‘Balloon Voyage’ carries guests back in time Conner Prairie

by Laura Kruty

Fun fact: The first manned airmail balloon flight took off in 1859 from none other than Lafayette, Ind.

Destined for New York City, the balloon, manned by John Wise, got caught in winds and instead landed in Crawfordsville. The mail then was delivered to New York by train.

In the spirit of the launch, which drew thousands that August day in Lafayette, Conner Prairie opened its 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit June 6, allowing guests to step back in time –– and soar more than 350 feet above Indiana soil.

Guests can experience the excitement of Lafayette that day by taking in the sights and sounds of a recreated Lafayette streetscape, which includes Lafayette Drug Store, Dry Goods Store, Art Gallery and Print Shop and Lafayette Gas Works.

Visitors also can build, fill, launch, navigate and land a balloon –– all while fighting what Wise called “rivers of wind,” or the jet stream, in Flight School.

The main attraction, however, is the 105-foot-tall balloon, which is twice as large as your typical hot air balloon and takes up to 20 guests per 10- to 15-minute flight.

I was lucky in that the day I went up was clear and picture perfect. The ascent is smooth (although that didn’t stop me from keeping a firm grip on the rail), and it only takes a few minutes to reach your height.

Since it was so clear, we were able to see downtown Indianapolis, Keystone at the Crossing and the Pyramids at 86th Street and Michigan Road. Everything certainly takes on a whole new perspective as you look down on it from a few hundred feet in the air.

The balloon held pretty steady as we “floated” there — it remains anchored to the ground the whole time so any movement is minimal — but I still didn’t feel comfortable enough to walk around in the gondola.

In all, Balloon Voyage is a fun –– and unique –– attraction.

Balloon Voyage is open through November. The balloon only operates in safe weather conditions, so check www.connerprairie.org before your visit to make sure it’s running.

Tickets are $15 per person non-members and $12 per member. A $5 coupon is available at area BP am/pm locations.

Call (317) 776-6000 or log on www.connerprairie.org.