7 Must-Visit UFO Sites and Attractions
Roswell isn’t the only place to chase flying saucers. Texas has its fair share, too, and we’re not talking flipped brisket platters at a backyard barbecue on a windy day. We’re talking legendary sightings, Lone Star landings, and roadside attractions that’ll beam you right on up. Read on for seven of our favorite UFO hot spots across the state.
Aurora Crash Site, Aurora
According to lore, Aurora was a hotbed of UFO activity in the 19th century, with locals claiming a “cigar-shaped” spaceship crashed in the area in the spring of 1897. Among the debris, they found the pilot, who “was not an inhabitant of this world,” the Dallas Morning News reported at the time. Naming him “Ned,” residents buried his remains in the Aurora Cemetery. Today, you can still visit Ned’s tombstone, which was etched with markings of his aircraft.
Futuro House, Royse City
Located on a stretch of Highway 276 in Rockwall County, this orange “spaceship” that’s deteriorating and looks like the remnants of an unsuccessful alien invasion, continues to raise eyebrows. Even though it looks extraterrestrial, it’s actually the product of Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, who channeled fascination in the 1960s Space Race into a string of futuristic tiny homes. Today, the Royse City Futuro House is one of about 60 left standing.
Robert Bruno’s Steel House, Ransom Canyon
A landmark close to Lubbock, this otherworldly home sits on four legs, overlooking Lake Ransom Canyon. The owner, the late Robert Bruno, was a sculptor who created his masterpiece from 150 tons of welded steel beginning in 1974. He continued working on the home until his death in 2008 — and, yes, he actually lived inside it. Now, you can, too, while on vacay, thanks to Airbnb.
Lights Over Stephenville, Stephenville
In January 2008, the residents of Stephenville witnessed one of the most credible mass UFO sightings in U.S. history. The story goes, dozens of residents reported seeing the very same mysterious lights and fast-moving, perfectly silent aircraft on the very same day. The singular occurrence not only made national headlines but was featured on History Channel’s “In Search Of” series and in National Geographic’s top “UFO Hot Spots in the American Southwest.”
The Marfa Lights, Marfa
One of the state’s most curious unsolved mysteries, the Marfa Lights have been puzzling onlookers since the 19th century. They’ve been described as sometimes red, blue, or white, and fast, slow, or distant. Should you want to crane your neck and chance a view of the phenomenon that attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year, point your GPS nine miles east of town on U.S. 90, toward Alpine, and cross your fingers and toes.
UFO Beach Escape Pod, South Padre Island
Perched on a sandy knoll north of SPI’s Beach Access No. 6 Seaside Circle, you’ll find a 14-foot graffiti-covered vessel that resembles something out of a sci-fi movie. Enthusiasts of UFO lore will tell you the capsule was abandoned by little green men sometime around 2003. However, reality paints a different picture — one that proves the craft is an oil rig escape pod that’s been tagged and transformed into a work of art over the years.
Archives of the Impossible, Houston
Every year, Rice University hosts a conference called “Archives of the Impossible,” during which researchers, scientists, and curious thinkers converge in person and online to learn, discuss, and question the impact of unidentified anomalous phenomena on modern culture. If you’re interested in attending, be on the lookout for the 2026 meeting early next year.
For more out-of-this-world fun, visit NASA’s Space Center Houston.
