New Mexico

Highlights of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Program No. 10427RJ
Learn the history, science and art of ballooning as you experience the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, explore the city’s unique museums and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

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At a Glance

Experience the best of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, study the history of hot-air ballooning and feel the excitement of the Balloon Ascensions during several visits to the Balloon Fiesta Park. Learn how balloons are made and the science behind flying by a local expert and pilot. Discover why Albuquerque is such a perfect place for this premier ballooning event.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to two miles over uneven grass and paved surfaces in the dark at Balloon Fiesta Park; climb a flight of stairs. Standing up to two hours on field trips. Elevations of 5,300 feet.

What You'll Learn

  • Watch the pilots and their crews prepare huge and intricately constructed balloons for inflation and flight.
  • Enjoy balloons from countries around the world.
  • Learn about the history and science of ballooning first hand.

General Notes

Small group assignments will be made approximately one month prior to the program start date. If you are traveling with companions who are not your roommate and you would like to be grouped together, please list their names on your “Personal Information & Preferences” in your Road Scholar “My Account” page.” Approximately two weeks prior to the program departure you will receive an email with your group assignment and Group Leader information.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Christopher Gibson
Christopher Gibson is an award-winning artist, writer, and arts educator who makes his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work includes the Cuentos del Camino series on lower Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe and mixed-media installations at numerous museums in New Mexico and California. Over the years, he has written several articles on Hispanic arts and culture for the magazines "Tradición Revista" and "Imagen."

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Christopher Gibson
Christopher Gibson View biography
Christopher Gibson is an award-winning artist, writer, and arts educator who makes his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work includes the Cuentos del Camino series on lower Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe and mixed-media installations at numerous museums in New Mexico and California. Over the years, he has written several articles on Hispanic arts and culture for the magazines "Tradición Revista" and "Imagen."
Profile Image of Scott Aarestad
Scott Aarestad View biography
Since moving to New Mexico as a child, Scott Aarestad has developed a deep love for New Mexican culture, history, cuisine and landscapes. After living and working abroad with his wife for several years, he earned his bachelor's in international management and entrepreneurship from the University of New Mexico in 2015. He enjoys learning about history, spending time outside hiking and camping, volunteering with animals and playing board games with friends. Scott is thrilled to share the enchantment of the state with Road Scholars.
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Sue Shoemaker View biography
Sue Shoemaker, a native-born Michigander, lives on a farm in the “Thumb.” A gratifying teaching and counseling career at the middle school level inspired Sue to become a group leader in order to share her passion for learning and travel with others. Sue has led a variety of Road Scholar programs: study cruises on the Great Lakes and the Columbia River, as well as land-based programs in Chicago, Detroit, Albuquerque (Balloon Fiesta), and northern Michigan.
Profile Image of John Layton
John Layton View biography
John Layton has visited 70+ countries and 48 states during more than 30 years in the travel industry. “As a career, travel is all I know and I’ve been lucky that I have never had a job I didn't love.” After many years sailing the seas as a cruise director, John is now a flight attendant for JetBlue, a travel blogger, and a group leader for Road Scholar. He has led Road Scholar programs throughout Florida, around Cuba, and on the Great Lakes.
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Sheryl Russell View biography
Sheryl Russell was born to a farming family in Kansas. At the University of Kansas, she studied education in theatre and English literature, followed by decades of work in retail and communications systems in Dallas, New York City, and the California Bay area. Sheryl felt that she had “come home" when she moved to Santa Fe. Here she found a cultural diversity, architectural style, and historic richness that supported the next 30 years of leading explorations and study of native Southwest cultures and their history.
Profile Image of Jolene Catron
Jolene Catron View biography
Jolene Catron, who leads groups in the Mountain West and National Parks, weaves a rich tapestry of indigenous heritage into the fabric of the area's history. She strives to foster understanding and appreciation for the profound cultural and environmental significance of the places she leads in. During the offseason you can find her driving her taxi, listening to music, and crocheting. She is a military veteran and a citizen of the Navajo Nation with family ties to the Pueblos of Zuni and Laguna.
Profile Image of Nolan Hines
Nolan Hines View biography
Nolan Hines is a native Ohioan, born on a farm just south of Columbus. He attended Ohio State University intending to become a veterinarian, then became involved in singing and theatre activities. He spent eight years on the ships of Holland America Line as an entertainer, excursion assistant, and cruise director, then four years aboard The American Queen steamboat. Nolan now lives in Florida and, since 2017, has enjoyed discovering the treasures of new places and helping participants to enjoy cultural highlights with Road Scholar.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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5 days
4 nights
10 meals
4 B 2 L 4 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Albuquerque
D
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). This is a large group program; participants will be separated into two smaller color groups for some activities. Groups will be determined by Road Scholar in advance of the program start. If you are traveling with companions who are not your roommate and you would like to be grouped together, please list their names on your “Personal Information & Preferences” in your Road Scholar “My Account” page.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 2:30-4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. This is a Road Scholar Large Group program. The number of participants in this program may be as high as 80; the whole group will be together for many lectures and meals. For some activities and field trips participants will be separated into groups of no more than 40 participants. Each group will have a dedicated Group Leader. The schedule for your group may vary from the published itinerary, but each group will have an opportunity to experience all program elements. Orientation with your color group: 5:00 p.m. Your Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our experienced and knowledgeable Group Leader will conduct field trips and we will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. We will have meals in the hotel banquet room, local restaurants, and at Balloon Fiesta Park, featuring local cuisine wherever possible. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: In the hotel meeting room.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.

