Read This Before You Visit an Amusement Park, Museum, or Zoo
Here’s what experts advise
As many states across continue to ease lockdown restrictions, reopening leisure-focused businesses like gyms, retail, and hair salons, another cadre of nonessential recreation is beginning to open their doors: Popular visitor attractions like amusement parks, museums, gardens, and zoos. With kids out of school for the summer and larger vacations likely put on hold, spending the day on a riverboat tour or snapping masked selfies in front of Cinderella Castle at the newly reopened Disney World can be a refreshing way to spend the day — but is it safe?
The short answer: It may be, or it may not be, and like any decision to leave your home right now, there’s a checklist of factors to think about. And it’s important to remember that these activities aren’t things you have to do, so depending on your situation, it may be smarter to keep holding off: “A grocery store I would consider an essential thing to do — and going to a museum is not essential,” says Dean Blumberg, MD, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Of course, not all attractions are created equal, and experts say there are science-backed ways to enjoy leisurely activities while limiting exposure. If you’re itching to go somewhere fun, here’s what to consider.
