Las Vegas’ Overlooked Wildlife Habitat Offers a Peaceful Escape You Wouldn’t Expect in Sin City

Flamingos are stunning birds known for their lanky bodies and bright pink coloration. Unfortunately, they’re most often found in the tropics, such as the breathtaking Caribbean island outside of the hurricane belt that is a wildly underrated tropical paradise and home to flamingos, Bonaire. Thankfully, there is another way those elsewhere can see these beautiful animals, without going on an entire trip. If you’re planning to go to Las Vegas anytime soon, right next to the Strip is a place full of flamingos and other adorable animals to see called the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. 

Despite the name, there are more than just flamingos included. Four different enclosures with a mix of animals, including species of birds, fish, and amphibians, make up the habitat. In one part, visitors are allowed to walk alongside and see a few species of guineafowl and pheasant up close. The other three are like normal exhibits, allowing guests to see the animals from outside. In addition to flamingos, these spaces house koi, ibis, merganser, teals, swans, ducks, turtles, and catfish.

It is open every day from 7AM to 8PM. If you want a chance to learn more about the animals in the exhibits and how they are cared for, it’s best to visit around 10AM, when there are keeper talks. The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat takes good care of their rescued animals, unlike some of the popular and harmful types of tourist attractions to avoid on a trip to see the Caribbean. 

The wildlife habitat is run by Flamingo, Las Vegas, a hotel and casino. Even for Sin City, it’s a pretty impressive place to visit. The building is 28 stories and sits on 30 acres of land. Some of that space is dedicated to the Wildlife Habitat, but they have other fun attractions as well.

One such feature is a Caribbean-style pool that takes up 15 acres. The only thing Flamingo seems to be missing is a golf course. Though golfing is popular in Nevada, this hotel doesn’t have its own course. However, they do offer deals with two courses, Cascata and Rio Secco, which are just minutes away from the Strip by car.

Even with all these amenities, the hotel is rather affordable. On more popular nights, the prices soar upwards of $300, but for weekdays, all sorts of running sales can sometimes take costs below $100 a night. Las Vegas is nicest to visit in spring and fall, as summers are incredibly hot and winters are pretty wet and snowy, but the hotel is much cheaper if you visit during these seasons. As with many places, you save the most money by avoiding major holidays and weekends. By staying away from more expensive days and choosing slightly cheaper hotels like the Flamingo, you can even save enough to travel in style through the city, though if you are traveling in a group, using a limo in Las Vegas may not be the unnecessary luxury many travelers imagine.