Apex Balloons

(29 reviews)

1.4 mi

I can't recommend this company enough. Debbie and Kevin made the experience absolutely…read moreunforgettable and helped my fiancé plan a surprise proposal. Kevin kept us entertained in the air with some cool stories and fun facts about hot air ballooning and Debbie was so energetic and pleasant while on the ground. The basket is small and intimate but we preferred it that way. We were worried about the landing but it couldn't have been smoother.

One of my bucket list items was to ride in a hot air balloon, and for my recent birthday, my…read morehusband surprised me with this epic adventure! We met the team early on a Saturday morning, and I couldn't believe that we were going in a small basket. I almost jumped in the van with the 15+ group, but instead it was basically a private ride - just Kevin, his niece, his wife, and the two of us. (The other two were helpful when we landed, not to mention photos. Kevin's wife is an expert at getting the best photos. She took the rising sun shot of me that is no doubt the best photo ever taken involving me!) Kevin is a seasoned pro, and the trip showed. We went up high, where we could see the mountains by Flagstaff, the mountains by Tucson, and everything that lay in between. But then, being a smaller, more maneuverable balloon, we were able to skim along the desert hills. We soared just over the tips of the saguaro cacti, and Kevin told us all about the desert flora and fauna. We saw several jackrabbits and even a coyote. This is not the experience you get in the larger balloons, and it's absolutely magical! We eventually landed in the middle of a housing community, which brought a crowd of interested onlookers, but the chase team showed up quickly to load up the balloon while we heard the tale of the first balloonists and then drank a champagne toast to the rising sun while we listened to the Balloonist's Prayer. It was truly a special event, and it did not disappoint in any way. It is hard to live up to something you've always dreamed of doing, but somehow Kevin and his team made it all that and then some.

The post-flight feast!

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H5 Helicopters

(25 reviews)

10.5 mi

Wonderful birthday trip for my wife and another couple. Loved the wine and cheese on top of the…read moremountain.

We came here to celebrate my great grandmothers (nana's) birthday back in 2021. It was a private…read moreevent. The crew allowed us to utilize the downstairs kitchen area attached to the hangar to enjoy our meal before the flights. The crew was friendly, helpful, and funny. Everyone had a great time. In total they did 3 flights that day for us, allowing everyone to get a turn. I was 35 weeks pregnant during the flight. Overall everyone had so much fun & great grandma (nana) was able to cross a bucket list item off !

Friends

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Inside the helicopter

Arizona Air Tours

(1 review)

25.0 mi

The owner, Justin, is a great pilot, business owner, and all around person. He's knowledgeable…read moreabout his aircraft (and a bunch of others) and the local scenery. The air tours AZ Air Tours offers give some amazing views of the valley and some of the most well-known local scenery/landmarks. You will be treated as royalty and the red carpet rolled out for you...literally! If you want to take in the beautiful sights, book a tour!

From the owner: Tour the Valley of the Sun by air in our six seat, high performance Piper Cherokee Six. Fly with a…read morepilot/tour guide who has over 15 years of flying experience, and local knowledge of the sights and history of the Sonoran Desert.

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Alaskazona Adventures

10.2 mi

Pros: Fun and unique experience you can enjoy with another person or a group of people. I loved…read morehow we flew low and slow so we could enjoy the beautiful landscape Arizona has to offer. Eric knows the terrain really well and taught us quite a bit. Cons: My group of friends all had iPhones and I was the only one they could not share pictures with through airdrop. They all made fun of me and my Android phone.

Truly one of the best adventures to take right out of Arizona! So good I had to take friends and…read morefamily twice! The airplane is one of a kind, the pilot is beyond knowledgeable and fun, and the views from flying above Sedona and Prescott are unreal! We stopped to have dinner, hang out and come back! It was the perfect day! Check them out for a good adventure! Won't disappoint.

