Adirondack Balloon Festival: today and tomorrow

Watch 100 balloons participating in the state’s largest balloon fest from the safety of the ground.

* Free; locations vary, depending on the day; info at adirondackballoonfest.org

American Balloon

See Jersey’s autumnal offerings from above and maybe even land on a pond for a few minutes. “It’s kind of a surreal experience,” says owner Tom Oerman. “It’s like scuba diving, only you’re doing it in the atmosphere.”

* 218 Dove Cote Court, Whitehouse Station, NJ; 908-534-5220; balloonride.net; group flight: $200 to $215 per person for one hour

Ballooning Adventures

Cruise over the Hudson River in what the company’s Michael Delsignore promises is “a smaller group to make it a lot of fun and more personal.”

* Glens Falls, NY; 518-798-4143; ballooningadventures.net; group flight: $225 per person for one hour

A Beautiful Balloon

Adventurous types can splash down into Lake George. Parsippany, NJ; 973-335-9799; balloon-rides.com; $350 per person

Balloon NY

Isn’t it romantic: Book a two-person flight. It includes a Champagne toast after the ride, should any big questions (but not balloons) be popped in the air.

* Columbia County Airport, Route 9H, Hudson, NY; 607-435-9839; catskillmountainballoon.homestead.com; $750 for two, Champagne included

Enchanted Balloons

Check out the natural black dirt of New York’s the onion-growing capital from above.

* 577 Ridgebury Road, Slate Hill, NY; 845-683-1447; balloon-rides-ny.com; group flight: $225 per person for 45 to 60 minutes; private morning or sunset flight: $899 per couple