Families today are looking beyond mere gifts and vacations. They want experiences that suit every member of their family; experiences that create long-lasting memories and stories they can tell for years to come.
Arizona is home to some of the best hot air balloon rides in the US, and Phoenix is the perfect destination to set the tone for an extraordinary day! With our Balloons & Tunes package, you begin with a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions and then continue on to explore the Musical Instrument Museum.
“Watching families soar above the desert and then explore the MIM reminds me of why I love what I do. It’s about creating moments that everyone remembers and cherishes.” – Amanda Long, Hot Air Expeditions
Why the MIM and Hot Air Expeditions is the Perfect Family Experience
Phoenix, Arizona’s capital, is known for its warm climate, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. From its wide open sunny skies and desert landscapes, there is something to spark joy in every family member!
The Balloons & Tunes package combines two of Arizona’s most popular attractions – a hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions and an interactive adventure through the Musical Instrument Museum.
Families can laugh, explore and discover together all while soaking up the golden energy of the Valley of the Sun.
For even more ways to plan a family friend Phoenix adventure, check out our guide on things to do in Phoenix and discover more activities everyone will love!
What to Expect with the Balloons & Tunes
Start Before Sunrise: Your Hot Air Balloon Ride in Phoenix
Your day begins at sunrise with the hot air ballooning experience of a lifetime, where you are treated to soaring over the breathtaking Sonoran Desert in the oldest form of aviation, a true feast for your eyes and adventurous spirit.
The Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Tour includes:
- Hot air balloon inflation viewing
- 45-60 minute hot air balloon flight
- Post-flight champagne balloonist’s ceremony
- Celebrate with delicious catered fare
- Commemorative flight certificate to take home
- Transfers from the Deer Valley Airport to the MIM (roundtrip hotel transfers available for an additional fee)
Our full experience, including a post-flight champagne toast, gourmet breakfast, and balloonist’s ceremony comes to an end, and before you know it, you are off to the next portion of your tour.
Note: Don’t forget to snag an item from our gift shop to commemorate your experience!
After You Land: A Morning at the Musical Instrument Museum
Your Hot Air Expeditions driver transfers you from the desert to the Musical Instrument Museum, where the second part of your day begins. With lunch vouchers for MIM’s award-winning Café Allegro, guests embark on a musical journey using wireless technology for a self-guided tour that is entertaining, interactive, and engaging.
The MIM showcases over 6,500 instruments and objects from 200 countries and territories, and with the audio and video segments, you will hear, see, and feel the creative spirit of the musicians as they play their instruments.
image sourced from Musical Instrument Museum
Within the museum, there are exhibits that pay tribute to musicians who have touched the lives of many, and feature an expansive collection of instruments from famous performers such as Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, Elvis Presley, and more in the Artist Gallery.
Your half-day tour caps off with lunch in MIM’s award-winning Café Allegro, which serves a menu of great-tasting global and local foods prepared daily, using fresh ingredients, followed by return transfers.
MIM Tour includes:
- State-of-the-art wireless headset and headphones for a self-guided tour that is entertaining, interactive, and fun
- Lunch voucher for MIM’s award-winning Café Allegro
- Transfers from the MIM to the Deer Valley Airport (roundtrip hotel transfers available for an additional fee)
*MIM’s special exhibition tickets are sold separately.
What to See at MIM with Kids
Your kids will absolutely love the MIMKids Programs, where, no matter what age, they can discover the joy of music. The MIMkids educational programs offer engaging musical fun for children from preschool through high school!
- Mini Music Makers (under 5) Introduce your child to the wonderful world of music through MIM’s early childhood music and movement courses. Explore music from around the globe while singing, dancing, and playing instruments. Motor, pre-language, and musical skills are developed simultaneously, while children and caregivers actively participate in the music-making.
- Musical Adventures program (ages 6-10) Participants discover new cultures by making music, creating musical instruments, and exploring MIM’s exhibits with a designated tour guide. Each session focuses on a different region, giving participants an overview of music from around the world and an opportunity to collect MIMkids passport stamps.
- Junior Museum Guides (grades 6-12) Students learn about cultures from around the world, participate in music making, and discover the wide world of music. Junior Museum Guides also train to lead tours while exploring MIM’s Geographic Galleries. Students who complete all four classes are given the opportunity to lead group tours for upcoming Signature Events.
image sourced from Musical Instrument Museum video
Practical Tips: Planning Your Balloons & Tunes Day
The Balloons & Tunes package pairs two of Phoenix’s most unique experiences into one seamless half-day, but a little planning goes a long way to making sure the whole family has the best possible time.
- Plan for a half-day (at minimum): From check-in to your post-flight champagne toast and gourmet breakfast, the Hot Air Expeditions experience alone runs about 3 to 3.5 hours. Factor in your time at the Musical Instrument Museum, and you’re looking at a fun-filled experience that extends well into the afternoon. This is not a quick stop. It’s the kind of day families talk about long after they’ve left Phoenix.
- Book your balloon ride in advance! Advanced reservations are required, and the Balloons & Tunes add-on is $75 per person on top of your balloon ticket. To reserve it, simply select the Balloons & Tunes option when booking your Phoenix morning hot air balloon ride. Spots fill up fast, especially during the busy winter months when Phoenix is at its most popular, so locking in your date early is strongly recommended.
- Morning flights are available year-round: Hot Air Expeditions offers morning rides daily, taking off just after sunrise, and for the Balloons & Tunes itinerary, an early start is the way to go. You’ll watch the Sonoran Desert wake up from above, land in time for a gourmet breakfast, and still have the entire day ahead of you at MIM.
- Know the requirements before you go: Kids need to be at least 5 years old and 48 inches tall to fly, and all passengers should be able to stand comfortably for the duration of the flight. The basket is about 4 feet tall with footholds to help with boarding, and the crew is there to assist every step of the way. (Read more ‘know before you go’ FAQs, here.)
- Dress for the desert, not the occasion: The temperature in the balloon is about the same as on the ground, so dress for the early morning chill and plan for warming up as the day goes on. Closed-toe shoes are a must. Layers, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses round out the essentials. Don’t forget your camera to capture these precious family moments!
- Use the restroom before you board: The launch and landing sites are typically in remote parts of the Sonoran Desert, and there are no facilities on site. Make this your family’s last stop before heading to the balloon.
- Plan your MIM arrival around opening time: The Musical Instrument Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving; open Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Your Hot Air Expeditions driver will transfer you directly from the desert to MIM. This way, by the time you arrive, the doors are open, and you’re ready to explore.
- No need to pack a lunch! With the Balloons & Tunes package, your admission and lunch at Café Allegro are already covered!
- One final tip: if you’re traveling from out of town, flying into Phoenix puts you closest to both the Deer Valley Airport check-in and MIM. That said, the Balloons & Tunes package also offers round-trip hotel transportation for an additional fee, so if you’re staying anywhere in the Phoenix metro area, you can leave the driving to us!
Book Your Balloons & Tunes Package
Take your senses for a ride with a half-day excursion from Hot Air Expeditions and the Musical Instrument Museum!
This unique package combines two of Arizona’s Most Popular Attractions and offers a spectacular, fun-filled package that makes the perfect Phoenix itinerary for families, including yours.
Book it today and enjoy all the unique experiences that our city has to offer!
Note: To reserve this package, select the Balloons & Tunes add on option when completing your reservation.
