Roswell, NM Attractions

The International UFO Museum and Research Center has a detailed exhibit on the Roswell Incident, as well as UFO research in general.

The Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art in Roswell has a collection of work by local artists. Over 300 works of art are displayed in 7 galleries. The works were completed by artists who took part in the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program.

The Cahoon Park Swimming Pool is the largest outdoor pool in Roswell, surrounded by parkland.

The Chaves County Historical Museum is housed in a prairie-style house built in 1912. With furnishings that depict 1912 through 1920, the first floor has many original items from the White family.

Exhibits highlight local history with 10,000 photographs of the past, books, and manuscripts as well as newspaper articles dating back to the early 1900's. These displays are housed in a building next to the house.

Eastern New Mexico University is a state institution which offers bachelor and master degrees at the Portales campus and online. This campus is a community college in Roswell.

The General Douglas L McBride Museum in Roswell has free exhibits on military history. The museum, located inside the Enrollment and Development Center, features firearms, static displays, uniforms, insignia, and decorations.

The Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico in Roswell has antiques, artifacts and historical exhibits.

Roswell's oldest school is the New Mexico Military Institute, established in 1891. NMMI is a public coeducational military junior college.

The Robert H Goddard Planetarium is an adjoining wing to the Roswell Museum and Art Center. The Planetarium presents star shows and multimedia programs.

The Roswell Museum and Art Center has 11 galleries representing the art, history and culture of the Southwest.

The Roswell Symphony Orchestra is one of the few all-professional community orchestras in New Mexico.

Spring River Park and Zoo in Roswell has a fishing lake, antique carousel, miniature train ride and animals on display. There is also a free Labor Day performance by the Roswell Symphony Orchestra.

The UFO Enigma Museum is Roswell's oldest UFO museum.

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge occupies 24,520 acres in the Pecos River Valley east of Roswell. There are designated areas for hunting, photography and fishing. Birdwatching is a popular activitiy with over 300 species of birds occupying the area. Seventy natural sinkholes of different shapes and sizes are scattered across the refuge.

Bottomless Lake State Park, located 16 miles southeast of Roswell, has hiking, swimming, fishing and scuba diving.

Dexter is the first small town southeast of Roswell. Established in 1903, it now has a population of 988.

Lake Van is a small lake just east of Dexter, with a fishing dock and boat landing.

The Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center is a research facility and production center for endangered fish. There is also game hunting and bird watching.

Seven miles past Dexter is the town of Hagerman, with a population of 931 at an elevation of 3,419 feet.

The small town of Lake Arthur, which has no lake, gained notoriety in 1977 when local resident Mrs. Rubio claimed to see an image of Jesus Christ on a flour tortilla while making burritos. The tortilla is part of a shrine built by the Rubio family.

The Mescalero Sands Recreation Area east of Roswell has an abundance of wildlife and birdwatching possibilities.

The 9,621 acre Salt Creek Wilderness Area is located within the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern New Mexico.