Location: Roswell
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What to do and see in Roswell, New Mexico (NM): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Known mostly through myths about aliens and UFOs, there's more to Roswell than mystery and innuendo. No matter what your interests: archaeological and historical sites, special and sporting events, museums, arts and culture, Roswell is a great place for a weekend jaunt. More than anything, the area offers a multitude of outdoor activities, from bird watching and fishing at the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge to swimming and boating at Bottomless Lakes State Park. Families will love the Spring River Park and Zoo, which features a special fishing lake for children, exotic animals and an antique carousel. There's plenty to do inside as well. The Roswell Museum and Art Center will appeal to anyone with an interest in Southwestern painters like Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth. History enthusiasts will enjoy the Historical Center of Southeast New Mexico, a grand house filled with area antiques, artifacts and a changing gallery of historical exhibits. Of course a visit to Roswell would not be complete without a stop at the International UFO Museum and Research Center, where you can find out what really happened when "something" crashed near Roswell in 1947 or maybe not.
Restaurants in Roswell
1. Roswell UFO Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 293 reviews
Roswell UFO Tours are no longer offered as Dennis Balthaser, UFO Researcher and Tour Guide has retired. Thank you for the many enthusiastic tour groups and wonderful tours! We are working on a self-guided tour which will be offered SUMMER 2021 - check our website for details.
2. Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Fan7856
The historical center is a lovely house built in the early-1900's. Admission is free (but donations accepted). The staff are very gracious and welcoming. We opted for a guided tour. The tour includes a short film, which provides a glimpse into the rich history of Roswell and adds to the guide's in-depth knowledge of the house. It does not take long to go through the house, but is a must-do if you are visiting Roswell.
3. Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By bradk578
Intro - I have noticed how little problem there was shifting our culture frame of reference for dating historical time from the more narrow BC or Before Christ to the broader BCE, Before Current Era. Not so when it comes to Art. I have never understood how Edwardian Era art critics managed to get a perpetual copyright to the term "modern" for their particular hundred year old artistic epoch. Until such times as the term modern in modern art is used in quotes with a slight eye roll, the term Contemporary as in the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art will do. Why I think the Anderson Museum is showing 21st Century Master Pieces: In the medieval guild system, a masterpiece was an example of work of such quality that it would prove ones qualifications to be an acknowledged Master of your craft. The Anderson Museum exhibits the work of artists-in-residence who are given a house, a studio, a stipend and a year to do art. Once all the excuses have been removed, the artist is left with only their naked show us what you got craftsmanship and creativity. In my opinion, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art is filled with examples of the artist pouring everything they had to give into their work. The artists have prepared and presented their masterpieces and we are the judges. Entrance is by donation and I found myself digging a bit deeper than I typically do. The museum is deserving of your visit and the work deserving of your attention and respect.
4. Roswell Museum & Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Founded in 1937, the Roswell Museum and Art Center is home to an extensive collection of southwestern art, the equipment and workshop of pioneering rocketeer Robert H. Goddard, and the Rogers Aston Collection of the American West, which encompasses historical southwestern artifacts spanning from the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries.
Reviewed By K8732TBdanielb - Roswell, United States
Roswell has the best hidden secret in the Pecos Valley. This Museum has a touch of the Old West with the Aston Collection, one of the finest collections of Indian and Cowboy memorabilia in all of New Mexico, plus Art of Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth. Next is the Space work of Robert Goddard. Finishing it all off is the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium. Plan for couple hours to see it all. You will be amazed
5. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Home to thousands of migratory birds, deer, bob cats and badgers, visitors to this refuge can view and photgraph wildlife from several observation platforms.
Reviewed By VJ7250 - Menahga, United States
We have been amazed at all the wildlife (particularly the birds) on the refuge. There is a nice welcome center with exhibits and an auditorium with a movie on the area and dragonflies (only like 20 minutes long). In addition, there is a scenic drive, like 7 plus miles for viewing. There are also some hiking trails, just watch for the snakes in season. Well worth your time, particularly if you are interested in birds (the sandhill cranes and snow geese are currently in!!!)
6. Pecos Flavors Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
Featuring New Mexico wines,New Mexico beers, gourmet foods and gifts. . Local entertainment on occasion. Tastings offered M-Sat 10AM-5PM. Wine Bar open M-Thu 10AM-7pm & Fri / Sat 10AM - 8pm.
Reviewed By drat1047 - Oklahoma City, United States
We hung out here for wine and had the best sweet/spicy green chili sauce over cream cheese. The local New Mexico wines were really very good. We purchased several bottles to take with us.
7. International UFO Museum and Research Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,592 reviews
This museum contains a diorama and a film of the "official" autopsy of the alien bodies after the 1947 crash.
Reviewed By daydreamstodesign - Chattanooga, United States
This Museum is extremely interesting! It has many saved newspaper clippings, pictures, and documented testimonies about the crash landing in Roswell 75 years ago. If you enjoy reading, you would enjoy this place! This is a self-guided tour. We had a 1 year old and a 9 year old with us and they both seemed more interested in the displays than the documentation. They had a really neat alien display that "came to life" where the space ship lights up and the kids loved it. The museum overall is very organized and worth going if you are in Roswell. If you have kids they will enjoy the displays. There is a gift shop at the end of the museum that has a lot of fun alien souvenirs.
8. Spring River Park and Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By cindygJ5325SF
This zoo is amazing with a lot of information about the animals along with a great part and picnic area
9. Bottomless Lakes State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 399 reviews
Reviewed By l-_-Sheila-_-l - Austin, United States
Glad we drove to Bottomless Lake State Park and wondered around for a couple of hours. Most enjoyable part is the Mirror lake - don't miss it You can hike all the way down to the water. Pretty color especially with the contrast of red rock and blue sky.
10. Roswell Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 154 reviews
The Visitors Center provides hospitality to tourists and is an economic driver that promotes local and state attractions and events, and provides information and resources to Roswell visitors. It is the official trademark retail shop for the City of Roswell where visitors and community members can purchase “official” City of Roswell branded items in person and at shop.seeroswell.com. The Visitors Center is part of organizing and collaborating on statewide tourism initiatives like FAM tours, Group Tours, Go-Planners and also supports special events organized by the City’s Public Affairs team.
Reviewed By 567daled - Lawson, United States
The ladies here were very helpful and answered our questions. We had our picture taken with alien statues for free and bought some inexpensive gifts for our family. Recommend stopping here first..
