Siegfried Fischbauer (1939-2021) and Roy Horn (1944-2020) were two of the most prolific entertainers in the history of Las Vegas. Their show at The Mirage Hotel & Casino, regarded as the most-visited show in Las Vegas at the time, involved big cats — lions and tigers — in an elaborate performance of magic and showmanship.
As a child, I was fortunate to be able to attend the Siegfried & Roy show with my family, where I was impressed with the illusions and mesmerized by the incredible white tigers. Although the entertainers are no longer with us, their magic lives on to a certain extent in Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, located at The Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Secret Garden is a zoolike animal habitat which is home to lions, tigers, leopards and bottlenose dolphins. Daily performances by the dolphins are one of the most entertaining attractions on the Strip and visiting the Secret Garden is a family-friendly activity.
Ticket Prices & Admission
The cost of admission is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors (ages 65+), $20 for members of the military and $19 for children (ages 4-12). Children ages 3 and under are admitted free of charge.
It is possible to score free tickets to the Secret Garden through the MyVEGAS Rewards App, a free mobile app and Facebook game that allows players to earn free hotel stays, show tickets and more. On my most recent trip to Las Vegas, I redeemed 90,000 rewards points for two free tickets to the Secret Garden. To learn more about how to earn free comps in Las Vegas with the MyVEGAS game, click here.
For more information on tickets, or to purchase them online, visit the Secret Garden website.
Bottlenose Dolphin Performances and Training Sessions
After passing through the entrance gate, the first place you’ll end up is at the dolphin aquarium. Bottlenose dolphins perform in the pool each hour, doing flips and tricks to the amazement of children and families.
The main tank features an underwater viewing area, accessible via a ramp, that allows visitors to peer into the tank.
Dolphins swim by the viewing windows and often come closer to investigate the underwater onlookers. The dolphins at the Secret Garden vary in age considerably, with some being more than 40-years-old and others much younger, including a 2-year-old that was born at the Las Vegas facility.
Lions, Tigers and Leopards
Siegfried & Roy were known for their work with big cats and the Secret Garden is home to a number of lions, tigers and leopards. Because the lifespan of big cats averages between 10 and 15 years, it’s safe to say that these animals did not appear onstage at one of the duo’s shows. That said, they probably are the children or grandchildren of the lions and tigers that entertained millions.
The big cats live in separate enclosures according to their species. There are multiple subspecies of tiger, including the Bengal and Siberian. There is also a rare white-colored tiger in the garden.
Wheelchair Accessibility at the Secret Garden
The Secret Garden is an outdoor venue, so it is important to plan your visit on a day with suitable weather. Wheelchair accessibility within the attraction is excellent, with paved pathways throughout and accessible bathrooms.
There are multiple shaded areas throughout the Secret Garden, including a small grandstand at the Dolphin Habitat. If you are visiting on a sunny day, you may wish to view the dolphin show from the covered stands next to the water tank. The viewing platform is wheelchair accessible and it is outside of the traditional “splash zone.” Be careful when getting close to the water during a performance, as you could get wet!
The bathrooms available within the Secret Garden are modern and accessible, including an ADA toilet stall with grab bars.
Final Thoughts
The Secret Garden is one of the signature attractions on the Las Vegas Strip, and its suitability for people and families of all ages contributes to its popularity. I have visited the Secret Garden twice now, and found it to be a great place to spend an hour or two outdoors while learning about some of the world’s most beautiful animals. The Secret Garden is also wheelchair-friendly, which puts it high on my list of favorite things to do in Las Vegas.
