Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Sometimes you just need to escape all of the lights, sounds and overstimulation of the Las Vegas Strip. It’s times like those when stumbling upon the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a welcome escape.

If the famous Fountains of Bellagio don’t draw you in, then at least take the time to visit the gardens at Bellagio, which are located in a large, enclosed, 13,573-square foot space near the lobby area. One of the most popular highlights on the Las Vegas Strip, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens draws in tens of thousands of visitors every year with its whimsical and colorful display of flowers, fountains, bridges, gazebos and mythical creatures. An added bonus? It’s free!

Open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, the gardens are maintained by a team of 140 horticulturists who ensure that not a single brown leaf or drooping bud appears (though several employees from other departments also have a hand in its success). This masterful team of experts also works diligently to design a unique and inviting theatrical setting each season of the year, which means that what you see today will not be around three months from now. And, as soon as one garden theme has been put into place, the team starts planning for the next season.

In the spring, you may encounter oversized ladybugs or butterflies and a rainbow of pastel hues spread across the gardens, while autumn promises deep reds and oranges, gigantic pumpkins and huge scarecrows. There’s something about the all-encompassing vibe of the gardens that makes you want to slip off your shoes and run barefoot in the grass when spring arrives or toss a scarf around your neck and grip a warm mug of hot chocolate in the late fall.

Though incredibly picturesque, visitors to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens may be interested to know that very little of anything placed in the gardens goes to waste. Every two weeks, many of the potted flowers are swapped out and recycled, which provides mulch for the rest of the Bellagio. Props are stored in an off-site warehouse, should they ever be used or repurposed in the future. In all, 90 percent of the conservatory is recycled in some way.

Due to its accessibility and the fact that it’s free, you can expect to encounter people in the gardens at all times of the day. Some people suggest you visit in the early morning when there are fewer people and the sun is starting to peek through the glass roof; others like it best when it’s dark outside and the garden is lit up with lights. Regardless of when you go, though, we’re pretty sure you won’t regret the decision.

>>More free things to do on the Las Vegas Strip.
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Photo credit: MGM