There are some days when I feel like I’m going crazy since I keep going the same things again and again. Wake up. Coffee. Work. Eat. More Coffee. Exercise. Eat. Sleep. But, something that is so important in doing all of this is taking care of yourself! And for me, I love to travel (something I can’t physically do), so I have been trying to find new ways to do that.
Thankfully, a lot of other people are equally as bored during quarantine! Many museums, zoos and other places around the world have digitized/created virtual tours. This is a great way to explore the world and see places you never have been before!
The British Museum (London) worked with Google to create a virtual tour of their museum! You can explore their collection by year (2,000,000 B.C. to 2020) and by theme (Art/Design, Living/Dying, Power/Identity, Religion/Belief, Trade/Conflict). It also separates the works by geographic region, so if you’ve always wanted to explore trade/conflict in Asia throughout history, you can!
The Guggenheim Museum (NYC) worked with Google to create a virtual tour of their famous spiral staircase. Not only can you climb the staircase (without getting out of breath!) and explore some of their collection of contemporary, impressionist/post impressionist art.
The National Gallery of Art (D.C.) has created two online exhibits, “Fashioning a Nation” which features watercolor paintings of the 19th century fashion, and “Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting” that features portraits done by Dutch painters in the 17th century. I love being able to see full, curated exhibits without crowding and lines so that you can see the pieces & read the explanations in peace!
Musée d’Orsay (Paris) has a virtual tour of their incredibly famous museum! See works by Van Gogh and Manet without having to wait in the massive lines.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Seoul) has a virtual tour of all six floors of their museum! You can explore hundreds of works by Korean artists as well artists from all over the world through their four collections. They even have 4 different viewpoints explore the museum.
Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam) you can explore the largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh for free with a virtual tour of this museum! You can explore all four floors and two different exhibits, “Which Books did Vincent Van Gogh Read?” and “Vincent Van Gogh’s Love Life” in addition to the regular collections.
Louvre (Paris) you can virtually tour one of the most visited museums in the world for free in your pajamas on your couch!
National Museum of Natural History (D.C.) A really great thing about this museum is that you can explore not only permanent collections, but also current and past collections!
The Met (NYC) You can take a virtual tour of one of the most popular museums in the world and explore really incredible pieces of art. Not only can you take a visual tour, but you can listen to explanations about pieces and curation choices.
The National Women’s History Museum (Virginia) you can see 30, yes, thirty, different exhibits that feature women throughout American history!
National Palace Museum (Taipei City) This museum features art and objects from China, dating back to the neolithic era! A really cool feature about this online exhibition is that you can even pretend like you are walking up to the entrance up the steps.
National Aquarium (Baltimore) Go under the sea and into the arctic with a virtual tour of the aquarium in Baltimore.
National Museum of Anthropology (Mexico City) Explore artifacts from the Mayans to present day in Mexico City’s museum!
Street Art Tours (Buenos Aires & NYC) Maybe you’re like me and are really into street art/graffiti. This link allows you to listen to and explore street art in both Buenos Aires & NYC without having to deal with the possibility of getting rained on outside!
Prague Castle (Prague) Explore Prague’s gorgeous castle online!
Pyramids of Giza (Egypt) Explore the pyramids in a way that you couldn’t in person! Get up close to the pyramids while being safe from the hot sun.
Machu Picchu (Peru) Hike Machu Picchu without worrying about trekking up to the top!
Mt. Fuji (Japan) Hike Mt. Fuji and see breath-taking sights of Japan from the comfort of your bed!
Gombe (Tanzania) Visit Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee reservation, learn more about her work and spend some time with some cute monkeys.
Catacombs (Paris) If you’re in the mood for something spookier, go underground to the catacombs of Paris!
The Vatican (Vatican) Explore the Sistine Chapel and some of the world’s most famous pieces of artwork without the enormous lines! You can even Snapchat of this Sistine Chapel.
Buckingham Palace (England) Explore one of the Queen of England & the rest of the royal family’s home by sitting in your own home in your best dressed, royal loungewear.
Virtual Disney World (Florida) Sit back and pretend like you’re on a rollercoaster with videos from Disney World on YouTube!
