Last Updated on 18 June, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Imagine walking down Main Street with lamp posts shaped like alien heads, a McDonald’s shaped like a UFO, and a museum with hundreds of archived documents about UFO sightings and all things alien.

Welcome to Roswell!

This quaint desert town in southeast New Mexico is the perfect stop for RV and vanlife travelers to spend an entertaining half day. And if you’re wondering what to do in town, we’ve got you covered!

The 9 best Roswell New Mexico attractions include:

1. International UFO Museum and Research Center
2. Main Street Alien Lamps
3. UFO-themed McDonald’s
4. Dunkin’ Donuts Alien
5. Local Shops
6. Murals
7. Roswell UFO Spacewalk
8. Spaceport
9. Roswell New Mexico Welcome Sign

Below, I’ll go over everything to do in Roswell to get the full alien experience. From walking through the museum to having a full virtual reality experience! Let’s go, believers!

This post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that we only recommend items we would use ourselves. If you choose to make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. There are no sponsorships; this is just the truth about our favorite finds.

Why Roswell Belongs on Your Road Trip Map

Roswell has belonged in the hearts of believers since July 2, 1947. A severe thunderstorm raged through the desert, and a UFO (or UAP in today’s terms) allegedly crashed around 70 miles north of Roswell near the small town of Corona on a sheep farm.

The FBI archives have only a single page on the Roswell Incident, where they describe that the Eighth Air Force Headquarters received a telephone call about a ‘flying disc’ recovered near Roswell that was hexagonal in shape.

When you travel through Roswell, it’s clear that the town takes pride in its alien-themed history, making it a quirky, fun stop for anyone traveling through.

Here are a few reasons why you should put Roswell on your destinations list:

• It’s just fun: Whether you believe in aliens or not, Roswell is an eccentric town unlike any other in the world. It’s just plain fun!
• Easy parking: The main street has easy, large pull-off street parking for vans and RVs. Many of the destinations, like the UFO museum, have large parking lots.
• Perfect half-day stop: It doesn’t take a full day to explore Roswell, making it a quick, fun side quest on your travel adventures.
• Nearby dispersed camping: Just a short drive outside of town puts you on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, making it a great destination with easy overnight parking nearby. Our article on campervan overnight parking offers more insight into wild camping.
• Nearby attractions: Bottomless Lake State Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, and many others are within a short drive from Roswell, offering unique experiences near this alien-themed town. You can check out our guide on Carlsbad Caverns here!

Because Roswell is a half-day adventure, it makes it the perfect side quest on your travels through New Mexico. So, put a pin in the map and be sure to stop at this bizarre (and fun) desert town!

Roswell New Mexico Attractions Spotlight: The International UFO Museum and Research Center

If you’re passing through and looking for Roswell New Mexico attractions, the UFO Museum is the star of the show. It’s a fun experience that takes about an hour, depending on how long you spend in awe of all the alien-themed exhibits!

If you can only stop at one place in Roswell, this is definitely worth it. It has all the information you need about the 1947 crash, as well as other alien-themed events that have happened around the world. Plus, a cool gift shop awaits at the end of the museum!

Museum Basics: Location and Admission

One of the most unique Roswell New Mexico Attractions is the International UFO Museum and Research Center. This intriguing destination is dedicated to all things alien and includes a timeline of events during and after the 1947 Roswell Incident.

While walking through the museum, you’ll see history and science fiction meld together in this space-themed experience. From historical artifacts to alien manikins, ancient tomb lids depicting possible aliens, and movies throughout the ages that were inspired by UFO sightings and crashes like the one that occurred in Roswell.

Here’s what to know about the International UFO Museum and Research Center:

• Location: 114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203.
• Admission: $7 for adults ($5 for military and seniors). Kids 5-15 are $4, and children 4 and under are free!
• Hours of operation: 9 am to 5 pm.

What To Expect Inside

As soon as you enter the museum, you’ll already feel the otherworldly atmosphere. A friendly worker will greet you at the admission booth, where you pay your entrance fee. From there, it’s a totally space-themed adventure from start to finish.

• Crash Site Dioramas: Check out a 3D exhibit that depicts the famous 1947 Roswell crash.
• Roswell Incident Timeline: Explore what happened on that fateful July day when a thunderstorm caused a UFO to crash on a sheep ranch (allegedly…but we all know the truth). 
• Aliens: While there are no ‘real’ aliens here, there are replicas of what people described seeing from the 1947 crash. There are also manikins of the Greys and other depictions of aliens.
• Artifacts: Replicas of artifacts found all over the world can be found throughout the museum. These artifacts are related to aliens, crash sites, or experiences.
• Entertainment Industry: Check out all the movies and television series inspired by alien activity.
• Archives: Boxes and boxes of documents related to experiences with aliens from people around the world.
• Video Room: Check out the video room during a lecture to learn more about spacecrafts, aliens, and the experiences of people who have witnessed UFOs.
• Gift Shop: Grab an alien-themed souvenir to remember your trip to the International UFO Museum!

