Last updated on .
Roswell, New Mexico, is one of those places that initially comes off cheesy and only for UFO conspiracy lovers. In reality, it’s much more than aliens and UFOs.
Thanks to the infamous UFO incident back in 1947, aliens and UFOs dominate the theme for most of the city, but Roswell also has cultural attractions and makes a great base for nearby natural destinations as well. I admit, we went for the aliens, but we’ll return for the nature one day. Nearby is Bottomless Lakes State Park, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and a bird sanctuary. There are recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, ATVs, and more.
Roswell Air Center
While we drove to Roswell, the city’s airport is served by American Eagle flights from Dallas and Phoenix (as of October 2023). The nearest major airports are in Albuquerque and El Paso.
Roswell Inn
We stayed one night at the Roswell Inn, which is just north of downtown on Main Street. They have clean, comfortable rooms at reasonable prices with a simple breakfast included. Staff was friendly and helpful. I would be happy to stay there again.
Portofino
Our only meal in town was at Portofino, an Italian restaurant with delicious pasta dishes. I had a penne arrabbiata and enjoyed it very much. They also have pizza, chicken, seafood, and veal dishes.
