Needless to say, now is not the time to travel, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the world’s top museums, zoos, and national parks from the comfort of your own home. This week I’ve gathered over 15 incredible virtual travel experiences, all possible from your living room couch.
Museums
Louvre, Paris France
Exploring the Louvre while it’s empty is a real treat because in real life this museum gets crowded. The museum is offering its virtual tours here. Be sure to check out the famed Mona Lisa and the mysterious Egyptian wing.
Sistine Chapel, Rome Italy
The 15th century Sistine Chapel is most renowned for Michelangelo’s strikingly beautiful ceiling frescos. Visit the Sistine Chapel virtually and then make your way through all of the Vatican Museums which can be found here.
Music
The Metropolitan Opera, New York City
One of New York City’s greatest cultural institutions is streaming free encores of its Live in HD performances each night at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be available to stream for 20 hours. Check out the Met’s full schedule here.
Vienna State Opera, Austria
Another of the world’s great opera houses, the Wiener Staatsoper, is streaming not only operas but ballets. Check out the full schedule here.
Broadway, New York City
A roundup of Broadway stars, sharing their talents from home, can be found here.
Zoos & Safaris
San Diego Zoo
The country’s most-visited zoo, with more than 3,500 animals in residence, is available on a live stream. Check out all the zoo’s cams here.
Central Kenya
Explore African wildlife at the Mpala Research Centre, a 48,000-acre conservation park. Their 24/7 live-cams allow visitors to see lions, tigers, hippos, and more, oh my.
South Africa
Embark on a safari tracking lions, leopards, elephants, and more with a ranger-led tour. Check out the Safari Live collection here.
National Parks
Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on a ranger-led tour. Traverse black rock formations and fiery lava flows. Hike the rainforest and go underground to tour a lava tube. Then, take a helicopter flight over the volcano. Check out Volcanoes National Park here.
Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
At Carlsbad Caverns viewers have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of early explorers and see formations like Devil’s Spring, Whale’s Mouth, and Iceberg Rock. Check out Carlsbad Caverns virtual tours here.
Niagara Falls, New York
Viewing and hearing the thunderous crash of the Niagara Falls via a live webcam lets you get up close with an aerial view. Watch the Livestream here.
Bryce Canyon, Utah
Bryce Canyon’s brilliantly colored rock clusters, known as hoodoos, are the main attraction here. Check out the virtual Bryce visit here.
Yosemite Falls, California
The Yosemite webcam streams the 2,424-foot-tall Upper Yosemite Falls. Watch the Livestream here.
Underwater adventures
Florida Keys, Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, and more
Ever dream of diving? Now you can explore the incredible underwater life of the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, and the Florida Keys without even getting wet. Check out the various virtual dives here.
While physical travel isn’t possible at this time, consider traveling the world virtually and visiting some of those must-see sites on your bucket list.
Whether it’s strolling through the Louvre in Paris, embarking on a safari in South Africa, or discovering the mysteries of underwater life, virtual travel is an entertaining and fun way to see some of the world’s most beloved sites.