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Westwind Air Service

(19 reviews)

0.4 mi

Thank you for the partial refund but unfortunately this not acceptable. We were told that your…read morecompany never books a helicopter tour with a ground tour for this very reason we missed our helicopter tour. If we had received an itinerary for our tour we could have made sure we were on time for our helicopter tour. We never received an email confirmation for our booking. When we arrived at your office we asked Brad for an itinerary but he said he didn't have one. When we made our reservation Jasmin said she would email us a confirmation with all the details which we never received. Brad told us she spelled my name wrong on my email address which I find odd because she had to have spelled it correctly to put my credit card charge through. This debacle on your end ruined our once in a lifetime experience. This was total breakdown on your end just to save money. Our pilot Brandon went out of his way to try and make things right. He was obviously embarrassed by the situation. Not good business! Book with Marvick Helicopter Directly to save a ruined vacation. For a $1000 per person do not waste your money! Gary R

We planned a whole trip to Phoenix around an air tour with them. They only had one plane, and it…read morehad mechanical issues as soon as we took off we had to return and cancel the trip. It would be nice if they had more than one plane for redundancy.

Family Day Tours to the Grand Canyon with Westwind starting in Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Page, Sedona, or Scottsdale!

Family Tours to Sedona!

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Monument Valley Tours, window seats for everyone!

SunState Helicopter Tours

4.8

(26 reviews)

10.1 mi

Did an experience with them to surprise my girlfriend for Valentine's Day as we had always talked…read moreabout wanting to. She was unsuspecting but when we got to our "surprise activity" she was very nervous. Chris made the flight feel very smooth and enjoyable and helped me time it so that sunset was perfect. Couldn't have went better!

What an absolutely thrilling and unforgettable experience! We took a 20-minute helicopter tour with…read moreSunState Helicopter Tours in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it was nothing short of magical. Our pilot, Chris, was phenomenal--super friendly, professional, and with 25 years of flying experience, we felt completely at ease the entire time. From the moment we lifted off, the views were breathtaking! Soaring above the desert landscape with its rich colors, winding roads, and distant mountain ranges was surreal. Chris gave us fun facts and pointed out landmarks as we flew, making it both exciting and informative. If you're even thinking about booking a helicopter ride--do it! This was a perfect blend of adventure and beauty, and the memories will last a lifetime. Huge thanks to Chris and the SunState team for such a smooth, safe, and stunning ride!

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Venture West Aviation

25.0 mi

We took a flight today with instructor David L is absolutely amazing he has his own Hanger here at…read morefalcon Field. If you'd like to take an introductory flight it's $150 for an hour and absolutely will give you the feel of what it's like to pilot your own plane. Give him a call anytime he is an amazing amazing instructor.

I had such an awesome experience at Venture North. I flew a piper archer equipped with G1000. I had…read moreno experience with the G1000. my instructor made sure I understand every detail of how it worked! Tristan was an amazing teacher. He is very detail oriented and patient with me through out my learning. The school itself is so clean!! The planes are kept in amazing condition. The checkride was very thorough and fair. Thank you Venture North Aviation

Interior of his Piper plane which has been highly upgraded

Exterior View

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David's airplane

Fighter Combat International

34.4 mi

I've never flown a plane before and jumped into the advanced air combat mission - it was insane…read morefun! An experienced and fun-hungry pilot sits in the back seat and you sit in the front. He shows you a maneuver then you take control and repeat. Then you go into a combat setting and the reigns are yours to take down the other plane in the sky! Your plane is equipped with lasers and a sight and when you hit the target smoke comes out of their plane! It seems crazy this is allowed for the general public but the planes are the most capable acrobatic planes bar-none and the pilots in the back make sure you don't expose yourself to anything unsafe. These planes get tossed around, flipped, stalled, etc. and they get corrected as though it never happened. If you communicate your stomach/head status to your co-pilot they will keep your flight to your physical abilities...if you want to be aggressive...you push g's until you pass out! The dark stars were creeping into my vision twice during my flight but I hung on and stayed conscious haha sounds insane but if you are an adventure seeker this is an absolute must! Take a friend with you if you can so you can dogfight each other in the sky!

