national balloon museum

The National Balloon Museum, about 40 minutes from Des Moines was an interesting place to spend about an hour. In here, you'll discover all the different types of balloons out there, and the designs are quite varied and interesting. In addition, you can learn about what goes into Ballooning and how competitions work. There's also a short movie you can watch during your visit. For us, the most interesting part was seeing balloons with various favorite cartoon characters and other designs that brought a great feeling of nostalgia to us.

Did you know that the first balloon flight carrying a human occurred in 1783 in Paris, France? This was new to me. But, after visiting the National Balloon Museum in Indianola, Iowa, I learned that and much more about ballooning.The national museum is located in Indianola because the area is home to some of the best conditions for hot air ballooning. The city also is home to the National Balloon Classic. Several balloonists call central Iowa home, as well.We spent about an hour at the museum recently. You can probably spend much more time there, if you choose, but I think an hour is about right.The museum is a small building housing a lot of exhibits.There is a hot airship gondola on display in the lobby. It was attached to an air ship, which was football shaped, similar to a Zepplin.The museum features several balloon baskets. An enclosed basket was used for an excursion across the English Channel.Lisa posed with the Iowa balloon. The balloon featured the design of the state’s flag. It was donated to the museum by the pilot’s family – David Beukelman. An exhibit features the balloon “Fantasia.” The display includes artwork that was special to the owners.A special exhibit honors the Union Jack, Great Britain’s national flag. The balloon was manufactured in England in 1976. The call numbers – N76GB – marked the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1976.A piece of material from a balloon flight by noted balloon pilot Steve Fossett is on display. It is one of only a few pieces known to have been recovered from a crash landing involving one of his balloons. Fossett was a master pilot, having been the first person to fly a balloon nonstop around the world. He, unfortunately, passed away in a balloon wreck in 2007.The museum honors females who have contributed to ballooning. The most prominent is likely Nikki Caplan. She was the first person to have a balloon pilot license in Missouri. Caplan was posthumously inducted into the balloon Hall of Fame in July. Speaking of the Hall of Fame, the museum is also home to the Hall. This year, three people were inducted: Caplan, Chauncey Dunn (also deceased) and Don Piccard.The National Balloon Museum is a nice visit when in Indianola.

It holds a great number of artifacts about Hot air, smoke, gas balloons and airships and Zeppelins. Great aviation research library, Children's Learning area, gift shop and interesting facts about Women in Ballooning. Handicapped accessible, theater showing videos on the history of ballooning. It will take about an hour to see most of it. They take tours if you call ahead.

It is worth a quick visit. Won't take very long to get through it. Some interesting hot air ballooning memorabilia

The National Balloon Museum is a little off the beaten path, but if you’re going to be in the area anyway, it’s well worth a visit. For ballooning enthusiasts, it’s a must see! As an aviation enthusiast myself, I found the displays and exhibits interesting and informative. The museum contains an impressive collection of ballooning memorabilia detailing the history of the sport as well as record breaking balloon flights. The museum is also home of the U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame.

A nice museum that tells the history and has some nice exhibits on hot air ballooning. There is a table for kids to do some building and coloring. Plan to spend an hour looking over the exhibits.

Small place but can show you the history of hot air ballooning and the building is cool always nice people that work there the few times I have been there.

This place is not very big, but it will give you the history of the hot air balloon. We enjoyed stopping here for a visit.

The National Balloon Museum is a very good museum. It has a variety of displays - from historical ballooning artifacts to modern ballooning. Both the art and science of ballooning is presented. Ballooning has a rich tradition in Indianola and Iowa and many facets are presented. There is a children's area for active play and interaction.

This International Balloon Museum is small when you imagine how big the balloons are. It was interesting learning the history, The only thing that makes this an international museum is that the annual Balloon Fiesta held every year in October is New Mexico's claim to fame biggest event in the world. I loved the gift shop as it is a one of a kind type store. The Balloon Fiesta is so colorful and I was disappointed that the museum was not. The two big actual size balloons displayed was white and black against white walls! Such a big beautiful space with a dull display, boring. The colorful displays are in the gift shop.

A great thing to do with family, very educational, and you don't have to visit just during the balloon festival. Something nice to do in the area that supports local activities and has a lot interesting and surprising facts.

A great place to learn and see about lighter than air, craft. Open year round, bt a fun side trip from the Indianola Balloon Festival.

I live about 50 miles from the Museum. I have never been in the museum but have been there when they have had balloon fly in's and conventions. It is well know and have many good things about it.