Any trip to Las Vegas would be considered incomplete without checking out the iconic fountains outside one of the most popular resorts in the city.
Even if you have never been to Las Vegas before, there are certain images that you likely have stuck in your head just from seeing them. There is the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, the glow of MGM Grand’s green towers, and, of course, the Bellagio Fountain. This fountain has been seen in music videos, movies, and television shows, along with millions of photos posted to social media accounts over the years.
The Bellagio Fountain Show is one of the most iconic things to see or do in Las Vegas, so if you are going for the first time, or just haven’t seen the show in a while, here is everything you need to know about your visit.
About the Bellagio Fountain Show
When Steve Wynn was overseeing the construction of Bellagio, it was apparent this resort was going to be unlike any other on the Las Vegas Strip. From the design of the exterior to the intricate pieces of art on display all over the hotel, Bellagio would become almost as popular as a destination for pedestrians as it is a place to gamble.
The center-piece of the design is the lagoon outside the hotel. This 8-acre lake is incredible to see on Las Vegas Boulevard on its own, but when the 1,200 nozzles from the fountain come out of the water to signify the start of the show, the lake if completely transformed. The fountains were not cheap – it has been estimated that they cost in the vicinity of $40 Million when the hotel was built.
There are four different types of nozzles that are used for the show:
208 Oarsmen – jets with a full range of spherical motion
798 Shooters – these, as you can imagine, shoot the water in the air
192 Super Shooters – send blasts of water up to 240 ft in the air.
16 Extreme Shooters – send water up to 460 ft in the air
Three reasons you should visit the Bellagio Fountain Show
The spectacle is amazing
This is one of the most incredible displays you will see outside a hotel in Vegas (or inside, for that matter). When you arrive for the show, you will see how popular it is, with thousands of people viewing from all over the place. The display of lights and water is spectacular, and each show is set to a piece of music, which is typically in a rotation of 4-8 songs. Depending on the time of day, you may see something different by watching the show – at night, when you cant see the nozzles, the lights are more on display, while during the day, you can get a real sense of the enormity of the area.
The area is iconic
If you are keen to visit places that are iconic in Las Vegas for your own purposes or to make sure you get the photo that will make your friends jealous, then the Bellagio Fountain Show needs to be near the top of your list. Made famous in movies such as Ocean’s Eleven, the fountains will serve as the perfect backdrop for a photo or video to remind you of your amazing trip to Vegas.
It is outdoors!
Listen – we know that between eating, drinking, gambling, and sleeping, there is not a lot of time to get outside and see Las Vegas. More importantly, you need to take some time to get fresh air after being in these megaresorts all day and night. Wandering over to the Bellagio Fountain Show is the perfect excuse to take a break from the stuffy air of indoors, and then you can make your way back to your favorite table game or slot machine.
One thing to remember about the Bellagio Fountain Show
One thing to remember about the Bellagio Fountain Show is the sheer number of people that come to watch it. Yes, there are multiple shows a day, but with millions of people in Las Vegas at any given time, you will be shoulder-to-shoulder with many folks trying to get a glimpse. You may want to show up right at the end of one show and park yourself at the front waiting for the nest to begin, but if you do that, remember to bring a cold drink with you.
Bellagio Fountain Show FAQ
Does it cost anything to watch the show?
No, watching the Bellagio Fountain Show is entirely free (aside from how much you have to pay to get there from wherever you are staying.
Where is the best place to watch the show from?
This is an interesting question, as there are many different views available. From the street on Las Vegas Boulevard, you get the full-frontal view of the show with the hotel in the background. You can watch it from the walkways surrounding the lake, giving you different angles and a slightly higher vantage point. If you want to see the show more than once from the comfort of a great meal, then you can make a reservation at either of the restaurants that have patios overlooking the lake. Finally, you can take your viewing to the air, either by having a room that overlooks the lake or by heading across the street to Paris resort to heading up their Eiffel Tower. There is no wrong answer here – the Fountain Show is wonderful no matter where you are watching.
How often does the fountain show take place?
The regular schedule for the fountain is as follows:
11:00am – 8:00pm: Shows every 30 mins
8:00 pm -Midnight: Shows every 15 minutes
Something to bear in mind is the day you are planning to take in the show. If it is a holiday, there may be a different schedule in place. Furthermore, if it is windy enough, the show will be postponed to avoid the water spraying all over the place. Doublecheck with the resort that the show you want to see is on before you make your way to Bellagio, and you will be certain to have an enjoyable experience when you arrive.