BEYOND CANNABIS: EXPLORING THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN ROSWELL
The city is nestled in the elevated Great Plains of southeastern New Mexico, nearly seven miles to the west of the Pecos River, and roughly 200 miles away from Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
For those who love the outdoors, the Roswell lifestyle offers a variety of wonderful activities. Located 14 miles to the southeast is Bottomless Lakes State Park, distinguished by its green-blue waters, which owe their unique hue to underwater plants, giving the lakes an illusion of being “bottomless.” In reality, these are sinkholes with depths reaching up to 90 feet. It’s an ideal spot for kayaking, canoeing, camping, angling, picnicking, swimming, trail walking, cycling, bird-watching, and even SCUBA diving.
Another exceptional nature spot is Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which spans 24,563 acres. The area features a diverse landscape that includes grasslands, shrubbery, sand hills, low-lying brush, red cliffs, natural springs, and desert fauna. The refuge is also the venue for the yearly Dragonfly Festival every September.
Additionally, the city is only 75 miles from the mountains of Ruidoso.
If golf is more your style, the Nancy Lopez Golf Course at Spring River is a must-visit. The legendary golfer is a Goddard High School alumnus from Roswell and clinched the New Mexico Women’s Amateur title in 1969 at just 12 years old. She went on to claim the same title in 1970 and ’71 before embarking on a successful professional journey. Additional golfing choices are available at the Roswell Country Club and the New Mexico Military Institute Golf Course.
RETAIL AND CULTURE IN ROSWELL’S CITY CENTER
For those with a penchant for shopping, one aspect of the Roswell lifestyle is the city center which features a range of unique boutiques and vintage stores. Additional must-visit venues encompass the Roswell Museum and Art Center, which showcases art focused on the American Southwest, as well as the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, housing a variety of art pieces across its 12 galleries.
THE UFO CONNECTION – a big part of the Roswell Lifestyle
There’s much more to Roswell than meets the eye, and the city’s storied history of extraterrestrial intrigue adds an extra layer of allure. The notion that Roswell is a landing site for beings from another galaxy traces back to July 1947 when a supposed spacecraft reportedly crashed near the community, leading to alleged cover-ups by the federal authorities.
In 1994, the Air Force issued a statement saying the object was in fact a classified nuclear test-monitoring balloon. However, UFO enthusiasts have remained steadfast. This episode even gave birth to the TV series Roswell, aired on the WB and UPN networks, and now enjoys a large following on Netflix.
Roswell has wholly embraced its cosmic reputation, including its “little green men” and broader extraterrestrial theme as part of the unique Roswell lifestyle. Sightseers can explore the UFO Museum and Research Center, which delves into the event often referred to as the “Roswell Incident.” Additional attractions with a UFO focus include the UFO Spacewalk, the Spaceport VR experience, Area 52 Tactical Laser Tag, among others.
Each summer, the UFO Festival draws a global crowd of believers. The city even features a McDonald’s shaped like a flying saucer.
“We aim to ensure visitors leave Roswell feeling gratified—perhaps even having acquired some cannabis in otherworldly company,” Clinton adds.
Posted by LasCruces.com
