Roswell New Mexico is much more than a point on the map of the American Southwest region on the globe. Arguably most recognized for its connections to viewing unidentified flying objects and contact with extraterrestrial beings, this small city has become synonymous with all things strange and unexplained all over the globe. But that apart, Roswell has much more to offer than open secrets about aliens including historical background, beautiful natural beauty and fusion of the Southwestern style.
If you believe in things like UFOs or if you’re just bored from everyday traveling, there are many more reasons to visit Roswell, New Mexico.
A Brief History of Roswell New Mexico
Roswell’s outline is centred in the period of the late 1880ss The town was established by Van C. Smith, a businessman from Missouri in 1871. The city started as a mere trading post that was instrumental in providing products to risers, farmers in the region. In the course of time, Roswell became an agriculturally oriented town because of the water source from the Pecos River and the expansion of cattle trade.
During the initial period of the twentieth century Roswell again found its importance to the world during World War II with the establishment of Roswell Army Air Field for training of bomber crews and later for storing atomic weapons after the war. Nonetheless, the city’s chief fame came in 1947 when something happened that put Roswell on the map for ever.
The Roswell New Mexico UFO Incident
Significantly, many of the current residents credit this city, Roswell, for its development mostly to an event that occurred more than fifty years ago, in the summer of 1947, referring to it as the Roswell UFO Incident. As stated in articles, while on the ranch near the city of Roswell, New Mexico everybody found a strange object and the first report about that it was a flying saucer. The U.S. military was able to withdraw this fast, and instead said that the object which was sighted is just a weather balloon. However, this explanation has not helped to dampen the imaginations and conspiracy theories regarding this issue in all the years since.
Some regard it as being otherworldly and that the federal government of the United States concealed alien presence on earth. This belief grew from what some witnesses saw, wanton government releases, and years of investigation by buffs of UFOs. The “Roswell Incident” is one of the most famous stories concerning UFOs, and people still are interested in the truth and come to the city.
International UFO Museum and Research Centre
One of the biggest reasons guests flock to Roswell is the International UFO Museum and Research Centre based in the downtown area. Initially founded in 1992, the museum specializes in the subject of UFO sightings not only in Roswell but worldwide. Apparently, it offers a combination of provable information, inquiries, and displays illustrating the events of the 1947 accident along with the copies of newspapers and photographs, as well as first-person narratives.
The guest can find out information about aliens, concealed operations, and real-life cosmic programs and apparatus. For the cynic, disillusioned by the whole concept, the museum provides a challenging view at one of the most famous enigmas of the twentieth century.
The Roswell New Mexico UFO Festival
One thing with planning for a trip to Roswell is that if you fitting your travel to coincide with the city’s annual UFO Festival, it will be one for the books! This offbeat, relatively tame UFO-themed festival takes place annually in July in Roswell. Activities in the event are UFO related parades, alien costume competition, guest lectures comprising of scientists and researchers and UFO enthusiasts and besides this there are so many activities.
The festival is popular by attendance across the globe, with people attending dressed like aliens, participating in specific alien themed events and arguing about the existence of aliens on stage. It is a great time to come and explore the city of Roswell, especially for those who will accept the city’s tongue and cheek attitude towards their supposed alien encounters.
Discovering the Nature’s Face of Roswell New Mexico
This is further evidence that there is more to Roswell than an out of control alien circus and is actually a prime starting point to some of the Wickeder area of southern New Mexico. For the nature lovers, it is a place of interest as in the vicinity of this region – San Diego one can hike, watch the birds and leaves belonging to the Chihuahuan desert.
- Bottomless Lakes State Park: Only 14 miles down the southeast of Roswell is one of New Mexico’s most scenic parks-Bottomless Lakes State Park. The park has nine large, deep, natural sunk holes filled with water and turning into blue-green lakes. People can go boating, swimming, fishing and even come with their camping equipment to camp. The wetlands also present a good home for bird admirer since there is always a number of migratory birds seen around the park.
- Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Situated on the Pecos River this will be a sanctuary for migratory birds as well as those listed as endangered. Hence the country has features such as salt flat, Wet land and desert that provide a sneak view on the region’s bio-diversity. In winter, this refuge is a stopping place for thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese and other waterfowl, thus is an important bird watching site all year around for birdwatchers and photos enthusiasts.
- Capitan Mountains and Lincoln National Forest: Just a short drive from Roswell, the Capitan Mountains and Lincoln National Forest are great for hiking, camping and enjoying the magnificient mountain views. However, this area is very historic as far as the town of Lincoln is concern that is mark with a history of Billy the Kid and Lincoln County War.
Exploring the Cultural and Historical sites in Roswell New Mexico
Of course, the legends of UFOs are the main reason people come to Roswell, but there are many cultural and historical sites to visit. The city even has what can be consider a sub culture of southwestern; it is a native American and Hispanic city with a twist of cowboy.
- Roswell Museum and Art Center: This will particularly attract art lovers and anyone who loves art will find Roswell Museum and Art Center particular appealing. Founded in 1935 the museum has a vast collection of American Southwestern art and paintings of Georgia O’ Keeffe, Peter Hurd and other artists. It also the Robert H Goddard Planetarium; with which more information on space travel can be acquire by the guests.
- Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico: Roswell’s local history museum was establish and is house in a beautiful 1912 Victorian mansion; the museum covers the history of Roswell and the region. From Native American cultures through the growth of the ranching industry and the effects of the oil business, there are exhibits on these and other subjects. It also contains countless items based on Roswell Army Air Field and military history of the region.
- Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art: These works and many others can befound in the Anderson museum, which is nestle in Roswell and offers a more modern selection of artwork. The center displays pieces by artists who have been part of Roswell Artist-in-Residence Programme,Start in the 1960s, the program me is one of the most renowned international artists’ residency programmes.
Local Flavors: Roswell – Dining and Shopping
With friends, no Reven visit would be complete without tasting the culture, literally, there’s always good food. New Mexican cuisine is a combination of Native American, Spanish and Mexican’s working new Mexican style food flooding the South western spices together with chile red and green.
- Cattle Baron Steak & Seafood: This is actually a home Fame meat house which specializes in steaks and seafood that give the experience of being in New Mexico ranch.
- Pecos Flavors Winery and Bistro: For visitors who might want to take a breather after some tiring sightseeing, then this is an ideal place for you. It has a variety of wines sourced locally and appetising Southwestern cuisine eaten in style.
- Farley’s Food Fun & Pub: Non-gourmet related, Farley’s is good for parents and children, serving fresh tasty burgers, good smooth beers and wide selection of pub foods with distinct flavours.
When it comes to shopping, tourists can find everything from T-shirts and souvenirs related to UFO sightings, Roswell aliens, and other space related kitsch on Main street and arts and crafts from the Navajo and other tribes. aliens’ and don’t forget to grab something unusual at Alien Zone or Invasion Station souvenir shops.
Conclusion
Roswell may be the city most synonymous with UFOs and extraterrestrial adventures however there are many interesting things to do in Roswell New Mexico. Roswell has many attractions that are definable for its cultural and natural endowment and for its social boom and fairs as well as also for its mouth watering dishes. For the UFO hunter keen on looking for some facts or the tourist looking for a combination of history, geology and adventure, then Roswell is a town that has lots to offer. Therefore, grab your bags and let the adventure unveil some of the best gems of one of America’s fascinating cities.