Check Out the Top Family-Friendly Activities in Roswell, NM

Stephanie DeFranco

Family fun comes in all flavors in Roswell, New Mexico. Peruse this list of places to visit that will keep both parents and kids engaged year-round. 

Parks to Explore

• Poe Corn Park is home to a playground, picnic facilities and a quarter-mile walking path, but the main reason to visit this green space is the Bert Murphy Family Splash Pad, which is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 
• Another free family destination is the Spring River Zoo and Park, which is home to capybaras, llamas, bison and black bears, among others. Discover the five zoo areas on your own or opt for a guided tour with zoo staff. Make a day of it by picnicking at the surrounding park and riding the carousel or miniature train. 
• About 15 miles south of Roswell is Bottomless Lakes State Park, where visitors can fish, swim, scuba dive and kayak on lakes up to 90 feet deep. Rent a pedal boat or paddleboard for time on the water, hike and bike the short trails, and pitch a tent at the park campground for an overnight stay. 
• Just north of the city, the stunning Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge comprises 38 acres of wetlands, sand dunes and grasslands that are home to over 350 species of migrating birds. Free admission makes it easy to return in different seasons (especially during the autumn and spring) to witness flocks of up to 50,000 geese and ducks soar during migration. 
• It’s even easier for parents and kids to stop by the J. Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary and Nature Center in Roswell proper. The sanctuary includes a nature center and bird blind for watching winged neighbors up close. It’s adjacent to the Spring River Trail, a shady, fully paved path that leads to Spring River Zoo. 

Museums to Visit 

• Of course, no mention of Roswell’s offerings can be complete without including the International UFO Museum and Research Center. At just $7 admission for adults and $4 for kids 5 through 15 (ages 4 and under are free), this spot is affordable as well as dog-friendly. 
• Don’t skip the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, whose eclectic collection features works from nearly half a century of Roswell artists in residence. Plus, with free admission, the museum is especially accessible for families. 

Nathan Lambrecht

Festivals to Attend

• There’s no better way to spend a weekend every summer than getting acquainted with aliens at the UFO Festival. Its four days are packed with activities like a drone show, live music, car show, parade and panel discussions. 
• The second-most famous flying object in Roswell must be dragonflies, with an entire Dragonfly Festival dedicated to them each September. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge boasts one of the most diverse populations of insects, in all of North America. Its free annual fest includes guided tours with dragonfly experts, arts and crafts, and raptor and rattlesnake demos. 
• Plan an unforgettable family outing to the National Championship Air Races in September. This fast-paced, action-packed aviation festival features multiple race classes, incredible air show performances and a family-friendly Discovery Zone with interactive exhibits for kids of all ages. 
• Early fall brings the Eastern New Mexico State Fair to Roswell, and the schedule is stuffed with too many family-friendly activities to fully name: a Main Street parade, illusions and magical acts, live music, carnival rides, funnel cakes, fair food, and farm animals are just part of the community celebration. 

Activities to Enjoy

• Join the Roswell Public Library not only to borrow books, audiobooks and DVDs, but to take advantage of its programming, much of which is aimed at young people. The spot is home to weekly bilingual storytime, kids’ reading club, dog-assisted reading therapy, and teens-only gaming and anime clubs, among other offerings. 
• Get moving at the Roswell Recreation and Aquatic Center, where the whole family can swim in an outdoor or indoor pool, lift weights in the fitness room, and get free admission to all youth sports practices and games. Child, adult, family and senior memberships are available by the month, quarter and year with a significant 20% discount for military veterans. 
• From May through July, the Roswell Invaders professional baseball team takes over Joe Bauman Stadium on inviting summer evenings. The Invaders have brought home independent league baseball’s Pecos League Championship four times since the multistate league’s inception in 2011, most recently in 2022, and they remain an affordable way for the whole family to enjoy America’s pastime. 

Courtesy of the New Mexico State Fair