If you intend to visit Las Vegas, one thing you really have to see are the Fountains of Bellagio. We had been told about the fountains prior to visiting, however I don't think you can really appreciate how spectacular they truly are until you see them for yourself - even photographs and videos don't do them justice in my opinion.

The fountains are located outside the front of the Bellagio hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. They are free and you can watch from the pavement surrounding the lake, so you don't need to be staying at the hotel to go along. I found that late at night it would get quite busy but as the lake is huge you will usually be able to squeeze in somewhere to get a good view.

The fountains are described by the Bellagio hotel as being 'the most ambitious, choreographically complex water feature ever conceived' which certainly makes them sound pretty spectacular!

Our hotel was next to the Bellagio, so over our two weeks in Vegas we saw the fountains many, many times, nearly always stopping to watch as we passed by. The fountains are synchronised with music and the selection of music was very diverse. I don't remember all of the tunes, but they ranged from classical songs, to songs from musicals and pop songs, such as Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. I also remember Singing in the Rain to be one of them. I think I preferred the more popular, upbeat songs, but there really is something for everyone where the music is concerned.

As the fountains begin, the song will start playing from one of the speakers which are located in the bollards/railings (or whatever you call them, I'm sure there's a better word but I can't think of it!) which surround the lake in front of the hotel. The fountains then 'dance' in time to the music. I have been told that if you stay in the Bellagio, you can listen to the music via the TV and watch the fountains from your window, which must be pretty cool!

Having seen the fountains both during the day and during the night, I think they look so much better at night, so would recommend going after dark if possible. The water sways and the jets will cross each other and the lighting adds a dramatic effect at night. Every now and then throughout each performance the jets of water will spring up higher than you could imagine. The water is so powerful the fountains actually go several feet higher than the hotel itself and the neighbouring hotel, Caesar's Palace. It's really loud when it goes off as too, it almost sounds like someone has just fired a canon! Having just done a Google search, apparently the highest they go is 250 feet, which is just crazy, but then that's Las Vegas for you.

On weekdays the fountains show every half hour between 3pm and 7pm, then every 15 minutes between 7pm and midnight. At weekends they are every half hour between 12pm and 7pm, then every 15 minutes between 7pm and midnight.

I would definitely recommend going to see the Bellagio fountains. They're free to visit and like I said at the beginning of the review you can't really appreciate them until you've seen them for yourself.