Despite the fact that everything costs more in Vegas, there are a few remnants of free. You can watch the Bellagio fountains without paying (for anything but the trip itself.) You can watch the Mirage volcano and TI's pirate show for free. You can see the lion exhibit at MGM grand for free.
One of the prettiest freebies has got to be the gardens at the Bellagio. Many people never make it past the Dale Chihuly glass flower ceiling in the lobby, (and rightly so), but if they just pass through the lobby, they'll get a nice surprise. The Bellagio gardens change with the season. I've seen them at Halloween (Harvest), Chinese New Year, with the U.S. monuments theme and now with the spring theme.
This year it was ladybugs and snails made of flowers, and an enclosed butterfly garden. I've put together a photo slide show for you to enjoy (plus a couple of glass flower statues).
The weather in Vegas was sunny and dry, unlike here in Virginia, where I think the May flowers will be very happy with the April showers.
This being my fifth trip to Las Vegas, I feel uniquely qualified to offer my own best of Vegas list.
1. Best Hotel: Mandalay Bay. More on this in a later post, but the hotel is beautiful, the rooms are great, the pool is super fun - it's awesome.
2. Best Cirque Show: Mystere. I say this because it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and it's lots of fun. I've got to say, I was a little disappointed in "O" (the water show at the Bellagio, named after the French word for water). The tickets were ridiculously priced, and while entertaining, I was left wanting.
3. Best Steak: It's still Prime in the Bellagio, but the steak we had at BOA Steakhouse in Ceasar's Palace was quite yummy. BOA had their own version of A-1 sauce called J-1. It was really good.
4. Best Place to Gamble: Freemont Street. Again, I'll dedicate a whole post to this, but Freemont Street has the best minimums, the most helpful dealers and of course, the light show.
5. Best Breakfast: Many of you already know this, but Le Buffet in Paris Hotel is to die for. I had my raspberry-filled crepe with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar, with some sliced almonds. I'm drooling as I write this.
6. Best Free Show: Bellagio Fountains. Video below. Please ignore the loudmouths beside me that wouldn't shut up. I wanted to pop them. :)
