KathyH

My husband and I will be coming to New Mexico Oct. 4th for two weeks. I'm putting together our itinerary now. I want to include the balloon festival, of course, but also Santa Fe, Taos, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde and Durango. I believe I can cover most of that in two weeks without too much problem.

Here is my question, we will be getting into Albuquerque on the first day of the balloon festival. I thought we'd stay and attend the festival for the day on Sunday. Since it is the beginning of the festival, do they have as many balloons going up for the mass ascension? Or is it the kind of event that as the week progresses more and more balloonists come and it's best to be there at the end of the week?

I also wanted to see the special shapes go up too, but that is not until Thursday. What I thought I'd do is stay in Albuquerque until Monday morning, then go up to Santa Fe or Tao and come back to Albuquerque Wednesday night so I can go to the festival and watch the shapes go up Thursday. That afternoon we would then head west to Canyon de Chelly and make our loop.

What do you think of this plan? I obsess about vacations, I love them and want to fit the most in with whatever time we have. Any other suggestions? All would be welcome.

Also would like to stay in Albuquerque somewhere near nightlife and restaruants. Would that be the downtown area or elsewhere? We will have a car and don't mind driving places but if you can walk that's even better.

Again any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
KathyH

travellyn

I just know about the mass ascension from TV coverage each year; it is huge. One thing that happens some years is a delay related to high winds. It's good if you'll be in ABQ for a day or so after the MA is scheduled, just in case.

You can do all you listed in 2 weeks, but you'll be pretty harried. I'd go for it, as long as I didn't expect my vacation to be relaxing. If you need to get rid of something, it should probably be Monument Valley. If you only have a couple of days for Santa Fe / Taos, it might be worth skipping Taos, concentrating on Santa Fe, then stopping by Acoma Pueblo, west of ABQ, to see a pueblo.

That time of year is great for fall colors, especially around Durango, probably northern NM as well.

In ABQ, I'd probably stay in Old Town if I wanted to appreciate the city. Since you'll be there at two different times, you might want to do Old Town first, then stay close to the festival for the second half. It's good you're planning now; make your reservations early.

KathyH

Thanks for the advice. I figure this won't be a relaxing trip, but that's okay, that is what beach vacations are for. I'm the type who wants to cram in as much as possible even if I come back exhausted.

I think I'll take your advice on staying in old town at the start and by the festival for Wednesday night. Any suggestions on hotels for both those places?

Thanks,
kathyH

m367

About 4 years ago, I stayed at the Sheraton at Old Town. Very nice, had a convention center. It is adjacent to Old Town, Church, etc...and of course, the Candy Lady with the fabulous fudge. The Balloon Glow at night (maybe only on Sat/Sun?) was so beautiful - they blow up the balloons on the ground when it gets dark, and then there's a countdown. Then they fire them up every so often for about 1/2 minute or so, and you are among 100's of lighted, unique-shaped, huge balloons. You can walk all around, and talk to everyone -- it was a wonderful experience.

Snoozin

Just assuming you haven't been to the balloon fiesta before...first let me say...I LOVE the fiesta! And there are some NOT-to-be-missed events in my book:
mass ascension, balloon glow, special shapes rodeo, and the fireworks. Just be forewarned that ALL events are COMPLETELY dependent on the weather...rain or winds will cancel them. It's a REALLY good idea to allow several days to have a good shot. If you go at the beginning, and the weather isn't cooperating, you can do the other "legs" of your trip, and come back to the fiesta, and still have plenty of days left to catch the events. But if you wait til the last couple of days to attend the fiesta, and the weather is bad, you've missed it all!

Any day that we discovered the winds or other conditions weren't going to work out, we just took off on another adventure.

We also did the Turquoise Trail, which took us around Taos and lots of interesting towns, and went to Santa Fe too, and did it ALL, including lots of balloons, in one week.

I'm trying to find some hotel information myself right now, but know from past experience that about all I need is a bed to crash in, as you need to get up very early for the morning events (and they are magical...dawn patrol is special as you watch the balloons slowly appear in silhouette in the sunrise over the mountains). Then you can do the town or other excursions, but get back plenty early for the evening events, as traffic and parking, while they do a terrific job, can still eat a lot of your time. But after the evening events, about all you want to do is sleep so you can get up early the next morning! We just never spent much time in our hotels.

If you have any good leads you can "afford" to share on lodging, restaurants, or especially recommended sights we might have missed, I'd love to hear them!

Happy planning!
Susan