Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta-19 hr Blitz Trip

[winger]

The AIBF is coming right up, and we are spending approximately 19 hours in town due to school and work obligations at home.

I am seeking suggestions for places to eat (we have a limited budget for this trip), do and see AFTER experiencing the morning's AIBF Mass Ascension (planned start is at 7AM).

We are arriving late Friday (likely midnight check-in at the hotel), rising by 4:00AM to hit the field by approximately 5AM for the early morning activities and to avoid the crowds. I believe we will leave the field sometime around 8:30-9:30AM. Lastly, we will be returning to the airport by approximately 4:30PM for a flight departing at 6:15PM.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Here There]

Although I did go to Balloon Fest two years ago – checking out from my Santa Fe TS on opening day – due to traffic gridlock and street closures near Fiesta Park it might be better to play it by ear instead of following a set agenda that entire day. Per airport and car rental employees, people flood in en masse to witness the event.

I remember driving from Santa Fe towards ABQ pre-dawn and suddenly found the first wave of balloons quietly ascending in the early light of dawn -- the sight was surreal to behold -- before encountering lines of cars trying to get off Exit 234 (Hwy 25 southbound) towards Balloon Fiesta Park, essentially turning the right lanes into a parking lot. I got off 2 exits beyond, doubled back, parked along the frontage road and took in the spectacle amongst the locals from their favorite -- and free -- vantage spots. There are several motels along the northbound Hwy 25 near Exit 232. (eg: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albuquerque-N. Balloon Fiesta Park). I would book a room there if I were to come into town just to view the mass ascension, return for breakfast, and take in a beauty nap after witnessing this dream-like spectacle. Besides the typical festival souvenir & food stands, there was an Artisans Tent featuring finer arts & craft items that made the visit worthwhile (for me.) For cheap and healthy eats, a local Sweet Tomato/Souplantation en route to ABQ hit the spot.

Depending on how you manage to unsnarl yourself from Fiesta traffic, you might want to spend the rest of the day in Santa Fe instead. It’s only 1 hour away, and there you will find an abundance of tasty eateries as well as a heightened festive ambiance around the Plaza during Balloon fest. Coincidentally I’ll be returning to Santa Fe during the event, but this time I’ve elected not to rent a car but plan to witness the balloon ascension from the 5am airport shuttle instead. Besides I’ve had my fill of festival crowds – at least in Santa Fe – because I plan to partake in the Austin City Limits music fest the next day.

Enjoy!

 

[PStreet1]

We love El Pinto in the North Valley. Take I-25 north to the exit for the Sandia Casino. The Casino is to the east. Turn, instead, to the west and look for it on your left. It's the Albuquerque restaurant they took Obama and Hillary to--whatever your politics are, it's a restaurant you, too, should experience. Beautiful gardens if you want to eat outside; charming interior if you want to eat inside--or do some of both: frequent the bar inside and eat outside. https://www.opentable.com/r/el-pint...MIx8r5t5fJ1gIVjYl-Ch1McgqiEAAYASAAEgKiZPD_BwE

 

[winger]

We love El Pinto in the North Valley. Take I-25 north to the exit for the Sandia Casino. The Casino is to the east. Turn, instead, to the west and look for it on your left. It's the Albuquerque restaurant they took Obama and Hillary to--whatever your politics are, it's a restaurant you, too, should experience. Beautiful gardens if you want to eat outside; charming interior if you want to eat inside--or do some of both: frequent the bar inside and eat outside. https://www.opentable.com/r/el-pint...MIx8r5t5fJ1gIVjYl-Ch1McgqiEAAYASAAEgKiZPD_BwE

Thanks for the recommendation, I just happened to see that restaurant in a Travel Channel episode the other week. What a coincidence !

 

[sfwilshire]

We have also eaten at El Pinto and enjoyed it. El Bruno's is also good. The Sandia Casino has a good buffet.

Sheila

 

[winger]

We have also eaten at El Pinto and enjoyed it. El Bruno's is also good. The Sandia Casino has a good buffet.

Sheila

Hi Sheila - are you referring to El Bruno Restaurant Y Cantina ? Due to logistics, El Pinto may not work for this trip.

