Tag: Las Vegas

“O” at the Bellagio

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In Vegas there are shows that defy description. “O” at Bellagio is one of those shows.

“O” by Cirque du Soleil is a breathtaking aquatics masterpiece and has been thrilling audiences since 1998. On my recent visit I saw this remarkable 90 minute, non-stop breathtaking performance.

Hosted in a custom-built, 1,800-seat theater designed to resemble a 14th-century European opera house, it features a massive 1.5-million-gallon pool where 75+ world-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers, and aerialists perform.

While we were prohibited from filming, we were allowed to take photos (no flash). My photos can’t capture the magic of a live performance but I had to share a few of them.

Bellagio Conservatory- Summer 2026

~ Spence's Girl ~ 3 Comments

The Bellagio Conservatory has been a “must see” experience each time I visit Las Vegas. My sister (who lives there) keeps track of the display changes five times a year as there is a dark week each time they change to the next season’s theme and it should not be missed.

Since I arrived on the next to last day of their Summer display we drove to Bellagio straight from the airport. We were back the following evening and after seeing “O” – the long running Cirque du Soleil show, we experienced it after dark – a first night viewing for me which was amazing. The photos that follow are from both visits.

I was still in Vegas when the Autumn display debuted so expect a post from that day soon….

SUMMER DISPLAY – Daytime

SUMMER DISPLAY – Nighttime

Wizard of Oz at The Sphere

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When The Sphere was built in Vegas, it instantly became iconic, visible from many vantage points around the strip and beyond. The exterior is ever-changing and the creativity is remarkable. This trip, we went to see The Wizard of Oz there and it did not disappoint.

Outside The Sphere
Inside the lobby
Inside the theater

There were several special things I knew to expect as the movie began. During the tornado, it became windy with debris flying through the air, all around us. When Dorothy picks an apple from the tree and the tree throws apples back, I knew what would happen next. Lots of apples dropped from above – hundreds? thousands? I’m not sure but I got one! When they fell asleep in the poppy field and the snow started, the air got very cold and “snow” fell over the audience. I’m including a few photos followed by some video clips of what we were experiencing.

If you get to Vegas any time soon, this is so worth your time.

It begins
One of the many leaves blowing in the tornado
Munchkin Land
Scarecrow
Dorothy with the Tin Man & Scarecrow
Scored an apple!
Wicked Witch with a flying monkey
Falling asleep in the poppy field
Meeting the Wizard
The Cowardly Lion gets a medal for courage
That voice
Windy and leaves fill the air. Toto does a fly-over.
The Lullaby League and The Lollipop Guild
Caught a “snowflake”
The Ruby Slippers

Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden

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While in Vegas I had the opportunity to go to the festive 32nd Annual Holiday Cactus Garden Lights. I’ve been to the cactus garden during daytime on a prior visit to Ethel M Chocolates and a few years ago, tried to attend this event only to arrive during a power outage.

This year, no power outage and an unseasonably mild December evening allowing us to stroll through the lovely, lighted cactus garden with Christmas music playing…..

ARTE Museum Las Vegas

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This was one of the most beautiful and breathtaking interactive art installations I’ve experienced. Ever since learning about it a year ago it’s been on my list of things I must see.

Arte Museum Las Vegas showcases works inspired by nature under the theme of ETERNAL NATURE. The exhibition incorporates both the natural landscapes and the cultural backdrop of the city. Visitors can also enjoy the ARTE CAFE for a unique teahouse experience enriched with media art. Each piece of artwork delivers not just a vivid visual journey, but also a multi-sensory engagement—from enveloping soundscapes to tailor-made aromas—that amounts to a completely immersive experience.

Courtesy of https://lasvegas.artemuseum.com/about

Here are a few of my favorite still shots:

Enchantment: The Magic of Fall

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Whenever I’m in Las Vegas a stop at the Bellagio Conservatory is on the agenda. On my recent trip the theme was autumn-inspired and as always it was sensational. We enjoy seeing their imaginative and beautiful displays while getting plenty of photos. Here are a few of my favorites:

Sisters having fun!

KA, a Cirque du Soleil Show

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Last month on the last night of my trip out west, I got to see KA at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. A perfect ending to a trip packed with so many fun activities, this was spectacular.

Kà is a show by Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kà describes the story as “the coming of age of a young man and a young woman through their encounters with love, conflict and the duality of Kà, the fire that can unite or separate, destroy or illuminate.” Wikipedia

Photos or video of the performance are forbidden and fine by me as I wanted to experience it fully, not through the lense of my iPhone. The photos shown here were taken pre or post-show.