Roswell, New Mexico – is it worth leaving Route 66?

Roswell, New Mexico, is one of the world’s most famous cities associated with UFOs. But are aliens, flying saucers and out-of-this-world attractions really waiting around every corner? We left Route 66 behind, drove through the desert and spent a few days in Roswell. We will show you what is worth seeing and give you an honest answer: is Roswell worth adding several hours to your journey?

We visited Roswell during our month-long RV trip along Route 66. The city is not located directly on the Mother Road, so this was not a quick stop along the way. We had to head south and spend about two hours driving each way.

Why did we decide to make such a long detour? Roswell has long been associated with the story of an alleged UFO crash, aliens and conspiracy theories. We knew we would find a UFO museum, murals, souvenir shops and the only McDonald’s shaped like a flying saucer. It sounded like the perfect place for an American road trip :)

The drive itself turned out to be quite an adventure. As soon as we left Route 66 and headed toward Roswell, an alarm started going off in the RV. Every few minutes we heard a loud signal, and for quite some time we had no idea what was happening. It eventually turned out that the gas detector was malfunctioning, but it was difficult to find anyone along this route who could help us.

There was nothing around us but desert, a long straight road and virtually no larger towns. Occasionally, we would reach an intersection with literally two buildings, and that was it. It was only when we arrived in a larger town that we found a store where we could buy batteries. As it later turned out, we did not need them because we solved the problem by switching off the appropriate circuit near the battery.

This story gives you a good idea of what the road to Roswell is like: empty, wide open and very American. For us, driving through this dry, deserted landscape was part of the adventure.

Roswell and the UFO story – what is it all about?

Roswell became the world’s UFO capital because of events that took place in 1947. Debris from an unidentified object was found on a ranch near Corona, about 120 kilometers northwest of Roswell. The military initially announced that it had recovered a “flying disc”, but withdrew the statement the following day and said the debris had come from a weather balloon.

Over the following decades, stories emerged about a spacecraft, alien bodies and the US government hiding the truth. Official reports by the United States Air Force link the recovered debris to the then-classified Project Mogul, which used balloons to detect Soviet nuclear tests. However, supporters of the UFO theory still believe that the true course of events was covered up.

Whichever version you believe, one thing is certain: Roswell has made excellent use of this story. Aliens appear on signs, streetlights, shop windows, murals, souvenirs and even the markings on municipal vehicles.

Is Roswell on Route 66?

No. Roswell is located in southeastern New Mexico, well south of historic Route 66. If you are traveling from east to west, the most convenient option is to make the detour while crossing New Mexico, but you need to allow for several additional hours behind the wheel and then make your way back to the main route.

In our case, the drive took about two hours each way. The exact time will, of course, depend on where you leave Route 66 and where you rejoin it.

Before setting off, it is worth:

• filling up your car or RV,
• taking plenty of water and some basic snacks,
• downloading an offline map,
• not putting off refueling or shopping until “the next town”, because there are very few towns along the way,
• planning at least one night in Roswell if you do not want to spend a very long day behind the wheel.

We have also included Roswell in our list of places worth leaving Route 66 for, although it is definitely not a detour for everyone.

What to see in Roswell?

Roswell’s main attractions are located downtown or a short distance from it. If you are mainly interested in places associated with UFOs, you can see most of them in one day.

International UFO Museum and Research Center

The International UFO Museum and Research Center was the most important attraction we visited in Roswell. If you only have time for one alien-themed museum, this is the one we would choose.

A large part of the exhibition focuses on the events of 1947. You will find newspaper clippings, photographs, eyewitness accounts, documents, reconstructions and materials presenting different versions of the story. The museum covers both the alleged crash and the broader context of UFO sightings, Area 51, crop circles and theories about contact with extraterrestrial civilizations.

This is not a modern science center packed with multimedia. At times the exhibition looks rather old-school and even a little tacky, but we think that suits Roswell and the whole story perfectly. You can read, look around, compare the accounts and decide for yourself what you believe. There are also more entertaining displays and, of course, plenty of aliens, so the museum is not only for people who love reading documents.

It is worth knowing that some scenes may be disturbing for young or more sensitive children. The exhibition includes aliens and a staged autopsy of a dead alien. Our children were not scared, and the visit was a fun experience for all of us, but it is better to know about these elements before you go inside.

