’s so cheap!
If you do find yourself in the city, you might as well stop by. The Roswell alien museum is worth seeing – just don’t expect too much.
You can find the UFO Museum at 114 Main Street. It’s approximately 90 minutes from Carlsbad Caverns National Park, two hours from Guadalupe Mountains National Park, three hours from White Sands National Park, and three hours from Albuquerque.
Is Roswell Worth Visiting?
That depends if you’re really into aliens and space theories. I’m glad I went. But I don’t need to go back.
My opinion is that Roswell is worth visiting if you’re already planning to be in New Mexico for other reasons. But don’t book a trip just to see Roswell.
What else can you do in Roswell, New Mexico? Try the Roswell Museum (an art museum), the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, and Bottomless Lakes State Park for some nature. The Roswell UFO Spacewalk is also cool – it’s a blacklight art installation.
Do you think the UFO Museum and Roswell are worth visiting?