Fighter Combat International bills the aerobatic Super Ride as "The Flight of Your Life". That's a…read moretough claim to live up to, but I can confidently say that it's absolutely true. All of the staff are incredibly friendly, and incredibly professional. It's nice to have that confidence, as a client, when your life depends on them. My wife was a spectator, but she was welcomed like family. She was allowed to be in my briefing session, took pictures on the flight line before and after the ride, and while I was flying she had someone with her explaining what was happening as she listened to the intercom chatter from my flight. The ride is everything I ever dreamed it would be, then some. It was truly a "bucket list" flight. I was fortunate enough to not have stomach or G-force issues, so we went through all the maneuvers possible in my allotted time. My flight instructor, JD, was the best I could have hoped for. He was friendly, patient, and extremely capable. JD also spent a lot of time after the ride with my wife and I answering questions (debriefing) and running through some of the highlights from the resulting video. The video I received at the end was very high quality, and the perfect memory of the flight. I've rarely been impressed with a company enough to give a perfect rating, but this is one rare exception. I (and my wife) are HUGE fans.

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List Logix

22.3 mi

High-quality real estate photography at reasonable prices. Considering that their work is so good,…read moreList Logix is the best value for real estate video in the Phoenix area. They guarantee 24-hour turnaround on photos, and scheduling with them is super easy. They also do fantastic video work and 360 virtual tours, and like the photography, all of it is provided by extremely talented photographers/videographers who are professional, communicative, knowledgeable, nice, and responsible. I can't recommend them highly enough for anyone looking to get photos/videos of a property for sale or rent.

I work with Tony at List Logix weekly. He is always willing to take calls & do what is needed to…read morehelp me keep our clients happy! And, of course, List Logix photos & videos are always amazing. We are happy to partner w/ Tony & his group!

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Hot Air Expeditions

4.5

(248 reviews)

0.8 mi

Look, I'm already the kind of person who's up before the sun -- but I've never been rewarded for it…read morequite like this. Turns out sunrise hits different when you're floating a few thousand feet above the Sonoran Desert in a giant colorful balloon. Jonathan was our pilot and honestly the man is half comedian, half science teacher -- and somehow nailing both roles simultaneously. He kept the whole basket smiling the entire ride, cracking jokes while dropping knowledge about the desert landscape, wind patterns, and balloon mechanics like it's a TED Talk you actually want to attend. The guy just has a gift for keeping people entertained and informed at the same time. The views? Absolutely unreal. One moment you're staring at rugged Sonoran mountain ranges looking like God's personal screensaver, and then you drift a bit and you're peering down at a run-down commercial district that looks like it lost a fight with the 1990s. Honestly, the contrast is part of the charm -- nature's majesty on the left, a sketchy strip mall on the right. The desert keeps it real. Now here's my one PSA: bring a hat. Nobody warned me that every time Jonathan fires that burner, the top of your head gets a little preview of what a rotisserie chicken feels like. I now understand my scalp on a spiritual level. If you're tall, may God have mercy on your hair follicles. But seriously -- Hot Air Expeditions nailed it, and Jonathan made the whole experience unforgettable. Part tour guide, part entertainer, full send. 10/10, would risk mild scalp roasting again.

We recently did a sunrise hot air balloon ride with them and it was phenomenal! The process to make…read morereservations was easy and thorough, the site provided lots of information ahead of time. I appreciated that the default breakfast choice is vegetarian. The entire staff was great. From our driver to the guy who flew the drone to the balloon pilot- everyone was friendly and really informative. I appreciated the option to purchase drone footage and it turned out amazing. Our balloon was brand new and we were the first group to fly in it, which was cool. Picnic breakfast after was really cute and delicious. The burritos were nice and hot! Cannot say enough great things. Definitely check them out!

They give you a sign if you have any special ocasión

Other balloons taking off

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Our Experienced and Informative Pilot Alisa

Cactus Aquatic & Fitness Center

(23 reviews)

10.6 mi

Great clean facilities. My family has taken many summer swim classes here and it is one of the…read morebetter maintained pools in Scottsdale. There is also more seating space, clean showers with private stalls and nice fitness rooms (both aerobic and weights). I've taken several of the fitness courses (yoga, Pilates, aerobic) and they are all pretty good. You get a variety of courses with knowledgeable instructors, uncrowded classes at fair price. The park itself is ok. Not as big or geared towards outdoor fitness, like Chapparal. But there are still a few basketball courts, a grassy area and nice playground. Recommended.

