International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop

Imagine a place where the boundaries between reality and science fiction become almost invisible. The International UFO Museum and Research Center is the main point of attraction for anyone who has ever wondered about the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations. Located in the heart of Roswell, this museum has turned a small settlement in New Mexico into a true world capital of ufology.

Founded in the early 90s, the museum occupies a former cinema building and is dedicated to the most mysterious event in USA history—the Roswell incident of 1947. It is not just an exhibition space, but a full-scale archive containing photographs, official military reports, and personal eyewitness accounts. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists come here to see reconstructions of alien spacecraft and study the theory of "ancient astronauts."

The exposition covers a wide range of topics: from the famous debris on farmer Brazel's ranch to mysterious crop circles and ancient Mayan artifacts. The museum harmoniously combines serious research materials with elements of popular culture, creating a unique atmosphere of mystery that leaves no one indifferent.

For those who want to clarify visit details or book a group tour, the International UFO Museum and Research Center provides several ways to get in touch. It is recommended to check the official website in advance for special events or schedule changes.

In the museum's halls, a deep dive into the chronicle of events from the middle of the last century awaits you. One of the main activities here is studying original newspaper clippings and declassified documents, including the famous issue of the Roswell Daily Record. You can examine detailed flying saucer models and full-size dioramas recreating scenes of contact and medical research on aliens.

In addition to the main theme, the center features interesting sections on ancient civilizations. Be sure to notice the replicas of ancient panels and drawings by the Mayan people and Australian Aborigines, in which ufologists see evidence of visits by extraterrestrial guests in the distant past. It's a great opportunity to look at human history from a different angle.

A visit should conclude at the gift shop, which is an attraction in itself. Here you can purchase exclusive merch: from themed T-shirts and books to collectible figurines. If your visit coincides with the annual UFO Festival, you can see costume parades right at the museum's doorstep, making the trip truly unforgettable.

Getting to the museum is easy, as it is located in the heart of the city at 114 N Main St. The building is situated at the intersection of Main Street and US Highway 285, making it a prominent landmark for all travelers.

If you are arriving by plane via Roswell Air Terminal (ROW), the trip by taxi or rental car will take only 15–20 minutes. For those traveling through the USA by car, the drive from Albuquerque takes about 3.5 hours, and from Carlsbad Caverns National Park, it’s about 2 hours.

Public transport in the city is limited, so most tourists prefer to use a car or taxi. In the central part of the city, parking near the museum is usually free, and the pedestrian zone itself is very compact, making it easy to combine a museum visit with a stroll through the neighboring streets.

The history of this unusual place is inextricably linked to the legendary Roswell incident of July 1947. It all began when a local farmer, William Brazel, discovered strange debris on his ranch that didn't resemble any known material. The report of the "capture of a flying disc" went around the world before the military officially stated that the object found was merely a weather balloon.

The museum itself was founded in 1991 by enthusiasts who sought to preserve eyewitness testimony and shed light on the mystery of what happened. Interestingly, the building that houses the exhibition today used to be a 1930s cinema. This gives the halls a special historical atmosphere, where old movie posters give way to reports on secret projects.

In the 1990s, many details of the incident were declassified, revealing that the "UFO" was actually the secret "Project Mogul"—a system for monitoring Soviet nuclear tests. However, the museum continues to present both versions of events—the official scientific one and the ufological one—allowing each visitor to independently decide what to believe. Over its decades of operation, the center has welcomed more than 3.7 million people from all over the world.

To carefully study all the archival documents, read the witnesses' letters, and examine the models, most visitors need from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The museum contains a vast amount of textual information, so if you plan to delve into every detail of "Project Mogul," it's worth setting aside a bit more time.

Don't forget to leave about 20–30 minutes to visit the gift shop. It is considered one of the most original in the world within its theme, and the selection of unique goods there is truly impressive—from books on ufology to fun alien figurines.

The museum's doors are open to researchers and curious tourists daily, with no days off or lunch breaks. The standard operating hours make it easy to fit a visit to the center into any travel itinerary.

Opening hours by day of the week:
• Monday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Tuesday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Thursday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00

A walk around the neighborhood after visiting the museum will allow you to immerse yourself deeper in the atmosphere of this unusual city. Downtown Roswell is filled with themed art objects and historical monuments that complement the overall travel experience.

You can see architectural landmarks from the early 20th century or relax in one of the local establishments, where even the interiors often remind you of visitors from space. It is especially pleasant to walk here in the evening when the lights of the main street come on.