 

[winger]

Just a short update on this quick getaway. First, in our opinion, this event had something for everyone, and if it is NOT yet on your bucket list, it's worth putting it on towards the upper quarter!

Things went very well, aside from the lack of zzz and some traffic after the event leaving the field area. We ended up driving ourselves to the event/field from the hotel starting at 330AM, and it worked great, almost no traffic, and the weather was very pleasant for that time of morning. DD and I wandered through the center and southern part of the field taking lots of pics (fun fun fun!) all the while taking in all the sights and sounds, and DS and DW stayed and watched from a picnic table near the center edge of the field we found early.

After the event, we ended up checking out the Musical Highway, Old Town, ate lunch at El Modelo's and had dessert @ 66 Diner before heading offer to the airport home.

We ended up actually being in town a little less than 21 hrs, but the experience was totally worth it.

 

[carl2591]

The Airstream Club (travel Trailers) does a caravan every year that starts in Pojoaque, NM and 52 days later, ends at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta with special parking right off the field where the balloons are stationed. While we, me and wife, have not yet been it is a bucket list item for sure. I have seen a thousand you tube videos and it is, I am sure, spectacular, but to be there in person is most likely indescribable by most humans.

 

[Luanne]

The Airstream Club (travel Trailers) does a caravan every year that starts in Pojoaque, NM and 52 days later, ends at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta with special parking right off the field where the balloons are stationed. While we, me and wife, have not yet been it is a bucket list item for sure. I have seen a thousand you tube videos and it is, I am sure, spectacular, but to be there in person is most likely indescribable by most humans.

52 days to get from Pojoaque to Albuquerque! Normally that drive would take a little under two hours. I wonder what takes them so long.

 

[carl2591]

now no-one said they went straight there.


The 2018 Caravan will be in August, September and October capturing the awesome beauty of the fall landscapes. Beginning in Pojoaque, NM, we will discover Santa Fe by trolley, savor local cuisine and then visit Taos. What is around the corner in the Four-Corners region of CO, UT, AZ, and NM, other tourists may not see. We visit Indian pueblos and reservations to learn about their cultures from native guides. The grandeur of the scenery will amaze you as we ride a narrow gauge train up to Silverton, Colorado; hike to the “Palace” in Mesa Verde, or truck into Monument Valley. Moab, Utah provided gorgeous views in the surrounding National Parks and excitement with “slick-rock riding” in ultimate jeeps. Whether using a camera at Capitol Reef National Park, or riding a mule into Bryce Canyon, the parks will captivate you. After seeing the North Rim of the Grand Canyon we’ll spend four days beside Lake Powell; enjoy a boat trip on the lake; a Colorado River raft float trip, and a tour through Antelope Canyon. Our final two weeks will take us to New Mexico to explore Farmington, Gallup, Acoma and Albuquerque. We will have a chance to ride in a hot air balloon before our final stop at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. America the Beautiful Senior passes (formerly Golden Age Pass) will save you money in Mesa Verde, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyon-lands, Chaco Canyon, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Parks. Come prepared to have fun with your fellow caravanners!

 

[sfwilshire]

The Airstream Club (travel Trailers) does a caravan every year that starts in Pojoaque, NM and 52 days later, ends at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta with special parking right off the field where the balloons are stationed. While we, me and wife, have not yet been it is a bucket list item for sure. I have seen a thousand you tube videos and it is, I am sure, spectacular, but to be there in person is most likely indescribable by most humans.

Sounds like great fun! We have yet to make the drive from TN to NM, but sometimes tack on time while we are out there. We spent a week in Angel Fire after Fiesta one year and my husband wanted to go back this year. The individual cabins had a woodstove and my husband especially liked that a fellow brought us firewood on a regular basis.

Instead, I booked four days near Ruidoso since we've never been there. It looks like it will also be nice to explore.

You are correct that words can't describe the beauty. I'm just sorry I didn't start going years earlier.

Sheila

 

[winger]

...the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta ...I have seen a thousand you tube videos and it is, I am sure, spectacular, but to be there in person is most likely indescribable by most humans.

I held out until the day before our stint to AIBF, but the lure of YouTube got the best of me and I ended up watching a dozen or so videos of the event the day before we left for NM. I totally agree - the experience between watching a video versus being at the event in person is nowhere remotely comparable.