The Las Vegas Strip is full of architectural wonderment as described in my last post:
https://amidlifeadventure.org/2025/06/17/top-free-attractions-in-las-vegas-a-visitors-guide/
What lies behind these facades? Casino gaming floors, cafes and restaurants, night-time entertainment but also along with the wealth of external architecture there is also another world of decor within, that again is free to view and my starting point has to be-
Inside the Bellagio:
As you enter the lobby of this magnificent casino and look above your head you will see the famous glass ceiling. This is one of the most iconic and breathtaking glass art installations in the world. Created by Dale Chihuly when the Bellagio opened back in 1998 and named “Fiori di Como.” or Flowers of Como it is estimated to have cost 10 million dollars!
It is a stunning work of art in a vibrant explosion of colour that has captivated millions of visitors ever since. We were fortunate to also see evidence of Chihuly’s work in St Louis when on our Route 66 road trip a couple of years ago. The exhibition there was entitled “Chihuly in the Garden,” and staged in the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Continue walking through the lobby and you will enter the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. There is again no cost to wander through this 14,000 square foot indoor garden. What I really like about this is that they change the display five times a year for each of the four seasons and also for the Chinese New Year. The displays are completely transformed and feature new plants, decoration and designs. Each transformation takes about a week to install offering a unique experience depending upon the time of year you visit.
Our latest visit was in the Spring and, therefore, included Easter. Think of Spring and our minds are drawn to flowers poking through the earth, bees starting to seek pollen and birds nesting in the treetops. Easter brings chocolates and treats, Easter bunnies and chicks.
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace:
Just next door to the Bellagio is the famous Caesars Palace Casino which is another definite free internal visit you should make. Don’t be put off by it’s over 160 mainly high end stores because it also has a huge amount of internal architecture and features which you can view for free as you take a wander around.
With 636,000 sq. feet of space the Forum Shops were designed to resemble a Roman forum, with marble columns and statues. It also has several fountains including a detailed replica of the famous Trevi Fountain!
As you will see from the above photo once you are inside you are fully encapsulated and will have no idea of whether it is day or night outside but don’t forget to check out the ornate ceilings as you wander around.
Within the mall itself you will also find a large saltwater aquarium and the famous Atlantis Show which runs every hour on the hour daily from 10am to 11pm. It is an animatronic display of fire, water and nine-foot-tall talking statues set in the kingdom of Atlantis and telling the story of when King Atlas has to decide which of his children will take on the responsibility of the throne.
Don’t leave out the main part of the shopping mall where the installation of spiral escalators presented unique challenges. The design had to match the curve of the building and offer as much transparency as possible to allow unobstructed views of the elite retail shops while still matching the unique design aesthetic of Caesars. To meet this demand arching support structures were used to create the illusion of escalators suspended in mid-air. The support system was enclosed in the “stone” facade, creating the appearance of escalators gracefully curving from one floor to the next, fulfilling the building owner’s objective and allowing riders to enjoy panoramic views of the grand atrium’s surrounding boutiques.
The Flamingo “Flamingoes”:
Across the Strip from Caesars you will find The Flamingo which opened way back in 1946 but some fifty years later the wildlife habitat was created, opening in 1995. It is still free to enter and is home to a range of wildlife not least the famous Chilean Flamingoes. Within the four acres of landscaped gardens are beautiful streams with waterfalls and lush vegetation. Strolling through definitely brings an element of calm to an otherwise frenetic environment outside.
On our latest visit we managed to spot different species of exotic waterfowl and some brown pelicans. Within the clear waters Koi Carp, Albino Catfish, Sturgeon and even turtles were available to view. Various local songbirds were competing in song although we didn’t manage to catch a glimpse of the native hummingbirds.
Dotted amongst the vegetation and gardens are picnic areas and places to sit so if, like us, you are trying to keep the daytime expenditure to a minimum, grab a meal deal at Target and bring it along with you.
The Venetian:
Just up the street from The Flamingo is The Venetian which welcomes you to Venice.
A stroll around inside presents a vibrant mixture of 160 shops which flow along both sides of the canals designed to represent those in the city of Venice itself complete with gondola rides. (If you fancy partaking in this you do need to buy a ticket and they are usually cheaper on line.)
Whilst you can explore the Renaissance-inspired art and architecture throughout the resort (as seen above), there is also a replica of St Marks Square to round off this architectural experience (as seen below).
The Wynn Casino:
To finish off my free internal tour of the Las Vegas Strip walk a little further to The Wynn. Like the Bellagio, The Wynn also has a beautifully decorative lobby so it is definitely worth taking a stroll inside. Famous for its opulence this casino impresses with dramatic floral displays, fanciful sculptures, and an artistic atmosphere.
I particularly like the floral baubles hanging from the trees which are lit up day and night.
And the beautiful carousel
Whilst you are inside The Wynn it is also worth seeking out some of the sculptures and other artefacts in residence here. These can vary, as updates do take place, but below are a couple of photos from my collection. Firstly a beautiful geometric teddy:
And for diversity purposes a selection of hanging lanterns
Once you have wandered around admiring various installations it’s also worth making your way to The Lake Of Dreams.
Tucked inside the Wynn and set against a 45-foot waterfall and a mountainside backdrop there is a nightly show that starts at dusk and takes place every half hour until 11.30 p.m. You can watch completely free from The North Show Terrace. This area provides a good view of the show without requiring any purchase or reservation although if you want to sit down I’d suggest getting there early. On our most recent visit there was a time displayed in this area for the first show.
It is quite magical and sets out to bring art, nature, and technology together in a dazzling nighttime spectacle. This photo was taken beforehand.
Las Vegas is many things to many different people and it doesn’t have to be solely a place of monetary excess. Hopefully as I conclude this post I have inspired you to take a trip along the Strip to explore everything it has to offer for free both inside and outside.
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A Midlife Adventure 