We will be attending the last two days of the balloon festival and staying Saturday night, Oct 13th.
Any suggestions on if it is better to stay away from the park area and take the shuttle, or stay near the park, Marriott Pyramid, etc and drive? Specific hotel ideas would be appreciated.
We would like to see other sights in the area Saturday afternoon, before we head up to Santa Fe on Sunday.

Driving is very tough, I recommend take the shuttle. There are lots of locations and makes getting to and from fiesta park stressless. Hotels right near fiesta park are most likely all full or you are going to pay top dollar. Stay a bit away and take the bus.

What is your price range? What level hotel are you interested in? Motel 6, La Quinta, Holiday Inn, Doubletree, Hyatt, Embassy Suites, are all possibilites. At this late date, it will depend more on availability than anything else I am afraid.

Will you have a car?

Give us a bit more info and we can help with ideas.

Debi

At this late date, you'll be hard pressed to even find accomodations, although you are attending the second weekend, which is somewhat better crowd wise than the first.

The two closest accomodations to the balloon fiesta field are both on Alameda Blvd. at I-25: the Holiday Inn -Express, and Ramada Inn. You can always check them out for a last minute cancellation.

After 24 years covering the balloon fiesta, I too would recommend taking the shuttle buses. At least the drivers know where they are going, LOL (you hope!)

Find out where the balloon fiesta shuttles are leaving from, and then check out the motels/hotels nearest them.

Saturday afternoon take in the historic Old Town area (Rio Grande Blvd. Exit off I-4O...west from the "Big I" interchange where I-40, and I-25 cross.) Historic adobes now house shops, restaurants, and (just to the east of Old Town on Mountain Road) there are a diverse group of museums. The Albuquerque Museum (northern NM history & art), and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science are my two top recommendations if time is short.

You might also want to ride the world's longest tramway to Sandia Peak at just under 11,000ft., for great 100-mile views on a clear day Restaurants top and bottom.

Enjoy your visit. I hope you find many of your own "enchnantments" while here.

Definitely take the shuttle! You'll get in and out of the fiesta park very easily.

Good luck finding a hotel at this late date!

Lee Ann

I agree w/ the timing of finding a hotel. Take anything you can get at this late date. I book for the coming year when I arrive!



Sorry for the hijack but I think I may have found a good source of information based on the screen name...

NM Photojournalist - I keep trying to catch good balloon glow photos but keep getting junk. Yes, the majority of my problem is equipment... but that upgrade isn't in the budget.

So, till I can upgrade, would you please make some suggestions on how to get my best glow photo?

I have a point and shoot digital and a Nikon N80. I generally shoot Ultra VC 160 or 400 while I'm in ABQ.

Thank you for your responses. We were able to get a room at the Marriott Pyramid. They told me that there was a shuttle that picks up hotel guests.

Good snag - hope they didn't get you too much for a room.

You should be able to see balloons right from your room!

Enjoy. Dress in layers in the morning. Get a breakfast burrito and hot coffee or chocolate and some cinnamon buns in a cup. YUM!
Debi

Debi - You are making me drool and I had a big dinner!

Just a few more days!

If you know anyone who is a great photo person, would you please direct them to my post about photo tips. I would love some expert advice.

Hey Mike, I wonder if that was the room we just let go!

Moldy, I hope you have a great time! Hopefully, I'll catch the fiesta next year. sigh. I'll be up the road from you in Santa Fe if you get the urge to meet us for the Santa Fe GTG on Monday 8th!
Have Fun!!

Beachgirl - I'll already be headed home. Sure wish I could! Have a margarita or mojito for me!

There's going to be a Santa Fe GTG on the 8th? I'm sorry I'll have to miss it as we'll be on our way to CA. But y'all have a great time!

Lee Ann

No way!!
These gtg's are tough to form!! And work interferes more than we prefer!

Moldy and LeeAnn -- a rain check is due for us all to meet.

Ok, Moldy, looking for "professional" pics from the balloon fest -- so sad that I'm missing them ..... again!!

Green chiles and margaritas for everyone!

I booked a King suite for $189 with AAA.
Thanks for all the great suggestions.
Any suggestions for reasonably priced restaurants in Santa Fe?

Here is a current thread and another that is listed in the text:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35073202

Run a search as there have been several restaurant threads lately.

Mike, how do you define "reasonably priced"? Give us an idea and you'll get lots of suggestions.

Lee Ann

I would say reasonably priced would be entrees for under $20.
We travel alot, and my theory is to not spend alot on food unless it is a "special" restaurant. I would rather travel more and eat "less".