The museum is all on one floor and, depending on how interested you are in reading the informational signs, takes about one hour to complete the whole circuit.

Pets Welcome!

If you’re traveling with a furbag or two, you’ll be happy to know that the International UFO Museum is pet-friendly!

All pets must be kept on a leash, and dogs should be well-behaved. Don’t skip the gift shop, as employees have been known to hand out doggy bags filled with treats and alien-themed dog toys! Head over to our article on vanlife with dogs for tips on how to travel safely with your canine companion.

Why RVs and Vanlifers Will Love The Museum

What makes the International UFO Museum worth a stop if you’re rolling through in your RV or renovated campervan?

• Easy Parking: The museum has its own parking lot with ample space for RVs and vans.
• Affordable: For those on a budget, the low admission price is a definite plus.
• Escape the heat: If visiting in the summer, it’s a nice air-conditioned break from the heat and wind that New Mexico is known for.
• Pet-Friendly: Traveling with pets? No problem. The museum is pet-friendly, so you won’t have to leave your furry co-pilots in the vehicle.

Travel is all about finding unique places to see, and the UFO museum is definitely unique! This quirky stop is worth it, if nothing else, just to get a break from those long desert drives.

More Roswell New Mexico Attractions Worth A Stop

Roswell is known for its alien-themed shops and art throughout the town. Take a stroll down Main Street to see some of the top attractions that are worth stopping at. Just remember that the New Mexico heat can be blistering in the summer. Consider bringing along a water bottle like the Yeti Rambler.

• Main Street Alien Lamps: These are a fun photo opportunity and a great way to stretch your legs after a long drive. You’ll find these alien-head lamps all down Main Street.
• UFO-themed McDonald’s: This iconic spaceship-shaped McDonald’s is one of a kind. Check it out at 720 N Main St!
• Dunkin’ Donuts Alien: A little further north of McDonald’s is a Dunkin’ Donuts with a huge alien holding the store sign. You can find it at 800 N Main St!
• Local Shops: There are tons of alien-themed shops around downtown. Check them out for cool alien souvenirs and gear!
• Murals: Several UFO-themed murals can be found throughout town, including the We Believe Mural at 120 N Main St, the Invasion Station Mural at 600 N Main St, and the Alien Print Shop Mural at 250 N Richardson Ave. These are excellent photo opportunities!
• Roswell UFO Spacewalk: A blacklight art adventure that ends with sci-fi-themed artwork by the creator of the Spacewalk, Bryan Ward.
• Spaceport: A virtual reality playground where you’ll be transported through space and time.
• Roswell Welcome Sign: An iconic welcome sign with a spacecraft and tons of stickers along the signpost.

If you love aliens and UFOs, Roswell is a destination you don’t want to miss. We loved spending half a day in this charming town and recommend it to anyone driving through!

Looking for the perfect small bag to carry around town? Check out the Patagonia 8L Atom Sling Bag. It’s the perfect size to store all the small necessities while you enjoy this alien-themed town!

Roswell New Mexico Attractions: Wrap-Up Session

 Whether you’re a believer or not, Roswell is worth a stop to see all the alien-themed buildings, art, and museums. This fun, half-day stop is packed with unique experiences that will make memories for a lifetime!

To recap, the 9 best Roswell New Mexico Attractions include:

1. International UFO Museum and Research Center: The star of the town & pet-friendly.
2. Main Street Alien Lamps: Fun photo ops.
3. UFO-themed McDonald’s: Dine in or just take some fun photos.
4. Dunkin’ Donuts Alien: For when you need a caffeine refill.
5. Local Shops: Grab your space-themed souvenirs.
6. Murals: Snag a photo from local artists.
7. Roswell UFO Spacewalk: A unique blacklight adventure.
8. Spaceport: Step into sci-fi themed virtual reality.
9. Roswell New Mexico Welcome Sign: An iconic photo opportunity.

Remember, the museum is pet-friendly, so bring your well-behaved furbags along for the experience. Until next time, give your furry copilots an extra pet from us and keep exploring this beautiful world (and beyond)! For more destination guides like this, check out the Dirtbags with Furbags blog!