Roswell, New Mexico: Things to Do and SeeRoswell, New Mexico: Things to Do and See
Roswell NM, a small town in New Mexico, is famous for a 1947 UFO crash. While the town fully embraces this phenomenon, it also offers plenty of other things to do and see.
Explore the district to see the Hipped Boxes and Queen Anne houses, and the beautiful Chaves County Courthouse located on Main Street. For art lovers, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art shows work from its Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program.
Cielo Grande Park
Cielo Grande Park is a regional park that has soccer complex, special event area, multi-sport practice areas, playgrounds, and other attractions. It is the perfect place for a family vacation or a group getaway. The 4th of Jul fireworks show is a highlight. It offers beautiful views of the mountains.
This two-bedroom condominium is located less than 10 minutes away from Santa Fe Plaza, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and other attractions. The local shops, restaurants and dog park are all within walking distance. It is a great option for families and couples who want to enjoy everything that Santa Fe has to offer.
Enchanted Lands Park
The park was able to welcome 300,000 kids each summer. Enchanted Lands lost its appeal over time as families began to focus their attention on television and video arcades.
The park was home to more than 20 sculpted concrete buildings, featuring Old English structures that made visitors feel as if they were taking a raft ride to Robinson Crusoe’s Island or going on a teacup ride in Alice and Wonderland. Roger’s beautiful cement work can still be seen throughout the park. The theme park, unlike other family fun parks of its time, was also one of the very first to accept all races.
Pecos Flavors Winery
The Roswell Visitors Center is a great place to visit to find out more about the history of Roswell. The staff is friendly and can offer recommendations for things to see and do in the city. The gift shop sells souvenirs.
If you want to learn more about Roswell’s UFO heritage, you can take a tour of the Area 51 site with Roswell UFO Tours. This is an educational and fun experience for the entire family.
The Roswell Miniatures Museum and Curious Collections is also worth a visit. This museum features a vast collection of miniatures including dollhouses, box houses, antiques, and themed vignettes.
Walker Aviation Museum
The Walker Aviation Museum explores Roswell’s rich military history. Indoor and outdoor displays feature an abundance of aircraft models and photographs, as well as artifacts.
The museum offers guided tours of the old airfield, including its buildings. Visitors can view retired military aircraft such as B-52 bombers, KC-135 tanks and more.
The museum is a great place to see UFOs, but the surrounding area has so much more. The city’s historic district is dotted with bright UFO-themed murals, from small aliens on street corners to full-sized spaceships. In addition, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art showcases southwestern art. The Spring River Park and Zoo features native animals.
Bottomless Lakes State Park
Roswell’s history and UFOs may be a major draw, but there is much more to the town than that. Head to Bottomless Lakes State Park for a fun day of swimming, camping, hiking and fishing.
This state park is located along the eastern bluffs of the Pecos River. The park contains nine lakes: Lazy Lagoon (also known as Cottonwood Lake), Mirror Lake (also known as Figure-Eight Lake), Lost Lake and Devil’s Inkwell. The lakes are not fed by streams, but rather by underground water. Their high evaporation rate causes them to become brackish–more salty than fresh water but less salty than seawater. The park is also home to four endangered species.
Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art
Many of Roswell’s attractions take inspiration from the town’s UFO-inspired history, and whether you’re a fan or on the skeptical side it’s worth visiting. The International UFO Museum & Research Center is a great place to start. You can learn about the 1947 alien crash as well as other sightings.
Visit Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge after the museum to see over 50 species of birds and mammals. Bottomless Lakes State Park is a stunning spot to kayak, fish, and swim.