Clean facility, ample open lanes available and pace clocks visible throughout. A couple of the…read moreswimmers were rude-one was standing right in my lane as I was coming in to the wall for a turn-otherwise, five stars

Beautiful Arizona sunset at Cactus Park tonight!

Weight Room

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Encanto Pool

(12 reviews)

14.6 mi

The pool and everyone there is really nice. The music that played there is very fitting. I really…read morelike the equipment they have there like the WIBIT and the diving boards. Everybody there is having fun, which is nice. The only problem is the bathroom is pretty cramped, the showerheads are so low, and it's not the cleanest.

Completed our first swim session, and it was fantastic! The staff, especially Zion, were…read moreexceptional and worked seamlessly with the kids. I always felt confident that my toddler was in safe, capable hands. Thank you!

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Goelet A. C. Beuf Community Center

(7 reviews)

3.2 mi

Paid $20 for a 1 year membership and the gym is closed or occupied for the summer because of kids…read moreactivities/games and elders league...should be $10 instead of $20 for a 1 year membership...talk about a rip off...

This was the first time I've ever set foot in Beuf Rec Center. I went there to have my taxes done…read moreby AARP Tax Aide. I found the center to be very clean and helpful associates who directed me to the right room. The tax volunteers were fabulous, knowledgeable and fun to work with. I picked up an April calendar listing all the great things offered at this Center. I will be joining and partake in activities/events. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

Community center area

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Cloud House for Babies and Toddlers

4.7

(29 reviews)

6.8 mi

Wow! What an amazing find! This place is perfect for your baby or toddler to come enjoy, escape the…read moreheat and hang out with other babies and parents! Everyone is so nice. They have a separate play area for 0-6 month olds and now that our baby is 10 months she's crawling around putting all the toys in her mouth. Thankfully they have a depository and they've thought of that to disinfect the toys. This place is well worth the drive, we will be back! Reasonably priced too! It was around $10 for two hours of playtime for our baby.

Very clean and always friendly. Despite being such a small space, it's organized in such a way…read morethat the kids can move freely. The climbing structure is clean and safe, and I love that I can see into all the corners. The activity changes monthly are great, restrooms are clean, snack area is easily accessible. Would get a 5th star if they posted somewhere online about when they're closed for private parties so we didn't waste the drive. But small request.

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TeenyTown Playland

4.4

(71 reviews)

19.8 mi

I really love the idea of this indoor play center- it has so much potential. The themed rooms and…read morefocus on imaginative play make it such a fun and creative concept for kids. You can tell it was designed to be a special place, and on the surface, it truly is adorable. That said, my experience left me feeling uneasy, mostly due to cleanliness and supervision concerns. I witnessed multiple children putting toys in their mouths (which is totally normal for kids), but what was concerning was that those same toys were often placed right back into shared play areas. While I later learned there is a designated bin for toys that have been in kids' mouths, this wasn't communicated upfront, and I didn't see it being consistently used or enforced. There also seemed to be inconsistency when it came to staff involvement. Across my two visits, I did see some staff members actively cleaning up and returning toys to their proper places, which I appreciated. However, I also observed others simply picking up toys and dropping them into corners of the rooms without any real organization or sanitizing. I completely understand that keeping up with kids is a challenge--I'm a parent too--but that's where consistent staff engagement becomes really important. Another issue was the level of parental supervision. Many parents were on their phones while their kids played freely. Again, that's ultimately a parenting responsibility, but in a shared environment like this, it contributes to the overall hygiene and safety concerns. I also want to mention that I found the staff presentation a bit unprofessional, which added to the overall impression that things weren't being closely managed. To be fair, you do sign a waiver regarding illness, and I understand that no play space can be completely germ-free. However, I did end up contracting chickenpox exactly 10 days after visiting, which makes me seriously question the effectiveness of their cleaning and sanitizing practices. Overall, this place is incredibly cute and full of potential. With more consistent staff involvement, clearer communication, better sanitization systems, and encouragement for parents to stay engaged, it could be an amazing environment. Right now, though, it falls short of what it could and should be.

