Adirondack Balloon Festival: An Inspiring Day Trip Upstate NY
The Adirondack Balloon festival is a free event, and one of the biggest and most anticipated events hosted in Warren County, New York.
Picture a massive amount of hot air balloons ascending up high into the sky with the beautiful colors of the balloons, and offset with the color contrast of the fall foliage.
The Adirondack Balloon Festival is also known as the Warren County Balloon festival, and is usually held in the fall in late September when the air just starts to turn a bit brisk, and leaves on the trees have just started to turn vibrant fall colors.
It’s typically held at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury, NY, and depicts an array of over 100 hot air balloons attracting both locals and visitors from all over the world.
The community of locals as well as tourists from all over the world gather to see this magical and inspiring event in Upstate NY.
No matter if the weather is rain or shine, this is one event that people wait for anxiously every year, and don’t want to miss out on. However, if it does rain, or if it’s too windy, the launch may be cancelled, so be sure to check the weather.
A Day Trip Upstate NY
If you’re planning a day trip Upstate NY, consider adding this Festival as part of your plans, especially if you’re planning on going in the fall. This is absolutely one event you don’t want to miss out on.
Be sure to check the official Adirondack Balloon Festival website for rules, dates, parking, launch times, and schedule updates. You can get the complete schedule and answers to your questions about everything you need to know, including the rules here.
This festival in Upstate NY is a great event for the family to attend for fun things to do in Upstate NY.
While you’re in the area, you could also make a weekend trip out of it and enjoy all of the other things to do.
There are a plethora of hotels and lodging to stay at in Queensbury, Lake George, and even in Saratoga Springs.
Since the balloon festival is in the fall, I would recommend taking a drive up to see the fall foliage. A drive on route 4 heading into Vermont to see more is especially beautiful.
However, if you’re looking for something with a little more activity involved, you could also visit an apple orchard and do some apple picking with the family, or go on one of the many hiking trails in the Adirondacks.
When you get hungry, you can even visit one of the many Adirondack style restaurants in the area, such as the Silo on Aviation Road in Queensbury. You can even pick up souvenirs after you eat in their little shop.
Simple Checklist For Your Trip To The Balloon Festival:
- Be sure to arrive early to get a good parking spot before it fills up. It typically fills up fast, so get there early! Parking is of course, free as well.
- Some vendors may take credit cards, but be sure to bring a little bit of cash for the ones who don’t.
- Be sure to dress appropriately and wear warm clothing. The weather is typically brisk and chilly during the balloon festival.
- Be sure to check weather updates and adapt accordingly. As mentioned previously, the festival will be cancelled if too windy or raining.
- Pets are not allowed unless an official service animal, so be sure to leave the pets at home.
- No smoking. Smoking is not permitted at and during the event.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re excited to see this massive array of colorful balloons, you should be, and it’s one you don’t want to miss out on.
If you’ve never experienced the Adirondack Balloon festival, it’s a truly special event, and one you will remember for years to come.
So pack a lunch, have a picnic, or even go apple picking, then set off to go watch the balloons and have a fun filled day with your friends, or your family on this crisp fall day to see all of the beautiful balloon and fall foliage.
