Searching for the Fountains of Bellagio

At 11pm our last night in Vegas, we still hadn’t made it to The Strip, so we decided to at least stop to see the Bellagio Fountains.

I had already looked up the schedule, perused the long list of songs played during shows, and found out there was free parking in the garage next door at Caesars Palace.

Leaving the parking garage puts you directly into the middle of a casino (of course) with no exits in sight (of course) where you end up wandering a labyrinth of glowing slot machines, poker tables, crowds and clubs and concert venues in a disorienting blur.

A pedestrian bridge, creepy garden, and near-collision later, we had finally made our way to the Bellagio – via, perhaps, the most circuitous route possible – only to find ourselves in some kind of never-ending shopping mall.

We doubled back, and eventually found our way out to the fountains, just after a show had ended (of course) and hung out until it was time for the next one.

Without warning, Elvis’s “Viva Las Vegas” started blasting and the fountains sprang to life, jets of water illuminated by gold lights shot into the air and twirled to the music.

As the song ended, water crashed back into the pool, and the gold lights shut off. I waited in the dark for more, but the show was over. We turned around and began the long trek back to our car.

A video posted by stephanieliebold (@stephanieliebold) on Nov 2, 2016 at 8:58am PDT

– More Fountains of Bellagio Info –

If you’re not in a rush, there are several restaurants in the Bellagio that have a fountain view. Reservations are generally recommended.
Getting there: Most resorts have property maps online (Caesars Palace, Bellagio), or you can consult Google Maps ahead of time. (I didn’t get very good signal inside.)
Parking: The Bellagio and other MGM Resorts have started charging for parking. There is free parking at (relatively) nearby Caesars Palace, Flamingo, and The Tropicana. Vegas.com has a whole article on parking garages, which is particularly helpful since resorts don’t always make it easy to find their parking information.
Cost: It’s free to watch the fountains outside.

Show schedule –

Monday – Friday:
3 to 8pm, show every 30 minutes
8pm to 12am, show every 15 minutes

Saturdays + holidays:
12 to 8pm, show every 30 minutes
8pm to 12am, show every 15 minutes

Sundays:
11am to 7pm, show every 30 minutes
7pm to 12am, show every 15 minutes

December 22, 2016December 21, 2016

NYE DIY: Make Your New Year’s Party Sparkle!

Here are some simple ways to add a little sparkle to your New Year’s Eve celebration. I’ve included shortcuts, in case the holidays have left you too short on time to take the total DIY route.

1. Tinsel Stirrers – A festive touch for cocktails or cupcake toppers.

Shortcut: Order a set from Etsy. There are options available from several different sellers for as low as under $1 apiece.

2. Glitter Ice Cubes – Add edible glitter to regular ice cubes. These would be fun in the punch bowl too!

3. Pink Champagne Cake Pops – Sparkly pops with pink champagne centers!

Shortcut: If you use your favorite cake mix instead of making one from scratch, I won’t tell.

4. DIY Wine Glasses Using Sharpies! – Use metallic sharpies to make a permanent mark. For a more temporary design, opt for erasable markers, like the Chalkola ones I reviewed.

Shortcut: Let guests decorate their own glasses during the party and take them home. (Party favor + less dishes for you = win win!)

5. Glitter Balloons – A balloon pump and glitter can help you transform clear balloons into shimmering ones. I love the bubbly arrangement of large and small balloons on the wall in the photo.

Shortcut: Arrange gold or silver balloons on the wall and skip the glitter step.

Here’s to the New Year!

– More New Year’s Eve party tips –

Hosting a holiday buffet
More entertaining tips in our last-minute holiday guide
Masquerade mask inspiration

Photos via their respective sites.

December 19, 2016

San Xavier del Bac: Before and After

The last time – no, the time before last – we visited San Xavier del Bac near Tucson, one of the towers was shrouded in scaffolding while restoration work was done on the 200-year-old mission.

When we visited just this past week, at the end of a quick trip to Tucson, the restored tower had been unveiled, standing in contrast to its mate that has yet to undergo that process.

On the whole, the Mission has held up remarkably well, considering it welcomes 200,000 visitors every year and is still home to an active congregation.

Weekly masses are open to anyone, and we attended a crowded Easter Sunday service there one year. I love that it’s not just an empty historical building but the center of a vibrant community.

“The Mission was created to serve the needs of the local community here, the village of Wa:k (San Xavier District) on the Tohono O’odham reservation, as it still does today.”

– Statement on Mission usage

December 15, 2016December 15, 2016

A Moving Art Experience

I was almost run over by art.

Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Musem

The opening of the Kehinde Wiley exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum happened during First Friday October, and I don’t think I’d ever seen the museum so packed. There was a long line to purchase tickets to the opening, which included poetry readings, performance art, a living wall floral installation, live portraiture in the galleries, and music by Djentrification, Arizona Opera, and Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra. It all was designed to complement Wiley’s vibrant portraiture.

Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Museum

The artist paints and sculpts people of color in poses inspired by traditional portraits of European aristocracy. He often chooses strangers on the street as potential subjects.

Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Musem

Kehinde Wiley art

I was excited to learn his A New Republic exhibition was coming to Phoenix and made plans to go with Phillip and our friend Anne.

Kehinde Wiley inspired performance art at Phoenix Art Musem

Kehinde Wiley art

The opening had a festive atmosphere. At one point, I was making my way through a gallery, and I heard jazz coming from another room. I was struck by the beauty of the moment – the moving artwork, the enthusiastic crowd filling the space, the saxophone music floating over it all.

Kehinde Wiley art

I wanted to capture a bit of the scene and tried to take a video, panning around in a circle. I got it the other side and…did it take? As I fiddled with my phone, there was a subtle shift in the energy of the room, a bit of a murmur, some movement around me. Photography was allowed, so I wasn’t sure what the problem was.

Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Musem

Kehinde Wiley art

I finally turned around to realize a procession was steps away from overtaking me. Three women with hair braided together in the style of the sculpture Bound were walking ahead slowly without wavering. What would they have done if I hadn’t stumbled out of their path at the last second?

Kehinde Wiley art

I don’t know. I backed up to where the rest of the crowd stood, feeling awkward and penitent, like I had gotten caught talking in church. The procession passed, with the saxophonist bringing up the rear.

Kehinde Wiley stained glass.

Anne and Phillip had gone separate ways, and, after that, I tracked them down, so they could help make sure I didn’t have any more run-ins with performance art.
Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Musem

December 12, 2016December 12, 2016

Did you take our word for it? #tcjreco

Have you ever tried something based on a recommendation from Travelcraft Journal?

Maybe you made a project or recipe we featured, checked out a new coffee shop, took a road trip, went to an event on the Happenings List, or purchased something from our gift guide.

(Speaking of which, the 2016 travel gift guide is online now!)

I’m looking for feedback on the impact of what we share, so I’d love to hear if there’s anything you’ve made or purchased or anywhere you’ve gone after reading about it here.

Post about it on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook. Use #tcjreco (for Travelcraft Journal recommendation) and tag me.
Or comment on this post.

So…have you ever tried something we posted about? If not, what are you hoping to learn more about in 2017?