Southern Tier Balloon Tours — Local services in Town of Ithaca

My wife and I decided to take a hot air balloon ride for our 4 year anniversary despite her fear of heights. She was initially nervous but had an amazing experience and by the end was ready to go again! There was another passenger with the same fear of heights but also had no trouble at all. Don't let that deter you from having a once in a lifetime experience.

Logistics: extremely professional, we were well notified of the necessary details and everything ran on time. We parked in a parking lot at Cass Park and were shuttled to the balloon spot at a church West of Ithaca. Two of us got to participate in the setup which was a very unique experience that added to the overall experience. The ground crew broke down the balloon and shuttled us home in no time and were extremely respectful and professional.

Accessibility: loading into the balloon was easy, and for anyone that had trouble they pre-loaded the folks into the basket in advance and helped get them out at the end. I was very impressed by the level of service; if you are worried about getting in and out of the basket you should not let that deter you. Just be transparent with what you need and the crew will take care of it.

The flight: if this is your first time you should know that the balloon goes with the wind, so the pilot only has so much control over the flight path. If you have your heart set on seeing something specific that may not happen, so best to go in with no expectations on where you'll end up and just enjoy the ride! The landing was not what I expected - we couldn't even feel the basket hit the ground it was so soft. Really impressive.

The Pilot: as a rock climber I'm a bit obsessive about equipment inspection and preparation. The pilot and crew were all over it. Everything was meticulously inspected, instructions on safety were very clear, the pilot was able to answer all of our annoying questions during the flight and the equipment itself was in immaculate shape. Although not required, the pilot was constantly in communication with local air traffic control at Ithaca airport.

Other things: we brought a backpack thinking we would need water, an extra layer of clothing, or a snack. In hindsight we didn't need any of that. The weather and temperature are essentially identical to the ground and you can hydrate before / after the balloon ride if needed. I wouldn't bother bringing anything but your wallet, keys, phone and camera. I'm 6'4" and was very happy to have a hat, the heat from the balloon torches can get hot if you are on the perimeter and are tall. Non issue with the hat.

Bottom line: this is an incredible experience in a very beautiful place. 5/5 for something unique to do in the area whether you're local or visiting FLX from...

If you're looking for an unforgettable experience that will leave you breathless, look no further than a hot air balloon ride with Southern Tier Balloon Tours! My trip with them on June 4, 2024, over the Finger Lakes in Ithaca, NY, was nothing short of incredible.

Here are a few reasons why: The combination of stunning scenery, a skilled pilot, and a focus on safety made it truly unforgettable.

Breathtaking Views:

Gliding above the treetops on the west side of Cayuga Lake with Southern Tier Balloon Tours was awe-inspiring. We saw everything from picturesque homes and rolling fields to the natural beauty of the south side. As we ascended higher, the panorama unfolded to reveal the entire length of Cayuga Lake, a glimpse of Seneca Lake to the west, and even Skaneateles Lake shimmering in the distance.

Expert Pilot & Smooth Ride:

A huge shoutout to Dar, our pilot at Southern Tier Balloon Tours, and his fantastic team! From clear pre-launch communication (weather conditions are crucial for ballooning, and they kept us informed every step of the way) to thorough safety instructions, they made the whole experience feel professional and secure.

Dar's expert piloting skills with Southern Tier Balloon Tours ensured a smooth and gentle ride. Unlike skydiving or airplanes, there's no turbulence here! The balloon lifts off effortlessly, floats serenely with the wind, and lands with a barely-there bump – like stepping off a single stair. The team at Southern Tier Balloon Tours was also there to greet us with celebratory warmth after landing and ensured a comfortable return to our cars.

Spotting Wildlife:

The wildlife sightings added another layer of magic to the trip with Southern Tier Balloon Tours. We saw deer grazing peacefully, a majestic osprey soaring overhead, a graceful heron, and a surprising flock of sheep! Flying low over the treetops offered these unique glimpses into the Finger Lakes' ecosystem.

Conquer Your Fear of Heights:

If you're even slightly apprehensive about heights, fear not! Southern Tier Balloon Tours makes it easy to relax and enjoy the experience. The spacious and comfortable basket, with plenty of padding and handholds, puts you at ease. The balloon itself feels incredibly stable, and the ride with Southern Tier Balloon Tours is peaceful and serene. There's no whooshing wind or stomach-dropping sensations; it's more like a gentle glide through the sky.

My hot air balloon ride with Southern Tier Balloon Tours was an experience I'll never forget. Don't miss out on a chance to create your own magical memories in the...

We traveled from Pennsylvania to celebrate our honeymoon, on our agenda was to take this hot air balloon tour and I was excited to see all the publications they make here on their Instagram and Facebook pages, I was hoping to see the lake or the waterfalls from the balloon, and on Thursday I went on this tour with this company, they took me and 10 other passengers only through farms, we only saw corn and trees, I felt very sad and I felt like I lost my money, Well, it was part of our honeymoon gifts, this is a misleading publication because they show videos of the waterfalls, the hot air balloon passing over the waterfalls and it doesn't really go through there, the tour was through other places, last Thursday, September 21 , the weather was clear and it was perfect to see those beautiful tourist places in this region from above. I will never recommend to my family and friends to take the tour with this company.

I have the complete video from when we left until we finished the Tour and I can verify that we did not pass through any waterfalls or lakes. 😭 Due to the advertising found on the social pages of this company, many people will be excited and excited to see lakes and waterfalls, but it will not always be like that, in my situation I feel disappointed because it was the first time in my life that I would go up to a hot air balloon and I was really looking forward to seeing the beautiful places like waterfalls and lakes in this beautiful region of New York. I recommend people do their research before taking this balloon trip so they don't feel...