Interactive pilot simulator and hands-on activities highlight this year’s event
Albuquerque, NM – At the ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, the Balloon Discovery Center (BDC) offers an inside look at the science and sport of ballooning. The 2025 BDC will include an enhanced pilot simulator and other Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities.
Attracting more than 35,000 visitors annually, the BDC serves as a hub for education and hands-on learning. This year, guests can step into the role of a pilot with an interactive simulator that challenges them to navigate a balloon using wind direction and speed to reach a perfect, targeted landing. Guests can test their skills, try to beat high scores and compete for the title of top pilot.
“The pilot simulator exhibit will let visitors experience the thrill of ballooning,” said Tracey Hawkins, community and education outreach coordinator with Balloon Fiesta. “We hope it sparks a love for ballooning in children and adults and inspires more people to explore and join the sport.”
Other activities available at the BDC include interactive tables where visitors can test their balloon navigation and prediction skills, the Albuquerque Box exhibit, which demonstrates the city’s unique wind patterns, wicker weaving, the art center and the BDC’s hot air balloon model, which is a quarter the size of a standard balloon.
Youth 12 and under can complete a Passport Activity by visiting the many interactive exhibits at the BDC. The activity encourages exploration and learning while giving young visitors a fun keepsake to remember their experience.
The BDC goes beyond fun and hands-on activities to provide a meaningful STEAM learning experience. Visitors explore concepts in physics, meteorology and engineering as they navigate interactive exhibits, pilot simulators, and balloon models. By engaging with the science behind ballooning, guests of all ages gain a deeper understanding of how hot air balloons work, making the BDC both educational and entertaining.
“The Balloon Discovery Center brings ballooning to life in a way you can see, touch and experience,” Hawkins said. “The best part of my job is seeing kids run from exhibit to exhibit, wide-eyed and excited, discovering something new at every turn.”
Admission to the BDC is included with a Balloon Fiesta ticket, and it is located at the north end of Balloon Fiesta Park next to the Artisans tent. The BDC is open daily from 5-10 a.m. and 3:30-7:30 p.m.
For more information on the BDC, visit https://www.balloonfiesta.com/balloon-discovery-center/.