The 14th Annual Havasu Balloon Festival
January 10, 2025 - January 12, 2025
The 14th Annual Havasu Balloon Festival
January 10th-12th, 2025
$799 (Based Upon Double Occupancy)
$244 (Single Supplement)
Day One: We’re on our way to beautiful Lake Havasu City, where we’ll enjoy lunch on self, before checking the new and contemporary styled Holiday Inn Express. Conveniently located in English Village, next to the London Bridge, guests of the hotel are just steps away from restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. After a refresh, we’ll head out for a fabulous Welcome Dinner at Angelina’s Italian Kitchen, where we’ll enjoy a three-course meal, with several entrée items to select from, and a glass of red or white wine, included. After dinner we’ll head out to the balloon field to explore the Glow Spectacular, a truly remarkable event, as pilots ignite the burners of their tethered balloons simultaneously and they glow like enormous holiday ornaments. Later we’ll enjoy a free evening in Lake Havasu City, on a festival weekend, where there will be much to see and do.
Day Two: Breakfast is included at the hotel, then we’re off to the balloon field to experience the spectacular Mass Ascension. An early morning launch of hot air balloons, the Mass Ascension is thought to be the most dramatic moment of the festival, an unforgettable display of both sound and color. Afterwards we’ll explore all that this thrilling festival has to offer, including tethered balloon rides, food vendor’s booths, live music and so much more. Late morning, we’ll head off to exciting Laughlin, Nevada, home to eight different resorts, side by side along the beautiful Colorado River. We’ll grab a quick lunch on self, before setting sail on a narrated, 90 minute Colorado River Cruise, offering breathtaking scenery and a fascinating slice of riverboat history. Midafternoon we’ll head back to Lake Havasu City where we’ll enjoy a free evening and dinner on self with several wonderful restaurants to choose from.
Day Three: Breakfast is included at the hotel, then it’s bags out and we’re off to explore Oatman, one of Arizona’s most interesting ghost towns. This crazy little town began as a mining tent camp over 100 years ago, but quickly became a flourishing gold mining center in 1915, when two miners struck a ten-million-dollar gold find. Mining in Oatman was short lived. The town survived by catering to travelers on old U.S. Route 66 and nearly died when the route became what is now Interstate 40. Today tame burros roam the streets of lively Oatman, descendants of the early mining burros. We’ll check out the Oatman Hotel, where Clark Gable and Carol Lombard honeymooned in 1939, stroll the historic streets and handfeed the burros. Afterwards we’ll head back to the Valley with a stop for lunch on self, and plenty of great sightseeing along the way. Don’t wait to make your reservations for the 14th Annual Havasu Balloon Festival, designated as one of THE TOP 100 EVENTS IN NORTH AMERICA!
Mesa:
Mesa Doubletree Hotel
1011 W. Holmes Ave
Mesa, AZ 85210
This is the Fiesta Mall region, and the Hilton Hotel is easily viewed from the U.S. 60/Superstition Freeway. Exit the freeway at Alma School and head east to Holmes. Park and wait for the bus at the west end of the hotel parking lot.
Scottsdale:
La Quinta Inn & Suites
8888 E Shea Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
The Scottsdale pickup location can be easily reached via AZ 101/Pima Freeway. Exit the freeway at Shea. The La Quinta Hotel is located at the northeast corner of AZ 101 and Shea Blvd.
Northwest Valley:
Sundome Plaza
13515 W. Camino Del Sol
Sun City West, AZ 85375
Located in the heart of Sun City West at the Sundome Plaza Shopping Center, just a few doors down from Safeway.