Conservatory at Bellagio

Crisp chill winters may come and go, but at Bellagio Conservatory, summer is always in full bloom. A dazzling colorama of year-round flora and fauna, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens have been voted Las Vegas' most popular non-stage show for nearly a decade and its popularity shows little sign of waning. Combining the exoticism of rainbow colored wildlife with fantastical themes like “a dream within a dream”, the huge glasshouse is an ever shifting exhibition of nature as you've never seen it before.

Spring heralds a time of re-birth and reawakening within the behemoth Bellagio Conservatory. Over 70,000 plants, 15,000 props and a 70-strong team of horticulturists, creatives and stage-hands begin the painstaking process of transforming the former winter wonderland into a budding, efflorescent rain-forest teeming with butterflies, cockatoos and parrots. The entire “show” is reconstructed five times per year in conjunction with the changing seasons (including Chinese New Year) but whether its Spring or Fall, the 50,000 square foot greenhouse is always buzzing and bursting with life.

Nature lovers and birdwatchers cannot fail to be dazzled by the array of species flitting beneath the domed glasshouse canopy, however the real show is played out with props like the replica ferris wheel, giant toadstool houses and the 11-foot carousel. Fittingly, elements of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art are also woven into the ethereal tapestry of fun and beauty. Soaring 20-foot “hedge” sculptures of birds hang suspended from the ceiling, while eagle-eyed statues of otters can be found scattered beneath the tumbling water features and beside meandering streams. Each season demands the input of 120 creative souls, taking at least three months to plan from paper to execution. No expense is spared in the sourcing of flora and fauna either, with huge elms and beeches shipped from as far afield as Canada and Asia for the “Fall” showcase.

With over 5 million visitors descending upon the attraction each year, the pressure is always on to devise new and unique exhibitions centered around the four seasons. Winter brings with it the usual expectations of towering firs and conifers, yet also a few surprises. Fountain shows take center stage, coordinated in a similar way to the great Bellagio Fountains at the front of the hotel with Christmas carol music and classical themes. Real life reindeer prove a big hit among visiting kids and candied treats form the filling for the flower beds. Spring is a magical experience, largely focused upon water element features and the release of wildlife species into the conservatory. Fall is equally as breathtaking, the centerpiece of the attraction being a huge replica waterwheel bounded by mythical trees with almost human faces.

Take a stroll within this oasis of color and magic, letting your imagination wander and all sense of time slip away. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are one of the few shows in Las Vegas that won't cost you a dime, but will most certainly capture your heart!