Written by John Morris, WheelchairTravel.org
Introduction to Wheelchair Accessible Roswell
Do you believe in aliens? If so, the City of Roswell, New Mexico is the place for you. Home to the International UFO Museum and Research Center, the city became a popular tourist destination after a 1947 incident in which an alien spacecraft allegedly crashed about 75 miles from the city. Investigators believe that a weather balloon was the culprit, but I’ll offer no opinion here as to the veracity of those claims. Travel to Roswell, explore the museums and decide for yourself.
Roswell has a population of less than 50,000 people and as such the accessible infrastructure is limited. You won’t find wheelchair taxis (non-emergency medical transportation can be arranged), but I managed to have an enjoyable trip using only the city’s public transportation system. Roswell was a unique trip for me, as I’m typically a big city traveler. Using this guide to the wheelchair accessibility of Roswell, New Mexico, you too can enjoy a unique trip to a place that’s a bit off the beaten path.
Attractions & Sights – Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell’s top attractions can be explored in a couple of days and, if you’re bringing or renting a vehicle, you can knock it out in one. With a UFO Museum, planetarium and a zoo, you won’t have difficulty building an accessible travel itinerary in Roswell.
In addition to the information contained in this guide, the Roswell Visitor Center, located at 426 N. Main Street, is staffed daily with local experts who can make suggestions about things to see and places to eat. They were helpful to me in selecting some local restaurants to try — and the visitor center also has accessible bathrooms.
International UFO Museum and Research Center
Opened in 1991, the International UFO Museum and Research Center welcomes visitors who would like to learn more about the 1947 incident that put the city on the map. Exhibits recount the history of the alleged UFO crash, with news clippings and first-person audio recordings and interviews with the people who were there. Many of the visitors to this place believe that a bona fide UFO did crash, and they wonder where the extra terrestrial(s) are today.