Practical information:

• Address: 114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203
• Standard opening hours: daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; hours may be extended at certain times of the year
• Tickets: adults USD 7, children aged 5-15 USD 4, children aged 4 and under free, seniors and military personnel USD 5
• Website: roswellufomuseum.com

We checked the prices and opening hours in August 2026. It is worth checking the official website again before your visit, especially if you are traveling during a public holiday or the UFO Festival.

Main Street, murals and souvenir shops

After leaving the museum, simply take a walk around downtown Roswell, especially along Main Street, which is also US 285. This is where you will find most of the city’s extraterrestrial side: shop windows filled with little green men, alien figures, neon signs, murals and stores selling souvenirs ranging from tasteful to wonderfully tacky.

There are plenty of murals, and looking for the next one can make for a fun walk. The shops sell practically everything: T-shirts, mugs, magnets, plush toys, figurines and UFO gadgets. You do not need to make any big purchases because simply looking at the displays is part of the experience.

However, we have to admit that before arriving, we imagined Roswell would be even more alien-themed, exaggerated and tacky. The United States knows how to turn a single theme into a full-blown spectacle, but here – apart from a few blocks downtown – Roswell remains an ordinary American city.

Roswell Visitor Center

It is also worth visiting the Roswell Visitor Center. You can pick up maps and information about the attractions and buy official city souvenirs, but for us the highlight was the opportunity to take some funny photos with aliens. It is a quick stop that fits the theme of the visit perfectly.

Address: 426 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a break from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The center is closed on Sundays and Mondays. You can find up-to-date information on the City of Roswell website.

The UFO-shaped McDonald’s in Roswell

One of the city’s most recognizable landmarks is the McDonald’s shaped like a flying saucer. According to Roswell’s official tourism website, it is the only restaurant in the chain with a building designed to resemble a UFO.

It looks really impressive from the outside, especially in the evening when the outline of the saucer lights up. Inside, there is a space-themed PlayPlace, while some McDonald’s characters wear outfits inspired by space travel. It was definitely a fun stop for the children.

The only thing we missed was a special menu. We were hoping for a cosmic burger, a UFO dessert or at least some dishes named after aliens, but all we got was the standard McDonald’s menu. It is a pity, because the theme could easily have been used in the food as well.

Address: 720 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201

Other alien attractions downtown

There are also several smaller places downtown that focus more on fun and taking photos than on learning about the history. We did not visit them, but if you want to immerse yourself in the alien atmosphere, you can check out:

• Roswell UFO Spacewalk and Gallery – a short, family-friendly walk through fluorescent decorations and space-themed installations,
• Alien Zone Area 51 – a shop with exaggerated alien scenes where you can take photos.

These are small attractions that complement a walk along Main Street rather than places worth making a special trip to Roswell for. Be sure to check the current opening hours and prices before your visit.

Roswell Air Center and Walker Aviation Museum

It is worth clearing up a common misunderstanding here: Roswell Air Center is not Area 51. Area 51 is in Nevada, hundreds of miles from Roswell. Roswell Air Center is an active airport located on the site of the former Roswell Army Air Field, later known as Walker Air Force Base.

It was personnel from this base who handled the debris found in 1947. Today, the small Walker Aviation Museum, which tells the military and aviation history of the site, operates in the public area of the airport. The former base is also associated with the legend of Hangar 84, where parts of the flying saucer were allegedly stored.

We did not go to Roswell Air Center or visit the Walker Aviation Museum. If you are interested in aviation history, you may want to see the museum, but do not expect to drive up to a secret base or gates like those at Area 51. This is a completely different place with a different story.

Spring River Zoo

Another place that may interest families with children is Spring River Zoo. We did not visit it, so we will not pretend that we can review it. However, it is a small zoo combined with a park and may be an additional stop if you are staying in Roswell longer or want to take a break from aliens.

According to the city’s current information, admission is free. The zoo is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with last admission at 3:00 pm. The carousel and miniature train are currently temporarily closed.

Address: 1306 E College Blvd, Roswell, NM 88201

How much time do you need in Roswell?

