Because it's such a big event, the hotel prices are all ridiculously inflated and you have to book really early to get a reservation. We were struggling to find an affordable option that could fit our family, and decided to go with an AirBnB instead. We found a cute, 2 bedroom house near Old Town and it turned out to be so much better than any hotel because we had a kitchen, family room, yard, and didn't have to all sleep together at night.
Having fun at the AirBnB
SATURDAY MORNING | DAWN PATROL & MASS ASCENSION: We arrived in ABQ on Friday and went to bed early since our Saturday would start at 4 am. We left early to get to the balloon park since we didn't really know where we were going, or where to park, and because we'd be competing with hundreds of thousands of people for viewing space. We bundled up as much as we could - winter coats, hats, mittens, warm socks, and blankets - and set out while it was still completely dark.
Around 6 am the Dawn Patrol began - a line of 13 balloons to represent the 13 participants at the original festival 50 years ago. The inflated, glowed, and then took off one by one in the dark.
By 7 am everyone was starting to melt down. The kids were freezing, even with all their clothes and hot chocolate. We underestimated how cold it would be and how long it would take the sun to rise to start warming things up.
The mass ascension began once it was light, beginning with a flyover, and then hundreds of balloons began to inflate and launch in waves. Once we got out of a very long bathroom line, we were able to watch as they got ready for takeoff.
Davey loved this spider balloon
A very sad Charlie felt much better once he was snuggled into daddy's coat, where he promptly fell asleep.
This Cristus statue balloon sure was unique!
The kids loved looking for all the shaped balloons and this blue chicken was a favorite
A highlight for Sophie was being invited to roll on the pink pig balloon to help get the air out. We're not sure why the owners need the air out, but she had a great time helping!
A family picture, minus Charlie since he was sleeping in the wagon at this point.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON | ABQ BIOPARK AQARIUM & GARDENS: After warming up and a quick nap back at the AirBnB, we took the kids out to the Biopark. There are two sides - the zoo or the aquarium + gardens and the kids wanted to see fish. The aquarium was small, but they had a good time. The gardens were the real surprise! They were huge and had so many fun things to look at - a bug zoo, a kid's garden, model trains, a farm, and more!
SATURDAY NIGHT | BALLOON GLOW: My parents arrived Saturday afternoon and after dinner we went back to the balloon park for the evening glow. This event went much better than our morning because it was warm, light, and we had extra adult helpers. It was so fun to wander the park and watch all the balloons.
The noise and heat from the burners made Charlie nervous. They are VERY loud.
Sophie and I got to get in the basket while it was inflating! Sophie was worried about the loud sound of the burner, so he used the quieter one meant for when livestock are near.
The three girls
The kids loved running around collecting balloon cards from the different crews. They had each gathered a big stack by the end of the night.
My dad is known for his love of the green Nature Valley granola bars so I had to take his picture
Enjoying some donuts Paco got from a food truck on on our way in
There was an amazing firework show at the end of the glow that we got to watch on our walk back to the parking lot. It was as good as 4th of July!
SUNDAY MORNING | NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: On Sunday we packed up to go home, but stopped at a museum first to get some energy out before our drive. We were planning to go to Explora, the children's museum, but it wasn't open that day. Luckily the history museum was right across the street and it kept us entertained for a couple hours.
This dinosaur came to life every 30 minutes and moved and roared + making foot prints in a sand box
Headed home with some very exhausted kids after a very busy weekend
SOME NOTES FOR NEXT TIME:
- It was extremely cold in the morning before the sun rose. Bring snow pants, boots, and hand warmers to help. An extra thermos of hot chocolate would have been good too.
- We go there too early. Nothing happens before 6 am. It wouldn't be bad to arrive early to get a parking spot, but it would be better to wait in the car until 6 instead of outside in the cold, dark park. There were no lines to get into the park and security was not a problem either.
- Use the bathroom on the way in and then don't go again until your way out, or you get home. The lines get extremely long and we missed a good portion of the ascension waiting for Sophie to use the bathroom.
- Park in the north lot. We got stuck in the south lot trying to get out, and the balloons were launching north to south so it took awhile for the ones by us to take off.
- Bring glow necklaces to the evening event to help keep track of the kids once it got dark
