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International Balloon FiestaAlbuquerque, New MexicoAll eyes will be on the skies over New Mexico's largest city October 6-14 for the 41st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. More than 600 hot air balloons are expected to lift off in mass ascensions from launch fields spanning the equivalent of 54 football fields.This fall also marks the final chance to join in New Mexico's yearlong 100th birthday celebration. Special statehood centennial events include "Dinosaur Century: 100 Years of Discovery in New Mexico" at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. In October, the exhibit focuses on some of the state's earliest and largest residents—giant dinosaurs.Spend a weekend at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm, located in the city's pastoral North Valley. Designed in 1932 by John Gaw Meem, the "Father of Santa Fe Style," the 20-room guesthouse combines luxurious lodging with field-to-fork dining. During your stay, get a hands-on taste of farm life by working in the gardens or fields, or milking a goat and collecting eggs in the "Barnyard Animals 101" program.
Photograph by Danita Delimont, Alamy

Best Fall Trips 2012

Let your vacation plans heat up as the weather starts to cool down. Check out our travel editors' picks for the ten best places to get away this autumn, and tell us what you think in the comments.

August 8, 2012
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