Best Chicago Hot Air Balloon Rides
Solo Rides • Rides for Two • Private Groups
Hot Air Balloon Rides near Chicago, Illinois & Suburbs
If you are looking for the best Chicago hot air balloon rides, look no further! We are a local Midwest company providing breathtaking hot air balloon experiences to our neighbors in Chicago and the surrounding areas.
Our pilots are safe, experienced, F.A.A. licensed, and we can’t wait to have you join us.
Give us a call to book your own ride, a ride for two, or a private group booking. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Types of Rides We Offer
We specialize in providing rides at sunrise and sunset for groups of 2-6 people. We offer these rides on weekdays and weekends until each booking is full! The specific types of rides you can book are each listed below. Click on a type of ride to learn more.
If you have a question about a particular type of ride, or a question about booking, give us a call at 312-820-9148 and we’ll be happy to speak with you. Reserve your spot today.
Areas We Serve
Located right here in Chicagoland, we are grateful to serve all of the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. If you are in any of the following counties, we are just a close drive away from the ride of your life!
- Cook County
- DuPage County
- DeKalb County
- Lake County
- Kane County
- Will County
- McHenry County
- Kendall County
Even if you are based a little farther out of the Chicago area, just call to book a ride. It will be well worth the drive. Our phone number for booking is 312-820-9148. Rides book up fast, especially for the weekends, so give us a call soon.
Why Choose to Ride with Us?
At Best Chicago Hot Air Balloon Rides, we work with our team of experienced F.A.A. licensed pilots to give you the best hot air balloon experience of your life!
We fly seven days a week during the peak ballooning season (typically June through August) and safety is our top priority. If the weather is not safe to fly on the date of your booking, we go the extra mile to get you rescheduled for the next possible date.
We believe that giving you top-notch customer service, world-class safety, and the absolute best flight of your life will keep you coming back again and again. And hopefully you’ll tell your friends about us.
How Do Hot Air Balloons Stay Up in The Air?
If this is your first time considering riding in a hot air balloon, you’re probably wondering how hot air balloons stay up in the air. Let’s explore that really quickly…
You probably know from your old science classes that hot air rises. Simple enough, right? Well, that’s exactly why hot air balloons float.
Hot air balloons float when they become filled with hot air. As the air inside of the balloon heats up (becomes less dense than the surrounding air) the air starts to rise (like hot air escaping a chimney). The rising hot air is trapped inside the balloon so it takes the whole balloon with it.
This is a simplified explanation for why hot air balloons do what they do. There is a lot of science and history behind hot air balloons, and they actually predate the airplane. So hot air balloons actually beat the Wright brothers up into the air. Neat, right?
If you want to watch an interesting take on the science of hot air balloon flight, check out the video above from the BeSmart YouTube channel.
5 Tips to Enjoy Your First Hot Air Balloon Ride
Taking to the air on a hot air balloon is an experience that can be enjoyed by almost anyone of any age. If this is your first time, here are our top five tips for enjoying this new experience:
1.) Dress Appropriately
It is important to wear clothes that will keep you comfortable throughout the duration of your ride. Since hot air balloon rides are usually scheduled around sunrise or sunset (to achieve optimal wind conditions for flying), it is important to wear layers of clothing, if that is what you would normally wear at that time of day. Essentially, the temperature in the balloon basket won’t be much different than the temperature on the ground, so wear whatever feels comfortable for the weather, and bring an extra layer along just in case.
2.) Bring a Camera
The time you spend in the hot air balloon will provide you with stunning views of the Midwest landscape. Even though a photo won’t do justice to the beautiful sights you’ll witness, most people like to bring a camera to capture the moment. A high-quality camera (with a strap!) is recommended to capture the beauty of the scenery. Seriously though, bring a camera with a strap so it doesn’t fall out of the basket! Also, consider bringing a spare battery or memory card for your camera in case you happen to need them.
3.) Listen to Your Pilot
Your pilot is an experienced F.A.A. licensed professional who will provide instructions and guidance throughout your ride. The pilot’s job is to keep you safe during the duration of the ride. Listen carefully to their instructions, and follow their guidance to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. You’ll also be encouraged to ask questions during the flight to better understand the experience.
4.) Relax and Enjoy the Ride
Hot air balloon rides are a peaceful and serene experience. Take time to relax, enjoy the view, and take in the scenery. Take a few pictures here and there, but don’t focus too much on your camera or phone. Enjoy this once in a lifetime experience! It’s truly breathtaking to be floating calmly through the sky and it’s something you’ll want to remember forever.
5.) Celebrate with Champagne!
Lastly, it’s an old tradition to celebrate a successful hot air balloon ride with a glass of champagne and a toast. If you can, enjoy finishing your first successful ride with us by partaking in this time-honored tradition.
We can’t wait to have you join us for your first (or second or third) hot air balloon ride. Call today to reserve your booking.
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