Roswell NM – Site of the Famous 1947 Alien Crash

Roswell via Alamogordo

Roswell is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from White Sands National Park. The route goes through Alamogordo, and for those who didn’t pay attention in history class, Alamogordo is where the first nuclear test, the Trinity Test, was detonated in 1945.

Driving through this small town, everything seems to be bomb-related. The bomb-shaped giant water tower in the center of town and the farm silos look like Titan missiles rising out of the ground. Personally, I find it weird that a whole town stakes its claim to fame on such a horrifying event.

Mountain scenery

The mountain climb offered incredible scenery. We loved the forest and enjoyed driving through the many small towns, each with its own personality. As we approached Roswell, alien-themed displays started popping up at roadside shops and restaurants, signaling that we were getting close.

Alien “things”

At last, we are in Roswell and went in search of alien “things,” and we found no shortage of them! Almost every business featured some kind of alien reference. For example, we spotted the spaceship-shaped McDonald’s and the giant green alien holding up the Dunkin’ Donuts sign. The town even boasts a dedicated Alien Apparel Shop and an Alien Museum. This little town definitely embraces its alien reputation, making it a fun little town to explore.