Highly recommend this delightful play land!!! Our 3 yr old grandson loved everything here, and…read morethere is a lot of different experiences inside this space!!! So glad we have something like this out in the west valley for littles to enjoy!

Train station

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Construction Zone

Seth Korey Tennis Academy

4.8

(87 reviews)

9.4 mi

We signed up our daughter for the whole summer. 7 weeks in she's still loving it. Her tennis…read moreskills have really improved and she enjoys the variety of activities each week.

The best summer camp! My 5 year old son loves playing tennis and going on field trips.read more

All the vans coming back for the kids exciting field trip day!

Fun day post camp!

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Sally S.

5 years ago

Apex Balloons was exactly what we were looking for. Jon is able to make everything work for you. 1st- we scheduled for January and had to change to March- NO PROBLEM. #2- continual contact via email and calls were on time and informative. #3- The meeting place is a Dunkin Donuts (which he was very specific about not being open at that time, so bring whatever you need and stop for a bathroom break if needed). #4- ON TIME- we got there at 5:30 (after doing a dry run the day before) and so was he- you can't miss the guy with a white van with a trailer and a wicker basket! #5- we drive a short way, Jon and Lindsay start unloading which is amazing to see how the process is done. #6- we are not picture takers as we want to just enjoy the experience, but not to worry as Jon and Lindsay took care of that. #7- Up, Up, and Away- what more can you say about your 1st time in a hot air balloon. It is just amazing to see Jon go up, change course, lower the balloon to 10ft off the ground while going up the side of a hill (we even changed course to land at a different spot. #8- Jon told us exactly what to do to land (bend your knees and lean against a certain side of the basket. #9- the landing was GREAT! #10- then we got to watch how Jon and Lindsay put the balloon all back into the bag and load the trailer then back to Dunkin Donuts. A very important note- the Hot Air Balloon community helps each other to land. People helped us and we stopped to help a solo flier which I very much respect. Also, we were apart of the RECORD BREAKING day with a TOTAL of 27 Hot Air Balloons in flight which is extremely exciting to be a part of and to witness. Jon has decided to only take people who are a group like a family or, in our case, my wife and I as it is just easier and safer. BUT he does have a VERY LARGE basket and balloon for bigger groups. AND Jon also flies planes to tow gliders. So we WILL be going back for another Hot Air Balloon ride PLUS fly in a glider. You just cannot go wrong with Jon! P.S. He also offers a cash discount fee which I love as I am a cash kinda guy and we tipped per $50 person because of the WONDEFUL EXPERIENCE! Have a GREAT TIME! read more

Michelle P.

3 years ago

Title: Breathtaking Experience with Apex Balloon Company: Thank You, Joe! Rating: (5/5) I recently had the most incredible experience with Apex Balloon Company, and I cannot express my gratitude enough to Joe for making it an unforgettable day. From the moment we arrived at the Albuquerque NM Hot Air Festival, we knew we were in for something special. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Joe's new air balloon. The views of the sky and the festival from up above were simply awe-inspiring. But what truly set our experience apart was the sheer caliber and size of the balloon we were in. It was unlike anything we had ever seen before. In fact, the other smaller balloons paled in comparison, and we found ourselves getting bored with the air balloon festival show. Joe's hospitality and knowledge further enhanced our adventure. He was not only a skilled pilot but also a gracious host, making sure we felt comfortable and informed throughout the entire journey. His expertise and passion for hot air ballooning shone through in every interaction, and it made the day all the more special. The entire experience with Apex Balloon Company was a testament to their dedication to providing extraordinary adventures. Joe's attention to detail, professionalism, and genuine love for what he does were evident from start to finish. It's clear that he takes immense pride in his work and goes above and beyond to create magical moments for his guests. I cannot thank Joe enough for the amazing experience he provided. It was an adventure that will forever be etched in my memory. If you're looking for an exceptional hot air balloon experience in Albuquerque or AZ. Were ever he may be, I highly recommend Apex Balloon Company. They will undoubtedly exceed your expectations and leave you with memories to treasure. Thank you, Joe, for an unforgettable day filled with breathtaking views and a balloon ride that blew us away. read more

Mark W.

