Visit Albuquerque: The Hot Air Ballooning Capital Of The World

With clear blue skies, mild weather, and light winds, Albuquerque New Mexico has become coined the world’s hot air ballooning capital. The New Mexican capital offers immaculate flying conditions and spectacular birds eye views for balloon flights year-round. Any hot air balloon pilot will tell you that reasonable air temperature and wind are the two key components to successful flight. New Mexico’s immaculate conditions ensure that scenic, smooth balloon flights are always a feasible task. Peaceful, breathtaking, hot air ballooning in Albuquerque, New Mexico is one of the best ways to make the most of your slow travel vacation. Read on to learn more about bird’s eye views in Albuquerque New Mexico: the world’s hot air ballooning capital.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

If you are looking to catch spectacular sights and bird’s eye views, be sure to visit Albuquerque during the International Balloon Fiesta. Every year, the International Balloon Fiesta takes place as a nine-day festival during the first full week of October. During this period of the year, the National Weather Service predicts that Albuquerque’s wind and temperature are at the most optimal conditions during October. The weekend morning mass ascensions is one of the fiesta’s most popular attractions. During this festivity, two waves of beautiful balloons are launched immediately following sunrise. Many years, there is over 500 balloons in the air. If you make it to Albuquerque early, you’ll find plenty of delicious Native American travel food in the area.

Visiting The International Balloon Fiesta

For the best bird’s eye views, you need to strategically plan your visit to the international balloon fiesta. The annual celebration is one of the best cultural attractions Albuquerque has to offer. Every year, the fiesta takes place in Balloon Fiesta Park. The park is conveniently located on the North Side of Albuquerque. Beware that there is often huge traffic jams leading up to the event. If you plan on driving, be sure to leave extra early.

Once you arrive, be prepared to pay for parking. Depending on congestion, parking is roughly $10 to $15. To save yourself the hassle, the fiesta additionally offers a park-and-ride. This way, you can save the fuel and time from driving your own car. Park-and-ride tickets are often $15 when purchased in advanced, or $22 if you pay when the bus arrives. Before you book your trip to the hot air ballooning capital of the world, be sure to plan your visit to the International Balloon Fiesta.

Be Prepared For Your Flight

To truly experience and witness spectacular bird’s eye views of Albuquerque New Mexico, you need to be prepared for your flight. A hot air balloon ride is like no other experience. Before you disembark, there are several things to keep in mind. First, many travelers are concerned about the cost of hot air balloon rides. While hot air balloon rides can be expensive, there are several factors that go into determining your price. The actual balloon and basket is very expensive, balloon pilots must be FAA certified, and there are an abundance of additional fuel costs you must budget for. Most balloon rides cost roughly $175 for adults, with slightly lower fares for kids. If you are able to set a reliable budget, an Albuquerque hot air balloon ride promises a spectacular experience and breathtaking bird’s eye views from start to finish. If you want to experience similarly incredible experiences, but are located on the East Coast, be sure to check out Louisville and Lexington Kentucky.

Albuquerque Balloon Rides

Some of the best hot air balloon rides in Albuquerque feature sights of the sunrise with views of the Rio Grande. These are unique views that can only be seen from the southwest destination of a New Mexico roadtrip. If you are traveling with friends and family, you can book a private balloon ride with an experienced pilot. Of course, you want to choose a company that has certified and experienced ballooning professionals. Additionally, you should consider the seasons for your balloon ride. In Albuquerque, one of the local favorites includes the seeing the fall colors and trees from a higher vantage point. These are all great rides to experience in New Mexico.

Dress Appropriately

Dressing appropriately for your Albuquerque hot air balloon adventure is imperative to avoid common travel mishaps. Many travelers make the inevitable mistake of not dressing warm enough. Without the proper clothing, you will be cold the entire flight, and unable to appreciate the breathtaking bird’s eye views. Many balloon pilots recommend dressing in multiple layers, even when the weather is wrong. Within your layers, be sure to select a pair of extremely warm gloves. At the same time, you will want to bring a hat and scarf to protect yourself from the wind at high altitudes. In preparation for your New Mexico vacation, be sure to dress appropriately.

More Hot Air Balloon Sightseeing Attractions

On your visit to Albuquerque, there are a number of additional hot air balloon sights to take in. One of the most popular is the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. The famous museum boasts culture, science, sport, history, are, and spectacle of hot air ballooning. Visit the International Balloon Museum to learn more about balloons in war, space, recreation, air sports, and around the world flights. The museum also has a number of specialized exhibits dedicated to the science and engineering that make hot air balloons fly. Once you have had your fill, check out some locations in New Mexico where you can experience American Indian culture and Native American travel food. Be sure to check out some more hot air balloon sightseeing attractions on your visit to Albuquerque.

Experienced Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Inspired Cuisine

When you visit Albuquerque’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, you need to explore some balloon inspired cuisine. With New Mexico becoming a major hub for the local craft brewing scene, several breweries prepare special themed beers for the the balloon festival. When you visit, be sure to try local favorites like “True Horizon” at High & Dry, or “Mass Ascencion” at Ex Novo. These special edition drinks come served in a souvenir pint glass with hot air balloon logos. If you are a dessert lover, be sure to stop by Rude Boy Cookies for some of their special order hot air balloon themed cookies. Remember to plan ahead if you do have any allergies. One of the easiest ways to do so is to use a food allergy and dietary translation card for your upcoming trip.

What Else To Do In New Mexico

Before you leave the Land Of Enchantment, there is plenty of additional things to do and see in New Mexico. Some of the top attractions include Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Park. Plus, the Bandelier and Petroglyph National Monument are additionally great attractions to see. In addition, there’s plenty of incredible Santa Fe tours and museums to explore. Certainly, consider what else there is to do and see when you visit New Mexico.

There are several incredible, balloon themed attractions to see when you visit Albuquerque New Mexico. Because of the amount of balloon aviation culture and history in Albuquerque, the New Mexico capital is often referred to as the hot air balloon capital of the world. When you visit New Mexico, you need to visit the International Balloon Fiesta that occurs every October. Be sure to strategically plan you visit to the annual hot air balloon fiesta so you don’t pay any ancillary travel fees. Before you disembark, you need to prepare for your flight, and especially, dress appropriately. Finally, be sure to check out some more hot air balloon sightseeing attractions that Albuquerque has to offer. Consider the points mentioned above to learn more about bird’s eye views in Albuquerque New Mexico: the world’s hot air ballooning capital.

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