Roswell, New Mexico- Alien Encounter of the Worst Kind

ALERT, ALERT, ALERT! THE CITY OF ROSWELL, NM IS UNDER ATTACK!

The following is strictly an opinion piece meant for (mostly) humor. I expect many people (like my husband) will disagree with me and that’s okay. I stand behind what I’m about to say.

Roswell, New Mexico is an alien encounter of the worst kind.

I know, I know. To each his own. I’m not really judging. Every place has to be known for something, I guess. The small city of Roswell (estimated population 48,000) is located in the high plains of southeast New Mexico. In case you didn’t know, its distinguished nickname is “UFO Capital of the World”. No joke. And that’s exactly why I didn’t include Roswell in my official New Mexico travel itinerary.

Can you believe a place known as the “UFO Capital of the World” is on some people’s bucket lists? And not even at the bottom of the bucket!

Thousands of people descend on Roswell, New Mexico every year for the renowned UFO Festival and Galacticon. (Reknowned in some spheres, anyway.) In 2023, the festival’s attendance was over 3,000 people- equal to about 6% of Roswell’s entire population. I’m astounded over 3,000 people believe there’s no better place on the planet worth visiting on summer vacation.

And the Roswell Skip Site? The name says it all. More about that later.

If you can’t tell, the whole UFO/alien thing isn’t my passion. I’m super excited for you if it’s yours. You’ll love Roswell, New Mexico, and I encourage you to go. (But we should probably never travel together.) I’m just saying if you’re thinking about visiting Roswell, be sure you’re thinking for yourself.

Are you like me and not interested in the extra-terrestrial at all? Maybe you’re more into super natural wonders instead of the supernatural sort. Skip to What I Would Have Done in Roswell.

How Can I Forget?

Please, please tell me.

The Bird

The most memorable thing I saw in Roswell, NM was a pitiful injured bird at the John Simpson Chisum statue in the town plaza. I’m totally serious. Poor little thing had a broken wing that would probably keep it grounded forever, and I was so sad. (Maybe aliens had something to do with it.)

I know in the photo I look like I’m happy about the suffering of this innocent creature. I’m also very familiar with this particular smile of mine and it translates, “I’m done. Can we leave now?”

And who is John Simpson Chisum, anyway? After our trip, I found out he was a major player in cattle-ranching and the development of the American frontier. There you go.

This photo of the statue is pretty funny considering the angle. Art is open to interpretation, right? My interpretation is that Chisum is using his hat to shield himself from the assault on his eyes- all those green and white, almond-eyed heads defiling everything imaginable– streetlights, storefronts, major fast-food franchises. I totally get it.

Here’s Your Sign

Okay, the Dunkin’ sign is kind of cool, but is it alone worth a stop in Roswell? Not even a quick one. (There are better donuts at the Roswell Donut Shop at 312 W. 2nd St., anyway.) I recommend seeing the sign and skipping the donuts. You can get a Dunkin’ anywhere.

Did you see the McDonald’s designed to look like a UFO behind the Dunkin’ sign? I stopped there for coffee- medium, four sugar, four cream. The coffee was the best thing I saw in Roswell. Here’s a better photo- of the restaurant, not the coffee.

The Locals

And here are two other wish-I-could-forget things I saw in Roswell. Really? Did I really pose with an alien? I’m so disappointed with myself. The alien on the left was inside the Roswell Visitor Center. Can you tell we’re a couple? A couple of idiots.

*I’ll admit there was some cute merch in the visitor center’s gift shop if you’re looking for extra-terrestrial mementos. I was not.

What appeared to be a friendly alien (you never know with aliens) tried to wave me down outside a Mexican restaurant. She was trying to take control of my mind, I’m sure of it. I could feel her magnetic force pulling me toward the restaurant, but I was not eating chips and queso at 9:30 AM. Her malicious scheme didn’t work, because I refused to make eye contact. I do watch some tv.

Roswell Skip Site = I Skipped It.

With the government’s debunking of the whole “Roswell Incident”, I was surprised the Bureau of Land Management actually has a site dedicated to it. It’s called the “Alleged UFO Skip Site“. There’s even a hiking trail out to the place some people refuse to disbelieve a UFO crashed. If interested in seeing the site, you’ll basically hike out in the New Mexico desert and… that’s it.

Are there really still people asking this question, “Fact or Fiction?”

Fiction. Fiction. Fiction.

I’ll never buy the 1947 government cover-up of aliens landing in Roswell or anywhere else at any other time. I’m not saying I eschew the idea there may be other beings in the universe. I just don’t believe they came here for a visit- yet.

And neither does the government. Allegedly.

But I get it. Humans are fascinated by mystery and conspiracy. Consumed by it, even. Aliens probably are, too. There’s probably another town on another planet in another universe getting lots of tourism revenue from its population’s fascination with the possibility of humans existing far, far away. I’m sure they’re selling airbrushed T-shirts, souvenir thimbles, and bumper stickers to the masses just like we are.

If you aren’t familiar with the Roswell conspiracy, you can read about it on the People.com website article, Unsolved Mysteries: The True Story of the Roswell UFO Incident. See what you think. It’s interesting. But the original story is fiction. You know it is.

