Taking a hot air balloon flight with sweeping views of Mount Rainier is not only one of the top things to do in Seattle, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is worthy of a position on any PNW bucket list. I mean, just image it… you’re floating near Mount Rainier as the sun rises, sending a pink hue across her snow crowned peak. Forests stretch out in all directions and as the basket rises, you brush lightly against the tops of the pine tree tips as you drift up, up, up, toward the cotton candy sky. I was invited on a hot air balloon ride with Seattle Ballooning and was very thrilled with everything from the magnificent sights (umm, hello Rainier!) to my incredibly enthusiastic pilot.
In an effort to establish a resource for anybody who is deciding whether or not to schedule a hot air balloon trip in Seattle, I’ve filled this post with my honest impressions, what to anticipate on a flight, and insider recommendations (including what to dress!). I even secured a deal particularly for you! If you’re contemplating taking a hot air balloon flight in Seattle, this website provides everything you need to make a decision. Disclosure: My flight with Seattle Ballooning was complimentary, but all comments in this essay are my own.
What To Expect
I realize when scheduling a large price item like this, you want to know precisely what to anticipate, so I’m gonna disclose all the details…
Meeting Point
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The meeting time for a morning flight is at 4:45 a.m. precisely!
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Now, I’m not exactly a morning person, but I often claim that I’ve never regretted waking up for a dawn. And this one in particular. We were coming up from the Portland, OR area so we stayed near by the night before.
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After assembling in the parking area of the Muckleshoot Casino, we were separated into our flying groups and we waited for the pilots to choose where we’d take off from.
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They informed us they had 25+ various launch locations (3-5 main ones) within a 15-minute radius that they may utilize according on the weather.
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They had a look at their weather applications (which I imagine are more thorough than my simple iPhone weather app!) and discussed circumstances before sending us into the vehicles and started the journey.
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Each vehicle was carrying a trailer, in which was a huge basket… you got it — for the hot air balloon!
Loading The Basket
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We arrived to a field when the morning mist was hanging heavy in the air and you could see Rainier in the distance, beginning to come alive with a pink light.
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The pilots spoke and the launch team performed all the heavy work while we got to gaze on, snap photographs of the balloon expanding, and become excited about the approaching ride.
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The two other groups of ladies on the trip were becoming excited. One twosome from Kentucky was raving about how this was the first stop of their bucket list vacation which included all the main attractions in Seattle followed by an Alaskan cruise.
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It was at this time, listening to them chat, that I wished I wasn’t flying solo.
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There was another young man in my group on his own, so it’s not like I was the only one by myself, but I just love getting amped up about situations with someone else and having another person there (typically Ben!) to reminisce with later when the experience is finished.
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But traveling with a baby means we have to do things a bit differently… either pass on activities where infants aren’t permitted or split up and do things solo, as I did here!
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Once the balloon was entirely inflated, we got the go ahead to start climbing in.
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Nobody was elegant, but it didn’t matter. Once everyone had taken a position in the basket, it started to slowly — almost silently — rise.
The Flight
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The basket lifted gently, steadily. We drifted just above a pine grove, softly touching their tops, then soared higher, higher.
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The other handful of balloons started ascending as well, which made for wonderful photo opportunity, seeing them in the distance.
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Our pilot played some soothing music quietly and told us some details about the area we were flying over.
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In all, we were in the air for 1 hour and 10 minutes, so we were able to observe the morning mist evaporate and the early shine start to fade.
Read Also: Things To Do In North Cascades National Park
Landing
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Similar to take off, there are a couple of spots where they can land the balloons, depending on the winds.
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Each balloon landed in a different area, dependent on their flight route. Most of these sites were people’s yards that they have previous arrangements with, of course.
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It was quite amusing since we landed in someone’s yard and they weren’t answering their phone to unlock the gate for the vehicle. But then finally, they opened the door and waved joyously to us all in the balloon in their yard!
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After disembarking — again, not a smooth procedure — we gathered around for a little post-flight celebration.
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Oh, and remember those women who were on their “bucket list trip”? Well, when they stepped out of the basket, I overheard them remark, “Let’s just skip the cruise and do this again!”
Post Flight Celebration
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Apparently, it is tradition in hot air balloon culture to drink a celebration glass of champagne after a trip. (Yep, there is a “hot air balloon culture” and you’ll hear all about it from your pilot if you ask!)
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So have a toast, some bubbles mixed with chocolate for a nice little pre-breakfast celebration of what you just experienced!