If youβve ever dreamed of seeing hundreds of colorful hot air balloons float across the New Mexico sky, let me tell you β watching it from the Observation Deck at the Balloon Museum is the way to do it. After experiencing the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta from there, I can confidently say: this is one of those rare upgrades thatβs absolutely worth every penny.
Getting the Observation Deck at the Balloon Museum was hands-down the best decision ever. Everyone at the Albuquerque Balloon Museum Foundation is incredibly kind and helpful, and the whole experience runs like clockwork β which is saying something, because getting to the Balloon Fiesta can be chaos.
Hereβs why the deck tickets make all the difference: parking. If you go the regular route, youβll likely park a mile (or more) away and either walk or hop on a park-and-ride school bus to get to the field. With Observation Deck tickets, you get museum parking, which is literally right next to the park. That alone is worth it, especially when youβre rolling in at 4:30 or 5 a.m.
Once youβre parked, the rest is a dream. You head inside to a warm, heated lounge while you wait for the morningβs events to start. No shivering in the dark field, no waiting in lines, no chaos. Just coffee, comfort, and front-row views of the most magical show on earth.
Tickets for the Observation Deck are sold through the Balloon Museum as a fundraiser to help build exhibits β and bonus, 40% of your ticket is tax deductible.
Drone show at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Every year, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta unveils a theme that captures the spirit of the event. The 2025 theme, Painted Horizons, celebrates the breathtaking sight of hundreds of multicolored balloons rising into the desert sky β literally painting the horizon in real time. Itβs one of those moments that makes you stop mid-coffee sip and think, βAm I actually seeing this?β
If you want a quieter experience, go midweek. We went on a Thursday morning, and while Wednesday is reportedly the least crowded, Thursday still felt relaxed compared to the weekend. Just keep in mind, the night sessions are when the balloon glow and fireworks happen, so pick your day depending on what kind of experience you want.
Pro tip: plan to arrive near the I-25/Paseo area no later than 4:30 a.m. Traffic thickens fast, and the earlier youβre parked, the smoother your morning will be. I go over exactly what time to arrive (and what mistakes to avoid) in my guide to 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Going to Balloon Fiesta.
We arrived at the museum right around 5:00 a.m. The setup was cozy and welcoming β hot coffee, tea, and cocoa flowing freely while everyone gathered by the windows in anticipation.
At 5:45 a.m., the Drone Show kicked off, lighting up the sky with synchronized patterns and music. Itβs a different show each session (morning vs. evening), so if you attend multiple days, youβll see something new every time.
Breakfast started at 6:00 a.m., but we waited until after the DawnΒ Patrol at 6:00 to grab our plates. This year, breakfast was catered by Slate Street CafΓ©, a local favorite that brought serious flavor to the morning. Iβm talking all the fixinsβ β fresh fruit, flaky pastries, housemade carne adovada, crispy bacon, biscuits and gravy, and everything you need to craft the perfect breakfast burrito. If you want even more local flavor while youβre in town, check out my full list of restaurants in my blog Where to Eat in Albuquerque: From Green Chile to Fine Dining.
By 7:00 a.m., the balloon launch began. Standing on the deck, youβre close enough to the field that balloons float right by β and sometimes directly over β your head. Watching them light up against the dawn sky, then lift off one by one, is an experience that feels straight out of a dream.
As the sun rose, we enjoyed our breakfast inside while watching the balloons drift across the painted horizon β warm, full, and completely in awe. Once the main launch wrapped up around 7:30, we hopped on the free shuttle down to the field.
If youβve never walked among the balloons before, put it at the top of your list. Thereβs no roped-off area β you can walk right up close, chat with pilots, and take photos as the balloons inflate. Itβs pure magic. I was honestly surprised how freely you can move around the field; it feels like youβre part of the show.
After youβve taken about 300 photos (trust me, you will), itβs time to explore the vendors. There are so many β everything from handmade jewelry to local art to quirky balloon souvenirs. I bought a beautiful turquoise necklace (because when in New Mexico, right?) and a handmade ceramic mini balloon to remember the day.
If you somehow still have room after that incredible breakfast, there are tons of food stands and local treats. We also caught a bit of live entertainment, including some traditional dancing, which added the perfect cultural touch to the morning.
When youβre ready to wind down, just hop the shuttle back to the Balloon Museum and explore its exhibits β all included with your ticket. Donβt skip the Museum Shoppe before you leave; itβs filled with balloon-themed gifts, locally made art, and souvenirs you wonβt find in the main park. Even better, your Observation Deck ticket gets you a 10% discount, so itβs the perfect time to grab that keepsake mug or ornament before heading out.
Check out this amazing local company, Kei & Molly, and their unique story behind these beautiful hand-printed tea towels!
Even the Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) deserves a mention here, because it sets the tone for the whole trip. Flying in or out of ABQ feels nothing like your typical airport. Between the adobe-inspired architecture, wooden beams, and warm-toned art, it feels more like a Southwestern lounge than a terminal.
The lobby has this cozy, living-room feel β complete with art, soft lighting, and even live music if you catch it at the right time. Itβs one of those airports where you actually want to linger.
Food-wise, youβre spoiled for choice. We grabbed chips and salsa from Indian Pueblo Kitchen, and let me tell you β locals may call it βmild,β but itβll still make your eyes water in the best way. Youβll also find Flavor of New Mexico for regional dishes, Cheese & Coffee for artisan sandwiches and soups, Black Mesa Coffee Company for pastries and espresso, and quick options like Panda Express or Dunkinβ if youβre in a rush.
Renting a car is refreshingly simple: grab your bags, step outside, hop on the shuttle to the rental center, and youβre set. Just note that during Balloon Fiesta week, youβll want to budget an extra 30 minutes for the car rental line and shuttle.
If airports handed out a βfeel at homeβ award, Albuquerqueβs Sunport would win, no contest. Itβs the perfect beginning β and ending β to your Balloon Fiesta adventure.
The Observation Deck at the Balloon Museum is the ultimate Balloon Fiesta experience β stress-free, scenic, and perfectly warm. Between the convenient parking, catered breakfast, and unbeatable views, itβs worth every bit of planning ahead. Add in the Albuquerque Sunportβs charm, and your trip from touchdown to takeoff will be one for the books.
If youβre still deciding where to stay, my guide to the Best Places to Stay for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta breaks down the pros and cons of downtown hotels versus spots closer to the park like Rio Rancho or North Valley. And if you want to stretch your trip beyond the balloons, my Spend a Week in Albuquerque New MexicoΒ itinerary and Experiences You Canβt Miss During Fiesta WeekΒ will help you plan the rest of your stay.
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
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