Things to do
Start with the 1947 story, then choose among contemporary art, aviation history, a family zoo, downtown murals, and the wetlands and sinkholes beyond the city grid.
Roswell essentials
Downtown
The museum collects accounts, documents, newspaper history, theories, and popular culture surrounding the 1947 Roswell Incident and later UFO research. Treat its exhibits as a presentation of claims and evidence, not proof of extraterrestrial visitation.
Contemporary art
More than 500 works made by former Roswell Artist-in-Residence fellows fill twelve galleries. The collection documents a residency program that has brought artists to Roswell since 1967.
Art and rocketry
The city museum is known for New Mexico art, Western collections, and Robert H. Goddard's liquid-fuel rocketry work. A City of Roswell notice says it is temporarily closed due to flood damage; check the official facility page for recovery and reopening updates.
Aviation
A compact museum near the Roswell Air Center terminal interprets Roswell Army Air Field and Walker Air Force Base through photographs and artifacts. Confirm current public access and hours before driving to the terminal.
Families
The free city zoo offers a compact animal stop on East College Boulevard. Check the current city page before visiting; the carousel and train are temporarily closed even while the zoo remains open.
Outdoors
Bitter Lake's wildlife drive and short trails lie northeast of town. Bottomless Lakes puts sinkhole geology, trails, camping, and Lea Lake recreation southeast of Roswell. Choose one for a half day rather than treating both as quick roadside stops.
Build the day
The UFO museum and Main Street form one walkable cluster. Anderson Museum, Spring River Zoo, and the northern hotel corridor require short drives. Reserve a separate half day for either desert oasis.
First visit
Set aside roughly 90 minutes to two hours for the International UFO Museum, then walk Main Street's murals, neon, and themed storefronts. This is the essential pair for visitors who came for the 1947 story.
Art or families
Anderson Museum can fill 90 minutes or more across twelve galleries. Families can continue to Spring River Zoo; aviation enthusiasts should instead drive south to Walker Aviation Museum after confirming its limited public hours.
Half-day choice
Choose Bitter Lake for the wildlife drive and short visitor-center trails. Choose Bottomless Lakes for sinkhole geology, longer trails, or Lea Lake recreation. Skip both on a one-day museum visit rather than rushing the drive and current-condition checks.
A mystery-solving activity centered on a fictional detective case in Roswell.
Robert Goddard's Roswell
Robert H. Goddard conducted important liquid-fueled rocket experiments near Roswell from 1930 to 1942. His workshop and equipment became a central part of the Roswell Museum's science collection. Because the museum is temporarily closed after flood damage, consult the city's official museum page before expecting access to the Goddard galleries.
Official information
