Las Vegas has always been my go-to spot for adult fun, even during the COVID era. The world appears to be forever-changed by this global pandemic, transforming the way we go about our daily lives and especially how we travel. While you can still enjoy visiting Las Vegas during COVID, there will be some noticeable changes to your experience.
*It’s important to note that if you’re experiencing any symptoms of Covid (like fever, chills, cough or shortness of breath) you should reschedule your Vegas trip for another time. The best thing we can do during this unprecedented time is to protect others by staying home when ill.
Gambling
While we’ve become accustomed to maintaining 6 feet between us and others not in our party, the social distancing in Las Vegas is on a whole new level. In reference to gambling in the casinos, every other slot machine is either shut down or chairs are spaced apart to allow for social distancing. For table games, only 3 players are allowed unless plexiglass is installed. At those tables, you can gamble with up to 5 players.
Perhaps one of the more annoying changes is the prohibition of spectators at tables. I usually stand behind my husband and watch him play if I’m running low on money or waiting to move on to another casino. In the current COVID era, spectators are not allowed to stand behind players at tables. Want to avoid the crowds and stay in the comfort of your own home? Play from your phone instead! You can visit this url to see how.
Hotel Stays
If they haven’t implemented it before the COVID pandemic, hotels now attempt to have contactless check-in and check-out procedures. Some hotels seal off rooms with tape to let those checking in know the room has been extensively cleaned and sanitized. During the entirety of your stay, maid service does not exist unless requested. Call to the front desk for extra soap, towels, etc. and they’ll be dropped in front of your door.
Poolside experiences at the resorts have also changed. Some of the more extravagant pools, like Cosmopolitan’s Marquee or Mandalay’s Beach, you’ll have to either make reservations or get there early to snag a spot as they limit the number of guests allowed inside.
Looking to get outdoors in Vegas? Check out the best day trips from the city here
Food
One of the most notable differences I found while visiting Las Vegas during COVID is that it’s not quite the 24-hour city I was used to. Anytime past 8 PM while walking on the Strip, I struggled to find food. Most of the 24-hour fast food restaurants and food courts, like in Excalibur/Luxor, shut down early. The majority of snack stands within the hotels and casinos weren’t open at all. I was beyond bummed that I didn’t get my famous giant Hershey’s smore from New York New York.
Most sit-down restaurants are by reservation only, like at one of my favorites outside Paris, Mon Ami Gabi. While seated in the restaurants, all touchable items are removed to allow for cleanliness.
Cleanliness
Speaking of cleanliness, sanitizing stations are located throughout each casino and at every entrance. Most offer complimentary disposable masks for guests to take on their way in.
Mask Up!
This is probably the hardest thing to grow accustomed to. Masks are required while visiting Las Vegas during Covid. When walking around outside and social distancing isn’t possible, you must mask up (even in that treacherous desert heat). Masks are also required to enter any casino or hotel. While inside, masks must be worn above the nose at all times and workers will be quick to remind you of that. As you take a sip of a drink or a drag of a cigarette, the mask must be pulled back up after every action.
Some visitors may try and get away with wearing a face shield rather than a mask but unfortunately, those aren’t allowed. A man gambling next to me at a blackjack table was instructed to take his face shield off and replace it with a mask supplied by the pit boss.
Lack of Alcohol
This was probably the biggest change I noticed while gambling in the casinos. Every bar lacks stools and a bartender. As hard as that is to believe, you won’t find a walk-up bar while visiting Las Vegas during COVID. To find alcohol in the casinos, you’ll have to sit at a table or a machine and wait to be served by a cocktail waitress. The problem with this is the lack of waitresses; we went long periods of time without ever being served, especially while sitting at the slots. Service was much quicker on Fremont Street.
To combat the lack of alcohol, I suggest bringing your own (if you’re road tripping like us) or stop in a local liquor store. Beer drinker? CVS and Walgreen’s have tall boys for a decent price and I carried them around in my purse. If you’re a liquor drinker, consider mixing your own in the hotel room and carrying it around in a cup.
Lack of Live Entertainment
One of my favorite spots to hang out in Vegas is on Fremont Street where live music can be found playing at all hours of the night. While visiting Las Vegas during COVID, you’ll find a lack of live entertainment throughout the entire city. This means no live bands, no clubs, and no extravagant shows to attend.
Closures
The biggest surprise to me while visiting Las Vegas during COVID was the closures. When I was there the last week of July, Planet Hollywood remained closed as well as Bally’s. Along with that, many shopping centers had limited daytime hours like at Miracle Mile, Ceasar’s Forum, Venice Canal Shoppes and the Fashion Show Mall. Depending on the location, many pools, restaurants and bars also remained closed.
Is Visiting Las Vegas During COVID Worth It?
Visiting Las Vegas is always a good time, despite all of the new rules and regulations. I have an incredible experience on every visit, even if I lose all the money in my wallet. If this is your first trip to Las Vegas then I would say wait until the regulations lighten up. It doesn’t seem like the bustling place it was pre-COVID so for first-timers, I recommend delaying the trip.
If you’re a frequenter of Las Vegas like I am and are used to the experience, I’d say go ahead and visit. It’s pretty interesting to see it in this new global pandemic-perspective and, as someone who’s been before, you won’t feel like you’re missing out on all of the first-timer experiences.
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