Taking in the Sights at the Bellagio Conservatory and Fountains

With its location smack dab in the middle of the dessert, one doesn’t expect Las Vegas to offer much in the

way of botanical beauty and watery wonders. But in this land of man-made magnificence anything is possible. The Bellagio Hotel and Casino has created two of the most beautiful free attractions on the Strip and brought a bit of lush natural splendor to Las Vegas with its famous fountains and verdant conservatory.

Guests and visitors to the Hotel will be enchanted by the whimsical designs of the conservatory’s botanical gardens. The designs are the work of 140 expert horticulturists who artfully cultivate and position a myriad of brilliantly-colored flowers, plants and trees from around the world into unique arrangements depicting the current season. The display, which is open 24-hours a day, year round, is changed out periodically to reflect spring, summer, fall, the Holidays, and Chinese New Year, and incorporates water features and seasonal decorations that meander on a path over bridges and past tranquil ponds.

Outside the Hotel’s walls the serenity of the gardens gives way to an exuberant aquatic explosion from the Bellagio’s fountains. Set on the 8-acre man-made lake that lies in front of the Hotel, the fountains “perform” every 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day and weather conditions. Over 1200 nozzles and 4500 lights are timed and set to music, creating an intricately choreographed light and water show. Bursts of water shoot up to 250 feet into the air, arcs wave back and forth, and spurts shoot across the across the length of the lake in time to Broadway, classical, and Opera songs. The music echoes across the Strip as the fountains dance. Beautiful at any time of day, it is particularly romantic after dark when the lights cast a pale rosy glow on the crowd and the Bellagio is brightly illuminated against the night sky.

In a city built on the artificial, in the middle of a dusty dessert, The Bellagio Conservatory and Fountains offer a welcome oasis of (albeit man-made) natural wonder.