Iowa skies come alive as 100+ hot air balloons paint the sky with brilliant colors and charming special shapes. Don’t miss a moment of the excitement as skilled pilots compete every morning and every evening, while dazzling guests below. Great family fun and incredible entertainment await you at the Memorial Balloon Field. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside as you listen to live music during the evening balloon flights. Grab a bite to eat, buy a balloon ride for a one-of-a-kind view, and prepare to be awestruck as the skies come alive with a mystical glow of balloons!
Day 1 – Home to Indianola, IA
Only about an hour down the road we make our first meaningful stop. A guided tour of the Faribault Woolen Mills. A real live “Made in the USA” success story, this family-owned business was recently invited to the White House to present their products and business to the President himself. We will get to experience firsthand why Minnesota’s quality received so much attention. After lunch on our own, we board the bus and soon exit the freeway for a side trip to Boone, Iowa. Ever been there? It’s well known for being on the Lincoln Highway (US 30), but even more well known for being the birthplace of none other than Mamie Eisenhower! We’ll make our way along Mamie Eisenhower Boulevard before turning up a side street to her very modest and humble home where she was born in 1896. We have planned a brief viewing of the home before continuing on our journey. We will get to know our fellow travelers with an included dinner at the Machine Shed before we check into our hotel for the next three nights.
Included Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites (3 Nights)
Day 2 – Madison County
After a delicious hot breakfast, we are off to Madison County. We are privileged today to have our own local expert guide to tell us the history and story of this colorful place. We will visit some of the picturesque covered bridges! We won’t have time to visit them all, so our guide will choose which ones to take us to. There’s the Roseman Bridge featured in the book and movie, “The Bridges of Madison County.” The Cedar Covered Bridge is pictured on the cover of the novel. The Holliwell Bridge is the longest bridge at 122 feet and is featured in the movie. Three other bridges, Cutler-Donahoe, Hogback and Imes are famous in their own right! Maybe even more popular than the bridges, though, is the Birthplace of John Wayne. John Wayne: The mere mention of his name produces images of courage and patriotism! John began his life in Winterset in 1907, and we will visit the four room house now replete with Wayne memorabilia. Newly expanded, this is the only museum in the world dedicated to John Wayne. What fun it will be to share an included homemade lunch at First Presbyterian Church. Visiting the Iowa Quilt Museum, featuring the amazing work of Victoria Findlay Wolfe, is also on our agenda. You’ll have time to also enjoy strolling the sidewalks of Winterset town square, the home of the beautiful Madison County courthouse! We return to our hotel later in the afternoon to catch our breath. We will head to Memorial Balloon Field for opening night of the National Balloon Classic. Enjoy dinner on your own from one of the many food truck vendors. The festival also has live music on stage each night for us to enjoy. Behold – the visual exhilaration of scores of colorful hot air balloons filling the evening sky is sheer joy! Rest well tonight after an adventure-filled day.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Indianola
For our adventuresome early risers, roll out of bed very early, and head to the Memorial Balloon Field. Prepare to be awestruck as dark skies come alive with a mystical glow as balloons ascend the skies during Dawn Patrol. Bring your flashlight, it’s still dark! Watch in wonder as the balloons launch prior to sunrise and fly until it’s light enough to land. Secured with specially approved lighting systems, balloons flying in the dark are a rare phenomenon in ballooning. We don’t want to be late or we’ll miss it! If you purchased an optional balloon ride, you’ll be among the riders in the early morning sky! (Individuals are responsible for the cost and liability.) We’ll get back to the hotel in time to enjoy a relaxing hot breakfast buffet. We’ve earned it. Later this morning we will check out the National Balloon Museum and Ballooning Hall of Fame. This is an included, don’t miss, opportunity for us to tour & explore Hot Air Ballooning and its rich history through amazing and colorful exhibits. We’ll enjoy an included lunch together then head to Summerset Winery for a tour and wine tasting. We’ll return to the hotel later this afternoon to rest and refresh before we return to the Balloon Classic for this evening’s festivities. The OPEN THE SKIES Mass Ascension Balloon Flight is an incredible sight to behold. More than a hundred unique and colorful balloons rising almost simultaneously is breathtaking! Throughout the evening live music is on stage. A spectacular fireworks show at dusk caps off the day. Our comfy bed will feel great tonight!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 – Indianola to Home
We are headed home today following another great, leisurely breakfast. This morning we visit the amazing Poppajohn Sculpture Park and also have a photo stop at the Iowa State Capitol – what a spectacular building! After lunch, we will be stopping for an included ice cream treat at Russell Stover Chocolates – save room! What a special time we’ve had exploring Iowa and experiencing the National Balloon Classic!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Treat
Optional Balloon Rides
40-60 Minutes.
Ride pricing not available at this time. Please call R&J and we’ll send the pricing as soon as it is available.
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
6 Meals plus Treat, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
07/27/2023 07/30/2023
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
Faribault Woolen Mills Tour
Birthplace of Mamie Eisenhower – Boone, IA
Guided Tour of Madison County
Picturesque Covered Bridges
Boyhood Home of John Wayne & Museum
Homemade Lunch at First Presbyterian Church
Iowa Quilt Museum
Winterset Iowa Courthouse Square
National Balloon Classic
Early Morning Balloon Dawn Patrol
National Balloon Museum Tour
Poppajohn Sculpture Park
Wine Tasting & Tour at Summerset Winery
Grand Opening Mass Balloon Ascension
