Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta & New Mexico

DAY 1: Des Moines

Join fellow travelers as we make our way to the arid southwest and host to the most photographed event in the world. The annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is a phenomenal sight to behold. Hundreds of hot air balloons ascending into the heavens is a magical and colorful experience. Our first overnight will be in Des Moines, IA at the Drury Inn.

DAY 2: Ogallala

After breakfast, we'll continue west across the wide-open Nebraska landscape, following the same general corridor once traveled by pioneers, stagecoach drivers, Pony Express riders, trappers, traders, and families searching for a new life in the American West. Along the way, we'll stop for an included lunch at Texas T-Bone, where we'll sit down to a hearty local favorite and enjoy a relaxed meal together before continuing our journey across the plains.

Our next stop brings the story of the American West to life at the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument near Kearney. Spanning Interstate 80, this remarkable attraction tells the story of the travelers who crossed these plains long before today's highways existed. Inside, we'll discover the hardships and adventures of those who followed the Platte River corridor west - Native American tribes, fur trappers and traders, stagecoach passengers, Pony Express riders, and the early telegraph that began shrinking the distances between communities. As you explore, it's easy to imagine the rumble of wagon wheels, the dust rising from the trail, and travelers looking across an enormous horizon wondering what waited beyond it.

We'll continue on to the Golden Spike Tower, where railroad history meets one of the most fascinating working landscapes in America. From the observation decks, watch trains moving through the Union Pacific's massive Bailey Yard, one of the world's largest railroad classification yards. Hundreds of railcars can be sorted and routed here, creating an impressive ballet of locomotives, tracks, and freight cars stretching across the Nebraska plains. It's a wonderful reminder of how the trails once traveled by wagon eventually became the rail lines that helped transform the American West.

As afternoon fades into evening, we'll continue to Ogallala, a community steeped in the history and mythology of the Old West. We'll check into our hotel and have the evening free to relax or explore. Dinner is on your own tonight, giving you the freedom to choose exactly how you'd like to end the day.

DAY 3: CO Springs

After breakfast, we'll continue west toward the magnificent Rocky Mountains and arrive in Colorado Springs, where some of the most dramatic scenery of the American West awaits. Today we'll enjoy a guided tour of Garden of the Gods, one of Colorado's most spectacular natural treasures. Our guide will bring the landscape to life as we wind through the park, surrounded by enormous red and rose-colored sandstone formations rising dramatically from the earth. Against the brilliant Colorado-blue sky, with the rugged silhouette of Pikes Peak towering in the distance, the scenery seems almost too perfect to be real. We'll have opportunities to stop, take photographs, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and simply enjoy the breathtaking views.

As we travel through the park, you'll hear the stories behind these remarkable formations and learn how millions of years of geological forces created this extraordinary landscape. The towering rocks seem to change color as the sunlight moves across them, creating a constantly changing backdrop of reds, golds, shadows, and brilliant blue sky. It's the kind of place where you'll want to put the camera down for a moment and simply take it all in.

After our guided Garden of the Gods experience, we'll continue exploring Colorado Springs before settling in for the evening at the Drury Inn & Suites. With the Rocky Mountains surrounding us and the adventures of New Mexico still ahead, tonight is the perfect time to relax, share photographs, and look forward to the next leg of our Southwest journey. Dinner is on our own tonight.

DAY 4: Sante Fe

After breakfast, we'll continue our journey through Colorado Springs, where the story of American aviation takes center stage. Depending on current access and operating schedules, we'll experience the U.S. Air Force Academy or enjoy a guided visit to the National Museum of World War II Aviation, where beautifully restored aircraft, photographs, artifacts, and personal stories bring the courage and ingenuity of the World War II generation to life.

And today, lunch is part of the aviation theme -- We'll gather at the one-of-a-kind Airplane Restaurant, where we'll actually dine inside a genuine 1953 Boeing KC-97 tanker aircraft. Step aboard, settle into your seat, and look around at the aviation memorabilia and photographs surrounding you. With the aircraft itself serving as the centerpiece, this isn't simply lunch - it's an experience that aviation enthusiasts and curious travelers alike will be talking about long after the meal is over.

