Paging Dr. Freud.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio are one of the few remaining free spectacles in Las Vegas and should not be missed.<\/p>\n
Bellagio pulls out all the stops for its Christmas display. Vegas regulars will recognize some familiar elements (such as the polar bears), but there are always new things to see.<\/p>\nBellagio’s up to the challenge of giving your inner Grinch a beat-down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe focal point of the holiday display is the big-ass Christmas tree, of course.<\/p>\n
The White Fur tree, brought in from Mt. Shasta, stands 42-feet tall and has about 2,500 ornaments. Yes, we counted.<\/p>\nBellagio’s Christmas tree is 18 feet in diameter, not unlike this blog after a buffet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNaturally, the Conservatory is replete with flowers, including the seasonally-appropriate poinsettias (28,000 or so), famous for not being pronounced like they’re spelled.<\/p>\nThe botanical name for the poinsettia is “euphorbia pulcherrima,” which sounds like what you’d call a poinsettia if you were bullying it in a locker room.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Ice Princess is a new addition to Bellagio’s Christmas display, with a dress of white hydrangea and Phalaenopsis orchids. Yes, we copied and pasted those flower names. We are a busy person and don’t have time to “take notes” or “exert effort.”<\/p>\nWhen your mom sees your browser history.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBellagio’s horticulture staff of about 120 people have this whole Conservatory thing down pat.<\/p>\n
The larger-than-life display draws throngs to the Strip casino, although the vast majority don’t stick around to eat or drink or gamble.<\/p>\n
In recent years, casinos have cut back on free offerings to strengthen their bottom lines. Bellagio’s Conservatory has weathered those cost-cutting measures, and hasn’t yet suffered the fate of attractions like “Sirens of TI” at Treasure Island or “Masquerade Show in the Sky” at Rio.<\/p>\n
Trust us, there have been meetings.<\/p>\nProps on the elf diversity, Bellagio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHere’s an insider tip for your Conservatory visit: Watch for the GoPro camera on the train at the base of the Christmas tree.<\/p>\nIt’s only creepy if you get one for your ex.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nVideo from the camera is streamed live on a nearby video monitor.<\/p>\nPlease keep it classy. There are lots of kids around.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBellagio regulars will find it notable the horse statue in the hotel’s lobby has been swapped out. Not for a holiday-inspired horse and rider, but a samurai-themed one.<\/p>\n
There’s currently a samurai exhibit in the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Here’s more<\/a>.<\/p>\nBellagio’s disco ball horse has been replaced with a samurai’s. The Japanese warriors were fairly kick-ass archers on horseback.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile we enjoy visiting the Bellagio Conservatory during the day to see all the details of the flowers and props, some prefer the glow of the lights at night.<\/p>\n
The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio are open 24 hours a day, so check out during the day and after dark.<\/p>\n
Oh, and don’t forget to use the hashtag below to help homeless youth.<\/p>\nAt least that hashtag doesn’t have any unfortunate double meanings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Christmas display, called “Holiday Glamour” (because naming things is hard) runs through Jan. 1, 2018. Next up, Chinese New Year, from Jan. 8 through Mar. 3, 2018.<\/p>\n
Enjoy more poorly-composed photos in the gallery, below. And if you’d like to see past Bellagio displays, we’ve grouped them all together on our site, so dive right in<\/a>.<\/p>\n