This is the last week to check out the Summer 2009 display at the Bellagio Conservatory. See the 42-ft Ferris Wheel ‘o flowers, real live birds and hot air balloons.
The display is spread out over 13,500 square feet underneath a 50-foot high glass ceiling and when the sun goes down, the lights come on and give it a completely different look and feel. So it’s worth seeing twice.
The summer motif will be in place through Sept. 12. The Conservatory is open 24 hours and admission is free.
A hot air balloon is suspended above ginormous flowers.
A pair of Rainbow Lorikeets poses for pics.
Recession hits the lemonade stand.
A ladybug…
…a snail…
…and bears, oh my!
The Neon Boneyard sits on three acres of land at the east end of Fremont Street and marks the spot where most historic Las Vegas signs go after the spectacular implosions have reduced their former homes to nothing but piles of rubble and clouds of dust.
There’s absolutely nothing elegant about the presentation here – signs are stacked wherever there’s room and individual letters have become a separated from their sets and are scattered about the site.
When sufficient funds are raised, signs are selected for restoration and placed on display like the ones currently installed along Fremont Street. Until then, the signs are stored in the Boneyard along with pieces of the The La Concha Motel Lobby, which will eventually become an integral part of the Neon Museum.
The museum complex has spent years in the planning process with most of the sign restorations to date funded by private donations. The project will take another giant step forward with a recent $200,000 grant awarded by the Nevada Commission on Cultural Affairs.
At last check, the Boneyard was offering guided tours twice a day Tuesday through Saturday with a minimum donation of $15.00 per person. Tours sell out way in advance and you must call for a reservation. Office hours are Tuesday-Friday, 11 am-5 pm and the phone number is 702-387-6366.
