Summer is the perfect time for a vacation with your family. School is out of session, work is flexible, and the entire family is able to reunite on memorable trips. Yet, as the world continues to struggle with the global pandemic COVID-19, you may not want to return to the airport or expose yourself to theme parks, Broadway shows, or museums just yet.
Fortunately, the world is truly at your fingertips! These virtual visits will not only teach you more about the world outside of quarantine, but also have you itching to visit these locations one day. Here are the best virtual visits you can do with your family.
Use Virtual Experiences to See the World
If you are feeling a little cooped up, the one positive aspect of getting quarantined in 2020 is the fact that there are so many virtual experiences to help you feel connected. Without a passport, you can use virtual experiences to visit the world beyond your home and dream about places that you, one day, want to see with your own eyes.
Here are some of my favorites:
- United Kingdom: Stonehenge Virtual Tour and Buckingham Palace Virtual Tour
- Ireland: Cliffs of Moher Virtual Tour
- Italy: Vatican Museum Including the Sistine Chapel
- China: The Great Wall of China Virtual Tour
- United States: Shark Lagoon in California
The sky is the limit when these are our options!
Want to Visit Versailles in France?
The Palace of Versailles has been listed as a World Heritage Site for 30 years and is one of the greatest achievements in French 17th century art. There are not enough words to describe the beauty of it and you have an opportunity to watch it online.
Take a Guided Tour Through a US National Park and Other Arts & Culture Centers
Are you ready for an unparalleled travel experience? Google Arts & Culture is highly underrated. In fact, many people have never heard of or used it. Yet, it features content from over 2000 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world to you.
This platform has an entire section for the Hidden Worlds of the National Parks. Don’t forget to use your headphones to complete your experience. When you first click on the link, you’ll see these five options for national parks to explore:
- Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska, USA)
- Hawai’i Volcanos National Park (Hawai’i, USA)
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico, USA0
- Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah, USA)
- Dry Tortuga National Park (Florida, USA)
Pick one to start your visit! The voiceover model will help you feel as though you have your own private tour guide.
Once you’re on Google Arts & Culture, continue to explore! In addition to over 2,000 museums around the world, there are 100,000 pieces of art in high definition and 10,000 famous sites in street view. You can also learn about Black history and culture and LGBTQI+ history that are essential dialogues occurring across our country. Turn your virtual experience into a learning moment for the whole family. Visit here for all of these options.
Trip to the Zoo or Aquarium
San Diego Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world. They also have one of the most comprehensive video access! From elephant cam to giraffe cam to koala cam, these cams will transport you to the zoo from the comfort of your home! My favorites are the koala and hippo cams!
If you are into underwater excursions instead, you can go on the live cam of the Monterrey Bay Aquarium in California. My favorite is the coral reef cam.
Head to the Beach
Have you always wanted to go to Hawaii? This 4K virtual tour of Waikiki Beach in Oahu, Hawai’i will take you to one of the most famous beaches in the world. Sit outside on a breezy day, enjoy some beach-friendly snacks like fresh fruit, and picture yourself right on the ocean.
Head to the Theater
If you are bored of watching cartoons, Lin-Manuel Miranda who created and starred in Hamilton, has got your back. If you have a Disney+ subscription, you can enjoy a filmed version of Hamilton starting July 3. Hamilton has won 11 Tony Awards, a Grammy, a Pulitzer and an Olivier Award. It continues to be one of the most coveted tickets on Broadway!
How about Universal Studios in Florida?
How about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley, at the Universal Studios in Florida?
Final thoughts
With a slow reopening occurring around the world, it’s not unclear when some of these sites will reopen permanently. But that does not mean you shouldn’t get to see these places. Take the whole family on a virtual visit and get inspired to travel! These experiences are not only fun – they show us just how much technology has opened the world for us. And after all, it is much better than the kids playing video games or iPad, right? Which one of these virtual visits will you choose?
