Where to try hot-air ballooning?
 

Fodors friends,

I owe you a Seattle trip report from our trip in early June -- I'm almost done composing it and will post next week!

On to the next adventure though... Next year is my 40th birthday, and I'd like to plan a very special trip to honor the occasion. My heart is set on a hot-air balloon trip, but the question is WHERE? I'm willing to go anywhere in the United States. It will be my husband and me, as well as any friends I can convince to join us.

Friends have recommended the following options:

* Santa Fe
* Asheville, NC
* Vermont (I used to live there though, so I might have to be convinced)
* Charlottesville, VA (ditto to Vermont)

Any personal recommendations? In addition to a beautiful balloon ride, I'd love to have good food and wine/craft beer.

Thanks a million!

Sorry it just has to be in the US cause for good food, wine, and magic: early morning drifting above the chateaux in the Loire but I guess over cacti and boulders would be OK.

Albuquerque - we have the international Balloon Fiesta in October, plus good food and a big craft beer scene. You could spend time here and in Santa Fe. www.balloonfiesta.com

Lee Ann

+1 what LeeAnn said. October is the nicest time of year here.

We tried it for the first time while staying in Santa Fe a few years ago, and we had a long ride say 45 minutes to an hour, very early in the morning, to the launch site outside Santa Fe. Our guide told us ballooning actually in Santa Fe is no longer allowed. Our view was limited to the desert cactii below us. I later heard ballooning in Albuquerque is better.

>>In addition to a beautiful balloon ride, I'd love to have good food and wine/craft beer. <<

Napa Valley fills all of those . . .

The Willamette Valley here in Oregon fits all of those requests as well. Check out Vista Balloon out of Newberg. Plus this is the heart of Oregon wine country, and of course craft beer IS Oregon:)

http://www.balloonrides.com

Where wine, food, craft beers are a given

I'll make an argument for Charlottesville.

If you come in the fall, the colors here are beautiful, and you would be able to see the mountains and rolling hills. But if you lived here then I don't have to tell you that. Personally, I think our mountains are beautiful any time of year, but fall is really special.

As for wineries/craft beer options, there are many wineries and craft beer options that have been growing up along Route 29 that would be some great options. Many offer live music on the weekends, and have outdoor seating to enjoy the wonderful views and sunsets. Two of my favorites are Blue Mountain Brewery and Wild Wolf Brewing. There is also a great downtown area in Charlottesville to walk around and shop (and find good fancier dining), and you have the option for other types of sightseeing such as Monticello.

What Virginia said!

I have been ballooning in that area and it is gorgeous in the fall.

Thanks everyone! I'd like to stay domestic for this trip due to wanting friends to be able to join who don't have enough time for an international adventure.

mms, I hadn't thought of Oregon at all -- good idea!

ElendilPickle, I've actually been to the Balloon Fiesta - I loved it so much, but didn't go up in one.

Virginia1990, that is quite the convincing argument! I love the area, and would love to see UVA and Monticello from the air. My husband has never been, so hopefully he'd enjoy a new place and I could visit my old haunts!


Off to research the options!

So....where did you go? I just returned from my first Hot Air Balloon flight this evening!

Good ballooning around Denver along the foothills. Also at Snowmass (Aspen). I am sure there are other locations in Colorado. I am just not aware of them. What you want it cool if not cold mornings with a quick warm up in the morning.

I took my husband on a hot air balloon ride down in Del Mar California nearly 30 years ago as a surprise, and it was a blast . . . they have sunset wine packages and the view of the Pacific Ocean as the sun sets is nothing short of spectacular.

I did it because my husband likes stuff like that, and for me, it was a challenge since I'm scared of heights. I LOVED it!

Over 20 years ago I scheduled a pre marital balloon trip a couple of hours from our MA home. The night before was a go, but when we arrived at the crack of dawn, they had to cancel due to wind conditions. We never did take that flight. So I would be careful on travelling across country and inviting friends without knowing the likelihood of flying.

I will be in Albuquerque next week and my friend will be going up in a hot air balloon. If she lives, I will give you name of the company. (I will be on a food tour while she is floating to Kansas.)

Hot air ballooning is very dependent on the weather since there is no ability to control direction. In a balloon once when the wind unexpected increase and shifted directions. The operator was in a hurry to get down but your choice of landing zones may be very limited if you change directions. We had a rough landing because we had to stay up longer than expected trying to find somewhere to land. There is some risk.

Hi everyone, I hadn't checked on this thread in a while -- I love that hot air balloons are receiving this much attention!

I haven't taken my trip yet, but will be sure to report back when I do. It sounds amazing!

There is an annual balloon festival in Bend OR.
http://balloonsoverbend.com/balloons...-and-balloons/
I don't know how many of the pilots allow paid riders.
There are several good breweries in Bend.

Another good area is just north of Seattle in Snohomish. The balloons go over the valley and the views are stunning with the mountains right there, etc.