If youβre planning to experience the magic of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, learn from the pros (hi, itβs me). There are a few rookie mistakes that can make or break your trip to one of New Mexicoβs most iconic events. After attending and experiencing it all firsthandβincluding one glorious morning from the Observation Deck at the Balloon MuseumβIβve put together everything you need to know to make your visit seamless, memorable, and maybe even a little bit cozy. Here are my 5 Mistakes to Avoid at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. If itβs your first time attending, check out my Ultimate Guide to the Albuquerque International Balloon FiestaΒ for everything you need to knowβdates, ticket options, parking, and weather tips.
The number one mistake people make when going to the Balloon Fiesta? Sleeping in. If youβre attending a morning session, plan to be parked by 4:30 a.m. sharp. I know that sounds brutal, but trust meβtraffic is no joke. By 5:00 a.m., youβll see lines of cars barely moving along I-25 and Paseo del Norte. Getting there early not only saves you time and stress, but it also lets you soak in those quiet, pre-dawn moments before the sky fills with color.
If youβre headed to an evening session, the same rule applies: get there by 4:30 p.m.. Youβll breeze through traffic, find parking easily, and actually enjoy the experience instead of starting it with a headache. Traffic can get intense, so choosing the right hotel makes a huge difference. Iβve rounded up the Best Places to Stay for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiestaβincluding which areas make your mornings way easier.
Hereβs the hard truth: the weather is in charge, not you. Balloons wonβt launch if itβs too windy or rainyβand that can change by the minute. We booked four sessions, and three of them were cancelled due to weather. Thatβs not always the case, but it happens often enough that youβll want to hedge your bets.
My advice? Book at least two to four sessions if you can. It gives you a backup plan (and another chance to see the mass ascension if your first one gets rained out). Plus, each session feels differentβthe drone shows vary between morning and evening, and the crowd energy changes as the weekend approaches.
Some things at the Fiesta sell out months in advanceβespecially anything that makes your experience more comfortable, like the Observation Deck at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Itβs worth every penny.
Hereβs why:
Itβs also the easiest way to have a stress-free morning. We arrived around 5:00 a.m., grabbed hot coffee, and watched the drone show at 5:45 a.m. before breakfast started. The Balloon Patrol kicked off around 6:00, followed by the mass ascension at 7:00. By 7:30, we hopped on the free shuttle to the field to explore up close.
The same goes for lodging and diningβAlbuquerque fills up fast during Fiesta week. Hotels near the park book out months in advance, and even local restaurants can be packed with visitors after each session. Check my Where to Eat in Albuquerque: From Green Chile to Fine DiningΒ list.
Do notβand I repeat, do notβtrust a New Mexican when they tell you something βisnβt that spicy.β Their definition of mild will make your eyes water. Locals live for green chile everything, and their heat tolerance is on another planet.
If youβre not used to serious spice, start small and work your way up. When a restaurant gives you the choice between βred, green, or Christmasβ (thatβs both), donβt let your ego answer for you. I learned the hard way that their medium could qualify as an Olympic event.
That said, itβs part of the fun. New Mexicoβs signature flavor is that roasted green chile kickβitβs smoky, flavorful, and unlike anything else. Just pace yourself and have a drink ready.
The Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque is one of the Southwestβs most famous attractionsβand for good reason. Stretching 2.7 miles from the cityβs northeast edge to the crest of the Sandia Mountains, itβs the longest aerial tramway in the Americas. The 15-minute ride climbs to an elevation of 10,378 feet, with sweeping views of the Rio Grande Valley, Albuquerque skyline, and more than 11,000 square miles of desert and mountain scenery.
Itβs absolutely worth doingβ¦ just not during Balloon Fiesta. Learn from my mistake.
We thought weβd sneak in a quick sunset ride, but βquickβ is not part of the tramway vocabulary during Fiesta week. You buy your ticket online for a βwindow of time,β then show up and wait in a long, slow line for the tram. We got in line at 5:33 p.m. and didnβt board until after 7:30 p.m. By the time we finally reached the top, it was dark, windy, and freezing. The tram cars cram in about 20 people, so if youβre not near the front, you wonβt see much after sunset anyway.
Then came the worst part: the wait to get down. It took another hour and a half just to board againβkids crying, adults crying (me included), everyone questioning their life choices. Let me save you the pain: donβt do the Sandia Peak Tramway during Balloon Fiesta. It will eat up your entire evening and leave you wishing youβd stayed at the Fiesta Glow Show instead.
To be fair, they do warn you to expect one- to two-hour waitsβbut I was optimistic. Big mistake.
