16 Most Popular UFO Travel Destinations in the U.S.

Without leaving Earth, where would you go for either an out-of-this-world experience or to celebrate one of the six UFO or alien days that happen each year? That’s what I wondered. What are the top spots for UFO travel in America?

Not necessarily to potentially see a UFO. Although, if that happens and it’s not part of an invasion or an abduction, that might be pretty cool too.

As I quickly found out, there are a few places where people head to scan the skies for UFOs. But there are also places that don’t necessarily have any UFO activity now, but did and people want to check out where the action happened.

Without further ado, let’s hop to it and explore 16 of the most popular UFO travel destinations in the United States.

16. Raëlian UFO Peace Park – Pahoa, HI

Have you ever heard of Raëlianism? (This one is new to me.) It’s a religion that believes aliens put all life on Earth. As Atlas Obscura best summed it up, Raëlianists believe that “what other religions see as prophets or angels are in fact Elohim who have taken human form to teach humanity through the millennia.”

A variety of sculptures comprise the Raëlian Peace Park, including one that’s described to look like a crop circle but is a “proposed galactic embassy.” The Raëlian Peace Park is not far from the Kahauale’a Natural Area Reserve and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

15. Collins Beach UFO Boat – Sauvie Island, OR

Collins Beach is a clothing-optional beach on the Columbia River in Sauvie Island, which is about 20 miles from Portland, Oregon. An abandoned boat covered in graffiti is beached on one stretch of the sand. However, because its condition more closely resembles that of a UFO than of a boat, that’s why they call it the Collins Beach UFO Boat.

14. Area 66 – Yucca, AZ

It’s really hard to miss the 40-foot diameter dome that looks like a giant golf ball in Yucca, Arizona.  As of this post, it’s temporarily closed. However, when it’s open it’s home to a UFO museum that tells the tale of the 1953 “flying saucer” crash near Kingman, Arizona.

13. Alien Gravesite – Aurora, TX

A historical marker in the Aurora Cemetery commemorates the Aurora, Texas, UFO incident. On April 17, 1897, a spacecraft reportedly crashed in Aurora. The pilot didn’t survive. He was described as being “not from this world,” though. That didn’t stop folks from giving him a proper burial. These days people still often pay respects —or pay a visit out of curiosity— to see the alien gravesite.

12. Kecksburg Space Acorn – Kecksburg, PA

What happened in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 1965? Well, not just in Kecksburg. Thousands of people in multiple U.S. states as well as Ontario described seeing a fireball in the sky. But people in Kecksburg also reported hearing a crash.

Soon after, some even witnessed military personnel appear and the area was sealed off. Witnesses then described a flatbed truck hauling away a large object. The official story was that it was a meteor and nothing had been recovered from the forest.

However, those who saw it described it as an acorn-shaped object with strange markings on it, like Egyptian hieroglyphics. Rumor has it government Men-in-Black-like agents warned residents to pipe down and shut up about it. It’s no wonder the Kecksburg case is considered “Pennsylvania’s Roswell.”

In 1990 it drew the attention of the show Unsolved Mysteries, which filmed a segment about it. They built a replica of the acorn-shaped object witnesses had described but left the prop after filming. Residents decided to use it as part of a monument to the Kecksburg UFO incident.

11. Pine Bush UFO and Paranormal Museum – Orange County, New York

For decades, the Hudson Valley has been a hotbed for UFO sightings, especially in and around the small town of Pine Bush. In the 1950s residents reported seeing a classic flying saucer flying overhead. But since then other reports have followed.

The Pine Bush UFO and Paranormal Museum just opened in 2021. Visitors take a guided tour through displays and exhibits that illustrate the unusual activity witnessed in the area over the years. MUFON has also collaborated with the museum to supply some of the displays and data that is presented during the tour.

For more info, visit pinebushmuseum.com.

10. Thom Reed UFO Monument Park – Sheffield, MA

In 2015, a monument was erected near a covered bridge in Sheffield, Massachusetts, to commemorate a UFO event that happened in the area in September 1969. People in four surrounding towns witnessed it. (Netflix’s rebooted Unsolved Mysteries covered the incident in the “Berkshires UFO” episode.)

One of the witnesses was Thom Reed. He reported that he and his family saw a bright light in the sky shortly after crossing through the bridge. But it didn’t end there. One minute they were in their car, the next they were in an airplane hangar being separated and taken to examination rooms individually. Then, just as suddenly, they found themselves back in the car.

Because he passed a polygraph regarding the incident, the Great Barrington Historical Society categorized the event as “historically significant and true.” But they took it a step farther and erected a monument with a plaque to recognize “our nation’s first off-world/UFO incident.”

However, in 2019 Sheffield removed the monument, saying it was on the town’s right of way easement. But Up Country Online assures people who want to visit the park that there’s still plenty to see.

9. UFO Watchtower – Hooper, Colorado

The UFO Watchtower doesn’t have an official address. The biggest southern Colorado city it’s near is Alamosa, but it’s closest to the little town of Hooper. It’s also right by the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which is fitting for a couple of reasons.

One, the park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park. If you want a great view of the night sky sans light pollution, this is a place to get it.

Two, there have been a lot of UFO sightings in this part of Colorado over the years. Why not build an official platform on which to watch?

That’s what Judy Messoline did in 2000. In addition to the platform, you’ll also find a campground, which is handy if you intend to set up and stay awhile.

8. UFO Welcome Center – Bowman, South Carlina

If you’re looking for out-of-this-world southern hospitality, no one does it like Jody Pendarvis. He built the UFO Welcome Center in his backyard!

