New Mexico has not coincidentally earned the nickname 'Land of Enchantment'. - ' It is here that the most famous sites associated with alleged UFO sightings throughout the United States are located. The focal point of this cosmic map is undoubtedly Roswell, a city that is forever etched in the history of ufology with its famous 1947 incident.

The Roswell UFO landing site, located in Lincoln County, is where, according to numerous accounts, a mysterious object crashed on July 8, 1947. Initially, the military reported that a 'flying disk' was shot down, only to later change the version of events to a 'weather balloon'. This sudden change in narrative gave rise to one of the most enduring conspiracy theories of the 20th century. Today, the site of the alleged UFO landing is a pilgrimage destination for paranormal enthusiasts from around the world. The site, off-limits to the public for decades, was finally opened to the public in 2018, exactly 71 years after the incident. It's worth noting that the site is not an elaborate tourist attraction - rather, it's an empty, deserted area where visitors can contemplate historical events surrounded by the rugged nature of New Mexico. For many visitors, the mere awareness of being in a place that may have witnessed contact with an extraterrestrial civilization is reason enough to visit.

If you're looking for a more organized way to experience Roswell's cosmic history, be sure to plan a visit during the annual UFO Festival. This event, held in early July in downtown Roswell at 426 N Main St, attracts thousands of attendees from around the world. The festival is held to commemorate the famous 1947 incident and is a true celebration for lovers of alien theories. The program features lectures given by renowned ufologists, exhibitions on UFO sightings, parades featuring costumed aliens, and numerous contests and attractions for the whole family. Of particular interest are panel discussions with witnesses who claim to have had contact with extraterrestrials. The festival is both educational and entertaining - the organizers make sure that the program appeals to both keen researchers of paranormal phenomena and ordinary tourists looking for unusual experiences. Ticket prices are moderate, and many accompanying events are available free of charge.

A slightly less well-known but equally fascinating site is the Aztec UFO Crash Site in Hart Canyon near Aztec. According to witness accounts, another extraterrestrial vehicle crashed at this site in March 1948, just a few months after the Roswell incident. Although the event did not receive as much publicity as the Roswell incident, for many researchers it is an important piece of the puzzle regarding the presence of extraterrestrials on Earth. The crash site is located in a desert area accessed by a bumpy dirt road. Unlike commercial UFO-related attractions, the Aztec Crash Site has retained its rugged, authentic character. The site features a modest obelisk commemorating the event and an information board describing the history of the alleged crash. According to local legends, the bodies of 16 aliens were found in the crashed ship, allegedly taken by the military for secret research. Interestingly, unlike Roswell, where the authorities quickly changed their version of events, in the case of Aztec the official position from the beginning denied any connection between the incident and extraterrestrial technology. For those passionate about the history of UFOs, a visit to the site is a fascinating journey back to the time when America experienced the first wave of mass fascination with unidentified flying objects.

It is worth noting that both Roswell and Aztec offer a very different experience for visitors. While Roswell has transformed its space history into a profitable tourist business, with numerous museums, souvenir stores and UFO-themed restaurants, Aztec remains a much more intimate place, where you can experience history in its raw form, without the commercial environment. This difference makes it worth visiting both places to see the different facets of America's fascination with space mysteries.

Leaving New Mexico and heading west, we find ourselves in Nevada, a state that holds a special place in the minds of UFO theory enthusiasts because of the legendary Area 51. Although the military base itself is closely guarded and off-limits to civilians, several fascinating tourist attractions have sprung up in its vicinity, the most famous of which is the Area 51 Alien Center.

The Area 51 Alien Center, located in Amargosa Valley on the US-95 highway, is much more than a simple souvenir store. This colorful stop on the route between Las Vegas and Area 51 has become a veritable mecca for lovers of alien theories. The center is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., making it accessible even to travelers traversing the desert at unusual times. Even from afar, the building's distinctive architecture with a giant alien standing on the roof attracts attention. The interior is a real paradise for collectors of unusual souvenirs - you'll find everything from classic T-shirts and mugs with images of aliens, to more sophisticated gadgets, such as replicas of spaceships or figurines of famous 'gray visitors'. Of particular interest is a collection of books devoted to conspiracy theories related to Area 51 and alleged contacts between the US government and extraterrestrial civilizations.

In addition to its commercial function, the Area 51 Alien Center also serves as an informal information center for tourists interested in the area's UFO-related attractions. Staff are happy to share tips on the best vantage points near Area 51 and tell local legends about nighttime sightings of mysterious lights in the sky. The center also has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, where you can relax after a long journey through the desert. The menu includes dishes with cosmic names, which adds to the place's charm. Prices are moderate, making the place affordable for any traveler.

Interestingly, the Area 51 Alien Center also has an online museum dedicated to the history of Area 51, which presents numerous theories about what might lie behind the closely guarded gates of the secret military base. From experiments with extraterrestrial technology, to research on advanced aircraft, to testing of psychological weapons, all these hypotheses are presented in an accessible and fascinating way.

Moving further south, we arrive in Scottsdale, Arizona, where we find the UFO Experience, a state-of-the-art tourist attraction offering an interactive experience of an encounter with an extraterrestrial civilization. Located at 9500 East Vía de Ventura, this relatively new attraction uses the latest technology to transport visitors into a world of space encounters.

