After snapping a bunch of silly photos at the Welcome to Roswell Mural, we headed straight for the International UFO Museum and Research Center, ready to see some proof of aliens on earth and stories of real alien abductions.
But that isn’t quite what we found…
The International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico has exhibits and information on the Roswell Incident, crop circles, UFO sightings, Area 51, ancient astronauts, and abductions.
But the written, audio, and visual museum exhibits are designed not to convince you to believe one way or another about their subjects. You need to decide is aliens are real for yourself and some photos and exhibits prove sightings are not UFOs, but everyday objects like hubcaps that were thrown in the air.
People from all over the world come to Roswell, New Mexico to visit the International UFO Museum, learn about unexplained UFO phenomena, and be in the city where the best-known UFO incident occurred — The Roswell Incident. Staff are on hand to answer questions, the UFO research library is open to those who want to use it, and if you’re lucky, the alien scene in the center of the museum will come to life!
To some visitors, the International UFO Museum is a fun roadside attraction and quick pit stop to have a laugh and pick up some fun souvenirs, but to others, this is a destination for serious reading, research, and learning — and we encountered both types of visitors while we were there. While some of the alien exhibits are a bit hokey and cheesy — like the light up spaceship and fog machine — others feature actual newspaper articles and recount stories of true believers.
Overall, we had fun, we laughed, we people watched, we oogled the photos of flying saucers, and we grabbed some souvenirs. It’s definitely worth a stop if you’re looking for some alien fun in Roswell.
Museum History
In early 1990, Walter Haut began promoting the idea of a permanent home for information on the 1947 Roswell Incident and other UFO phenomena. He was public information officer for the 509th Atomic Bomb Group at Roswell Army Air Field in New Mexico at the time of the 1947 Incident and claimed various levels of knowledge of and involvement in the Incident.
Haut along with Glenn Dennis, another Roswell Incident participant, wanted to create a UFO Museum and connected with Roswell Realtor Max Littell who helped find their first location.
The founders of the International UFO Museum & Research Center, incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in 1991 that is governed by an established Board of Directors and operates through donations, admissions, memberships and gift shop sales. Haut presided as president until 1996.
The museum opened to visitors in fall of 1992 and continues to be the leading information source on the history, science, and research related to UFO events worldwide.
Know Before You Go
- The International UFO Museum And Research Center is located at 114 North Main Street, Roswell, New Mexico 88203 in Chaves County.
- The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day with early closures at 3:00 pm the day before each holiday.
- Admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, military, and first responders, and $2.00 for kids 5-15. Children 4 and under are free.
- Into aliens but can’t visit the museum? You’re in luck! They have an online store.
- The museum is self-guided; however, requests can be made to have an employee give your group a talk about the UFO Crash of 1947.
