We thought this “dogs allowed” exhibit would be a great opportunity to further socialize our young dogs, Mizore (b. 2 July 2022) and Amazora (b. 26 February 2023). We tried a Friday morning first admission group (11 a.m.).

We would have stood in line, but we parked next to a group of who had several children and whose parents allowed the kids to tease our dogs by barking. In line, these kids were the least well-behaved. While other kids were standing quietly by their parents, this group of kids was running around screaming and wrestling on the ground.

Remember there are rules like no touching certain exhibits and no jumping on the balloons.

First you enter “DREAMS Doves Raggiungere E Ammirare Mondi Straordinari” which is fine as long as someone isn’t pushing things into your dogs and you don’t want your dogs biting them. I’ve had dogs flatten soccer balls and these balloons seem less sturdy.

“Quadriga” is four white horses suspended far above and hardly noticeable by our dogs.

Before entering the AI Data Portal, we had to put on black slippers over our shoes. They are way too big for kids and work best if you’re dragging your feet.

Amazora was overwhelmed by the AI Data Portal and crouched and was unwilling to move. You might have to carry your pooch out. Ian did at the halfway mark because we didn’t want to spend so much time and Amazora was overwhelmed. However, Mizore, who had been afraid of slippery surfaces when we got him at 4 months old, and whom I worked extensively with, entered with no problem, coming back even for Amazora.

If you have time, it is an opportunity to work with your dog. Ian carried him out, but from the other side, I took him in slowly and he was eventually able to make it around the mirror pillar at each end of the short tunnel. That came in handy for the “BB Series.”

“Zeros,” didn’t trouble our dogs at all. “Eye Scream” and “Fountain of Eternity” were, like “Zeros,” just something to look at and pass by so totally fine for the dogs.

 

The dogs went through the Flying Maze with no problem.

If we were without dogs and not too many kids were around the “Perpetual Ballet: would have been fun, but with dogs, the balloons were best just something to go through (close to one wall) and pass through. “The Ginjos” looked like somewhere a dog could do damage by biting and puncturing a balloon so we passed on that.

The ADA balloon floats well above our dogs and is an easy walk though. If there were fewer people, it would have been a great place to photograph the dogs. We had more fun running through Swing.

I love the feeling of “Octopus Attacks” and this is a great photo opportunity. “The Balloon Tree” is also a great photo op. We had fun in “A Quiet Storm” which was damp so be careful.

Probably the experience our dogs liked the least was “Hyperstellar.” I love ball pools, however, the soundtrack was too loud and overall, the dogs found it disturbing, but we don’t listen to loud music at all at home. Although I did see someone on Instagram take their small dog into the pool, dogs are expressly not allowed in the pool. Anyone who does and says different is totally ignoring the instructions prior to being allowed in. Don’t ruin it for future dog owners. Just follow the rules.

The dogs did enjoy “Mariposa” (and my husband did stop someone from running up toward our dog. Also fun and almost meditative was Spiritus Sonata.

Because we were able to go in at a reduced price for LA residents, this was well worth the time although for dogs it might seem almost too long to be walking around outdoors or anywhere without a pee break.

I did tie a large thick red ribbon to my cellphone and video camera to make them easy to find. We were told that someone spent four hours at the “Let’s Fly” because of lost keys. Our keys are on either lanyards or leashes. Keep this in mind. We also brought small bags that we could have left the keys or cellphones in.

Also, don’t wear a dress without proper undergarments. There are two exhibits where up-skirt photos/videos can be taken: “AI Data Portal” and “BB Series.” I was wearing a dance skort under my dress.

“Let’s Fly” continues until 13 April 2025, having opened on 30 October 2024. Located at Ace Mission Studios (1601 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles and open Mondays to Sundays. Tickets start at $30. Parking is $10. For tickets and more information, visit the Balloon Museum.

What it really looks like: