“We’re fascinated with alien visualization in American culture,” McClary says.

“Our trip actually coincided with the CIA’s long-awaited declassification of their UFO-related documents.”

We want to believe.

An alien statue at the Alien Research Center gift shop

Allie + Jesse

“TheAlien Research Centeris the self-proclaimed ‘Gateway to the E.T.

It’s really a gift shop, but it has some exhibits about Area 51 history.

you could see this two-story alien made of sheet metal from the road.”

Pair of photos showing an Extraterrestrial Highway road sign, and slot machines at the Mizpah hotel

Allie + Jesse

“The Mizpah Hotelopened in 1907 as a social club for the booming silver-mining town of Tonopah.

Now it has 52 rooms, a full bar, and a restaurant, plus slot machines.

We liked the contrast with the old Western wallpaper.”

The interior of an alien themed restaurant

Allie + Jesse

“We stopped for Alien Burgers at theLittle A’Le’Inn, an inn, bar, and restaurant.

We loved the illustrations of UFOs on top of the hutch.”

Fresh Jerky, in Hiko, was a must-stop.

A Donald Trump alien themed fortune teller game in an alien-themed shop

Allie + Jesse

A modified Zoltar fortune-telling machine inside the store sounded exactly like Trump."

“This is the so-calledBlack Mailbox, in Rachel.

Originally, it was a legitimate postal box belonging to a rancher who lived close to Area 51.

A novelty mailbox roadside in the desert

Allie + Jesse