Places to see in roswell new mexico

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

11 Close Encounters With Aliens and Explosions in New Mexico

In the arid and remote expanses of New Mexico's landscape, booms and zooms abound. From the volatile effects of the Manhattan Project to the otherworldly possibilities of Roswell's UFO, the Land of Enchantment has never shied away from the controversial or far-reaching. Here are several places to encounter those legacies across this southwestern state. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore America’s wonders. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask.

Table of Contents Show

Atlas Obscura Itineraries
11 Close Encounters With Aliens and Explosions in New Mexico
The History of the Roswell Incident
Can you visit the site of the crash?
Things to Do in Roswell and Places to Visit (Besides Aliens)
Where to Stay in Roswell
How to Get to Roswell

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Warning: Due to COVID 19 some information in this article (e.g. operating hours) may not be up-to-date.

“Greetings from Roswell” That’s the message on the postcard we just bought. We are in South-central New Mexico ready to gather all possible information to answer the question: why has a seemingly normal and little-known city like Roswell attracted international attention and become world-famous?

Apparently, some visitors found it really interesting, but these “visitors”, who arrived from afar and with their own means, were not a group of tourists; rather, they were “visitors” from another planet. For a whole series of reasons, the mystery that surrounds Roswell has caused it to become a destination for tourists or those who are simply curious. Its name is also around the world, and while it gives some people shivers, it makes others smile.

Contents

The History of the Roswell Incident
UFO Attractions and Events
- Can you visit the site of the crash?
Things to Do in Roswell and Places to Visit (Besides Aliens)
Where to Stay in Roswell
How to Get to Roswell

The History of the Roswell Incident

On the night of July 2, 1947, in a desert area about 31 miles from the town, not far from Corona, a small village in New Mexico, an unidentified flying object crashed to the ground. It was discovered four days later and in the following 24 hours, a press release from the Walker Air Force Base in Roswell revealed that it was a “flying saucer“, but shortly afterward, an official statement denied this and confirmed that it was actually a balloon probe loaded with dummies that crashed into the ground.

It is not surprising that the ambiguous handling of the incident has aroused anxiety and suspicion in Roswell. In fact, that second statement from the base failed to turn off the spotlight on what happened. Instead, it fueled the general conviction held also by fans of ufology that the government had something sensational, or some big secret to hide. From that moment on, it became the main subject of conversation in Roswell and life was never the same. It is natural for such an event to stimulate people’s imagination, especially when there are witnesses who support the version of the first statement by the Air Force base.

Farmer Mac Brazel, on whose ranch the crash and explosion occurred, could not understand what the fragments found might belong to, and then heard about bodies found in an area beyond his property. He decided to report his findings to the sheriff, who in turn took the remains of the unidentified aircraft to the military base for analysis. It was determined that they could not belong to a missile or another type of aircraft but that they could be parts of a spaceship.

Many people still ask: why was it denied? What is the truth? And why is it denied that the alien bodies found have been secretly moved to the now famous Area 51 Nevada? It must also be said that ufologists had noticed other strange flying objects in the days before the event and subsequently fought, by writing books and conducting investigations, for what in their opinion was the truth about the Roswell incident.

The case has been reopened several times over the years but what is most disturbing is the testimony of Walter Haut, who had issued the first press release from the Air Force base of Roswell. The text, made public after his death, states that the first press release was completely truthful, and goes on to tell how the lieutenant had been forced not to reveal any information about the event and to deny having been a witness. A similar thing happened to a policeman on the Air Force base. He was bound to the utmost secrecy and he received threats that his family would be harmed if he did not comply.

After hypothesizing secret projects, programs to monitor the activities of the Soviet Union as well as espionage activities by Russia towards the USA, nothing has been uncovered and maybe the truth will never come out. At this point, the people of Roswell are probably happy that this has remained a mystery and that their city stays in the spotlight. So let’s go into the town where life-sized sculptures of people from the Wild West go hand in hand with the constant presence of green beings, flying saucers popping up on street corners, and with depictions of aliens on vehicles, in parking lots, on signs, street lamps, shop windows or on front doors, but also in restaurants as a reminder that you might see an alien walk in the restaurant to have dinner.

As you pass the shops, restaurants, and hotels along Main Street, it is hard to ignore the aliens. In addition to souvenirs and pictures that serve as reminders, there are signs like Alien Zone, Outlaw Alien Bike Shop, Galaxy Entertainment, and there is even a McDonald’s Flying Disc. There are those who appreciate the UFO attractions and those who remain indifferent and are here just to take note of the extravagance. Regardless of the many opinions on what happened here, Roswell has managed to create a big business out of this phenomenon.

But the icing on the cake is the International UFO Museum & Research Center (114 N Main St). Inside the atmosphere is both serious and fun, in the sense that the facts are well highlighted, and there are remains, photos, and reports of the time, but there are also sections that treat the subject in a more lighthearted way. The aliens are represented according to the version of who would have seen them before they moved to Area 51. Ufologists or simply those interested in the incident will find it interesting. The museum is open every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The entrance fee is $5 for adults, $3 for people over 65, and $2 for children aged 5 to 15.

It comes as no surprise that Roswell celebrates the UFO Festival on 4th of July weekend (I-285 & 4th St). The theme, as the name mentions, is very clear. The thousands of people who converge in the area of the event pay homage to the aliens in creative ways. There is also a parade and the days are full of activities, live entertainment, games, parades, and costume competitions for everyone, including pets.

Can you visit the site of the crash?

Unfortunately, no. This is because it is said that there are three different places believed to be connected to the Roswell incident. The most famous one, known as Debris Field, is actually closer to Corona than to Roswell and to reach it you have to pass through a privately owned ranch. The “impact” site where the alleged UFO was found on the ground is also on private property.

Things to Do in Roswell and Places to Visit (Besides Aliens)

We think it’s important to let you know the Roswell has other attractions that are not linked to UFOs, even if extraterrestrials represent the main theme in the city. The Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (4200 E Pine Lodge Rd) is a marshy area that is ideal for observing migratory birds and mammals. About 12 miles southeast of Roswell, there is the Bottomless Lakes State Park (545 Bottomless Lakes Rd) with deep blue-green waters from 16 to 89 ft deep where you can go kayaking, canoeing, diving, swimming, fishing, and have a picnic.

The J.Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary (401 N Sycamore Ave) is home to different species of birds that alternate during the seasons, including American robins, Great Blue Herons, black eagles, snow geese, and white-winged doves. At the Spring-River Park & Zoo (1306 E College Blvd), an area that is 14 hectares, you can see bison, prairie dogs, lynxes, lemurs, and longhorns. There is also an old-fashioned carousel with horses, a train that goes around the park, a small lake, a playground for children, and a picnic area.

Where to Stay in Roswell

If you want to spend a night in Roswell scanning the sky to try to see an unidentified flying object whizz by, you can consider staying at one of the many hotels in the city. Click on the link below to see all the options.

Search for a hotel in Roswell

How to Get to Roswell

To reach Roswell we recommend the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (2400 Aviation Dr N.) in Texas about 7 hours away. There are two other airports that are closer (a little over 3 hours away): in Santa Fe, New Mexico (121 Aviation Dr) and in El Paso, Texas (6701 Convair Rd). For the record, there is also a small airport in Roswell (1 Jerry Smith Cir).

Whatever the true story may be, the “Roswell incident” (as it has been defined) is an enigma that still poses many unanswered questions today. The aura of mystery created around this event is understandable and justified. Let the work of the ufologists and scientists continue and let the local community skillfully keep the focus on what happened and consequently the successful collective business. Go and visit Roswell!

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.