The Aliens Are Coming! 7 Places to Spot a UFO

(Courtesy: SalChiChandom)

If the movie E.T. scared the bejesus out of you, stop reading. But if you loved that friendly extraterrestrial and crave a close encounter of your own kinds, then you’ve come to the right place. We all know about the Roswell UFO incident, but as it turns out, there are plenty of other hot spots around the country to hobnob with little green men. Here, our seven favorite places to run into an alien in the United States.

Sedona, Arizona

If you’re looking for a Mork to your Mindy, try visiting Sedona. The city is full of vortex sites that allegedly increase and concentrate the earth’s energy. These energy fields attract Zen-types looking for a spiritual awakening and UFO’s looking for … who knows what? Kim Carlsberg is a UFO researcher who facilitates nightly sky tours in the area. Her website claims that every tour sees a UFO, but even if you don’t, you’ll at least leave Sedona with your aura aligned.

Location of a UFO sighting in Sedona, Arizona. (Photo: Anne Barber on Flickr)

Dundee, Wisconsin

Ever meet a man who is half-alien? Want to? Dundee experiences so many UFO sightings that locals host an event every July called “UFO Daze,” to talk about their sightings. They congregate at a local bar called “Benson’s Hideaway,” and its owner, Bill Benson, couldn’t be prouder of his extraterrestrial clientele. “We have a guy who claims he’s an alien,” Benson boasts. “Some of the other guys claim they’ve been up in the ships and so forth … and I can’t say they haven’t. It sure sounds convincing!“

Rachel, Nevada

Forget Route 66, Highway 375 is the place to get your kicks! Nicknamed “Extraterrestrial Highway,” this stretch of road in Rachel—located just 25 miles south of Nevada’s infamous “Area 51”—is a hot bed for alien activity. UFO seekers flock here from near and far, and locals take pride in the history of their city. There’s even a popular bar and grill called “Little A’Le’Inn” (get it? Little Alien!). So, as you’re driving on the open road, keep your hands at 10 and two, and your eyes toward the sky.

Highway 375 in Nevada, aka the “Extraterrestrial Highway.” ( Photo: AP)

Westmoreland, Pennsylvania

In 1965, an orange metallic object fell from the sky and landed in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania. Several people in the community saw it, but whatever “It” was got swooped away by the military, never to be seen again. Nearly 50 years later, locals in Westmoreland County are still reporting regular sightings—from triangle-shaped hovercrafts to large spinning objects. Maybe aliens are just fans of the east coast? Or perhaps they are returning in search of their lost ship? Aliens are a frugal species.

UFO monument in Kecksburg, PA. ( Photo: romaryka on Flickr)

Mount Adams, Washington

Mount Adams is a stratovolcano located in Yakima County, Washington- an area that regularly ranks in the top five for UFO sightings per capita. Snuggled in the base of the mountain is a small ranch owned by James Gilliland, who says that running into a UFO is not a rare occurrence. “Ships come here almost every night,” says Gilliland. “I just filmed some yesterday.”

UFO seen above Mount Adams, taken from James Gilliland’s ranch. (Courtesy: ECETI Ranch)

San Luis Valley, Colorado

If you build it, they will come. In 2000, Judy Messoline set up an UFO watchtower on her property in San Luis Valley, an area that has been populated with UFO stories since the 1600’s. Judy has reported seeing quick-moving lights, bizarre cigar-shaped objects, and flying saucers. And for a $2 admission fee, you can join Judy and witness the spectacular show in the sky for yourself. “I like to share this experience with other people,” says Messoline. “It’s nice to know I’m not hallucinating.”

Judy Messoline’s UFO watchtower, in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, just outside Hooper. (Photo: Larry Lamsa on Flickr)

Dulce, New Mexico

Ok, this last one is a bit of a long shot, but if it’s true, it could be amazing! It’s rumored that there’s a secret underground facility below the Archuleta Mesa, where aliens and human beings work side-by-side to carry out experiments. Crazy right?! Fueling the rumor is the fact that, from time to time, odd lights can be seen hovering above the mesa. There’s no real proof of its existence, but if you’re brave, try hanging out near the mesa and maybe you’ll catch an alien on a smoke break.

Alien evidence? An ammo case with a decal rumored to represent a top secret, jointly controlled (aliens and U.S. Government) underground genetics testing lab located in Dulce, New Mexico. (Photo and caption: The Lone Gunman on Flickr)

Bonus! If you’re in New Mexico, try to find Shirley MacLaine’s house. She lives there, and from interviews, it sounds like she’s basically hanging out with aliens every night.

Brittany Jones-Cooper is a reporter, blogger and producer based in New York City. She has contributed to Katie, Today.com, iVillage.com, and The Daily Beast. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.