While most Americans may associate Roswell with space aliens and UFOs, there’s more to the Roswell lifestyle in this city of just under 50,000 people. That includes hiking, biking, golfing, hunting, and so much more.
Outdoor Opportunities and More – Roswell Lifestyle
The city is located in the High Great Plains of southeastern New Mexico, about seven miles west of the Pecos River and about 200 miles from Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Outdoor enthusiasts can experience the Roswell lifestyle just a few miles outside of town where there are many great excursions to choose from. Bottomless Lakes State Park is 14 miles southeast of town. The water features a greenish-blue hue because of aquatic plants, giving the lakes a “bottomless” look. The lakes are actually sinkholes with depths of up to 90 feet. The park is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, camping, fishing, having a picnic, swimming, hiking, biking, birding, even SCUBA diving. 
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge also offers another unique outdoor experience. The property encompasses 24,563 acres with grasslands, shrubs, sand dunes, brushy bottomlands, red plateaus, bubbling springs, and desert wildlife. The refuge hosts the annual Dragonfly Festival each September.
For a golfing getaway, check out Nancy Lopez Golf Course at Spring River. The golfing legend graduated from Roswell’s Goddard High School and won the New Mexico Women’s Amateur in 1969 at age 12. She went on to again win that event in 1970 and ‘71 as well before embarking on an illustrious pro career. Other golf options include the Roswell Country Club and New Mexico Military Institute Golf Course.
Shopping and Museums in Downtown Roswell
Those who enjoy shopping may want to hit downtown, where eclectic stores and antique shops await. Other popular spots include the Roswell Museum and Art Center with works featuring the American Southwest and the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art for diverse works among 12 galleries.
Space Invaders Too
While there is plenty to do in the city, a look back at Roswell’s “unique” UFO history can also be fun. The notion of being home to visitors from another planet dates back to July 1947. This is when a spaceship supposedly crashed near town and was covered up by the federal government.
The Air Force reported in 1994 that the object was actually part of a secret nuclear test surveillance balloon. Despite that, many believers in the UFO theory remain. The incident even inspired the television show Roswell, which ran on the WB and UPN networks for three seasons and is now popular on Netflix.
The city has embraced “little green men” and the entire space invader theme as a part of the Roswell lifestyle. Visitors can check out the UFO Museum and Research Center with exhibits about what has become known as the “Roswell Incident.” Other UFO-themed tourist stops include the UFO Spacewalk, Spaceport virtual reality experience, Area 52 Tactical Laser Tag, and more.
The annual UFO Festival attracts believers from around the world each summer. Roswell even boasts a flying saucer-shaped McDonald’s.
Posted by Ruidoso.com