11 years ago

Awesome! I am so glad I chose Apex balloons. Jon loves to fly and it shows in his ability to provide a memorable service to his customers. By being an independent he doesn't have to adhere to a set schedule like a franchised business might have to. Jon flies to enjoy himself which might sound selfish but you get to share in his passion and experience what few people do. We flew for 1 hour and 45 minutes. We flew for 24 miles. We climbed to 7,000 feet above sea level or more than a mile above the ground. We could easily see the snow capped mountains in Flagstaff 120 miles away. Incredible. With nothing to block the sounds coming from the ground we could hear a dog barking, sirens and planes flying as they passed below us. We watched as a SouthWest jet passed nearby. My wife was apprehensive, but within seconds she was taking pictures and shortly thereafter was texting our neighbor back in Florida about what we were doing from high above the city. If you can fly in an airplane you will love flying in a balloon. Our experience of course eventually had to come to an end but what an ending. As we passed above the city Jon was looking for a suitable place to land. He pointed out several locations and finally settled on a residential street to touchdown. People were stopping in the streets taking pictures through their moonroofs as we passed above them. He told us "we are going to land right behind that blue car in a small neighborhood." We dropped in to the street with a very slight bump and a 2 foot slide to the side and we were down. But it didn't end there. Numerous residents came out to share in our experience as the balloon was deflated and packed away. Incredible! read more

Michael J.

5 years ago

In hindsight, Jon and Lindsey (Owner, pilot and crew), were the best I could have chosen for our engagement. The weather the night before and the next afternoon was sketchy, but I convinced Jon that we would drive 1-1/2 hours to Phoenix anyway and check the last minute weather conditions. Good thing we did because we got the perfect 4 hour clearing for a very unusual flight. The cloud ceiling was low and the ground was wet, so I offered Jon extra money to clean up his equipment afterward. I had been planning this engagement to Donna for a month, and it would be difficult to reschedule. All the other balloon companies had cancelled their sunrise flights, so we were the only game in town until we landed, which means everyone in Phoenix was watching our engagement. Jon ended up having as much fun on that flight as we did. To avoid the clouds, we went up to 1500 ft initially, then came back down and skimmed the treetops for about an hour. Crazy cool. Never saw or heard of a flight like that before, but it was spectacular. Toward the end of the flight we went back up and I asked Donna to marry me before we landed. ...And the rest, shall we say, is history. Donna can't stop talking about all the wild things we did that day, and how this balloon flight made our engagement so special and memorable. read more

Sandra C.

11 years ago

We had an absolutely wonderful ride with Jon, with the assistance of the crewman, Chad. Both men were knowledgeable, funny, and informative. From start to finish, it was a perfect balloon ride. Jon was very good about telling us everything that was going to happen before it happened and making sure we were prepared for any winds, increases/decreases in height, and how the landing would be. He provided us with lots of useful information about our speed, height above ground, distance covered, as well as landmarks, geography, and bit of information about the area. He was an absolute delight! It certainly doesn't hurt that he's also from New Jersey. The landing was smooth and Chad was never out of eyesight. Jon is a fantastic balloonist in that he is able to hug the hills/mountains so you're able to experience the contours. The landing was extremely smooth. At the end, there was a champagne toast and the history of the first ballooning. I really could not have asked for a better experience. I am not one for heights, but with Jon as my pilot, I would certainly go again. It was a morning I won't forget! read more

Christian I.

9 days ago

Flying with John and Lindsay at Apex Balloons was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the moment we arrived, they made us feel welcomed, safe, and genuinely excited for what was ahead. Their professionalism and passion for ballooning are obvious, but what really sets them apart is the way they create an unforgettable experience rather than just a ride. Watching the sunrise from thousands of feet in the air was breathtaking, and John shared fascinating insights throughout the flight while making everything feel effortless and safe. Lindsay's warmth, organization, and attention to detail made the entire morning seamless from start to finish. What could have been just another excursion became one of the most memorable experiences of my life because of the care and enthusiasm they put into every moment. It's rare to meet people who are so passionate about what they do, and that passion is contagious. If you're considering a hot air balloon ride, don't hesitate--book with Apex Balloons. Thank you, John and Lindsay, for creating a memory I'll carry with me forever. read more

Brianna R.