One full day is enough to see the most important alien attractions. In that time, you can easily visit the International UFO Museum, walk along Main Street, stop at the Visitor Center, take photos next to the murals and eat something at the UFO-shaped McDonald’s.

We stayed in Roswell for a few nights. This meant we did not have to rush, could rest after the previous stages of our journey and had time to enjoy the desert climate. It was dry, warm and peaceful, and we really like places like this.

If your Route 66 itinerary is packed, we do not think you need to spend more than one day and one night in Roswell. A longer stay makes sense if you want to visit additional museums, travel to nearby Bottomless Lakes State Park or use the city as a base for exploring more of southern New Mexico.

Roswell with children

Children may enjoy Roswell even if they are not interested in the story of the 1947 incident. Colorful alien figures, murals, souvenir shops and the McDonald’s PlayPlace mean that sightseeing is not limited to reading information boards in a museum.

The International UFO Museum involves the most quiet sightseeing and reading, but between the documents you will also find models, figures and more spectacular displays. Our children were not scared, although parents of young or more sensitive children should remember that some parts of the exhibition show aliens in rather graphic scenes, including an autopsy.

The Visitor Center, UFO Spacewalk and free Spring River Zoo may also be good additions for families.

RV camping in Roswell – Trailer Village RV Park

We were traveling in a large RV and stayed at Trailer Village RV Park. We can recommend this campground to people exploring New Mexico by RV. It is conveniently located, can accommodate large vehicles and provides a peaceful place to rest before continuing your journey.

Practical information:

• Address: 1706 E 2nd St, Roswell, NM 88201
• Check-in: from 12:00 pm
• Check-out: by 11:00 am
• Website: trailervillagervpark.com

Current prices depend on the type of site and date, among other things, so it is best to check them directly before booking.

Hotels in Roswell – where to stay?

If you are traveling by car, you will have no trouble finding classic American chain hotels in Roswell. We stayed at the campground, but we also considered Home2 Suites by Hilton Roswell. We like this chain and have stayed at its hotels on other trips, although we did not stay at this particular property.

Below are a few properties available on Booking.com. Before booking, check the current price, cancellation policy and whether your chosen room can accommodate your entire family:

• Home2 Suites by Hilton Roswell, NM
  Address: 700 N Virginia Avenue, Roswell, NM 88201
  Why it is worth checking: suites with kitchenettes, breakfast and an indoor pool; the hotel is close to downtown
  Link: check current prices on Booking.com
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Roswell by IHG
  Address: 3 Military Heights Drive, Roswell, NM 88201
  Why it is worth checking: breakfast included, an indoor pool and free parking; around 1.5 kilometers from the UFO Museum
  Link: check current prices on Booking.com
• Candlewood Suites Roswell by IHG
  Address: 4 Military Heights Drive, Roswell, NM 88201
  Why it is worth checking: spacious rooms with kitchens, also a good option for a longer stay
  Link: check current prices on Booking.com
• Holiday Inn Roswell by IHG
  Address: 3620 N Main Street, Roswell, NM 88201
  Why it is worth checking: a hotel with a restaurant, an indoor pool and free parking
  Link: check current prices on Booking.com

Our opinion – is Roswell worth visiting?

Is it worth leaving Route 66 to visit Roswell? It depends.

If you are interested in UFOs, enjoy unusual places or have had Roswell on your travel wish list for a long time, then go. The drive through the desert has a fantastic atmosphere, the International UFO Museum is interesting, and the UFO-shaped McDonald’s, murals and souvenir shops create a collection of attractions that is difficult to find anywhere else.

We are glad we went. Roswell fitted our RV road trip perfectly, let us see a different side of New Mexico and gave us some fun memories – including the gas detector alarm howling in the middle of the desert ;)

At the same time, we were a little disappointed. We expected the city to be more alien-themed, more exaggerated and simply more “American” in the way it used the whole story. Most of the UFO-related attractions are concentrated along a few downtown streets, while outside this area Roswell looks like an ordinary city.

If you have limited time on Route 66, we do not consider Roswell a must-see. It is a long detour, and there are many places on the Mother Road itself and closer to it that impressed us more. However, if you are a UFO fan or simply want to see Roswell with your own eyes, it is worth spending a day here and forming your own opinion.

Photo gallery from Roswell

Below you can see all our photos from Roswell: