The New Mexico Tourism Department has created a list of 17 things for visitors to do during Balloon Fiesta week, encouraging an extended stay for the hundreds of thousands of visitors that travel to see New Mexico’s sky burst with color in early October.
The list, titled “17 New Mexico True Adventures You Need to Experience During Balloon Fiesta,” showcases the wide variety of cultural activities and authentic experiences visitors can encounter before, during and after the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Suggestions include “Fill Your Tank” (on the Breakfast Burrito Byway), “Cowboy Up” (at the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium), “Reach for the Sky” (at Acoma Sky City), and “Break Out Your Lederhosen” (at Red River’s Oktoberfest). Also included are nods to several of New Mexico’s famed culinary trails, including “Savor the Flavor” (on the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail), which was just named the number one food trail in the country by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
“We want to show visitors the incredible variety of things they can experience while they’re in New Mexico,” said Rebecca Latham, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Tourism Department. “There’s so much to see and do, whether it’s a quick daytrip or an extended pre- or post-Balloon Fiesta vacation, and we think this list is the perfect format to help visitors easily decide what should be included on their itinerary.”
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a nine-day event that runs October 3-11. It’s been called the “world’s most photographed event” and features more than 500 balloons dotting the sky at sunrise and glowing on the field at sunset. Several onsite activities, from music entertainment and flying competitions, to chainsaw carving and breakfast burrito tasting, round out this uniquely New Mexican experience.
“Balloon Fiesta is without a doubt something you have to see in person,” said Latham. “There’s nothing like seeing the sun rise over the Sandia Mountains, with a warm breakfast burrito in-hand, while watching the giant balloons inflate on the field before taking off. It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve experienced, and I go year after year.”
View the “17 New Mexico True Adventures You Need to Experience During Balloon Fiesta” at NewMexico.org/BalloonFiesta, and find hard copies of the list during the event at the easy-to-locate New Mexico True Traveler Mobile Visitor Center (on Main Street) and at the official Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Information Booths.
