Filed in archive Destination: Central America by Melissa Petri on August 20, 2007

We are not alone, they say. There is life out there and they are observing us. THEY. You know... Close Encounters of the Third Kind type of THEY. Do you believe that aliens are flying over us in their UFOs?

Some people do. Many don't.

And if you are one of those who belive that there is alien life form outside of earth then you MUST head for area 51 in Nevada.

Featured in many movies, tv series, books and video games, Area 51 is owned by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Air Force. It lies in a remote tract of land in Lincoln County in Nevada, at the southern edge of a dry salt flat called Groom Lake.

Because of the secret which surrounds the real funtion of Area 51, many rumours abound. Among the many theories, the most famous talked about are the UFO conspiracy theories. Facts and myth have been mixed and people are actually confused which is which.

And the fact that Area 51 is closed to the public makes it even more attractive to believers.

You may not be able to make it inside Area 51 but you can try to get as close as possible.

The nearest town is Rachel. You can stay at Little A'Le'Inn. Their in-house gift shop is even alien-oriented.

To get there:

"To get there from Las Vegas, take I-15 north to Highway 93 to Alamo and Ash Springs. North of Ash Springs, take the turn for Rachel onto Highway 318, then onto Highway 375. The state of Nevada, in the spirit of encouraging tourism, renamed a section of Nevada State Highway 375 near Area 51 as "The Extraterrestrial Highway." The highway signs, plastered with spaceship stickers, make great photographs.

At mile marker 34.5 on Highway 375, turn onto Groom Lake Road. The Area 51 boundary is 13 miles down Groom Lake Road. You will be able to see the warning signs, and most likely the "men in black" security guards. Do NOT pass the warning signs, or you will be arrested."

You can also take a guided tour with Adventure Las Vegas. They can bring you up to the entrance of Area 51. Walk around the area during your free day and see what the locals have to say. You might even hear a story or two which could be the type of experience you may be looking for.

sources: wikipedia and California for Visitors