1859 Balloon Voyage Rides
The purchase of a general admission ticket is required to access the 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit during regular daytime museum hours. A Membership gets you into the experience at no initial cost. An additional ticket is needed to ride the balloon.
About the Experience
In 1859 a crowd of 20,000 gathered in Lafayette, Indiana to watch the launch of the “Jupiter.” The balloon was designed and piloted by John Wise and marked the first successful airmail delivery in the U.S.
The 1859 Balloon Voyage at Conner Prairie
Interesting facts about the balloon:
- The balloon delivers on Conner Prairie’s explorer spirit, having lifted over 190,000 passengers 370 feet up in the air, which is higher than the Statue of Liberty!
- The balloon is 105 feet tall, higher than an eight-story building, and 73 feet wide, the length of Conner Prairie’s covered bridge.
- The balloon floats with enough helium inside it to lift 211,880 party balloons.
- The balloon is one of only five tethered helium balloons in the whole country and is the only one in the world to put balloon flight into a historical context.
Exhibit features:
- What Does it Look Like Up There? (four-season view from above video)
- Future of ballooning interactive station touching on multiple subjects in modern lighter-than-air technologies.
- Lighter-than-air history from the 19th century to today.
- Air Quality Measurement System – a tool used to measure the amount of pollution in our atmosphere.
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1859
The Jupiter takes flight, piloted by John Wise, and completes the first successful airmail delivery in United States history.
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2009
Conner Prairie begins a new era of innovation and growth, debuting the 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit, supported through a co-op partnership between Ricker Oil and BP.
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2015
Conner Prairie welcomes its new corporate partner, Reynolds Farm Equipment, with a brand-new balloon.
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Early Summer 2021
A new balloon launches, representing the growth of the relationship with Reynolds Farm Equipment, and an enhanced 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit opens.
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Late Summer 2021
Conner Prairie will celebrate its 200,000th flyer: will it be you?
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, ask the pilot next time you visit our 1859 Balloon Voyage!
Yes! It is filled with helium; a nonflammable gas also used in party balloons. A net and an aluminum guardrail surround the passenger gondola, and the balloon is operated by trained pilots and ground crew.
At 105 feet, it’s as tall as an eight-story building.
Up to 20 people, depending on the wind conditions.
No. The temperature in the air will be roughly the same as the temperature on the ground.
Up to 370 feet.
The average ride length is 10-15 minutes, which includes ascending, viewing, and descending.
No wind and overcast skies with temperatures under 80°F are ideal. Thunderstorms within 30 miles, clouds below 1,000 ft., winds over 24 mph and temps 90°F or above keep the balloon on the ground.
The balloon was inflated very carefully over the course of one day. Before inflation, it took one full day just to prepare the site, move equipment into position, and pre-assemble components for the envelope. Inflation day two required a large crew of 25 to unbundle the envelope and net and move it into position. Inflation with helium began early afternoon and progressed slowly until balloon was ready to fly seven hours after. Test flying and adjustments began on day three with the balloon ready for service by midday.
Yes, you can! You can either call 317.776.6000 ext. 381 for more information or you can host an event there!
A wheelchair no wider than 25.5" will fit onto the gondola via a ramp, for easy access. If your wheelchair is too wide, we have one you can use.
The gondola of the balloon is crafted of composite materials and aluminum, and the upper portion of the gondola is surrounded by netting. The balloon is filled with helium, an inert, non-flammable gas. The balloon ascends in good weather conditions only and will not fly in unsafe conditions, including storms or high winds.
On clear days, the downtown Indianapolis skyline will be visible. The Pyramids at 86th Street and Michigan Road are quite clear. The beautiful bend in the White River and Conner Prairie’s “prairie,” a floodplain in actuality, are quite visible. To the east, the water towers of various communities are visible.
Aerophile, the French company that manufactured and installed our tethered balloon, has been in business since 1994. They have sold over 50 balloons in more than 20 countries in cities including Paris, Berlin, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai. In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers launched the first successful manned balloon in Paris. Aerophile carries on the French ballooning tradition.
A Guest Services Representative at the Ticket Desk or at the Balloon Kiosk will gladly refund the amount you paid for your balloon ticket or issue a rain check if the balloon is grounded due to weather. If the balloon is flying and you decide not to ride after purchasing a ticket, your money will not be refunded.
You can check the daily weather notice on the home page of connerprairie.org to check if the balloon is currently flying. However, since weather conditions can change with little notice, you can also check at the Ticket Desk and at the Balloon Kiosk once you are on-site and ready to ride the balloon.
