Did you know that many large attractions from around the world offer virtual tours so you can visit them from the comfort of your sofa?! How cool is that?!
Given that many families have taken the decision to spend more time at home at the moment, we’ve pulled together some of these virtual tours so you and the kids can have a day out whilst staying in!! It’s also great for learning at home in a different, fun way. Enjoy!
⭐️Museums
Hundreds of museums around the world throw open their (virtual) doors to visitors. Google Arts and Culture has teamed up with over 5oo – take a look at the whole collection here .
We’ve selected five of the most well known to link to below:-
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
This museum contains the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in the world and, by taking the virtual tour, you can see some of those for yourself! Cameras allow you access to every floor of the museum so you can browse and view at your leisure. Just click here to get started.
British Museum, London
This Museum, dedicated to human history art and culture, is a hugely popular attraction in London. By following the link below, you can select either a time period or genre (art, religion, trade etc) and you’ll be shown some relevant artefacts housed in the Museum and can listen to an duos description of them. A great, interactive way for the kids to get immersed in history.
Click here.to take a look.
Guggenheim Museum, New York
An iconic art museum based in the heart of New York. Take the kids on a trip to the Big Apple without leaving Cheshire courtesy of Google – click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this amazing institution without stepping foot on a flight!!
The Louvre, Paris
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and enjoys legendary status worldwide. It hosts virtual tours on its own website – just click here to take a peek.
Boston Children’s Museum
One for the younger kids – great for those as young as 3, this museum is dedicated to the education of children. Take a walk around thanks to Google – click here.
World Museum, Liverpool
The Dinosaurs and Natural World gallery explores the story of life on Earth through our collection of full-size dinosaurs skeletons, time tunnel and Climate Change displays – and now, you can explore all that online!! Click here to get going.
⭐️Animals
There are loads of online resources and virtual tours, videos etc aimed at getting kids up close to different animals. Here are a couple of the Mini Mumblers’ favourites –
San Diago Zoo has a website dedicated to kids where they can learn all about their favourite animals. as well as watching Live Cams and videos of them. There’s also games and acitivities (including crafts) to keep them entertained including making animal Glove Puppets and Pet Piñatas. Go to the website here.
Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a fantastic insight into the antics of the sea life they house through their ten webcams. Check out what the sea otters are getting up to, marvel at the jelly fish and even catch a glimpse of a shark – click here to get started.
⭐️ Virtual Train Rides
Train fans can take a ride through some of the most iconic train routes in the world, all from the comfort of their living room! Here are ten of our favourites.
The Flåm Railway has been described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world and is one of the leading tourist attractions in Norway. Click here to see for yourself.
The Geibi Line, Japan runs through the mountainous area of the Chūgoku region in Japan. Click here to get onboard.
Royal Gorge Route, Colorado will take you on an incredible trip through the Colorado Rockies! You’ll see the Arkansas River and the Royal Gorge Canyon on your journey. Get started here.
Jacobite Steam Train (aka the Hogwarts Express!!), Scotland has an amazing route. Often described as the greatest railway journey in the world, it goes on an 84 mile round trip starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis. It goes past Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig, takes in Loch Morar and River Morar, before arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis. Click here to take your trip.
Ferrocarril Central Andino, Peru offers a 4 part virtual journey along one of the world’s most scenic rail routes. Get started with Part 1 here.
Odontotos Diakofto – Kalavryta, Greece – Odontotos is not just a train – it’s a unique attraction. Running though towns and villages it will give you a real taste of Greek life. Click here to take a look.
Wengernalp Railway, Switzerland – I’m not a massive train fan but this one is lovely. Beautiful scenery shot on a gorgeous day. Click here to take a look.
Yurikamome Line, Japan Whilst part of me is relishing the quiet life at the moment, I’m also missing the bright lights and bustling city. If you’re the same, you can take a (virtual) ride on the New Transit Yurikamome a driverless service linking Shimbashi to Toyosu, travelling through the entertainment and shopping district of Odaiba and going across the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo. Click here.
England to Wales on the North Wales Main Line I thought it would be nice to include one a bit closer to home and this one runs from Crewe to Holyhead. This video was shot on a lovely summers day and takes you through some lovely countryside.
The Durango & Silverton narrow gauge railway has been in continuous operation between Durango and Silverton since 1882 and provides views of Colorado’s mountains inaccessible by highway as well as rushing rivers and even the Wild West! In three parts, you can get going with part one here.
⭐️Best of the Rest
Visit Mars!
Take a look at the real surface of Mars, recorded byNASA’s Curiosity rover. It’s currently being updated but you can still take a peek in 360 mode. Get started here.
Great Wall of China
Visit China’s most famous attraction, considered a wonder of the world, without leaving home! The wall has a 2,000 year history and is over 3,000 miles long – a real spectacle to behold. Click here to take the virtual tour.
Stonehenge
Virtual tour offering 360 degree views – click here.
Buckingham Palace
Virtual tour of iconic rooms – click here.
The Lake District
Webcams overlooking some of the prettiest parts of the Lakes. Take a look here.
The Roman Baths
Take a virtual walkthrough of the iconic Roman Baths here.
Giant’s Causeway
Go on a panoramic virtual tour at sunset here.
National Gallery
Take a virtual tour of the home of European art – click here.
⭐️Just For Fun
Virtual Disney World
Theres a whole You Tube channel dedicated to Disney World and its brilliant!. Simply pan the camera anyway you wish by moving your smart phone or iPad to what you want to see without a VR headset. If viewing on a laptop or desktop, you can look around by simply clicking and dragging within the video.
We’ve been to Orlando, Paris and California this morning! Here’s some of the attractions available from the channel’s virtual theme parks.
National Theatre
Join the NT every Thursday for much-loved National Theatre Live productions, free to stream on YouTube for seven days.
Yorkshire Virtual Attractions
Welcome to Yorkshire have a whole section on their website dedicated to Virtual tours of some of Yorkshire’s favourite attractions.
London
You can take a virtual tour of London streets here. With the added bonus of no crowds!
⭐️Further Resources
Google Earth has released virtual tours of 31 of America’s most amazing National Parks. Go for a tour of Yosemite, Yellowstone, Death Valley and the Grand Canyon to name just a few. Click here to take a look.
Google Arts and Culture allows you explore iconic destinations in 3D – take a look here.
Discovery Education provides a range of virtual Field Trips – it’s an American resource so is US based but includes a polar bear experience and a look into the life cycle of new medication.
Check it out here.
Don’t forget to like and follow STAG Mumbler Chat Group for lots of local info.
With special thanks to our wonderful sister site, East Cheshire Mumbler for this super blog 💜