Hereβs how Iβd do it next time:
Iβd go on a normal day, not during Fiesta or any major holiday, and book a time window between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Iβd also make a dinner reservation at Ten 3, the fine-dining restaurant at the summit. Arrive around 3:00, enjoy the tram ride up, and plan your reservation for 4:30 p.m. Insider tip: early reservations have a better chance at window seats overlooking the mountains. You can sip a cocktail, enjoy dinner, and watch the sunset from the restaurant instead of freezing in line.
Oh, and dress in lots of layersβthe air at 10,000 feet feels dramatically cooler. When I say cold, I mean cold.
One last tip: on your drive there, take Tramway Road. You might spot a herd of bison along the way, which is a really cool little surprise before you even reach the base station.
So yes, the Sandia Peak Tramway is absolutely worth visiting⦠just not during Balloon Fiesta.
Getting the Observation Deck at the Balloon Museum was hands-down one of the best decisions we made. Everyone from the Albuquerque Balloon Foundation was incredibly kind and organized. The entire experience felt relaxed, even with the excitement buzzing outside.
You can watch the first balloons light up and drift into the sky from the warmth of the deck, with the sunrise painting the Sandia Mountains in the distance. Once the launch is in full swing, step outside to feel the whoosh of hot air as the balloons float right over you. After breakfast, take the shuttle to the field to walk among the balloonsβitβs pure magic.
I was shocked at how close we could get. There are no ropes or barriers, so you can literally stand a few feet from the inflating balloons and talk to the pilots. Itβs one of those βhow is this even allowed?β moments that makes it feel so special.
When youβve had your fill (and probably taken 500 photos), wander through the vendor village. I picked up a turquoise necklaceβbecause when in New Mexico, of courseβand a handmade ceramic mini balloon. There are tons of locally made souvenirs, traditional crafts, and food vendors. We even caught a traditional dance performance before heading back to the museum.
Every year, the Fiesta has a unique theme. The 2025 theme, βPainted Horizons,β celebrated the visual spectacle of hundreds of balloons rising into the sky, painting the horizon in every color imaginable.
If youβre looking for a less crowded day, go on a Wednesday morning. Itβs calmer than the weekend but doesnβt include the evening Night Magic Glow. For the best of both worlds, pair a weekday morning session with a weekend night show.
The Special Shapes Rodeo happens on Thursday and Friday, when the sky fills with everything from flying pigs to giant bees. I wasnβt sure Iβd love it at first (Iβm a sucker for the classic romantic balloons), but it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the week.
Download the official Balloon Fiesta app before you goβitβs a game changer. You can buy tickets, check live updates, see the schedule, and sign up for text alerts for weather delays or cancellations.
If you go to a morning session, grab a New Mexican breakfast burrito from a local vendor. Theyβre legendary and packed with flavor. If youβre there in the evening, the food options are even more tempting.
We tried JPβz Concessions, and I wasnβt expecting muchβjust something to hold me over. I ordered the loaded carne asada fries, and they were incredible. So fresh, so flavorful, and definitely share-worthy (though you might not want to).
Another standout was Cornivore Popcorn Company. I bought three bags to take home because I couldnβt choose a favoriteβbut the Sweet Green Chile flavor won me over. The owner told me the story himself: he wanted to make a true New Mexico green chile popcorn, without any seeds or stems, using pure, high-quality chile. They pay double what competitors do to get it right, then roast and season it to perfection. Paired with kettle corn, itβs a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and spicyβand still their number one flavor five years later.
Evening sessions are all about the Glow. The balloons donβt launch but instead light up the night sky like giant lanterns. The evening we attended was supposed to include:
Unfortunately, ours got rained out, but even just walking the grounds, grabbing food, and seeing the balloon park was worth it.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta truly is one of the most spectacular events you can experience in the U.S. From the soft hum of the burners before sunrise to the colorful chaos of hundreds of balloons filling the sky, itβs something youβll never forget. Just plan ahead, dress warm, and donβt skip the breakfast burrito. Once the balloons are packed away, spend a few extra days exploring the cityβs culture, cuisine, and desert views. My 3 Perfect Days in Albuquerque: Beyond the Balloon FiestaΒ itinerary has all the best local finds.
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos donβt capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they donβt know theyβre in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But thatβs also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. π·
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. π·
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes Iβve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Hereβs what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
CafΓ© Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davieβs Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (itβs not ketchup, and itβs better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what Iβd skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
Thereβs a version of Gatlinburg thatβs all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then thereβs the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Hereβs everything worth doing downtown, in the order Iβd do it: ποΈ
β¨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
β¨ Walk the strip mid-morning when itβs still manageable
β¨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: donβt skip it)
β¨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
β¨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isnβt your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. Itβs more of a βhereβs what Iβd actually do if I had one solid dayβ kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. π
If someone told me Iβd spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. π
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and itβs one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it β longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
β¨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
β¨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
β¨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
β¨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. π
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
