When You’re Tired Of Where You Live
It’s 2021 and we haven’t #stoppedthespread or #flattenedthecurve to #getbacktonormal yet. Being quarantined has and hasn’t helped. By now, everyone is tired of their own house and ready to travel. It’s January and there’s snow and cold and wet and rainy and you need a change. Las Vegas vs Scottsdale? Scottsdale vs Las Vegas? How do you pick? You’re itching to go someplace for the weekend and everyone screams out Vegas, baby! and you’re pumped. The strip. The casinos. The night clubs. Oh wait… the masks, the social distancing, the restaurant closures…
Been There Done That?
We’re not saying that Scottsdale is Vegas. Many people have referred to Scottsdale as Las Vegas Lite. But, my friends, Scottsdale is anything but Lite. Scottsdale is not Vegas. If you want a weekend of gambling and Cirque du Soleil, by all means, go to Vegas. If you want a weekend of gambling, nightclubs, good meals, hikes, sunsets, golf, festivals and bottomless mimosas at brunch, come to Scottsdale.
Why Vegas Sucks During COVID
There are lots of things to do in Las Vegas. Pre-COVID, I am sure it was more than just casinos, great food, shows, strip clubs and parties, but personally, that’s why I go to Vegas. If you’re stuck some place that’s cold like Texas or New York or even parts of California, it’s time to come out west. I love Las Vegas but most of the shows are canceled, a lot of the restaurants are closed and even if they were open, I am not ready to go dancing with strangers at a club. Plus, gambling with a mask on stuck between dividers is just odd.
The Weather In Scottsdale Is FINE
So far this winter it got down to 41 in Scottsdale one night at 3am. I had to go shut my windows and patio door in the middle of the night. So if you’re wanting to get out of some nasty winter weather, chances are the weather in Scottsdale is looking damn near amazing and what about where you are? Probably not so much. Yeah, sure, the weather isn’t bad in Vegas either, but who goes to Vegas for the weather? No one. But there’s a zillion reasons to come to Scottsdale from motorcycles to golf to hanging in a backyard like atmosphere.
Come to Scottsdale for the Weather
You know what 80° days in October mean? Perfect days for golfing. Gorgeous sunsets, beautiful days and most importantly, patio happy hours! You can stroll around beautiful outdoor shopping malls, mixed with afternoon cocktails having a leisurely, pleasant socially distanced days. Are you doing that in Vegas? No.
Scottsdale Has All The Stars
Vegas may have more celebrities (debatable) but Scottsdale has more stars. Because of the light ordinances, the night sky is always visible. You will see gorgeous sunsets and shooting stars. It’s a great place to share a bottle of wine with your cuddle buddy and relax and unwind.
Locally-Owned Restaurants Need You
Sure, Las Vegas offers lots of world-class restaurants but Scottsdale has quite a few places for foodies and like every place, need our support. Normally during busy season Scottsdale boasts more culinary, wine, beer and food festivals than you can visit but in 2021, a lot of events are smaller or postponed. The weather is so nice and the scenery is so beautiful, no one wants to be inside normally but especially now.
Scottsdale For Professional Sports
The Phoenix metro area is one of the few cities that has a team in every sport. Typically in the month of October, you can see professional football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer. Arizona is also home to the Cactus League Spring training at ten stadiums. The 2021 Spring Training session begins February 27th, 2021. There are TEN stadiums and plenty of space. Two of the stadiums are in Scottsdale with the others scattered around the Phoenix metro area.
Scottsdale During COVID
Most restaurants have outdoor or open air dining. The weather is really great from October to May so no one wants to be inside. If you have never been to Vegas, by all means, go or wait til more things open up. If you are bent on gambling, head to Talking Stick where you can be sandwiched between dividers after having a temperature check on arrival. It got old for me fast but it might be fine for you. There are still things to do and 2021 will still have the Phoenix Open and Barrett Jackson. I promise, even with COVID you will run out of time before you run out of things to do.
