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Yosemite National Park reopening plan includes fewer visitors, required reservations
FRESNO, Calif. -- Reservations will be required to visit Yosemite National Park when the popular California park reopens, possibly in early June, according to a draft reopening plan released this week.
Visitor capacity will be reduced by about 50% to promote social distancing in busy Yosemite Valley, Yosemite officials said while presenting ...Read more
Coronavirus concerns create an epic road trip
GALLUP, N.M. -- Sliding off Interstate 40 about 100 miles west of Albuquerque presented another in a seemingly endless series of decisions during a 3,900-mile, 11-state journey. On one side of the east-west artery was a bustling truck stop. On the other, a decaying gas station that likely encountered its last mop during the Reagan administration...Read more
When will national parks reopen? Grand Canyon and others have phased plans
National parks in the West are starting to open their gates, and more are likely to follow as the National Park Service boosts access and services in a "phased approach across all units" of the system. Each park said it has worked with federal as well as local public health officials in crafting reopening plans.
In many cases, parks will reopen...Read more
Get ready for the summer of the RV
Some folks, well, some folks just like taking matters into their own hands.
And putting them on the steering wheel.
As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the industry, the demand for travel is slowly -- slowly -- creeping back up again. But many remain wary of getting on a plane, a train or a cruise ship and being packed tightly in ...Read more
Small towns across the Sierra fear tourists will bring coronavirus with them
The Sierra Nevada towns that dot Alpine County, Calif., have no hospital. Nor do they have a single doctor's office or clinic.
In this region of small unincorporated towns, the workers who comprise its fellowship of coronavirus first responders look a bit different from their counterparts in metropolises a few hours away. They're a mix of civic...Read more
Wynn, Venetian announce protocols to reopen Las Vegas hotels
There is no firm date to reopen the city of Las Vegas. In fact, Mayor Carolyn Goodman was widely criticized last week in an interview with CNN that left host Anderson Cooper burying his face in his hands when she said the city could serve as a coronavirus "control group" -- guinea pigs, of sorts -- for the rest of the nation by opening again for...Read more
Dreaming of New Orleans, waiting for the city's Jazz Fest to return
No city knows how to bounce back better than the one whose latest cultural innovation is literally called bounce music.
New Orleanians have been dealing with calamity since their first major flood and two devastating fires in the 18th century on up to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now comes the coronavirus, which has been especially cruel there, ...Read more
Disney World, Disneyland may not be the same post-coronavirus. Here's what could change
As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis leads a Re-Open Florida Task Force and says the state is seeing a flattening of the coronavirus curve, buzz about seeing popular businesses and attractions opening is alive.
One nonessential business that has Floridians itching about its possible reopening is Walt Disney World. But what would a reopened Disney look ...Read more
All the cool things you can see on national park webcams (including Old Faithful eruptions)
Every April the National Park Service reminds us about the beauty and value of America's national parks. With most parks in the West and elsewhere closed to visitors, what's there to celebrate during this year's National Park Week?
Plenty.
Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation, is taking time "to revisit places I have been ...Read more
Tourist-dependent Solvang struggles through coronavirus stay-home orders in California
SOLVANG, Calif. -- With his wire-rim glasses, burly build and shock of alabaster hair tucked into a bike helmet, Chuck Stacy looked a little like Santa Claus on vacation as he pedaled through Solvang's quaint business district last week.
He was leisurely riding down the center of an empty street in this California tourist haven that would be ...Read more
Vegas casino executives discuss reopening with dealers in masks
Casino executives from rival companies are informally discussing what Las Vegas will look like when one of the largest U.S. tourist destinations reopens to guests.
The deliberations have included potentially allowing small businesses off of the famous Strip to open first, so that locals could get back to work, according to people familiar with ...Read more
Universal Studios Hollywood to stay closed at least until May 31
LOS ANGELES -- The coronavirus pandemic is forcing Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort to remain closed until at least May 31, extending the previous opening schedule by six weeks.
The theme parks closed March 14 and had previously announced they would remain closed until the end of March. Less than two weeks later, ...Read more
Disneyland won't refund coronavirus tickets, but you can postpone
LOS ANGELES -- If you bought tickets for a Disneyland visit on a date that coincides with closures prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, don't expect to get a refund. Instead, the Anaheim theme park is allowing ticket holders to postpone the date of their visit.
Disneyland has been closed since March 14, the longest time the park has been shut ...Read more
Struggling Napa wineries offer deep discounts and virtual tastings
Spring has arrived in California's idyllic Napa Valley. The buds emerging from dormant vines signal the beginning of a new vintage. The scene looks normal, except that vineyard workers are careful to stay 6 feet apart. Despite the global pandemic of COVID-19, there will still be grapes for this year's cabernets.
That's the good news.
But the ...Read more
LEGOLAND New York Resort opening pushed back to 2021
The highly anticipated opening of LEGOLAND New York Resort in Hudson Valley has been postponed until 2021 due to the ongoing global impact of coronavirus, Merlin Entertainments announced this week.
The theme park, which will be located approximately 60 miles north of New York City, was previously scheduled to open on July 4, 2020.
"Nothing is ...Read more
Escape to Catalina? No, it's closed up tight
LOS ANGELES -- If you think Catalina Island -- 22 miles from the mainland, barely 4,000 residents -- might be a good place to ride out the pandemic, think again.
"Catalina Island is closed to visitors," the Catalina Chamber of Commerce website said Friday. "Essential services are open. Hiking trails temporarily closed due to rain."
The island'...Read more
Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice
LOS ANGELES -- If you were wondering how long the coronavirus outbreak will keep the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World resorts closed, you'll have to keep wondering.
After closing in mid-March with the promise to reopen by the end of the month, Disney announced Friday that both parks would remained closed until further notice.
The Walt ...Read more
Delight in Washington, D.C.'s annual Cherry Blossom Festival from home
With Washington, D.C.'s annual National Cherry Blossom Festival canceled this year amid escalating COVID-19 "shelter in place" orders around the country, it would be a shame to miss out on the glorious sight of the National Mall bursting into delicate, pastel pink efflorescence just because it's your civic duty to remain at home.
This is why ...Read more
Universal Studios Hollywood extends coronavirus closure until April 19
LOS ANGELES -- Universal Studios Hollywood and the Universal Orlando Resort will remain closed because of the coronavirus outbreak until April 19, three weeks longer than previously planned.
The parks closed March 14 with the intention to stay closed through the end of March. That announcement came only a day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ...Read more
Many national parks remain open during outbreak
Many American national parks are remaining open amid the coronavirus outbreak to serve as a refuge for those who feel stuck at home. Though there are many restrictions, national parks can still be enjoyed by those who want to get some fresh air and exercise.
While the buildings of all national parks, including entrance booths, will be closed, ...Read more
Popular Stories
- Tourist-dependent Solvang struggles through coronavirus stay-home orders in California
- Struggling Napa wineries offer deep discounts and virtual tastings
- Disney World, Disneyland may not be the same post-coronavirus. Here's what could change
- Small towns across the Sierra fear tourists will bring coronavirus with them
- All the cool things you can see on national park webcams (including Old Faithful eruptions)
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