Fountains of Bellagio

The Fountains of Bellagio are a free choreographed water show staged on the eight-acre artificial lake in front of the Bellagio resort at 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, on the Center Strip of Las Vegas, Nevada. More than 1,200 jets launch water into the air in sequences timed to music and lighting, with the tallest bursts rising several hundred feet. The repertoire mixes show tunes, classical pieces and pop songs, so a visitor may see a different routine on each of several shows. What visitors actually do is stand along the sidewalk railing on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard, or on the lakeside promenade, and watch a show lasting roughly three to five minutes. Shows run every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 minutes from about 8:00 PM until midnight, with weekend and holiday schedules starting earlier in the day. Wind above roughly 20 mph can cancel performances. Photographers favour the sidewalk in front of the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower replica for a view with the Bellagio facade behind the water, while the Bellagio-side promenade gives a closer view of the jets. After dark the lights make for the best photographs and video, though the sidewalk becomes crowded. Crowds are heaviest on Friday and Saturday evenings and around holidays such as New Year's Eve; weekday afternoons and late-night shows after 10:00 PM are the quietest. A typical visit lasts 15 to 30 minutes, and many visitors watch two shows from different positions. Because the show is free and open to the public, no tickets are required, and the lake sits directly beside the Bellagio Conservatory, the Eiffel Tower viewing deck and several Strip restaurants with fountain-view tables, so it combines easily with other stops. Visitors should expect the sidewalk to be congested, with strollers, street performers and pedestrians moving in both directions.