In March this year, the world suddenly changed as normal Arizona activities, restaurants and attractions began to close due to COVID-19. Since then, restaurants have begun phased reopenings with guidelines in place, and activities and attractions are doing the same as COVID-19 cases have gradually decreased.
Here is a running list of attractions and activities in the Valley that have reopened with various safety protocols including sanitizing and socially distanced guidelines in place:
Arizona Boardwalk
Arizona Boardwalk is home to a number of exciting attractions, including OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland and an exhibition on the sinking of the Titanic and more. They also have a number of restaurants and shops so you can get a favorite snack or a souvenir on your way out.
COVID-19 changes: High touch areas are frequently sanitized, social distancing is encouraged, and capacity is limited at many attractions to comply with CDC guidelines. The staff also wears masks and gloves.
AZ on the Rocks
Have an adventure and a work out at the same time at AZ on the Rocks, an indoor wall climbing gym home to climbing rock walls over 30 feet high. Currently, AZ on the Rocks is only allowing members to climb in their gym, but will likely offer day passes soon.
COVID-19 changes: Climbers have to take a survey upon arriving at the gym and will have their temperatures taken. They may not be admitted into the gym depending on their survey answers. Social distancing is required and other various health requirements (gearing up in certain places, no climbing shoes in the bathroom, climbing with a shirt, etc.) including while climbing. The facility has been cleaned and is cleaned nightly.
Go out to a bar
Five bars in Arizona were also given the approval to reopen, so if it’s one of your scenes, consider going out to get a drink at one of the five bars open in Arizona.
Gallagher #6 LLC
Bearizona
Bearizona is a drive-through and walkthrough wildlife park in northern Arizona. They have over 100 acres of preserved nature, which houses hundreds of animals including bison, elk, and, of course, bears.
COVID-19 changes: There are no tours or bus tours available to allow for social distancing, and the other services, such as the restaurant, are modified to have limited capacity and social distancing to meet state requirements.
Castles and Coasters
Castles and Coasters is an amusement park full of all sorts of fun activities. There are roller coasters, an arcade, a minigolf course, and plenty of games to entertain for hours.
COVID-19 changes: Social distancing and masks are required and gloves are available for people in the arcade. Markers are distributed throughout the park to remind people of social distancing. All of the equipment is regularly cleaned after use, including all of the golf equipment, rides and arcade games.
See a movie in theaters
This one should be exciting for the movie buffs! Some theaters, like Harkins and Alamo Drafthouse, are opening back up and showing new movies again! There’s nothing like going out with a friend and seeing the next blockbuster on the big screen.
COVID-19 changes: Masks and social distancing are required before, during and after the movie. Available seats are spaced apart or have automatic spacers placed around them after they are purchased. Theater times are staggered so people aren’t in the lobby at the same time. Harkins and Alamo employees go through daily temperature checks and also wear masks and gloves at all times. There is also increased circulation in the theaters and auditoriums are cleaned with HEPA filter vacuums.
Drive-in movie
If you’re not a fan of indoor movies, then you can always drive into one. On top of the year-around drive-in movie theater the West Wind Drive-In, a number of other establishments have set up drive-in movie theaters of their own. Recently, there have been a lot of showings of family movies and classics, but some places are showing the latest releases too.
Here are the places showing drive-in movies:
Digital Drive-In AZ (Mesa)
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (Scottsdale)
PopUp Events at WestWorld of Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
Schnepf Farms (Queen Creek)
West Wind Drive-In (Glendale)
Fitness
Gyms and cross-fit
Arizona is also allowing gyms that adhere to certain guidelines to reopen, and a number of gyms listened and have been approved. Here are some of the approved gyms and others that have opened.
• LA Fitness
• Training for Warriors-Estrella
• Full Strength LLC SBA CrossFit Full Strength
• Raise The Bar Training Studio
• MixFit Phoenix LLC
• CrossFit 646
• Bump Fitness Club
• Sweatshop on Central; Sweat Shop Central LLC
• Gainster Fitness LLC
• HITZ FITNESS
• CrossFit Maricopa
• EoS Fitness
COVID-19 changes: Reserve a time to come in at least 24 hours in advance. Limited number of people allowed in at one time with social distancing required and enforced by staff. People required to wipe equipment down after use. Facilities are regularly cleaned.
Pilates
Along with gyms and crossfit gyms, a few pilates locations have been approved to open as well! KYS 1994 LLC DBA Club Pilates, Michelle Davis Pilates, and Bird Dog Pilates & Fitness are the locations that made the changes required to allow for a healthy workout at their studio.
COVID-19 changes: Very similar to changes gyms made.
Heard Museum
The Heard Museum is a well known museum in Phoenix that showcases and advances Native American Art. It has become internationally known for its impressive exhibitions and events.
COVID-19 changes: Masks and social distancing is required and enforced, and buying tickets ahead of time is highly recommended as only 100 people are allowed into the facility at a time. Tours and certain areas have been closed and high-touch areas are frequently sanitized.
Invisible Theater
The Invisible Theater is a nonprofit theater organization that’s been actively involved in its community for almost 50 years and reopened last week on August 18. They are kicking off their 2020-2021 season by putting on “Filming O’Keefe” starting September 1.
COVID-19 changes: Tickets have to be bought in advance – they won’t be available at the box office. The theater has marked off 75 percent of their seats so that the remaining 22 seats are properly socially distanced. Masks are required to be worn throughout the performance. The theater is cleaned after every performance.
Medieval Times
Enjoy a night out in Scottsdale by traveling back in time! Medieval Times has reopened and is allowing guests to enjoy a multiple course meal and their jousting show.
COVID-19 changes: Temperature checks for guests on arrival and groups under a reservation are distanced from other groups. Social distancing is required. The facility is regularly cleaned,”high touch areas” are disinfected multiple times per show. Staff also will undergo temperature checks and wear masks and gloves.
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
The MIM is a music museum home to thousands of instruments from all over the world. Anyone could spend hours walking its halls, discovering the unique sights and sounds of locations all over the world or even learn something new about some familiar instruments common in the U.S.
COVID-19 changes: Masks and social distancing is required for everyone. Markers are placed throughout the museum to assist groups from getting too close. They also modified their store to have minimal contact purchasing.
Take a trip to one of Arizona’s national parks or monuments
Many of the state’s national parks and monuments are at least partially reopened. There are wide open spaces, beautiful natural sights, and fascinating Arizona history to be found in these state treasures. Opened parks include the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, the Petrified Forest National Park, and the Grand Canyon National Park.
COVID-19 changes: Each park or monument may have different changes, but generally they follow similar patterns. Visitor centers and other guides are closed, but many trails, campgrounds and outdoor areas are open.
Top Golf
Reserve a bay and enjoy an hour or two of golf games with your friends. Top Golf has a large array of golf games for all skill levels, so if you’re new to the sport, you can jump right in. They also offer golf lessons in classes, groups or individual lessons.
COVID-19 changes: Masks are required while traveling around the facility, but not while in a bay (where guests eat, drink and play). Social distancing is also required and only limited numbers of people are allowed into the bays. The staff goes through regular health checks and the equipment is cleaned in between different groups.
