Gardens are usually not one of the must see attractions in a sensory overload city like Las Vegas but this one is an exception. We have looked forward to visiting the Bellagio Hotel’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens over the years. The garden is an open atrium with a glass ceiling dome and four distinct display areas. There’s usually a centerpiece (or two) that takes our breath away.
I love coming here and marvel at the artistry involved in transforming plants, trees and flowers into something extraordinary and staying true to a theme. As my kids got older, they have learned to appreciate coming here. They love to smell the flowers too. Yes, they’re all real and somehow kept fresh during the many weeks they’re on display.
Every time we have visited, we still look in awe. It has never failed to amaze the many visitors that leisurely stroll here. It does get pretty crowded. So, walking around or taking a decent picture could get quite challenging. It’s FREE and open 24 hours, 365 days a year. I guess early in the morning or very late at night will allow for some quiet times here.
During our last visit on Thanksgiving weekend 2011, it was decorated in all the glory of Fall. Everyone was fascinated with the talking tree who seemed to be looking at us wherever we went. He’d say something incomprehensible every few minutes. I found it a bit creepy but my kids couldn’t get enough of the tree.
The centerpiece was a huge barn complete with a working water mill. The predominant flowers, in keeping with the theme, were chrysanthemums in different colors and sizes.
Enormous pumpkins (think 700 -800 lbs) were scattered throughout too. Just in time for Thanksgiving was an impressive giant cornucopia.
My personal favorite had to be their botanical reproduction of the painting “Seen from Montbriand (Monagne Sainte-Victorie), after Paul Cezanne” by Vik Muniz. It was a spectacular floral arrangement and the attention to details was amazing. I kept going back just to compare it with the picture of the actual painting. The original artwork can be seen in Bellagio’s Gallery of Fine Art.
The Bellagio employs 140 horticulturists to achieve these works of art displays. They are changed every season plus two additional displays during the Holidays and Chinese New Year.
We were here for the Chinese New Year 2011 display and saw giant bunnies and a larger than life statue (not quite sure who it was) to commemorate the year of the Rabbit. Not to mention, a variety of orchids, a boat and a gazebo to complete the display. It makes me wonder how many hours it takes to assemble all of it and to take it all down.
Perhaps, a giant Dragon for the Year 2012? We’re hoping for one during our return visit. It was too bad we missed the holiday celebration display this year.
This conservatory is one of the loveliest attractions on the Las Vegas strip and should definitely not be missed. You’ll never know what sort of visual feast will greet you.
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The conservatory is absolutely one of my favorite places in Las Vegas. They do such a great job of changing it out every season that it’s worth making a trip every 3 months just to check it out. I’ve never seen the Chinese New Year display before though. It looks awesome!
Beautiful! The Bellagio was always one of my favorites! They just do everything so well.
Thanks for linking up!
~Becca
Thanks for hosting Becca! Always glad to link up!
We love this place & make a point of seeing what’s new every time we visit. It’s a gorgeous place that adults alike marvel at.
Those gardens are amazing but I think that the talking tree would freak me out a bit too – his eyes are just creepy!
I think the Bellagio is one of only a few institutions that has reached Disney levels of perfect detail, beauty, and originality. Love it.
Wow the attention to detail in every aspect of the gardens you’ve shown. I think that tree would freak me out too, but the bunny’s are just amazing. It looks like an amazing place to visit – having never been to Vegas I’d never heard of it so thanks for sharing.
Hard to believe the Bellagio has something so wonderful inside it – they definitely didn’t advertise it when we were there this past summer.
Sorry you missed the Bellagio garden on your last visit. Hope you can make it back to Vegas again soon.
I’m glad I stumbled across this post. We head to Vegas next week, and are certain to spend some time at the Bellagio. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for stopping by! Have a great trip to Vegas. You get to see all the Holiday splendor at the Bellagio.
Great photos! We just moved to Vegas and took our daughter to see the conservatory. She was so scared of that talking tree! She enjoyed the horses though. :)
Thanks! I’m sure that tree scared a lot of little kids. How lucky for you to see the ever-changing displays at Bellagio. Hope you’re enjoying your new home.
Wow! just wow!
Those are usually the first words I utter too when I first catch a glimpse of their displays. Thanks for stopping by Ane!
wow soo nice ^_^ and you managed to capture the colors perfectly! :)