While you may think choreographed routines are limited to showgirls and stage performances, the Fountains of Bellagio gyrate just as fabulously as the rest of our top-notch performers. One of the most popular attractions in Vegas, and for good reason, the free shows are choreographed to more than 30 different songs you may not have on your iPod but you’ll probably want to download later.

This 8.5-acre lake has 1,214 jets that rocket streams of water 460 feet into the air. The attraction was created by WET Design, the world-famous water design firm responsible for the Mirage Volcano and the water features at Aria. The shows are so complex, there's a staff of 30 working seven days a week, 365 days a year to clean, maintain and make emergency repairs on the fountains between shows. It takes a village, folks.

The dancing streams of water are illuminated from within and jut out sporadically to the pulse of whichever song is playing. They shimmy, twirl and spin -- they also happen to be perfectly timed to a crescendo of oohs and ahhs from the surrounding crowd. 

For the first time in history, Bellagio has added an EDM show created by DJ powerhouse Tiësto. His act joins the ranks of mega-superstars like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and the Beatles. The array of musical genres are so diverse it's like having a jukebox (remember those?) in the middle of a sprinkler system on steroids.

If you happen to be driving by the Bellagio, this is one of the spots on Las Vegas Boulevard where it's going to bug you the least to get stuck in traffic. With the frequency and array of shows, you'll probably want to hang around a watch a few more.

Show times

Monday - Friday: There is a show every half hour from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. - midnight.

Saturdays, Sundays, holidays:The show runs every half hour from noon - 8 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. - midnight. On Sundays Fountain show times begin at 11 a.m. and run every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Fountains Brunch at Jasmine.

Fun facts

Lake area: 375,000 square feet, equivalent to three city blocks or eight football fields. The water could fill 2,000 swimming pools and would take more than a year to fill with a garden hose.

Length of lake: 1,100 feet.

Fountain shooters: 1,214 devices that can shoot higher than a 24-story building.

Maximum water in air at any time: More than 17,000 gallons.

FOUNTAINS AT BELLAGIO DETAILS

• Hours of operation:
  Main Hours
  Monday: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  Tuesday: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  Wednesday: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  Thursday: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  Friday: 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  Saturday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  Sunday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
• Cost:
  Free.
• Payment options:
  Not applicable.
• Reservations:
  Not applicable.
• Location:
  Located outside the Bellagio hotel-casino at the intersection of Flamingo Road and the Vegas Strip.
• Age/Height/Weight restrictions:
  No restrictions.
• Type:
  Fountain