Balloon Festival 2023
 

Hi all,
This has been on my bucket list for years, so for our 30th anniversary we are planning a trip. Any suggestions about where/or where not to stay, what else to do, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Mornings, afternoons, evenings that are a must or a definite don't ... traffic/parking. Glamping sounds expensive, but it's all on site. Is it worth it to skip a pricey hotel and just stay put? Should we plan one or two days there and then go see the rest of NM? Locals, or those who have made this trip, your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! :)
Debi

Here's my 2018 Santa Fe TR for ideas in that area that I strongly suggest you visit after the Balloon Festival. Others can help with your specific questions. Looking forward to seeing your TR and pictures.

https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...018-a-1652084/



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Fantastic idea to celebrate your 30th wedding anniversary with a trip! New Mexico has a wide variety of fantastic lodgings to choose from; nonetheless, it is helpful to have some idea of the kinds of things you hope to do or see while there. Glamping is a fun way to combine camping with some of the comforts of a hotel, but it's not for everyone. What to do in New Mexico is a personal decision based on your preferences, as the state offers a wide variety of historical sites, beautiful roads, and exciting outdoor adventures. Depending on the time you have, it could be beneficial to spend a few days in one location before moving on to explore other regions of the state. Seeking the counsel of locals and other visitors who have been to New Mexico could prove fruitful. Take into account parking and traffic while making plans. Have an amazing time away!

We had rented a car for our days in Albuquerque but opted not to use it to go the the grounds. The day’s ascent begins around dawn. (Wear layers! It’s cold that early in the morning.) We drove to the parking lot of a shopping mall convenient to our hotel and took a shuttle bus. No traffic issues, no parking challenges for us! I don’t recall the details but the return trip later in the day was easy too.

https://balloonfiesta.com/Park-Ride

I see on this year’s schedule, several evening glows are listed. You might want to arrange your time to get to one.

The mornings we did not go to the grounds, we ate in the concierge level breakfast room of our hotel. As we enjoyed our meal, we could look out to view the morning’s ascent. I believe it was a Sheraton hotel, many years ago.

If you have time, you will find fascinating things to do and places to go elsewhere in NM. Time in Santa Fe and day trips from there and from Albuquerque might get you started.

FYI drdebi, I re-read my TR and there are several suggestions from others at the beginning.

Just checking in and k_marie and I were posting at the same time. Advice you can use from k_marie imo.

I recommend you take the Sandia Tramway to the top of the mt. for some great views. The Old Town is worth a visit as well with some good restaurants and boutiques. Farther afield (1.5 hours west) is Acoma: Sky City which is this ancient Pueblo village perched on a high mesa. The village dates from the 1200s AD and is still inhabited. Residents sell cool pottery for a good price. Be sure to eat traditional New Mexican food (different from TexMex) which includes green-chile stews, blue corn dishes, purple pinto beans, Chile rellenos, blue-corn enchiladas, Menudo, huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos, Posole, and Sopapillas.

Thank you all for your suggestions! We are well on our way with planning. Any ideas about whether taking a Rainbow Ryders balloon ride is worth is during the Mass Ascension. $600/ea. is a lot of $$ and we did a balloon ride many years ago. Are there any other companies that offer balloon rides at about the same time where I could get some pictures from the air without paying the outrageous prices?

Balloon Festival 2023
 

Congratulations on your 30th anniversary! White Sands National Park is a great place to celebrate. Here are some suggestions for your trip:

• Stay at the Oasis at White Sands or go glamping in the park.
• Hike the Dunes Trail or go sand sledding.
• Stargaze in the evening.
• Stay for at least two days to explore the park.

I hope this helps!