Balloon Adventures: Soaring Over the Las Vegas Desert
Of all the things we’ve done in Las Vegas, I’d be hard-pressed to find anything more enjoyable than our hot air balloon adventures! If you’ve never been, a hot air balloon ride is thrilling enough for an adrenaline junkie, while soft enough for some one who doesn’t like heights. Given the chance, I highly recommend you jump (or soar) at the opportunity.
I’ve had the great fortune of soaring above the Las Vegas desert in a hot air balloon twice now, and I’d gladly do it again. Both times we went with Vegas Balloon Rides, and I’d highly recommend them to anyone. The entire staff is professional, knowledgeable, and a ton of fun to be around! You can check them out online on their website or on Facebook. One thing to note, make sure you check Groupon for any discounts as they’ll provide the absolute best price.
In Las Vegas, the only time your ballooning adventures are allowed to take place is at sunrise. This is because the winds start to pick up over the mountains in the afternoon, making it unsafe to fly the balloons. Try to book your flight in time to get on the included shuttle ride from most Strip Hotels, otherwise it’s a short taxi ride to their meet-up location.
Our first step was to roll out the balloon material and fill it with air from a high-powered fan. I was one of the lucky ones picked to help!
Once the balloon was full we were given the opportunity to hop inside (literally!) and check out the balloon from a very rare angle.
Now that the balloon was full of air and we’d had our fun inside, it was time to turn up the heat and get in the air!
There are often multiple balloon adventures happening together, making amazing opportunities for pictures that seem surreal even as you take them yourself.
During the ride, your pilot will show you the effects of different air currents at different heights. It’s pretty amazing to experience! All the while you’ll be floating over some Las Vegas neighbourhoods, out into the desert, and maybe even surprising some golfers …
Part of the fun of taking hot air balloon adventures is not knowing exactly how long you’ll be in the air or where you’re going. It sounds strange, but all of those details are determined by the wind direction that day. On our first trip we flew northwest, while on our second we went almost completely south. Every trip is very unique, but no matter which way the wind takes you, you’re sure to be met with awesome views of the surrounding mountains.
And of course you’re bound to be awe-struck by the incredible views of the Las Vegas Strip with the mountains as a backdrop!
After about 45 minutes or so it’s time to land.
Your pilot will find a suitable area to set the balloon down, and the “chasers” will meet you there to ensure a soft, safe landing. Once you’re back on the ground I guarantee you’ll want to start planning your next hot air balloon adventures!
Have you taken a hot air balloon ride? I’d love to hear where you went and how your experience was in the comments below!
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Resources Mentioned:
Vegas Balloon Rides – The best company in Las Vegas offering hot air balloon rides. You’ll love the staff and are guaranteed to have an amazing experience! Learn More
Groupon – A world leader in connecting businesses with customers. Businesses love the exposure created on their behalf, while customers love the huge discounts offered. Search by location and sort by the categories you care about; you’re sure to save money on your next vacation! Learn More
Had no clue about the hot air balloon process! I love to watch them, but I’m terrified of heights.. Thanks for the post!!!
I’ve flown with a couple people who didn’t like heights and they said they felt safe in a hot air balloon. If you never take the “jump” i hope this post helped you feel what it’s like
Looks like quite an adventure…we have hot air balloon festivals here in NJ every summer. That’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to them. Maybe one day I’ll take the ride! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
You’re very welcome, Theresa; and I really hope you get the chance to take a ride!
Very cool, definitely one thing that is on my Live List to do!! Thanks for sharing!!
Live List, I like that Zach, and I like that this is on yours!
Your pictures of the hot air balloon look spectacular and loved seeing the process but I don’t know if I’d ever be able to do it! Like a commenter above said I’m terrified of heights so I’d probably have a mini-panic attack! Maybe someday I’ll take the leap.
Thank you so much! You’d likely have some uneasy moments, but you feel very solid inside the balloon. If you ever decide to go, I’d love to hear about your experience!
This looks absolutely amazing! I would love to do something like this, but at the same time I am little bit worried since there seems to be quite a few balloon accidents every year. But Vegas seems to be a great place to do this. So much to see there!
That’s interesting Paula, I don’t think I’ve heard about many accidents though they must happen occasionally. The rides in Vegas all take place in the mornings before the winds come out of the mountains, so they’re very smooth rides.
Ballooning over the desert is something I have wanted to do for years. We are planning a road trip out west next spring so hopefully we can fit this in!
I really hope you’re able to do this on your trip John. It was such an amazing experience i’ve since done it a second time!
Thats super nice! I never did a ballon ride and I think I am a bit scared.. especially because you indeed don’t know really where you go or how long you’ll be up ! … But I love to see skies with Ballons, your pictures are best proof for it! 🙂
Thanks so much Lena! Yes, the uncertainty makes it quite an adventure, but the pilots are able to land at any time (assuming they can find an open piece of land). It also makes every ride completely different!
there is something about Hot Air Baloons that I just love! I’ve never been on one before (I think I would be terrified) but Vegas seems like an amazing place to do it! The views look stunning!
You should definitely go! Yes, the views are really amazing, from the mountainous areas to the strip itself, it’s really quite a contrast
WOW i love vegas and to do a hot air ballon! You are lucky the views look AMAZING! SO brave!
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thank you so much Melissa! Hopefully we’ll meet up in Vegas one of these times 🙂
There is a funny thing about Vegas. When I was there, I thought how I don’t like it and how it is nothing special. And now, that I’m not there, I would so wanna go back.
Awesome photos!
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Vegas definitely has some sort of magical pull to it! Thanks so much Anja!
We’ve been to Vegas once before and will go back in the future. This balloon ride looks like a perfect activity. It’s good to have some variety not just casinos and shows.
I absolutely agree with you. There’s so much to do in Vegas beyond the casinos that I was never really aware of until we started exploring
This looks like fun, I’ve never read about a hot air balloon ride. I like how you can get inside it when it’s blown up for unique photos. I hope you didn’t put the golfers off with the shadow!
Yes, that was actually pretty funny because there are rarely clouds in Vegas that the golfers definitely took notice of us as we passed by!
omg this is a huge bucket list item for me. I am so jealous you were able to do this. it looks so much fun!!!
It was amazing Michelle! I definitely want to hear about your experience when you check it off your list 🙂
This is such a huge bucket list item of mine and I still haven’t been able to do it yet! Loved your article.
Thanks so much Sydney, I know you’ll love it when you get to do it!
I have never tried balloon adventures yet. Actually, it is one of those things that I would like to do in the future. I have fear of heights but I think I will regret it if I don’t try it. Your blog post motivates me more to look forward for a hot balloon adventure. 🙂
I really hope you get to try a hot air balloon ride soon. I found that you feel very safe and secure, and the heights are often found to be less of an issue than you may think!
After reading all this, i feel better informed about hot air ballooning, but am still wary of getting into one of those. Will be happy admiring those colorful, floating vehicles from afar. 🙂
That’s perfectly ok Punita…i’ll be sure to wave as i float by 🙂