First, keep in mind that the launch is totally weather dependent and that there is a chance you may not get to see the gallons launch. If they do go up, they go up as first light, which is about 7 am. You will need to be at the park by 6 or so Andy that will take your leaving the hotel by 5.

Normally, I recommend that folks take a park and ride bus, as traffic into and out is pretty bad. There is no way to leave your car at a downtown hotel and get to the park. I would recommend that you stay just north of the city in Bernalillo. There is a holiday Inn Express that would work. Then you could drive south to park, see launch and then head to airport.

Personally, I would be nervous doing this before a flight. I would honestly suggest that you come to ABQ a day earlier, see some of the great things to do in ABQ ,see the ballon fiesta Tuesday and then head to airport Wed.

I agree with DebitNM.

Lee Ann

So now I am thinking we'd go to the Balloon Fiesta on Sunday, since we could then get our daughter to the airport in the evening. What is the fiesta like in the afternoon? What do you see and what is there to do? ARe the Balloons in the air? And should we buy tickets ahead of time?
Thanks for your suggestions, Fodorites. I always appreciate your advice.

There is nothing during the afternoons. The launchs are only in the very early morning.

Some evenings they have "glows" where the balloons are cold inflated [filled with air] and then they hit the burners to make the flames light the balloons from within. They are on the ground, you cannot fly in balloons in the dar.

Pretty neat to see, but not any where near as good as the mass ascention.

First of all, go here: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

That will tell you the schedule.

The ascensions are a crap shoot. If the wind is at or over 8 mph, the mass ascension won't happen. Albuquerque is on a flat plateau bordered to the east by mountains, the wind comes most frequently down from the northwest and can rebound off the mountains. The fiesta is in October, which is autumn so the wind and the cool air increases. If more than 2/3 of the launches occur, it's a good fiesta.

So what do people do in the afternoons of the Balloon Fiesta Days? I gather the launches are not guaranteed, so I will not shorten my stay in Santa Fe just to catch that. But I am still curious as to what happens during the morning and afternoon on the regular days. Anything? Worth it?
thanks. So far, very helpful!

There are dozens of things to see and do in and around ABQ. The same things that visitors do every day here: museums, hike, visit cultural sites, the ABQ BioParks, to name just a few.

http://cabq.gov/

Some will take day trips to Santa Fe or other nearby sites like Tent Rocks, or Bandelier. They take the tram up to the top of Sandias. They drive the Turquoise Trail.

LOTs to see and do during non-balloon times. Also, a huge craft fair. http://www.riograndefestivals.com/2012/october2012.html

I guess I haven't been able to convince you that seeing the balloons launch is truly a unique experience, one that you might not get a chance to see. Personally, I can only spend a limited amount of time in Santa Fe. There is so much more to our state than Santa Fe. But as always, to each his own.

Your persistence paid off DebitNM. With the craft fair and open space, we will plan to do ABQ for at least a day, and maybe will be lucky enough to see the launch. After they do launch, how long are they up in the air?

How long they are up is all wind and weather related. {just like everything else!}. If there are ideal winds, the famed Albuquerque "BOX" will be in effect and they could be up for at least an hour or more. As the morning warms up, they start to descend as they need to be hotter than the air to stay afloat.

You won't be sorry....

Maybe I should throw in my experience. My wife and I (we're from the UK) came to Albuquerque and Santa Fe last year. We timed our 2 week US road trip so we could see the balloon fiesta. I have to say it was well worth it and one of the highlights of our trip. We saw the night glow first which was very nice, and the following morning we got up before dawn to drive to the fiesta in plenty of time. You can book a seating area if standing for long periods is a problem. There are lots of stalls selling stuff from jewelry to popcorn and it was a lovely, family atmosphere. The mass ascent was fabulous and we couldn't stop taking photos. Immediately after it they had a drive-through of American classic cars. We liked Santa Fe very much too.

My wife & I attended the Balloon Fiesta two years ago and are going again this year. We lodged at the Homewood Suites in Uptown. Cost per night $180 plus tax. We could walk from our hotel to Coronado Mall where the buses depart for the fiesta grounds (very early in the a.m.). Prior to checking in at Homewood Suites we will spend a couple of days at Santa Fe staying at the Santa Fe Motel & Inn. Cost $129 per night plus tax. This location is an easy 10 minute walk to the Plaza. We stayed there two years ago after visiting Albuquerque. Recommend both of the foregoing lodging facilities. Both facilities offer a continental breakfast.

A recommended route between Albuquerque & Santa Fe is the Turquoise Trail (Hwys 14 & 536), a 62 mile trip. Madrid is a nice stop as is a drive up to Sandia Crest which runs off of Hwy 14.

If there is an interest in race cars I recommend the Unser Museum in Albuquerque. Last time there we were lucky enough to meet Al Unser.

Lots of stuff to see in and around Albuquerque. We love New Mexico.