Up, Up, and Away! 12 U.S. Hot Air Balloon Rides To Add to Your Bucket List
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Riding a hot air balloon is one of the most exhilarating, unique, and arguably nerve-wracking travel methods. While we can explore most places on foot, by plane, or in a helicopter, no way of traveling is more serene and tranquil. Better yet, it offers an entirely new perspective of some of the world’s most famous landscapes.
With diverse landscapes, iconic natural attractions, and remote world wonders, the United States is one of the best places in the world to ride a hot air balloon. With that in mind, here are 12 bucket-list hot air balloon rides in the US to show you what you’re missing. Let’s take a look.
Letchworth State Park, New York
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We’ll kick things off with a stunning hot air balloon ride in Letchworth State Park, New York. Approximately a five-hour drive from New York City, Letchworth State Park is a far cry from the busy streets of America’s most iconic city. Skyscraper-lined streets are swapped for scenic waterfalls and lush forests, and whistling birds replace honking taxis.
There is much to see in Letchworth State Park, including three majestic waterfalls and an enormous gorge that reaches depths of 600 feet (183 meters). Therefore, air travel is the best way to experience the park’s beauty. You’ll fly over 14,000 acres (5,665 hectares) of mesmerizing landscape, which looks especially beautiful in fall.
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South Lake Tahoe, California
We believe hot air balloon rides in South Lake Tahoe, California, offer the most complete experience. While the other rides on our list offer impressive views, none are as diverse as those in South Lake Tahoe. You’ll witness dazzling waters, snow-capped mountain ranges, lush forests, and beautiful wildlife.
When you’re not flying low over Lake Tahoe or trying to spot bald eagles hunting, you’ll fly high in the sky for the best views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Needless to say, you’ll capture many spectacular landscape photographs during your flight. Most tours will also take pictures of you using a drone.
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, a famous city in Colorado, is best known for its sweeping landscape vistas and easy access to the Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak. As such, it’s a popular place to visit for hot air balloon rides. You’ll have the opportunity to see the Rockies from a new perspective.
Better yet, most tours leave at sunrise, so you’ll be spoiled with magical views of the mountains lit up by the day’s first light. You’ll pass over Pikes Peak, the Garden of the Gods, and Memorial Park. The excitement doesn’t stop there because you’ll also enjoy a fabulous Champagne breakfast. What’s not to like?
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Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, also famously known as Sin City, is a vibrant city best known for its 5-star hotels, lively nightlife, world-class casinos, and celebrity entertainment. However, beyond the bright lights, shotgun weddings, and high roller casino tables lies a breathtaking natural landscape begging to be explored by outdoor enthusiasts.
A hot air balloon tour is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some of America’s most famous desert landscapes. Most hot air balloon tours in Las Vegas head towards the Mojave Desert and Pahrump Valley. At 10,000 feet (3,000 meters), you can see for miles. You’ll fly over the remote desert, towering mountains, deep rocky gorges, and lush Nevada vineyards.
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Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Walla Walla Valley is an American Viticultural Area in Washington state that is famed for its lush landscapes and agriculture. While it may not be as iconic as other landscapes on our list, Walla Walla Valley has much to offer, especially if you want to experience rolling hills, lush fields, picturesque vineyards, and vast valleys.
Leaving at sunrise and sunset, the tours in Walla Walla Valley offer a serene experience that sees you gently pass over the area’s beautiful landscape. You’ll be treated to stunning views of the Columbia River and the Blue Mountains, as well as other impressive natural formations. During the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, the skies above the valley are filled with colorful hot air balloons.
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Custer, South Dakota
Custer is a small city with a population of less than 2,500. However, it draws tourists in with the promise of easy access to the Black Hills, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore National Monument.
Hot air balloon rides in Custer offer travelers exceptional views of the city’s surrounding landscapes. You can expect second-to-none views of the Black Hills’ dense forests, jagged peaks, and diverse wildlife.
In addition to gorgeous 360-degree views, hot air balloon rides in Custer commonly treat travelers to elk, bison, and pronghorn views. Some tours even visit Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial.
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Napa Valley, California
In Napa Valley, California, you can spend your morning soaring above the breathtaking scenery in a hot air balloon and your afternoon sampling local wines in the picturesque vineyards you’ve just flown over. We don’t know about you, but that sounds like the perfect day. All we need now is some delicious food to top the day off.
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Gliding above the rolling hills of Napa Valley is a fantastic way to experience the region’s vast landscape. Only when you’re in the air will you realize just how magnificent this place truly is. Not to mention, the first rays of sunlight hitting the landscape are a sight to behold, especially if you’re a budding photographer.
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Appalachian Mountains, Tennessee
From Nashville, Tennessee, wannabee explorers can take to the skies in a hot air balloon on a journey to the Appalachian Mountains. While Nashville itself isn’t renowned for its spectacular landscape, the area around it is. For example, Middle Tennessee alone has ten state parks and eight national parks to visit.
You can soar above the Appalachian Mountain Range and the Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee. You’ll witness one-of-a-kind peaks, powerful waterfalls, verdant hills, and charming river views.
This is a great way to enjoy the vast wilderness without putting your legs through intense hiking trails. Afterward, head into Nashville to explore the city’s most iconic sites and listen to live music.
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Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico, is considered the most famous hot air balloon destination in the United States. After all, it’s home to America’s largest hot-air balloon festival. The International Balloon Fiesta | Albuquerque takes place over nine days and sees over 900,000 visitors and 600 hot air balloon pilots take to the sky.
Don’t worry if you can’t attend the festival, because tours operate yearly. A tour in Albuquerque lets you fly over the beautiful Rio Grande Valley and glimpse the Sandia Mountains. You’ll also fly over lush forests and picturesque waterways. After your tour, most companies in Albuquerque will provide you with a certificate, a light snack, and a glass of champagne.
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St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is the penultimate hot air balloon destination on our list. This vibrant city is best known for its Spanish colonial architecture, Atlantic Ocean beaches, and historic castles. However, the area around the city is also recognized for its charming natural beauty. As a result, tourists can take to the skies around the city.
Offering an escape from Florida’s busy streets and overcrowded attractions like Disney World, a hot air balloon ride in St. Augustine provides exceptional views of Florida’s natural landscape. Perfect for romantic couples and families, you’ll fly over orange groves, scenic lakes, lush forests, and yacht-filled marinas. After your tour, you’ll enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne.
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Monument Valley, Utah and Arizona
The otherworldly landscapes in Monument Valley make it one of the world’s most unique and intriguing hot-air ballooning destinations. Sitting at the border of Utah and Arizona, the magnificent location is home to picturesque red-sand deserts, enormous sandstone rock formations, and thousands of TV and movie filming locations.
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While exploring the valley on foot is an excellent experience, the 360-degree views from above are unparalleled. You’ll see vast deserts, unique rock formations, iconic world wonders, and deep gorges. Furthermore, air travel allows you to cover more of the valley, especially its most remote regions. Keep your eyes peeled for the iconic John Ford Point and North Window Overlook.
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Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Hot air balloon rides in Montgomery County offer breathtaking views of the state’s most magical natural beauties. You’ll experience a bird’s eye view of Schuylkill River, Perkiomen Creek, Skippack, and Pottstown. It’s also not uncommon for visitors to spot bald eagles hunting below them.
Like Albuquerque, Montgomery County also has an annual festival. Hundreds of hot air balloons take to the sky at once, making for an extraordinary sight as the sky is brought to life with colors. Things only get better with the addition of a complimentary glass of champagne after most rides.
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