So, Now That You Know My Truth About Roswell

You still want to visit? That’s great! More power to you! Discount all of my negativity. To fulfill all your alien dreams, check out these popular spots:

👽International UFO Museum and Research Center

The International UFO Museum is an inexpensive attraction, for sure. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-15 (free for children under 5), and $5 for seniors and military.

The museum is dedicated to educating you about the 1947 Roswell conspiracy. Enjoy.

For more information, visit the International UFO Museum’s website.

👽 UFO Spacewalk

Again, a very inexpensive attraction that’s good for families. For $6 you can walk through a blacklight spaceship art installation that transports you to an alien’s world. Beam yourself over to UFO Spacewalk’s Facebook page to learn more.

👽 Alien Zone

And yet another value. Alien Zone is especially popular for kids. For the low price of $5, you get to immerse yourself in a photo-op galaxy for dummies- alien dummies, that is. For fun, silly photos you might want to stop. I wouldn’t, but it’s cheap, so you should go for it. For more information, visit Alien Zone’s Facebook page.

Where to Get an Out-of-this-World Treat

If you’re craving something sweet, Caliche’s Frozen Custard is a must-stop. “Caliche” is a Spanish word synonymous with “concrete”. Why do frozen custard shops often refer to their blended treats as “concretes”? Because the custard is so thick it can’t be poured out of the cup. Try Caliche’s Green Chile Sundae if you’re feeling adventurous. Caliche’s makes their own topping from locally grown green chiles.

*New Mexico is the largest green chile producer in America, and proud of it. You’ll find green chile flavored creations all across the state.

Is There More to Roswell Than Aliens?

Apparently. Roswell’s becoming known for more than its alien invasion. In fact, New Mexico’s fifth most populous city has become the new home for the National Championship Air Races and Air Show (NCAR). The first NCAR event is slated for September 2025. Now, that’s something I could get into. Air shows are always fun to watch. Check out the NCAR website for more information.

Roswell is also gaining a reputation as an eclectic artists’ enclave. The Roswell Artist-in-Residence program (RAiR) provides grants for artists to live in the city for one year, focus on their crafts, and get paid while doing it. Even the artists’ families are allowed to live there! This rare (RAiR) opportunity is drawing artists from all over the globe. The works of former grant fellows are displayed in the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art– also a place worthy of a visit if you like that sort of thing. I do.

There are other art galleries/museums in Roswell, too including Bone Springs Art Gallery, The Gallery at Main Street, and the Roswell Museum. (The Roswell Museum as of February 2025 is temporarily closed due to flood damage. Check the website for updates on re-opening.)

What I Would Have Done in Roswell

Why didn’t I know about these two places? Because I didn’t do any research on Roswell, that’s why. I thought it was only about aliens! Roswell was just supposed to be a bathroom break on our way from Carlsbad Caverns National Park in Carlsbad, NM to Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Canyon, TX. But these two places? These are two places I definitely would have checked out.

Bottomless Lakes State Park

Comprised of 7 picturesque sinkhole lakes and lots of red rock, Bottomless Lakes State Park offers hiking trails, kayak/canoe/SUP rentals, a 3.5 mile (approx. 6 km) cycling trail, and paved roads that are perfect for cycling, too. I’m so bummed I didn’t know about this park. The lakes would have been a great stop- and I even had my bike with me! We really missed out on this one. Check out the Bottomless Lakes State Park link above for more information.

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

With 6 hiking trails and endless opportunities to see native wildlife, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is my kind of place. Look at those red bluffs! The Refuge also offers guided endangered species tours on a limited, reservation-only basis. Check the link above for more information.

I think if I’d known about Bottomless Lakes State Park and Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, we might have stayed the night in Roswell and pushed Palo Duro to the next day. No, we definitely would have. C’est la vie, I suppose.

Will I Ever Risk a Future Encounter?

Barring being beamed up and dropped in Roswell by aliens? Probably not. But Carlsbad Caverns National Park and White Sands National Park (both in southern New Mexico) are places I’d never turn down the opportunity to see again, and they aren’t all that far from Roswell. So, who knows? Maybe I will give Roswell another shot. Maybe.

*Carlsbad and White Sands National Parks should not be missed if you’re making a trip to Roswell. Both are incredible! Come to think of it, White Sands National Park does resemble another planet, so you alien folks are bound to love it. Here are photos of each park.

Even if I never visit Roswell again, I will go back to New Mexico. In fact, I’ll be there in the summer of 2025 to visit El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, and Kasha-Katuwe (Tent Rocks) National Monument. I can’t wait!

Thanks for reading!

For more New Mexico adventures, follow the trail to (Not) Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico and Chaco Canyon-The Best Ruins in New Mexico.

From My Library

I read this book when I was thirteen. It was the first adult level book I recall reading, and it haunted me for days! Although The Tommyknockers didn’t make me believe aliens were going to show up, it did trigger a lifelong appreciation of Stephen King. I’m fairly certain this will be the only alien related book I’ll ever read.

If you have suggestions for a good alien story, let me know in the comments. I might read it.