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Those who live in ALB

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

... I absolutely love hot air balloons! Do you have any ideas on what the best way for an old handicapped woman to see this? I have heard it is very hard to get to see this....and rooms (if I could even get one) are very expensive. Is this worth the price of a plane ticket to just come see this? Thanks

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Comments (5)

cooper8828
8 years ago
I don't live in Albuquerque anymore, but still visit a few times a year for work. You have to get there early in the morning but there are a lot of shuttles. That is probably your best bet for being dropped off close to the gates. Unfortunately, if it is too windy, lift-off gets canceled. They also have special stuff at other times (races, glodeo). The field is really flat and there are paths also. Navigating it with a wheelchair (if you are using one) wouldn't be a problem, I don't think.

Room rates do go up during the fiesta.

That said, I only went once. I worked right behind the park and after that I would watch the lift-off and landings from my work parking lot. Sometimes they would also fly really low over my house (you could hear them adjusting the gas thingy). If you really love balloons, go for it!

Also, there are plenty of food trucks inside the park. Skip breakfast and pick up a breakfast burrito there. You will also meet people from all over the country.
phoggie thanked cooper8828
User
8 years ago
We love hot air balloons too! We go to several in Colorado, always thought Albuquerque's was thought to be "the best"! I checked into it and there are shuttles, staying on the edge of town and booking 3 months ahead was the way to go. I hear there are so many balloons....just the shear numbers are worth seeing.

I used to live in Albuquerque....yet have never been.
phoggie thanked User
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User
8 years ago
I live in Grants,nm never been to balloon fest in Abq. balloons are in air days before and after. I do know it’s a madhouse.
phoggie thanked User
OutsidePlaying
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I used to visit quite often for business, and even the times around Ballon Fiesta can get busy as far as hotel rooms went. You als9 need to be careful which areas you stay in for safety reasons. I believe it’s still safe to say anything pretty much north of Indian School Rd is ok as far as hotels, and avoid staying around Central Ave or the Rio Grand area (esp west of the river). There could be some other spots that are ok, such as along the interstates, but I haven’t been in a while so someone else should chime in and correct me.

I do know there are hotels and such that provide shuttles. Also if you know anyone who works at one of the big companies in Albuquerque such as Intel or Sandia Labs who might be a corporate sponsor, that is a great way to snag a corporate shuttle. They often have comp tickets that include an early continental breakfast at the balloon park. You have to leave at 0-dark-early to get there, but totally a great experience if you have an inside track.

We have a small balloon fest in a city near us. Some people volunteer to work with the balloon owners and get in free, and early, as a result of being a volunteer.

Good luck!
User
8 years ago
I loved visiting the Grants area. Inscription Rock was one of my favorite places.

I'm not sure, but you could look into staying in Santa Fe and bringing some family to drive or riding the rail runner to Albuquerque. Santa Fe can be pretty pricey at times. I've never felt unsafe there.

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