Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - New Mexico

A yearly balloon fiesta that takes place in Albuquerque in early October, the Balloon fiesta is a week plus long event of 750 balloons and the largest balloon fiesta in the world. And if that's not enough, it is also widely considered the most photographed event in the world. It all began back in 1972 as the highlight of a 50th birthday celebration for KOB Radio, and the Balloon Fiesta has grown each year since becoming the largest balloon convention in the world. The number of registered balloons reached a peak of 1,019 in 2000, prompting the Balloon Fiesta Board to limit the number to 750 starting in 2001, aiming for "quality over quantity" for the big Fest.

As you may have guessed, this is one of the top-rated things to do this time of year and there's no better time for hot air balloon rides then at the Balloon Fiesta. One of the more exciting Albuquerque balloon rides is one that takes off before sunrise allowing an amazing view of the stars, city lights and gorgeous sunrise, but be sure to book as far in advance as possible. On any given day during the festival, up to 100,000 spectators may be on the field where the balloons are launched to enjoy the rare opportunity to observe inflation and take off. Visitors can also enjoy events like the Fiesta Challenge, a game where balloonists attempt to drop a marker closest to a target, America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, where special long-distance gas balloons are inflated and launched (the winner is the balloon that travels the farthest), and the Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension, where balloonists from each nation launch, one at a time, to their national anthem while waving their nation's flag.