Experience the Carolina blue skies like never before when you soar above picturesque landscapes at three exhilarating NC hot air balloon experiences this fall. Experience the thrill of flight via tethered and untethered balloon rides, cheer on captivating balloon races, and take in mesmerizing balloon glow parties. We’re airing out all the details about the best balloon festivals this fall and locally recommended options for more intimate hot air balloon affairs.

Soar into the wild blue yonder at Carolina Balloonfest!

Carolina BalloonFest

630 N Main St, Troutman, NC 28166
October 18-20, 2024
http://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/

What better way to incentivize people to go on NC hot air balloon ride than to link it with community investment? Carolina BalloonFest’ organizing company has re-invested $787K of profits to the local community. On the festival days, hot air balloon flights take off twice daily, once in the early morning and again in the late afternoon. 

If the idea of getting into a box and using propane-fueled gas tanks to propel yourself up to the skies makes you feel a little uneasy, the tethered balloon ride is the perfect alternative and safer entrance into the world of hot air ballooning. Offered at specific times on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, tethered rides curate the feeling of ascension while participants remain inside a hot air balloon tied to the ground. It’s like a NC hot air balloon ride with a seatbelt! Other ballooning activities and a skydiving exhibition will proceed based on the weather.

Regardless of the name, it’s totally possible to enjoy the Carolina BalloonFest without booking a ride in a hot air balloon. The Kids Zone hosts fun attractions like inflatable bounce-houses, free magic shows, and a bungee jump experience, while the adult playground comes in the form of the NC Wine & Craft Beer Garden. The remaining weekend itinerary is filled with opportunities for pilot meet and greets, glowing balloon viewings, and NC hot air balloon competitions.

Not Your Average Wine Flight

Big Oh! Balloons, Cool Spring Center, 399 W Page Hager Rd, Cleveland, NC 27013
Reservations available 7 days/week
https://www.bigohballoons.com/

Carolina oenophiles have surely indulged in a flight of red or a flight of white, but what about a flight of blue – the great blue yonder, that is! Charles Page and Kristie Darling – certified balloon pilots and wine enthusiasts – offer champagne flights aboard their fleet of NC hot air balloons twice a day, any day of the week, all year round. 

Big Oh! Is the longest-running ride business in Statesville, and it all started over 40 years ago, when Charles and Kristie held their wedding ceremony in a hot air balloon! Brought together by their shared love of soaring across the skies, Charles and Kristie continue to promote exciting and romantic balloon adventures to couples who dare to take their love to new heights. They even host balloon-themed weddings!

After experiencing the thrill of a successful NC hot air balloon flight, coast over to the Cleveland/Statesville area for more intoxicating adventures. First on the list is Patterson Farm, where captivating educational tours bring visitors closer to the heart of farming. Navigate the twists and turns of the infamous Patterson Farm Corn Maze, embark upon a cow barrel train ride, and pluck the perfect pumpkin from the vibrant orange patch. More than 40 other attractions promise endless entertainment for all ages.

Stock up from seasonal goodies and farm-fresh provisions at the Patterson Farm Market, then enjoy a picnic lunch at RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls – locally referred to as “The Bullhole.” This swimming hole features a stone dam and gentle rapids for splashing around, tubing, or observing from a dry distance at the picnic shelter. After a balloon flight, river tubing adventure, and wagon ride, end your day by learning about even more interesting vehicles at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, an illuminating exhibit dedicated to aviation, railroading, and automotive history.

Disclaimer: the llamas will not accompany you in the hot air balloon basket.

Llama Be Livin My Best Life (in an NC Hot Air Balloon)

4126 Divine Llama Ln, East Bend, NC 27018
https://www.divinellamavineyards.com/

First of all, Divine Llama Lane is just a fabulous address. But this vineyard’s whimsical moniker is hardly the most magical part of it. Where else can you treat your palate to a tasting of award-winning wines, embark upon a thrilling llama trekking adventure, and bid adieu from a hot air balloon, all in the span of a few hours?

Views of Pilot Mountain add an extra magical element to an already unique experience – hiking with llamas. Starting on most Saturdays and Sundays in the fall, winter, and spring, llama treks generally entail 2.5 hours of wandering over the knuckly terrain alongside Miller Creek with a llama companion. Divine Llama cares for llamas who grew up at a family-run Four Ladies & Me Farm in North Carolina, the largest in the Southeast. 

If the spirits at Divine Llama have you feeling lifted and you have some extra time, book a dusk NC hot air balloon reservation with Carolina Balloon Adventures. A standard flight of two to three hours will lead you on a lilting journey granting vistas of streams, lakes, farms, and forests, with iconic destinations like Hanging Rock in view. If you’ll be floating around in Yadkin County for a few days, you’ll want to be sure to visit other wineries, as Yadkin Valley is known for its exceptional vineyards:

• Midnight Magdalena Vineyards, Jonesville, NC: Best place to sip wine and gaze out at the Blue Ridge Mountains from a wrap-around porch.
• Slightly Askew Winery, Elkin, NC: A favorite along the Surry County Wine Trail, Slightly Askew is the best place to drink wine in a jacuzzi at the vineyard’s on-site luxury vacation home.
• Dobbins Creek Vineyards, Hamptonville, NC: Best place to bring the pups and pack a picnic for the perfect autumn day trip.

How about a sunset balloon flight for the ultimate date night?

Soaring Above Expectations: Other Hot Air Balloon Outfitters In The Carolinas

Look for a more intimate inflatable experience? How about a private balloon flight at sunset with a champagne toast? There are a range of reputable SC and NC hot air balloon companies, many of which advertise multiple pick-up and drop-off locations. 

• Greer, SC → Palmetto Sun Balloons https://palmettosunballoons.com/ 
• Benson, NC → Carolina High Hot Air Balloon Company https://flycarolinahigh.com/ 
• Asheville, NC → Asheville Balloon Company https://ashevilleballooncompany.com/