Since the first show in October 1998, the Bellagio Fountains – officially, “The Fountains of Bellagio” – have taken their place alongside the likes of the “Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, the replica Eiffel Tower and the Sphynx at Luxor as one of the city’s most iconic sights.
No trip to Vegas would be complete without seeing at least one of the unforgettable shows at the Fountains – and to make sure you know when to go and what to look out for, in this post we tell you everything you need to know.
What Are the Bellagio Fountains?
The Bellagio Fountains were the brainchild of Steve Wynn who decided to build a themed resort based loosely on Lake Como in northern Italy.
Specialist high-end design company WET was called in to create the self-styled “most ambitious, complex water feature ever conceived”. By the time the project was completed, it had cost $40 million, placing it comfortably among the most expensive fountains in the world.
The Fountains consist of an 8.5-acre manmade lake containing 1,214 water nozzles and 4,792 lights along with 183 speakers.
The nozzles are divided into four types, with the most powerful able to deliver 500lbs of pressure per square inch, shooting water up to 460 feet into the air.
The lake itself holds around 22 million gallons of water, with 12 million gallons being used each year for the water shows.
Each show consists of a performance of dancing water synchronized to music from a range of genres, and since its opening, it has delivered over a quarter of a million shows and counting.
Since the first performance, the Fountains have received much acclaim and many awards, in that time becoming one of the most photographed attractions in the United States.
And perhaps the best thing about the Bellagio Fountains? The performances are absolutely free to everyone, whether you’re staying at the resort or not – the shows can simply be viewed from in front of Bellagio from the Las Vegas Strip.
Schedule
The Fountain performances happen at regular intervals throughout the day, either every half-hour or every fifteen minutes, depending on the day and the time of day.
Occasionally, shows are cancelled for bad weather, but otherwise, cancellations for technical or other reasons are very rare.
Here is the normal performance schedule:
| Mon-Fri | 3pm-8pm | Every half-hour |
| Mon-Fri | 8pm-midnight | Every 15 minutes |
| Sat-Sun | Noon-8pm | Every half-hour |
| Sat-Sun | 8pm-midnight | Every 15 minutes |
Music
All musical genres are represented in the performances, from classical to pop and electronic music. The first and last performance each day is the “Star-Spangled Banner”, and many other songs and tracks are used for other performances throughout each day.
For example, “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman is considered the most popular song at the Fountains, with “Viva Las Vegas” by Elvis Presley and the Pink Panther theme tune also widely appreciated.
Other songs that have featured include “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by The Beatles, “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” and “Believe” by Cher.
Music by Tiesto has also been used, marking the first time a show was synchronized to electronic dance music.
Rooms and Dining Options with Views of The Fountains
While anyone can see the Fountain show without paying, for a better vantage point, Bellagio offers a range of “Lakeview” and “Fountain View” rooms that look down over the Fountains.
These include One Bedroom Lakeview rooms, Two Bedroom Lakeview rooms, Fountain Queen rooms and Tower King deluxe rooms.
Of course, to stay in any of these, you’ll have to expect to pay a bit more – but these rooms offer near-unrivalled views of the Fountains, allowing you to admire the spectacle and artistry from the comfort of your accommodation.
You can view the rooms and make reservations here.
Other Hotels with Rooms Overlooking the Fountains
If you’re not staying at Bellagio, you can still stay somewhere with a view over the Fountains. Other hotels overlooking the lake include the following:
- Vdara
- Cosmopolitan
- Paris
- Caesars Palace
- Planet Hollywood
- Cromwell
- Flamingo
Some of these hotels allow you to request a view of the Fountains while others don’t, so you’ll have to enquire when making your booking.
Bellagio Restaurants Overlooking the Fountains
Another option for seeing the show from an enviable location is to eat in one of Bellagio’s restaurants that provide Fountain View tables.
Restaurants offering this luxury include the following:
- The Mayfair Supper Club
- Spago
- Lago by Julian Serrano
- Le Cirque
- Jasmine
- Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge
- PRIME Steakhouse
However, not every table in these restaurants affords views of the Fountains, so you’ll need to reserve your table in advance – or get there very early – if you want to be sure of securing one of these privileged dining spots.
Other Restaurants with Views of The Fountains
There are several other restaurants outside of Bellagio that offer views of the Fountains. Here’s the list:
- Hexx
- Mon Ami Gabi
- Beer Park
- Eiffel Tower Restaurant
- Scarpetta
Read More:
FAQs
Are the Fountains on Every Day?
Yes, the Fountains are on every day. They run every half-hour or every fifteen minutes. See the section above about the schedule for detailed information.
Are the Fountains Free?
Yes, the Fountains are completely free for Bellagio residents and non-residents alike. You can watch from in front of the resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
Are the Fountains Worth Seeing?
Absolutely. Every visitor to Vegas should make a point of seeing at least one Fountain show, and since the music changes with each performance, it’s worth going back to see the show several times.
The Bellagio Fountains are considered one of the top attractions in Las Vegas. Indeed, they have been voted Vegas’ best attraction as well as 12th best in the whole United States.
Where Is the Best Place to See the Fountains From?
The Fountains are visible from the Las Vegas Strip, and anyone can stop there as they walk by to catch a performance.
However, probably the best option is to check into a hotel room with a view over the Fountains – and the best of all is to check into one of the rooms in Bellagio that are situated right in front of the lake.
Interesting Fact
To finish, here’s one last interesting and impressive fact about the Bellagio Fountains. Like many other water features around the world, visitors often like to throw coins into the Fountains and make a wish.
In fact, this practice is so prevalent that each year, the maintenance team collect around two tons of coins – along with other items including keys, telephones, casino chips, wedding rings and even lingerie!
After being collected from the bottom of the lake, the coins are then given to charity.
Impossible to Imagine Vegas without The Fountains
Since their opening, the Fountains of Bellagio have become an unmistakable Vegas landmark and a part of the very fabric of the city.
Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to imagine Las Vegas without the Fountains – and this spectacular display of synchronized water and music should be witnessed at least once by everyone who visits the city.