The UFO Experience is a carefully designed space where a scenario of a close encounter with extraterrestrial beings is recreated using advanced special effects, holographic projections and interactive exhibits. The tour begins with a simulation of a UFO abduction, during which visitors experience the sensation of floating and moving through space. Next, visitors pass through a series of rooms imitating the interior of a spaceship, where they can learn about hypothetical technologies used by the aliens and take part in interactive scientific experiments.

Particularly impressive is the projection room with a 360-degree screen, where a film is shown depicting the history of UFO sightings in the United States, with a special focus on cases from Arizona. It is worth noting that the creators of the attraction tried to balance the entertaining nature of the exhibit with the presentation of actual witness accounts and documents related to UFO research.

Unlike more traditional alien-related attractions, the UFO Experience relies on modernity and interactivity. Instead of static exhibits and information boards, guests actively participate in the narrative, becoming the heroes of their own space adventure. This form of communication makes the attraction particularly popular with younger tourists who are accustomed to dynamic experiences and digital technology. Ticket prices are slightly higher than traditional museums, but most visitors find that the quality of the experience fully justifies the cost of admission.

It is worth noting that both the Area 51 Alien Center and the UFO Experience represent two different approaches to the UFO theme. While the Nevada center relies on the authentic atmosphere of mystery surrounding nearby Area 51 and cultivates traditional notions of aliens, the Arizona attraction relies on modernity and technology, offering a more directed but also more immersive experience. This diversity means that American 'UFO tourism' can appeal to a wide range of audiences - from conspiracy theory enthusiasts to families with children to lovers of modern forms of entertainment.

When traversing the space map of the United States, it's impossible to miss the state of Colorado, home to one of the most unusual UFO sighting attractions - the famous UFO Watchtower. This unique structure, located on CO-17 road in Center, is a prime example of how a local community can turn a fascination with paranormal phenomena into a tourist attraction that draws visitors from around the world.

The UFO Watchtower is an observation platform raised about 3 meters above the ground, offering a panoramic view of the vast San Luis Valley. The site was not chosen at random - the valley has been famous for decades for its numerous reports of sightings of unidentified flying objects. According to local researchers, the specific terrain, minimal light pollution and proximity to a military base make it one of the most active 'UFO corridors' in North America. The tower was founded in 2000 by Judy Messoline, who was initially skeptical of alien stories, but after moving to the San Luis Valley, she experienced several unexplainable phenomena in the sky herself.

What sets UFO Watchtower apart from other alien-related attractions is its authentic, non-commercial nature. You won't find holographic projections or advanced simulators - instead, a simple observation platform, powerful telescopes and an unobstructed view of Colorado's starry sky await you. The tower is open both day and night, although it is the nighttime observations that attract the most enthusiasts. Admission is inexpensive, making the site accessible to any traveler.

A fascinating 'Garden of Energy' has been created around the tower - a space filled with hundreds of personal items left by visitors. According to local legend, the garden is located at the intersection of two powerful energy vortices that are thought to attract extraterrestrial craft. Visitors leave coins, jewelry, photos and other mementos here, believing that the objects will charge with cosmic energy and bring good luck. A walk through the garden is a fascinating journey through the personal stories of people who have visited the site - some items are accompanied by notes describing experiences with UFOs or requests made to space visitors.

A small building at the base of the tower houses a mini-museum and gift store, where you can buy UFO-themed books, local handicrafts and alien-related gadgets. Of particular interest is the guest book, where visitors record their sightings and experiences - so far more than 200 alleged UFO sightings have been documented here. The tower's owner, Judy Messoline, often gives personal tours to visitors, sharing her experiences and knowledge of local sightings.

It is worth noting that the UFO Watchtower is not only a place for ardent ufologists - it is also an excellent astronomical observation point. Minimal light pollution makes it one of the best places in Colorado for observing stars, planets and astronomical phenomena. Regular observing nights are held here, led by professional astronomers who help visitors identify constellations and objects in the sky. This two-pronged activity - combining the fascination of UFOs with astronomical education - means that the tower attracts a diverse range of visitors, from families with children to professional sky researchers.

Comparing all the described UFO sighting sites in the United States, it is clear that each offers a very different experience. Roswell and Aztec in New Mexico focus on historical incidents and legends of spacecraft crashes. Area 51 Alien Center in Nevada is based on the mystery surrounding a nearby military base and conspiracy theories. The UFO Experience in Arizona relies on modern technology and interactive experiences. And UFO Watchtower in Colorado offers an authentic sky-watching experience at a site considered a 'hot spot' for UFO activity.

This diversity makes the U.S. map of UFO sites fascinating for both die-hard believers in alien theories and skeptics looking for unusual tourist attractions. Regardless of personal beliefs, a trip along the trail of these unusual sites is a fascinating lesson in American culture, where the line between science, folklore and pop culture often blurs, creating a unique social phenomenon.

When planning a visit to these places, there are a few practical considerations to keep in mind. Most of them are located in remote, desert regions where tourist infrastructure may be limited. It's a good idea to plan an itinerary that includes several attractions and book accommodations in advance. The best time of year for such a trip is spring or fall, when temperatures in the desert areas of Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico are most favorable. For UFO Watchtower in Colorado, the summer months offer the best conditions for night sky observation. Regardless of the time of year chosen and the specific locations, a trip in the footsteps of American UFO sightings is an unforgettable adventure that allows you to see the United States from a completely different perspective.