There is widely-known fact about silly American (OK OK, American American) girls: We like things chocolate and we like things big (yes boys, size does matter). Over the weekend I took my fourth trip in four years to Las Vegas, Nevada. The city itself is huge in a way only Vegas can be: over-the-top buildings, over-the-top shows, over-the-top buffets, bright lights and late nights. Whether or not you’ve ever been there I’m sure you can understand and appreciate what a mecca for weird Sin City is. Having now been four times I have plenty of sites to fill you in on, but I will start with one of my favorite tastiest silly sites on the strip. While this is not the silliest of silly you can find in Vegas, it is certainly unique: the World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain.
What makes this site most unique is that, unlike most world’s largest anythings, it isn’t found on the side of the road, in some podunk town, in some ramshackle room. The world’s biggest chocolate fountain is housed inside one of the ritziest hotels on the strip: The Bellagio.
Tucked inside Jean Philippe Patisserie is the biggest chocolate fountain in the world, a massive glass structure where pools of white, medium, and dark chocolate drip down, artistically spilling in a waterfall. According its informational sign, six pumps work to circulate nearly two tons of 120o F chocolate in a 95o temperature controlled enclosure into 25 hand-crafted artistic glass vessels. The chocolate rises 27 vertical feet from lower level pump room and 6 ceiling spouts disburse chocolate 14 feet above floor level. And the whole thing took 2 years of engineering, planning, and design. And, I must say, is one of the most beautiful and tasty-looking sites I have found.
All I have to say is where’s the world’s largest spoon (I know where the world’s largest fork is!)!
Unfortunately, the fountain itself is not open to be eaten, but the patisserie that houses it has amazingly delicious desserts. Be sure to taste one…or twelve…while there! While you’re traveling in Las Vegas checking out Nevada roadside attractions be sure to also take a ride on a Venetian gondola and check out the rest of the Las Vegas strip.
World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain Las Vegas
Location: Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Admission: Free to look!
Hours: The pastry shop is open Sunday – Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Restrictions: You have to be 18 years old or a registered guest to enter the hotel.
Date: December 2, 2007