The flying saucer-shaped structure is constructed of wood, fiberglass, and plastic but also consists of salvaged mechanical and electronic parts. But it’s not just a novelty to look at. He was very thoughtful in his design, making it a comfy place for aliens to rest their weary bones after their intergalactic travels.

It includes all the amenities us earthlings like, including a comfy bed to curl up in, a shower, toilet, air conditioning (a must in the south, especially in the hot months!), and a TV. In fact, Pendarvis lives in his makeshift UFO a lot of the time because the AC is so good!

But he welcomes humans to stop by and have a look around if they want. For a small fee, of course.

7. Exeter UFO Festival – Exeter, New Hampshire

In September 1965, events transpired that came to be known as “The Incident at Exeter.” It started when Norman Muscarello, 18, was hitchhiking. Suddenly, a “red flying object” began following him. He went to the police to report it. Instead of dismissing him, they listened because officer Eugene Bertrand had just had a similar experience. Sort of. He’d investigated a parked car and found two women inside who were scared. They told him they’d just been chased by a “red flying object.”

What was going on?

Officer Bertrand and fellow officer David Hunt decided to find out. They had Muscarello take them to where he’d been chased. That’s when all three men saw a flying object rise from the trees, which they reported to the nearby Pease Air Force Base. The Air Force reported it to Project Blue Book.

Other people also reported seeing weird lights and unusual objects in the area too. But the Air Force chalked it up to military air maneuvers or atmospheric conditions.

Muscarello, Bertrand, and Hunt tried to get the Pentagon to listen to them, but they were dismissed, and in some cases ridiculed. All three men insisted to the days they died that they had seen something and it wasn’t a B-47.

The Exeter UFO Festival started in 2010 to commemorate the event. It’s become a popular fundraiser for the Exeter Kiwanis Club and an excellent event for ufologists, the UFO curious, and families to attend.

For more info, visit exeterufofestival.org.

6. The Extraterrestrial Highway

There are a few alien-themed roadstops along State Route 375, a.k.a. the Extraterrestrial Highway, which is a 98 mile stretch of state highway that runs between U.S. 6 and U.S. 93.

Signs along it do read Extraterrestrial Highway. A popular place to get a photo of one is at the rest area not far from the Alien Research Center. Other popular stops on the highway are the Black Mailbox and the Little A’Le’Inn.

5. The Black Mailbox – Alamo, Nevada

As mentioned above, the Black Mailbox is a site along the Extraterrestrial Highway. Except, it’s not just one mailbox, but two. One is marked “Steve Medlin” and the other one is marked “Alien.”

Originally there was only one, though, and it was black. It was for Medlin. These days both mailboxes are white, yet the spot is still called the Black Mailbox. I’ll explain why in a second but first let’s look at why there’s even a mailbox out in the middle of nowhere in the first place.

Medlin and his wife moved to a ranch in Tikaboo Valley in 1973. Little did they know that 16 years later their unassuming mailbox would become a marker for those jaunting to try and either get a glimpse of Area 51, aliens, or both. It happened after Bob Mazar popularized Area 51 on a TV show when he talked about the military base in the area and the secret alien projects happening there.

Some people left notes in the black mailbox intended for the aliens, but others shot it up, thinking it was part of some alien conspiracy. Medlin decided to replace his old mailbox with a bullet-proof version and to add another one just for the aliens. That’s why there are two.

I’m not sure if there was a black bulletproof mailbox option or if Medlin hoped to throw people off by replacing it with a white one, though.

4. Little A’Le’Inn – Rachel, Nevada

On the frontage road off the Extraterrestrial Highway, you’ll find an out-of-this-world pit stop. Especially if you’re hungry and are looking for food, or if you want a place to crash for a night or two while on an Area 51 adventure.

This restaurant and inn welcomes both earthlings and aliens alike to either grab a bite in their restaurant or stay in one of their rooms, or both!  Apparently, they have very good burgers. That seems to be the number one menu item diners want most.

For more info, visit littlealeinn.com.

3. Area 51 Alien Center & Alien Cathouse- Amargosa Valley, Nevada

This is Vegas we’re talking about so the Alien Cathouse is not a rescue shelter for cats from Outerspace. It’s a legal brothel and according to their website there’s nothing quite like it in the “entire Milky Way!”

I’m lumping it in with the Area 51 Alien Travel Center because they’re right in the same area. Basically, you can get all of your UFO and alien souvenirs at the Alien Center, along with minimart-type snacks and such. If you need to make a bathroom pit stop, they also have restrooms. And if you’re feeling frisky, then…well, you know. You can scratch your itch at the Alien Cathouse.

2. International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop – Roswell, New Mexico

This museum started out to commemorate and preserve artifacts, witness accounts, and other materials associated with the alleged UFO crash in July 1947 near Roswell, which became known as The Roswell Incident. It has since evolved into a leading research center and source for UFO information worldwide. They’re very collaborative, working with top ufologists to keep track of and disseminate all the latest information.

For more info, visit roswellufomuseum.com.

1. AlienFest – Roswell, New Mexico

Every year Roswell is ground zero for a huge gathering formerly known as the Roswell UFO Festival, but it’s now called AlienFest. It always coincides with World UFO Day every year. (The World UFO Day on July 2, that is. There’s also one on June 24, but that celebrates a different 1947 UFO sighting.)

AlienFest honors the Roswell incident, but much like the International UFO Museum, it’s now become a celebration of ufology as a whole. Part outdoor festival, part UFO-con, there is tons to see and do and plenty of experts in the field to learn from and trade ideas with. It’s no wonder this festival tops the list of destinations for UFO travelers.

For more info, visit ufofestivalroswell.com.

Check-In

Have you ever done any UFO travel to visit any of these museums, memorials, or festivals?