Area 51
Points of Interest & LandmarksMilitary Bases & Facilities
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Top-secret military base and sight of alleged UFO sightings.
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4.5
161 reviews
Excellent
93
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40
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20
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4
Terrible
4

Andrew B
Stoke-on-Trent, UK7 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Friends
Not exactly a lot to see but just had to go and a must do on any nerds bucket list!!! The cafe was good and make sure you ask for a map at the cafe to find the Area 51 Base entrance.
Written 3 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hooked_on_travel77
Franklin, NC3,096 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We imagine visiting at night would be quite interesting. During the day it's just another lonely desert road. We still enjoy it. Don't miss the Alien Cowpoke gas station right next to the Little Ale-Inn. The old Plymouth has 'aliens' in it and the gift shop has some different items too, although not very large inside.
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cheryl Gaspard
Lafayette, LA24 contributions
May 2023
My husband and I ( both 70+ ) went to Vegas for a week but only to do the parks around it as neither of us care for gambling or shows. One of the trips we made while there, was to Area 51. We went because ever since we can remember, it's always been a source of intrigue and non of our friends or family have ever been. Of course we had our aluminum tinfoil hats on for photos and we had a good time during the whole trip there. You have to know that as soon as you turn on the road to the gate, that you're being monitored and the Camo Dudes, can probably hear every word you say in your vehicle while driving the road. You can see the vehicles with blacked out windows at a distance so you know they are watching but allow you the pleasure of being silly even if only for the 10-15 minutes you're there. We enjoyed it and can now check it off our " Bucket List "
Written 3 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ben R
Moneymore, UK66 contributions
Nov. 2022 • Couples
I cannot believe I actually was at Area 51. As a huge X files fan it was so exciting to see. We were indeed followed by the mysterious white vans and we managed to see and hear a strange craft of some sort. I doubt it was extraterrestrial, but whatever it was, it was cool to see. The drive out there and all is worth it regardless of your stance on whether or not there is extra terrestrial life. To go from the bright lights and fast pace of the Las Vegas Strip to being in such lonely, secluded desert is fantastic. The Joshua trees are a highlight.

There is definitely something wierd going up there because when you see the actually entrance (which is still miles away from the actual base) along with the security measures taken at it, it's safe to say there is something going on up there they don't want us knowing about. The truth is out there somewhere in that desert!
Written 25 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dean P
4 contributions
Oct. 2022 • Couples
An area that was on my bucket list. Well the back gate any way. It’s a bit of a drive from Las Vegas, was well worth the drive to Rachel NV
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

smcdaniel
Ariton, AL562 contributions
Sep. 2022
As we drove the ET Hwy Area 51 was always to our left. We kept looking for planes or something more other worldly. It's a fun area to say you've been to. Just don't jump the fence.
Written 10 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Torlus
Port Talbot, UK420 contributions
Apr. 2022 • Couples
We went on an excellent tour from Las Vegas in a 4x4 and got to ride comfortably on the long dirt track to the gates.
You can take photos at the gates but can't cross and there isn't really anything to see.
It is an almost 2 hour drive from Vegas. Some would say its not worth the drive, the time and money but if you have time and you are interested, this is an interesting place to stop for 20 minutes or so.
Written 25 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kznate 123
Asheville, NC6 contributions
Jul. 2021
We saw less on this trip then on anything else on our cross-country trip, but it was still one of the highlights of our cross-country trip. Las Vegas was boring, so we left it and heading up the road to Area 51. It was hours to get there, and the Cafe Alie'Inn was waiting for us, with a great little lunch. Then we set off down the dirt road for the gate.

It was just a hoot, driving to this place which has captured the imagination of so many of us over the years. It was a hoot because the road was unpaved, and then it was paved with potholes. Then, when we got there, it was a gate. There were warnings. We felt like we were doing something wrong by being there. It was just a hoot.

Who knows? Maybe the actual secret stuff is going on hundreds of miles to the west. It doesn't matter. We got to the gate, took some photos, and then drove all the way back loving that we'd been there.

I'm not sure if there's a more worthy place to visit that has so little to offer when you get there.
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Falcone Family
San Diego, CA224 contributions
Jul. 2021
This is a trip that I've been wanting to do for years and finally got there! It was worth the wait even though there's no passing the gate, it was just the presence that made it all.
It's really in Rachel Nevada and if you blink you'll miss the whole town. If you're coming from Las Vegas on Extra Terrestrial Highway 375, the only stop sign in the town is on the left at 'Back gate road', turn left and drive about 10 miles down the dirt road until you reach Area 51's back gate. And, of course the opposite side of the road if you're coming from the other direction. :) There's lots of deer in particular on Back Gate Road so please drive slow for your safety. You won't be bothered unless of course you go on any of the property passed the gate which I wouldn't recommend.
Stop by the Cowpoke if you need gas and have lunch at the Ale INN, you won't regret it.
Written 8 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Richard Ash
England, UK1 contribution
May 2020
Been recording here. Great acoustics. The peace and quiet help you focus. An alien decided to sample some of our songs from "Urban Myths". Hope they will include us in the credits.
Written 1 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Area 51: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)