With our appetite satisfied and our curiosity sparked, we'll continue west into New Mexico toward the enchanting mountain town of Taos. Here, more than 1,000 years of history, Native American traditions, Hispanic heritage, art, architecture, and Southwestern culture come together beneath the vast New Mexico sky. Take your time strolling through town, admire the adobe buildings glowing in the afternoon sun, browse galleries and local shops, and discover the distinctive character that has drawn artists and travelers to Taos for generations.

As the day winds down, we'll continue to Santa Fe, where we'll settle into our hotel surrounded by the unmistakable atmosphere of the Southwest. With adobe walls, colorful doors, turquoise jewelry, art-filled galleries, mountain views, and restaurants serving the flavors of New Mexico, Santa Fe invites you to slow down and savor the evening.

DAY 5: Albuquerque

Awaken in the artistic heart of the Southwest, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the unmistakable beauty of Santa Fe. After breakfast, our local guide will introduce us to this remarkable city, where adobe architecture, colorful doors, turquoise jewelry, Native American art, galleries, and centuries of cultural traditions come together. We'll explore the city's most memorable sights and visit a nearby Indian Pueblo, gaining a deeper appreciation for the Native American heritage that is woven into the fabric of northern New Mexico.

We'll then sit down together for an included lunch at a local Santa Fe favorite, complete with dessert. This is our chance to savor the distinctive flavors of New Mexico — perhaps the smoky aroma of roasted chile, blue corn, warm tortillas, and savory Southwestern specialties — followed by something sweet to finish the meal. It's more than lunch; it's another opportunity to taste the character of the region we're traveling through.

After lunch, we'll discover a completely different side of New Mexico at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Here, science, technology, aviation, and American history intersect. Explore fascinating exhibits chronicling the development of nuclear science and its role in shaping the modern world, from the early scientific discoveries that changed our understanding of the atom to the development of nuclear technology and its impact on American history. Aircraft, missiles, artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays help tell a story that is both fascinating and thought-provoking. It's an unexpected addition to our Southwestern adventure and a wonderful stop for travelers interested in science, history, aviation, and the extraordinary technological achievements of the 20th century.

Later today, we'll continue to Albuquerque, our home for the next three nights. As we arrive, the excitement begins to build because Balloon Fiesta country is just ahead! We'll settle into the Drury Inn, enjoy an included dinner, and prepare for the extraordinary spectacle awaiting us. Tomorrow, the New Mexico sky becomes our theater as hundreds of colorful balloons prepare to rise above the Rio Grande Valley.

DAY 6: Albuquerque

This is the morning we've been waiting for.

Before the sun rises, we'll make our way toward the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta grounds. The air is crisp, the sky is still dark, and the anticipation is unmistakable. Then, as dawn begins to brighten the horizon, the first balloons start to emerge.

One by one, colorful balloons inflate across the field. Giant envelopes rise from the ground, burners roar to life, and suddenly the sky begins filling with brilliant colors and whimsical shapes. Then comes the Mass Ascension -- hundreds of balloons lifting into the morning sky, drifting silently above the Rio Grande Valley. The sight is almost impossible to describe. Reds, yellows, blues, greens, oranges, and every imaginable color float together against the pale morning sky. For a few magical moments, the entire horizon becomes a moving canvas.

Optional balloon rides may be available for travelers who have reserved them in advance. After the morning festivities, we'll return to the hotel for a quick breakfast before meeting our local guide and exploring more of Albuquerque. This fascinating city is one of the oldest communities in the United States and reflects a remarkable blend of Native American, Hispanic, Anglo, and other cultural influences.

