Discover Roswell: Culture, History and Unique Landscapes

Roswell combines culture, history and an unusual landscape at the confluence of the three rivers Spring, Hondo and Pecos. Those looking for a mix of museums, regional history and nature experiences during their vacation can combine different interests here. A vacation rental in Roswell provides a suitable base for incorporating the city’s various facets and surrounding area into your own travel plans.

Museums Spanning Art, Regional History and Space Exploration

The Roswell Museum and Art Center preserves and promotes the art and history of the American Southwest and neighboring regions. The facility covers 50,000 square feet and includes twelve galleries and the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium. Its scope therefore ranges from regional art and history to subjects that extend beyond Earth.

The Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art also has its own distinctive focus. It opened in Roswell in 1994 to showcase works by former participants in the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program. For visitors who want to include contemporary art in their trip, this museum complements the regionally focused exhibitions with another cultural perspective.

The history of the area can also be explored at the McBride Museum. The museum opened to the public in 1985 and has twelve exhibition rooms focusing on the history of the New Mexico Military Institute. On regular weekdays, it is open to the public free of charge from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can take these set hours into account when planning your day.

Historic Sites and an Unusual City Theme

The Historical Society of Southeast New Mexico is housed in a historic home completed in 1912 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum and archive center is accessible only by prior appointment. Anyone wishing to include this insight into the area’s history should therefore arrange an appointment before visiting.

A distinctive side of Roswell is showcased by the International UFO Museum & Research Center. It preserves written, audio and audiovisual materials about the 1947 Roswell Incident and other unexplained phenomena related to UFO research. This makes the museum a destination in its own right for travelers interested in the cultural impact of this subject.

Nature Around Roswell

Roswell also offers opportunities for a varied stay beyond its museums. Bottomless Lakes State Park is located 15 miles southeast of Roswell. It consists of eight lakes that are actually sinkholes formed by collapse. The park offers non-motorized boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and hiking on designated trails. This makes it possible to combine a museum day with time in a unique lake landscape without abandoning the cultural focus of the trip.

The Capitan Trail begins in the river lowlands, where native animals such as raccoons, badgers and great horned owls live. This aspect of the landscape adds a nature-oriented dimension to the picture of Roswell.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Travel Plans?

Plan your visit to the Historical Society museum by making an appointment in advance, and take the McBride Museum’s opening hours into account.

For the broader travel overview: Chaves County.