Each October, hundreds of hot air ballonists gather in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It's an exciting and thrilling event. Here's how to get the most out of attending.
First and most important is make your reservations early. Literally thousands of people are flocking into Albuquerque for this two-week event. If you hope to secure a plane reservation or find a hotel room, start early.
There is really no other large airport other than the Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ) within easy distance of the balloon fiesta. You can also fly into El Paso, Texas or Las Cruces, New Mexico and drive up I-25 in about 4 hours; if you can't get a flight into ABQ.
If you miss out on a hotel in Albuquerque, you can stay in nearby places such as Albuquerque suburban cities like Belen, Bernalillo and Los Lunas. It's only about an hour drive to Santa Fe, but hotel rooms in Santa Fe are in high demand during balloon fiesta too. Another possibility for finding rooms is to try the many casino/resorts located in the area. A few to consider are Sandia Resort, Isleta Resort and Tamaya Resort.
You can drive onto the Balloon Fiesta grounds and park your car, but traffic is heavy and slow. There are several locations around the city that offer park-and-ride service onto the Balloon Fiesta Park grounds during the open hours each day. This includes the early morning events such as Dawn Patrols and Mass Ascensions, and extends through the day to the evening events such as Glowdeos and fireworks. Park-and-ride locations are announced on the Balloon Fiesta website, where you can also purchase tickets for both the ride and the entrance.
When you are not at the Balloon Fiesta, there are many local attractions. New Mexico is filled with art, so head down to Albuquerque's Old Town area for a look at some galleries. New Mexico is also the home of 19 Native American tribes, each with a unique history and style. You can visit each reservation individually if you have time, or spend a few hours at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. For the kids, there is a zoo, botanical garden, aquarium and fishing beach.
This time of year thousands of Canada geese, Sandhill cranes, ducks and other feathered creatures make their way along the Rio Grande flyway as they head south. A good place to catch a glimpse of many of these magnificent birds is the Rio Grande Nature Center.
Good restaurants abound, including the chain restaurants you are familiar with. For strictly local flavor, try regional restaurants like El Pinto, Guarduños, and The Range.
