Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat is one of the most popular attractions for families in Las Vegas. This educational and research facility is an excellent place to learn about and enjoy dolphins and large cats in a safe, appropriate environment. These animals aren’t trained to do tricks or entertain crowds. Instead, scientists and researchers learn and teach about these animals, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy something a little more subdued and accessible than the fast cash on the casino floors.
Though visiting Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage in and of itself is a worthy activity, if you’re interested in learning more about the animals, care taking process or facility—or you’re just really into dolphins and big cats—consider signing up for the one-hour VIP Tour. These highly restricted tours are limited to five people per group and no more than three groups per day. With such a small group size, it is easy to get up close and personal with the behind-the-scenes process at the habitat.
The tour is led by an on-site educator who can rattle off statistics (they can make 2.5 million gallons of salt water on the property and there are 34 cats at the habitat that rotate in and out of the public-viewing habitats every couple hours) as well as provide intimate details on the personalities, habits and routines of the many four-legged and finned animals.
Throughout the VIP tour, guests are given the opportunity to check out the vet lab, the engineering system and the large refrigerators and freezers where the food is kept. Each dolphin and cat, for example, has a very specific diet, and these details are tracked on a large board in the food preparation area. A particularly memorable part of the tour includes time in the dolphin research room. One wall in this room is made entirely of glass, giving a bottom-of-the-pool view of the dolphins as they swim and socialize.
For others, the highlight of this tour includes an 8×10 photo with one of the dolphins on site. While everyone else visiting Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat looks on during one of the daily feedings, guests on this tour get to step over the side wall for a snapshot with the animals.
For pricing and more details on this tour, call 702.792.7889. This tour is appropriate for children and teenagers, but realize that aspects of the tour may be a bit technical for younger visitors.
Photo credit: MGM Resorts International
