Latest news with #AdirondackBalloonFestival
Time Out
17-07-2025
- Time Out
These are the cheapest family vacations you can take in New York, says new ranking
Vacations are great—until you're staring down a credit card bill that rivals your already-rising rent. Luckily, if you're a budget-conscious New Yorker trying to plan a family getaway without dipping into the college fund, U.S. News & World Report has a list that might save your summer. Their new ranking of "2025's Best Cheap Family Vacations" includes two stunning New York destinations: the Adirondacks (ranked No. 12) and the Catskills (ranked No. 22). Both promise fresh air, family-friendly fun and zero need for airfare. With six million acres of wilderness, 10 unique regions and more outdoor activities than a kid at summer camp can handle, the Adirondacks are the ultimate low-cost adventure playground. Hike forested trails, bike around Mirror Lake or hop on the Adirondack Railroad for a scenic ride through mountain terrain. Come September, don't miss the Adirondack Balloon Festival in Queensbury—it's free to attend and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser (because what kid doesn't love giant floating balloons shaped like animals?). You'll also find budget-friendly lodging in the form of campgrounds, cabins and affordable motels in charming towns like Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. (Bonus: Olympic buffs can check out the Lake Placid Olympic Museum for a side of sports history with their s'mores.) Then there's the Catskills. Southeastern New York's favorite mountain escape is more than just a retro postcard—it's a wallet-friendly wonderland. From swimming at Peekamoose Blue Hole to hiking up to Kaaterskill Falls (yes, taller than Niagara!), there's no shortage of outdoor thrills. Little history buffs can learn about the original Woodstock at the Museum at Bethel Woods and art lovers can tour Frederic Church's Olana estate without breaking the bank. For those who prefer their nature with a side of nap, nearby wellness retreats like Hemlock Neversink offer a serene reset. kinda affordable. Just don't forget the bug spray.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Teen Civil Air Patrol cadet aims sky high
NORTHFIELD, VT (ABC22/FOX44)- 16-year-old Cadet Jorja Sutton fell in love with her first balloon at the 2023 Adirondack Balloon Festival, the largest ballooning event in the Northeast. In a blink, what started as an educational opportunity through the Vermont Wing Civil Air Patrol, bloomed into a burning passion for the young cadet. 'I was crewing for Sky Safari and their animal balloons and when we opened up the envelope and the fans started going… it was then that I knew I wanted to fly a balloon, 'said the teen. After the 2023 festival, Sutton went on to get a full scholarship to the Southeastern Ballooning Camp. It was there she literally and figuratively learned the ropes, something she says many people, especially Vermonters, often don't attempt without prior experience. In 2024 Sutton returned to the Adirondack Festival, but this time she was ready to fly and take her mom along with her for the ride. 'She was really excited to share it with me, and that was exciting on its own. It's very smooth, you're really just floating, like she said, it's not shaky at all although you would think it would be,' said self-described, 'proud mom,' Kelli Sutton-Bosley. Since enrolling as a cadet with CAP, a decision Sutton tells me she made on her 11th birthday, the teen says she has found friends and a sense of purpose in service. She hopes to one day work in cyber security with the National Guard, with perhaps a little ballooning on the side. 'I just do it to get up in the air and see the sunrise,' she said. While ballooning may just be for fun, Sutton says she expects to take to the skies again in 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
