At the Balloon Museum, explore the history, science, sport, and art of ballooning!
06/08/2026
Congratulations to the Atlantic Explorer 2026 Flight Control team. Peter we look forward to hearing all the details when you return home. Watch this full news report using the link the comments.
A New Mexico hot air balloon pilot made history recently by completing the longest gas-powered transoceanic balloon flight. ⬇️ Story link in comments.
06/07/2026
Congratulations Atlantic Explorer 2026 Flight Control! Such an amazing accomplishment!
Thank you for sharing your amazing journey with everyone.
Safely down…
Atlantic Explorer has safely touched down near the town of Bastendorf, Tandel, Luxembourg 🇱🇺
!
06/07/2026
06/06/2026
UPDATE BELOW
The Atlantic Explorer is now entering its most critical and delicate phase…
The flight has been propelled by powerful winds across the North Atlantic. At times, the balloon was traveling at more than 90 mph (145 kph), a blistering speed for a manned balloon! Over the last 24 hours, the pilots have also encountered difficult weather conditions, including heavy rain, overnight snow, and very cold temperatures at altitudes exceeding 20,000 ft (7,315 m).
The pilots, meteorologists, and Flight Control team are actively working together to find the best landing solution to bring the flight to a safe and successful end.
The adventure continues…
06/05/2026
The Atlantic Explorer 2026 Flight Control team is moving quickly. Visit the team's page for additional updates.
Sunshine and oxygen for the flight crew…
We push on at 54kts…
More soon!
06/05/2026
Happy national hot air balloon day! Drop a photo in the comments with some of your favorite memories of hot air balloons.
Come visit us here at the Balloon Museum to learn more about the history of hot air ballooning. We are open year-round. Admission is free the first Friday of every month and every Sunday morning 9am-1pm.
Photo by Abby Boling
06/04/2026
Did you know June is the unofficial month of women in ballooning?!
On June 4th, 1784, Élisabeth Thible (1757-1785), was the first woman to ever fly! She incidentally was also the first French woman to fly and the first woman to fly in a hot air balloon. She is said to have sung two duets from the opera “La Belle Arsène” in her 45 minute flight on “La Gustave,” in front of the King of Sweden.
The following year in 1785 on June 29th, just a year and 25 days after Thible’s ascent, Letitia Sage (c.1750–after 1817), became the first English woman to fly in a hot air balloon. Her flight lasted for an hour and a half and afterwards she wrote such an enthralling account about it people still today enjoy reading it! Interestingly both women had such hard landings, they each suffered injuries to one of their legs! Yet, we’re sure both women while recovering were quite proud of their “firsts” in their respective accomplishments for hot air ballooning.
Image 1: Portrait of Élisabeth Thible. A close up detail from the mural by Haley Greenfeather English (Ojibwe). This mural is currently on display at the Balloon Museum as part of the "In Their Words: Stories by Women on the Ground and in the Air" exhibit.
Image 2: Portrait of Letitia Sage, within the book “An Account of the First Aerial Voyage in England” by Italian Balloonist, Vincenzo Lunardi (1784). This book is part of the Balloon Museum's Special Collection Library. Learn more at: CABQ.gov/Balloon and visit our blog page. Look for the article: "From 629.133 to Infinite Heights: Behind-the Scenes of Organizing the Balloon Museum Library."
06/03/2026
Check out this blog article to learn more about the Atlantic Explorer 2026 and New Mexico's team member Peter Cuneo. Peter is a board member with the Balloon Museum Foundation.
https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/balloonmuseum/about/blog/atlantic-explorer-2026-the-balloon-museum-foundation-is-making-history
Atlantic Explorer - The Atlantic Ocean by hydrogen gas balloon The Atlantic Ocean by hydrogen gas balloon...
05/29/2026
Join us for STEAM based learning Wednesdays 9:30am and 11am for FREE storytime in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language followed by arts and crafts.
June 2026 Theme: Life Science - Animal Classification
June 3 - Insects
Come learn about the classification of insects!
June 10 - Arachnids
Take part as we read and learn about what makes an arachnid an arachnid!
June 17 - Fish
This week we will read and learn about animals called fish!
June 24 - The Nature and Science of Seasons: Summer
Join us as we look at why we have seasons and the changes that Summer brings!
EXHIBIT OPENING: Balloons Over Route 66
May 31 1pm-2:30pm
The Balloon Museum announces the opening of their new exhibit,--Balloons Over Route 66. This exhibit features a mural developed by local artist Jessey Sandoval along with 43 youth artists from around Albuquerque. The mural showcases-the Burque Vibe,-highlighting iconic signs, local hotspots, low-riders, as well as, beloved desert wildlife. Above this black and white mural you'll spot colorful balloon drawings floating above the landscape. This collaboration was completed as part of a Citywide centennial celebration of The Mother Road.
Celebrate with us by snapping a photo in front of your favorite Route 66 sign and join us at the exhibit opening to meet muralist Jessey and the 43 youth artists who brought this project to life.
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 9am - 5pm |