Later, we'll explore Old Town Albuquerque, where adobe buildings, historic plazas, colorful shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafés create an atmosphere that feels wonderfully different from home. Lunch and shopping are on your own - perhaps enjoy traditional Southwestern flavors, browse Native American jewelry and pottery, or simply relax beneath the New Mexico sunshine. You'll have the option to return to the festival grounds later this evening if you'd like to experience even more of Balloon Fiesta magic.

DAY 7: Albuquerque

We're rising early again because the New Mexico sky has another spectacular show waiting for us. Return to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta grounds for another Mass Ascension, watching as hundreds of colorful balloons lift into the crisp morning air. One by one, the giant envelopes fill with air, burners roar to life, and suddenly the sky becomes a moving canvas of brilliant reds, blues, yellows, greens, and oranges. Watching the balloons drift silently above the Rio Grande Valley as the morning sun rises over the Sandia Mountains is one of those extraordinary travel moments that photographs simply cannot capture.

After the morning festivities, we'll enjoy breakfast before heading to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. As our tram climbs toward the 10,378-foot summit, Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley stretch farther and farther below us. At the top, step outside into the crisp mountain air and take in the breathtaking panorama - an enormous Southwestern landscape unfolding in every direction. It's a remarkable contrast to the colorful balloon field we experienced just hours earlier.

After descending from the mountain, we'll gather for an included lunch at a local Albuquerque favorite, giving everyone time to relax, share stories from the morning, and enjoy the flavors of New Mexico. Think warm chile, savory Southwestern specialties, fresh tortillas, and the unmistakable aromas of New Mexican cooking.

We'll return to the hotel afterward for some well-earned downtime before heading back to the festival grounds for tonight's Balloon Glow. As darkness settles across the field, hundreds of balloons stand tethered against the night sky. Then, on cue, their propane burners fire, illuminating the colorful envelopes from within until the entire field glows like a collection of enormous lanterns. Music fills the air, flames flicker against the darkness, and the balloons seem to dance with every burst of light. It's a spectacular finale to our time in Albuquerque — and a memory you'll carry home long after the last balloon has been packed away.

DAY 8: Oklahoma City

After breakfast, we'll say goodbye to Albuquerque and begin our journey eastward. The spectacular desert landscapes gradually give way to the open road as we leave the mountains and head toward the Great Plains.

We'll make a memorable lunch stop in Amarillo, Texas, giving everyone a chance to stretch, refuel, and enjoy a taste of Texas before continuing our journey. Tonight, we'll arrive in Oklahoma City and settle into the Hyatt Place Bricktown. After several exciting days in the Southwest, this evening provides a chance to relax, share photographs, and reminisce about the balloons that filled the New Mexico sky.

DAY 9: Collinsville

This morning, we'll pause for a meaningful visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial, a place of reflection, remembrance, and resilience. The peaceful grounds and thoughtful memorial design provide an opportunity to remember the lives affected by tragedy and the strength of a community that came together in its aftermath.

Then we'll continue toward Springfield, Missouri, where we'll enjoy a fun and memorable stop at Bass Pro Shops, with time for lunch and exploration. Afterward, we'll visit Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, an immersive experience combining natural history, conservation, wildlife, and spectacular aquarium environments. From underwater worlds to remarkable wildlife exhibits, it offers one more unexpected adventure before we head toward home.

Tonight, we'll settle into our final overnight at the Drury Inn & Suites in Collinsville, Illinois, just east of St. Louis.

DAY 10: Home

After breakfast, we'll begin our final leg toward home. The miles may be carrying us home, but the memories of the Southwest will travel right along with us - brilliant balloons rising into the morning sky, the glow of hundreds of illuminated balloons after dark, red sandstone beneath Colorado's blue skies, adobe villages, Native American traditions, mountain panoramas, and the wide-open landscapes that make the American West so unforgettable.

We'll enjoy comfortable stretch breaks along the way and arrive home later today with photographs to share, stories to tell, and perhaps a new appreciation for just how big, colorful, and wonderfully surprising this country can be.

The balloons may have landed, but the memories will stay airborne for years to come. Float on - until we see you next time!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner