Area 51

This is a long, dramatic day trip: a loop of roughly 500 miles through the empty heart of Nevada, built around the most talked-about patch of desert on Earth. You start at the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, where the story of secret testing begins. From there you drive north on US-93 to Alamo, turn onto the Extraterrestrial Highway, and follow it past Groom Lake Road and the Black Mailbox to the tiny town of Rachel. Then the route swings west and south through the silver and gold boomtowns of Tonopah, Goldfield and Rhyolite, and returns on US-95 through Amargosa Valley and Indian Springs. Plan on a full day, about twelve hours with stops, or split it with an overnight in Rachel or Tonopah. Fill your tank and your water bottles whenever you can, expect patchy cell coverage, and never cross the boundary of the restricted area. The base itself is closed to everyone.12 stops on this tour:

Atomic Testing Museum - Where the Secrets Begin

Alamo - The Last Town Before the Trail

Alien Research Center - A Silver Sentinel at the Gate

Groom Lake Road - The Line You Do Not Cross

Black Mailbox - Send a Letter to the Stars

Little A'Le'Inn - Aliens Welcome, Burgers Too

Tonopah Mining Park - Silver, Then Secrets

Mizpah Hotel - The Lady in Red Waits Upstairs

Goldfield - Nevada's Biggest City, Once

Rhyolite - A Ghost Town in the Spotlight

Area 51 Alien Center - Last Call for Souvenirs

Indian Springs - Remote Wars, Quiet Town