DAY
2
New Mexico History, Old Town & Museums, About Ballooning
Albuquerque
B,D
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles; climbing flights of stairs, standing up to an hour at a time, paved and uneven surfaces.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will begin the morning with an overview by our Group Leader of the area’s history, from its earliest Ancestral Puebloan inhabitants to Spanish and American soldiers and settlers who followed. We will then set out on a walking field trip to Old Town for an introduction by our Group Leader, followed by time to explore the area independently. We suggest visiting the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Both are in Old Town, which has been the focal point of community life since Albuquerque was founded in 1706. About 10 blocks of historical adobe buildings surround the central plaza, including San Felipe de Neri Church that dates back to 1793. The city’s settlers built homes, shops, and government offices here; many of these historical structures have been converted into the restaurants, art galleries, and shops we see today. The Albuquerque Museum, established in 1967, is one of the leading institutions for art, history, and culture in the Southwest, highlighting the unique culture of the people, history, and art through exceptional exhibitions. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science features eight exhibition halls tracing the area’s journey through time. Other permanent exhibits include a planetarium and galleries focusing on astronomy and space exploration.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: We’ll have some time for independent exploration before returning to the hotel. There, we’ll be joined by an expert professional balloonist who will give us a presentation on hot-air ballooning and will provide a behind-the-scenes look into the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Balloon Fiesta, Balloon Museum, Pueblo Cultural Center
Albuquerque
B,L,D
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 40 miles, at least 1 hour riding time over the course of the day (depending on traffic). Walking over packed dirt, grass, and paved terrain at the Balloon Museum; standing and walking for up to 2 hours at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Balloon ascensions and flights are weather-dependent and may be cancelled at any time by Balloon Fiesta officials.

Breakfast: At the Chasers' Club at Balloon Fiesta Park.

Morning: Our motorcoach will depart at 4:45 a.m. for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Park to experience the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. From our fabulous vantage point on the Field, we are right in the action. We will be able to observe the Mass Ascension and explore the Field. Due to the large number of people in attendance and the size of the Park (crowds can exceed 100,000 people, and the launch field is 78 acres, the equivalent of 54 football fields put together), it’s impractical to view all the events as a group; you may choose to stay near the Chasers’ Club or walk around the field. During Mass Ascensions, all participating balloons launch in two waves as directed by “zebras,” launch coordinators recognizable by their striped black-and-white shirts. Note: Balloon ascensions and flights are weather-dependent and may be cancelled at any time by Balloon Fiesta officials. At a designated time and place, we will meet our Group Leader for a short walk to the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, where we will have time for independent exploration of the many fascinating exhibits. We’ll then board our motorcoach and depart for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Lunch: At the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Afternoon: The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is operated by the nineteen Pueblos of New Mexico, dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Pueblo culture as well as highlighting the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people. During our self-directed exploration, we’ll have opportunities to learn about New Mexico’s many different Pueblos as we view Pueblo-curated exhibits on the lower level. We’ll return to the hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before setting out for dinner and evening events at Balloon Fiesta.

Dinner: At the Gondola Club at Balloon Fiesta Park.

Evening: We will enjoy both the Night Magic Glow™ and the AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show. The Balloon Glow is a special moment at dusk when tethered balloons ignite their burners and inflate without launching, glowing from within in a display of rich colors. Afterwards, the AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show lights up the sky with a spectacular display that brings the evening to a perfect close. We will return to the hotel after the fireworks show concludes. Prepare for the early morning field trip tomorrow.

DAY
4
Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque Museum, Farewell Dinner
Albuquerque
B,L,D
Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 40 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time throughout the day. Walking up to 2 miles over varied terrain, climbing ladders at Coronado; standing up to 2 hours at a time; varied terrain. Crowded conditions. Balloon ascensions and flights are weather-dependent and may be cancelled at any time by Balloon Fiesta officials.

Breakfast: At the Chasers’ Club at Balloon Fiesta Park.

Morning: We’ll set out for our second morning of the Balloon Fiesta by 4:45 a.m. This morning’s session is scheduled to include another Mass Ascension. Today, we will be right on the field, among the balloons as they inflate and take flight; participants are welcome to explore the launch field independently to see what interests each of us most. We’ll regroup at a predetermined time and place after the balloon launch and return to the hotel. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel for some time to freshen up and relax before lunch.

Lunch: At a popular local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch at the Balloon Fiesta Park, we will explore the art, history and culture of Albuquerque and the Southwest at the Albuquerque Museum.The Albuquerque Museum opened in 1967 in the Albuquerque International Sunport. After outgrowing that location, a new facility was built and the museum has been in it's current location since 1979. The museum's permanent exhibits includes an impressive art collection that showcases the finest in New Mexico artists, as well as the history of Albuquerque including early maps, conquistador armor, weavings, and other relics of colonial life in New Mexico. There are also changing exhibits, a photo archive, art galleries, and an outdoor sculpture garden. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some independent time to do as we wish. Before dinner, we'll join with our color groups for a program closing.

Dinner: At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
5
Program Concludes
Albuquerque
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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