2 years ago

Our experience with APEX Hot Air Balloon rides was nothing short of magical! From the moment we met Jon and Lindsey, our skilled pilots, we knew we were in good hands. Their expertise and passion for ballooning shone through as they guided us through the skies outside of Phoenix. Jon and Lindsey went above and beyond to make our adventure unforgettable. Not only were they knowledgeable about the history and mechanics of ballooning, but they also pointed out stunning mountain ranges and shared fascinating insights along the way. The tranquility of the flight combined with the breathtaking views created an experience that exceeded our hopes. It was a truly unforgettable journey, and we're incredibly grateful to Jon and Lindsey for making it so special. Thank you, APEX Hot Air Balloon rides, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience we'll always treasure! read more

Jason W.

5 years ago

This experience was incredible! From start to finish one of the most memorable, unique trips to enjoy. Jon's knowledge of the area and his years of experience combined with Lindsay's expertise made this trip exhilarating, informative, and exciting. Their professionalism and passion for ballooning was contagious and added the comfort needed for a dare-devil, bucket list excursion. Our flight was over an hour with the weather allowing for us to top out at over 6,500 feet! A perfect sunrise view of the White Tank Mountains and the sun reflecting off Lake Pleasant on our private sunrise flight created the atmosphere ideal for my proposal with the finishing touch of a traditional champagne toast. I could not reccomend this more. Thank you Jon and Lindsay for being part of and making our special day possible! read more

Jim H.

10 years ago

Wow!!! What an amazing first time balloon ride. My wife and I are very happy with the adventure we had with Apex Balloons. We experienced an overview of what we were going to do on the onset. What we didn't know was how knowledgeable John was with the area. He named mountains, highways, points of interest, new construction in the area, and all about his lifelong experience of flying balloons. The ride was incredible too. From low to the ground to high in the air, we caught different winds to take us to our landing area. John's story of the first manned flight, which just happened to be in a balloon, was exciting and riveting. I hope this doesn't sound too corny, but if you want a true flying experience we highly recommend Apex Balloons for your next balloon ride! read more

Sara T.

8 years ago

Highly recommend! If you're on the fence about taking a hot air balloon ride and you don't know if this is the company for you - look no further because these guys are amazing! I have nothing but good things to say about Apex Balloons. I wanted to surprise my mom for her 60th birthday, since she's always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon. We were a bit nervous, but the entire event was pretty smooth and painless. Even when there was a little bit of a bump on the landing, Jon - the pilot - prepared us well enough that we weren't worried at all. The ride itself was extremely smooth, and we were amazed at how different everything looks from up high! Long story short - excellent ride, great cost, and awesome staff. And that view certainly didn't hurt any either! read more

Scot T.

2 years ago

That was awesome!! From start to finish, Jon and Lindsay helped make our experience so fun, smooth and unforgettable. Booking online was quite straight forward and they were so kind to help us over the phone when we ran into any problems or had questions. They were very professional, knowledgeable and passionate about ballooning, and had a great system in place for the whole trip, including taking great photo's and sending them to us afterwards. I would highly recommend booking a trip with them to experience the joy of flying like this for yourselves, whether flying low over nearby cactus, bushes and hills/mountains or thousands of feet in the air. It was such a blast and the team helped make it that much more amazing. God bless you guys and thank you! read more

Martin Jr G.

7 years ago

Definitely had such an amazing experience! We took a private flight with Jon who was completely professional, knowledgeable, and just made the entire flight a delight. He explained everything to us from the moment we made our way to the site we would take off from to setting up the balloon, in the air, before landing and after. I'm scared of heights but the experience my fiancee and I had was unforgettable and not once did we feel unsafe. Jon even helped me to pick just the right moment to make my girlfriend my now fiancee so yeah, this experience was a memory of a lifetime and I'm glad we chose Apex balloons and Jon as our pilot. I have nothing but good things to say. Thank you!! read more

Dawn R.

