Roswell: What To Do, Where To Eat??? 3-Days (Carlsbad, Ruidoso: rent, hotel)

[InTheDesert]

DH has an OSHA class in Roswell for 3-days. Thinking about going with but will need to entertain myself for 3-days. Is there enough to do and see there for me to go with?

I'm into photography (scenery, old buildings, etc), antiquing, thrifting, museums, hiking, site-seeing, good food. I've never been to this part of NM so I feel like I need to go and at least check it out so I can say I've been to Roswell, NM! What should I do?

[Torrey]

If you like the UFO thing, Roswell of course has a lot of cool stuff around on that. I went there on a trip years ago and had a great time. There were two 'UFO Museums' there with lots of cool things to buy, tours, and of course they tell you how to find the Hangar where they put the crashed object after the Army confiscated it.

On another note, there are some pretty darn nice neighborhoods in Roswell. Not what you might expect for a little place in the corner of the state. Darn nice homes..... I was impressed.

[newmex]

Originally Posted by InTheDesert

DH has an OSHA class in Roswell for 3-days. Thinking about going with but will need to entertain myself for 3-days. Is there enough to do and see there for me to go with?

I'm into photography (scenery, old buildings, etc), antiquing, thrifting, museums, hiking, site-seeing, good food. I've never been to this part of NM so I feel like I need to go and at least check it out so I can say I've been to Roswell, NM! What should I do?

When my wife and I went, there is this really cool rummage/thrift warehouse on 380
east just a few blocks out of the main drag on the left. found a little chimnea and some other cool stuff there. Can't miss it for the big silo in back loaded with stuff...there is an army surplus just past it on the left.

There is a good wine cafe across from the UFO museum, where you can taste NM wines.

Keep going east for 10 miles on 380, there is Bottomless Lakes State Park. Deep sinkholes for fishing, camping, and a large lake to swim or picnic.

Carlsbad Caverns is about another 120 miles south of Roswell, or go west to Ruidoso, for casinos, etc.

[InTheDesert]

Awesome! Thank you! I will most definitely be checking out the rummage store and I saw the Bottomless Lakes site, think I will need to go rent a paddle boat, wander if you can paddle those things by yourself! LOL. There is gotta be something cool to do in that town.

[mikus]

Some good new mexican restaurants are Martins Capitol Cafe in downtown, Popos on east mcgaffey or Burrito express on east college. For good italian there is Pasta cafe italian bistro, i hear its one of the best italian restaurants in the state. There is farleys pub and cattle Baron which are all locally owned. I have heard good things about the crash site cafe on west second, Not of this World coffee house and the Roswell cover up cafe in downtown.

[mikus]

was not finished yet!!!
There is also bitterlakes national wildlife refuge close by where you can find the largest amount of dragonfly species, dont know what time of year though. Just about 25-30 minutes west on hwy 70 starts the scenic billy the kid byway at Riverside, nm through the small picturesque river valley towns of Picacho, Tinnie, The Hondo Valley, San Patricio, and
Glencoe into Ruidoso or take Hwy 380 at Hondo into historic Lincoln town. You probably want to travel both, its worth the drive. I'm sure that will provide plenty of pics from scenery to old fruitstands, old lincoln county courthouse, the torreon, mountain views, etc. In San Patricio there is the John meiggs gallery and the Michael Hurd La Rinconada art gallery about 45-50 miles from Roswell.

3 days in Roswell might be a bit too long as of this date so be ready to drive away at least 1 to 1 1/2 hour out.
Then there is the Roswell museum and art center, the Robert Goddard museum of rocketry, and of course the UFO museum which to me is boring and embarrassing but in 2 years when the new one is built, it will be a world class museum. On east college blvd is the Anderson museum of contemporary art which displays art from the Roswell arts residence program. Some city websites that can give you more info are www.roswellnm.org. Roswell also has a big historic district downtown covering 40 blocks with 22 different architectural styles. If you wanna see a play there is the Roswell community Little theater. Depending on what time of year you can check out the Roswell symphony orcestra if thats your thing. The Spring River Park and Zoo is the only free zoo in NM , a good way to kill a few hours....................... Good luck on your 3day stay!!!!

[KalinRoswell]

There are lots of events planned at NMMI leading up to May 12 graduation. Its a really neat place and one where you can see some once in a lifetime things.
Restaurants--the best Italian greasy spoon is Munchies. I wouldn't do the other Italian restaurants. I love Martin's downtown. The UFO museum is pretty cool.
If you have time, Tinnie Silver Dollar is about 45 minutes West of town on US 70. And old Lincoln is only about 20 miles past that for the Billy the Kid fans. Like Mikus, I enjoy Bottomless Lakes, and also there is the Grulla National Wildlife Refuge if you go East on Pine Lodge Road.
Roswell is a neat place to visit and live. The Historic District is definitely worth a visit.

[InTheDesert]

Thanks guys, lots of great ideas! I will definitely be spending lots of time outdoors. I'm not into the UFO thing but will check out the other museums with art. Think I'll spend a day thrifting/antiquing and exploring downtown and the rest of the time exploring the outdoors. Any offroad 4x4 trails out there? Might bring the Jeep. We'll be at the Holiday Inn Express so hopefully that is pretty close to town.

Anyone have a recommendation for the best bar/pub/etc? Looking for a relaxing place to go have beers after DH's class. Outdoor patio a plus.

[mikus]

Some popular bars/pubs are Billy Rays downtown, Farleys pub, Peppers grill downtown is another local favorite with an outside patio. There is Rookies bar inside the Best Western Sally port inn which is near your hotel.
You might want to look into the Haystack mountain area 22 miles NE of Roswell. There is lots of trails for hiking and off highway vehicles. Just thought i would add that Pelicans can be seen at Bitterlakes national wildlife refugee which sounds great...!! wish I was there..!!

[KalinRoswell]

You can take the road out of Tinnie to Arabela and then from Arabela over the mountain to the highway to the north of the Capitans. Its a tough go, but I did it years ago in a Chevy blazer, so your jeep should be able to handle it! The HI-Express is just north of NMMI and in walking distance to several restaurants. Go to Nothing Special ONLY for breakfast as a pointer.