Roswell, the county seat of Chaves County, is a small city situated in the High Great Plains in the southeastern portion of the US state of New Mexico. Established in 1871 as a trading post by a Nebraskan businessman Van C. Smith, and named after his father, Roswell Smith, the town quickly grew. Recipient of the All-America City Award several times, Roswell’s economy is primarily driven by New Mexico and American tourism with many museums and businesses on aerospace engineering and ufology.
Those into extraterrestrials will love the many UFO-themed attractions in the heart of downtown Roswell. Take a trip to the International UFO Museum and Research Center to explore several exhibits focused on the history of UFO encounters in Roswell Museum. The Bricktown: Alien Attack is another tourist attraction signature to Roswell, with displays, interactive activities, and a gift store. For an out-of-this-world experience, a virtual reality outing at Spaceport Roswell is ideal. You will also find that the Roswell UFO Spacewalk, a retro-like alien art exhibit, is also intriguing. The downtown area hosts the annual Roswell UFO Festival with guest speakers and panels, live entertainment, costume contests, and a parade.
Other points of interest in Roswell include the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, the Roswell Museum, and the Walker Aviation Museum. A visit to Roswell is incomplete without a stop at Fatman’s Beef Jerky. Pecos Flavors Winery & Bistro is a must-visit dining and wine-tasting destination too. Or, show off your creative artistic side at Imagine That! Scrapbooks & Gifts, then stop by Casa Bella Boutique for a pleasant shopping experience in downtown Roswell.