4 years ago

What an amazing experience! We added the "City Lights" to our sunrise flight and that made our entire day! It was so worth getting up an hour earlier and leaving in the dark. The city lights of Phoenix/Scottsdale were spectacular! All was so quiet and peaceful. The transitioning to daybreak with the colorful sky and the earth shadow receding was awe inspiring. Jon is a wonderful pilot with so much knowledge and Lee a great chase person and ground photographer. The private flight was so comfortable for the five of us. The landing was fun and the toast an added bonus! Words truly can't describe it - you need to experience it! read more

Rhonda Q.

3 years ago

Two thumbs up!! Absolutely beautiful and peaceful. Riding in a hot air balloon and seeing the sun rise in the early am has always been on my bucket list. Finally checked it off after 40 years. The owner/chief pilot Jon and (driver Linsey) were awesome, fun and answered all our questions. Jon is very knowledgeable! It was safe and we had a great experience taking off & landing with APEX Hot Air Balloon Rides. I highly recommend this company and the experience you will receive. The champagne toast, mimosas and OJ was a great way to hear the history behind it all. Thanks Jon for the great time! We will be back! Rhonda read more

Jill D.

1 year ago

Jon and Lindsay were amazing. From start to finish, our hot air balloon ride was nothing short of magical. Jon and Lindsay are professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. We arrived just before sunrise and went to our launch spot getting to watch the balloon being inflated. Once in the air, the view was absolutely breathtaking, and the ride was smooth. Jon pointed out landmarks and shared facts, adding depth to the experience. We ended with a soft landing and a celebratory toast, which made the entire adventure feel even more special. I can't recommend this enough--it's perfect. Five stars all the way! read more

Rene P.

9 years ago

Nothing could have made our Wedding more enjoyable than our flight with Apex Balloon and Jon officiating our ceremony, thousands of feet above the ground. The crew and Jon made every minute of our flight a pleasant and memorable experience. We wanted something different and we certainly were thrilled with the professionalism, care, information, exciting flight and even the champagne toast back on the ground. Whether a special occasion or just a fun sunrise/sunset flight, you cannot find a better company at a reasonable price than Apex Balloon! Book an experience of a lifetime today! read more

Sue L.

11 years ago

Apex Balloons provided us first-timers with the whiole balloon experience, from set up to pack up. The pilot and crew (John and Chad) were fantastic. We were educated about the background of ballooning and the simple mechanics of ballooning. We laughed and heard interesting stories about the Phoenix area. Our landing was a bit rough because of winds, but the exhilarating experience just adds to the story we get to tell our friends and family. My husband and I are in our fifties, and we had no apprehensions about flying with these experienced pilots. First rate experience!!! read more

Ken D.

6 years ago

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of going on my first hot air balloon ride with my mom. I was completely terrified. When I say Jon and Lindsey were the absolute best. I don't know where to begin. You can tell they both have a passion for what they do and the rides are just as exciting for them as it is for the clients. They calmed my fears before the ride and he explained everything prior to it happening. They took some great pictures of us and we even had the traditional toast at the end. I cant say enough good things about Jon and Lindsey or the ride.. TOP NOTCH!!!! read more

Phyllis S.

10 years ago

If you have 'hot air ballooning' on your bucket list and plan to go only once, use the best: APEX. As the name conveys, they are the acme, the summit, of their craft. Owner and crew are remarkably personable, knowledgeable, witty, accommodating and - most importantly - passionate about giving you the best experience possible from pick-up to drop-off and all ascent/descent moments in between. And if you've 'been there, done that', then do it again - this time with APEX Balloons. It'll be the high point of your holiday or vacation. It was for ours! read more

Kyle M.

127

11 years ago

Such a fun and great experience! Our pilot was Jon Radowski and he was the best and most experienced pilot i've seen, flying lower through the hills than anyone else, we were able to pass by hikers and what not and wave and say hi. He also took us way up to the maximum altitude. He kept our whole group laughing then entire time, got everyone to let loose and be happy and fun, make jokes etc. He's genuinely one of the better people i've met in my life, down to earth, kind, and hilarious. Definitely recommend a flight with him! read more

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Apex Balloons - hot_air_balloons - Updated August 2026

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