Bernalillo is not far from Albuquerque, and there are two ways to get to BF Park. Take I-25 S to Alameda, go east to the park or take 313 ( El Camino Real ) through the city, south to Alameda and head east. There is another option, which is the Railrunner train service to the fiesta. You'll want to check their website www.nmrailrunner.com to see if the schedules would work for you. The schedule has not yet been posted, but I am sure it will be soon.

In Bernalillo, The Range, Flying Star, Abuelitas, La Casita are all good and should be reviewed in the restaurant section. In addition, Prairie Star and the Corn Maiden, located on the Santa Ana pueblo and Tamaya resort are more upscale, with very nice food and each have a great atmosphere.

I dropped my son off at my parents house in Bernalillo on Sunday morning and was at the airport in 40 minutes, obeying posted speeds.

Please don't hesitate to ask more!!

As if the first weekend of the balloon fiesta isn't wild enough, you don't need more problems now do you? :-) Actually, in some ways, Bernalillo is a better place to stay for the balloon fiesta than Albuquerque. There are several relatively new hotels there, and as "karmathecat" mentions, several good restaurants also. I especially recommend "The Range," in "downtown" Bernalillo. Not fancy at all, but good.

I would hopefully like to clarify some "directions" to the baloon park from Bernalillo. If you are staying in Bernalillo, "definitely" drive south (through downtown) on NM313, past Sandia Pueblo, to ROY AVE. (which is Tramway Blvd. east of I-25, but Roy Ave. west of I-25.) Where NM313 meets Roy, you can either continue in the right lane over the overpass for about 1/2 mile, and NM313 then becomes 4th Street. Continue on 4th, south to Alameda Blvd, then east into the southern entrance (actually called the west side entrance) into Balloon Fiesta Park, on Balloon Museum Blvd. (Just follow everyone else!)

OR (which I recommend after many balloon fiestas)...again drive south from Bernalillo on NM313...after several miles, NM313 turns into 4 lanes from 2 lanes. Get in the left lane, and you'll come to a stop sign. Turn east on Roy, and it will take you up to I-25, and then immediately turn right into the "north" entrance into balloon fiesta park, from the frontage road. This would be much easier for you I think, especially on the first weekend's mass ascension. The mass ascensions take off around 7a.m., but you'll want to leave Bernalillo on the first weekend by 5:30am at the latest...I'd recommend 5am if you've never been there before. On the field you'll find many food booths, and tent shops to occupy your time before the launches begin.

FYI: Alameda Blvd. on weekends is closed from I-25 to Balloon Museum Blvd., the entrance into the balloon park from the south, so you can't exit at Alameda, and drive west to the south (westside) entrance.

I would add El Pinto Restaurant at the far north end of 4th Street (10000 block I think) to the list. Great fall patio dining under huge cottonwoods. An annual favorite of balloon pilots.

Thanks for clarifying the directions, Photoguy. I drive from Bernalillo to ABQ so often, I forget the details....