The year 2020 will always be remembered as that time when everything around the world came to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus. Not only did we all have to stay home or reduce contact with the outside world, but business and entertainment also came to an end. Nowhere else in North America did that have any greater impact than in Las Vegas. For a city that is normally open 24/7/365 with an endless stream of traffic, activity, and fun, COVID-19 virtually turned the hot spot in the Nevada desert into a ghost town.
During the shutdown, there was talk of something called the “new normal” which was introduced in phases as the health risk of the virus started to subside. And like a science fiction novel, venues slowly reopened as an attempt to “restart” the economy. Casinos were sure to be the last to reopen but that has not been the case. Vegas is slowly getting back on track – with various social distancing protocols in place. Regardless, if you had planned a summer or fall holiday to Vegas, you can still look forward to spending time in the city.
In this article, we will take a look at six of the things you can do in Vegas now that the shutdown has ended, or more accurately, has started to lift and things are reopening in different phases over time. Yes, as it turns out, you can have a great deal of fun standing six feet apart from each other, and here is our list of the top activities you can once again enjoy in Las Vegas but not standing too close to someone else.
1 – Tour The Strip
This is an easy one that you can do either in the comfort of your vehicle or on foot and still be able to keep your distance. With some of the bigger properties opening up over the past few weeks, you will be able to enjoy light shows and any outdoor entertainment planned for some of these venues. Watch for the Bellagio, New York-New York, and the MGM Grand to offer limited access along with other great sites along the famous street that never sleeps.
2 – Go Out For Dinner
Yes, you can now enjoy a sit-down meal at many of the big-name food venues attached to casino properties in Vegas. If you are still somewhat hesitant to dine in, you can most certainly take advantage of the food establishments that have been offering take out options. Keep in mind, for some of these businesses, being shutdown or restricted due to Covid-19, any business you can give them will be much appreciated. This also goes for ordering room service at your hotel.
3 – Stay At A Hotel (At A Fraction Of The Price)
Because the shutdown brought on by the coronavirus disrupted all kinds of business and just as many holiday trips, hotels in Vegas that have reopened at doing something unique. To win you over and help inject some life into the hospitality industry, many hotels in the city are providing reduced room rates. We’re not taking your typical off-season rates here at all. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Vegas at a huge discount, now is the time to do so.
4 – See A Show
Along with the reopening of some of the biggest venues in Vegas comes access to some of the biggest shows in the city. Expect social distancing protocols to be in place and restrictions on how many people can gather inside, but that won’t impact the quality of the shows. After all, Vegas is known for much more than just gambling and the shows are a big draw. Only right now, there will be some guidelines in place that will keep you safe while being entertained.
By the way, if you happen to be a huge fan of Cirque de Soleil and need an injection since all six of their Vegas shows are currently on hold, the production company has given you a gift. Visit their digital hub at CirqueConnect. That is where you will find an excellent selection of videos from past shows and regular updates to keep you entertained while sitting at home. Some of the online content featured dates back to the late 1980s.
5 – Hit The Casino
As odd as it may seem, one of the venues that have survived the shutdown and have been reopening lately are casinos. Yes, there are restrictions in place and not all of the major gambling venues have been included in the restart of the Vegas economy, but you do have a good choice to choose from. This includes MGM’s Excalibur casino and pool, the casino at The LINQ, the swim-up poker table at Caesars Palace, and several more venues on The Strip.
6 – Go Sightseeing
You can do this in one of several ways. With the changes that have come about due to the coronavirus, you may choose to rent your own vehicle to explore the region rather than join a bus tour. The best part about using a rental is that you can follow your own schedule. From Vegas, you can travel to the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and countless other outdoor attractions. Plus, when you are outdoors, you can social distance much easier and still have a good time.
In Conclusion
Las Vegas has proven that even the most deadly virus in our life can’t keep the gambling center of Nevada closed indefinitely. Sure, there have been many closures and a lot of restrictions that have changed the way we do almost everything in our daily lives – the same changes that have permitted places like Las Vegas to slowly reopen to restart the economy. It won’t be the exact same as it used to be for quite some time yet, but at least it is comforting to know that if you seek a getaway from your self-isolation woes, Vegas is waiting for you.