New Mexico · 3 days · about 65 miles

Balloon Fiesta: Albuquerque and the Turquoise Trail

Dawn balloon launches and adobe farm inns.

Every October hundreds of hot air balloons rise over Albuquerque at sunrise. Stay on a lavender farm in the valley, then take the Turquoise Trail through old mining towns to Santa Fe.

Official event site: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Where to stay, night by night

1. Stop 1 · 2 nights

   Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM

   Farm inns minutes from the launch field.

   Our pick: Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm

   Boutique inns in Los Ranchos de AlbuquerquePrivate homes on Vrbo

2. Stop 2 · 1 night

   Santa Fe, NM

   Adobe hotels near the Plaza.

   Our pick: La Fonda on the Plaza

   Boutique inns in Santa FePrivate homes on Vrbo

3. Stop 3 · 1 night

   Albuquerque, NM

   Old Town and uptown hotels with park-and-ride to the field.

   Our pick: Hotel Chaco

   Also worth a look: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town

   Boutique inns in AlbuquerquePrivate homes on Vrbo

When to go

Early October for about nine days. Rooms sell out months ahead.

Check exact dates and tickets on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta page before you book.

Read the full drive guide

More curated drives