![\"exterior](\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/virtual-tours-01.jpg\")
<\/a>Via O.Jaidee\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The Louvre:<\/strong> This Parisian institution is the most-visited museum in the world, and houses over 38,000 objects to explore On this virtual art museum tour, you can say \u201cbonjour\u201d to three (free!) exhibits and take an in-depth peek into the world\u2019s largest museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Don\u2019t miss a stunning look at ancient Pharaonic collections in the Egyptian Antiquities exhibit.<\/p>\n Google Art & Culture: <\/strong>From Rembrandt to Norman Rockwell, you\u2019ll find the works of all of your favorite masters of the brush on this expansive virtual tour<\/a>, which includes thousands of pieces of art from hundreds of institutions. You won\u2019t leave one artistic stone unturned with this comprehensive guide to all of the great historical artists of the world.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Explore some of the earliest human artistry with this recent Google Art & Culture virtual tour of Chauvet Cave<\/a>, only ever seen before by archeologists and in textbooks.<\/p>\n Via Maria Mikhailenko\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The Vatican Museums: <\/strong>Containing nearly 7,000 pieces, the Vatican Museums possess some of the most well-known Roman sculptures and masterpieces of Renaissance art on Earth. Their 360-degree virtual tours<\/a> will give you a look at incredible paintings from seven of these iconic art-filled structures.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Check out (and zoom in on) the legendary Michelangelo painting \u201cThe Last Judgment,\u201d on a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel\u2019s ceiling.<\/p>\n Van Gogh Museum: <\/strong>Located in Amsterdam, this museum is the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in the world. This virtual museum tour<\/a> allows you to view over 100 of the artist\u2019s works, including some of his most famous pieces like Sunflowers.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>This vast collection also includes a deep dive into virtual exhibits on Van Gogh\u2019s love life<\/a> and favorite books<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Metropolitan Museum of Art:<\/strong> With The Met 360\u00b0 Project<\/a>, you can travel on a virtual museum tour through several of the structure\u2019s iconic spaces, including the Great Hall and the Temple of Dendur, which was originally constructed in 15 BC.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Enjoy a high-flying bird\u2019s eye view of New York City and the Hudson River on an outdoor virtual tour of The Met Cloisters.<\/p>\n Via Sofiane Hamdani\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n British Museum in London:<\/strong> Take a step back in time with a virtual museum tour of historical pieces from around the world<\/a>. Using an interactive timeline, you can click through relics from past eras\u2014including the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies\u2014and learn more about each item. This tour is perfect for history buffs!<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Want to learn even more? Visit the museum\u2019s \u201cCurators Corner\u201d series on their YouTube page<\/a>, which features interviews with experts to fill you in on the world\u2019s most ancient and significant objects.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Via IBRAHIM ELSHERBINY\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n San Diego<\/a> Zoo: <\/strong>Animal lovers can get up-close-and-personal with their favorite furry (or feathered!) friends, thanks to the zoo\u2019s live feeds<\/a> of 11 different varieties of wildlife. From rarely seen Condors to sleepy koalas, there\u2019s a wide spectrum of zoo-dwellers to take in on this virtual tour.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Watch pandas chow down on bamboo\u2014they eat between 20 and 40 lbs. per day\u2014on this adorable “Panda Cam” Livestream<\/a>.<\/p>\n Monterey Bay Aquarium: <\/strong>Live cam footage<\/a> allows viewers to scope out sea life on a virtual underwater tour without ever leaving the comforts of home. You can choose from ten experiences, depending on what kind of oceanic mood you\u2019re in.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>If you\u2019re feeling playful, check in on the frolicking sea otters<\/a>, or swim with the sharks<\/a> set to calming tunes if you want something more mellow.<\/p>\n Houston Zoo: <\/strong>Tune into a variety of adorable creatures on this Texas zoo\u2019s collection of webcams<\/a>. Featuring the tallest giraffes to the tiniest leafcutter ants, you\u2019ll feel like you\u2019re right there in the exhibits thanks to these wild virtual tours.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Pass the time with your favorite pachyderms. Check out up-close views of elephants eating, drinking, and playing on the Elephant Yard Cam<\/a>.<\/p>\n Via Jessica Bethke\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n New England Aquarium: <\/strong>Take a peek at Boston\u2019s finest fish (and more!) with a virtual visit<\/a> to the New England Aquarium. With daily live presentations, there\u2019s plenty to see and learn every day about various sea creatures.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>If you can\u2019t make the live updates, there are plenty of videos to enjoy, like brunch with penguins<\/a>, on the aquarium\u2019s YouTube page.<\/p>\n The Shedd Aquarium: <\/strong>Get behind-the-scenes info and virtual tours of some of this Chicago aquarium\u2019s biggest saltwater stars on their Facebook page<\/a>. You\u2019ll learn things like how otters crack clams, sea stars can regenerate nearly their entire bodies and much more thanks to daily updates from the aquarium.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Make sure to check out the pack of penguins<\/a> the staff is letting loose to explore the aquarium<\/a>. They\u2019re as amazed as you will be at all of the exhibits.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Via Kozlik\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The Metropolitan Opera: <\/strong>A night at the opera may seem like nothing but a dream right now, but this New York City staple is offering complimentary nightly streaming<\/a> of its gorgeous performances. Uplifting to thrilling, the weekly schedule of provided theatrical presentations are sure to delight all.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Know a young lover of the arts? The Met Opera is offering weekly Student Streams<\/a>, selected specifically for a younger audience and supplemented with extra behind-the-scenes information about the performances.<\/p>\n Broadway shows: <\/strong>Catch a show right from your couch! This ad-free service<\/a> allows viewers to select a performance from a catalog of hundreds of theater staples, including the likes of \u201cBye Bye Birdie\u201d and \u201cOklahoma!,\u201d minus the bright lights and big city.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>This service offers a 7-day free trial, then streams for $8.99 per month. You can also find several popular Broadway musicals that are free for subscribing members on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.<\/p>\n Via gwundrig\/Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The Philharmonie Berlin: <\/strong>For orchestral music lovers, you can\u2019t beat an evening at the symphony while at home in your finest pajamas. Especially when this international musical powerhouse is offering its library of performances for virtual viewing<\/a> while it\u2019s closed.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>You can choose from over 600 performances, covering 6 decades of musical talent. Keep an eye out for performances conducted by the orchestra’s principal for 16 years, Simon Rattle.<\/p>\n The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: <\/strong>As the oldest professional orchestra in Australia, this symphonic staple is making an effort to \u201ckeep the music going\u201d by safely performing for audiences around the world on YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>While the symphony livestreams its performances, due to time differences, it\u2019s best to rewatch the musical masterpieces on their YouTube channel at your convenience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Via Shane Myers Photography\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n Google\u2019s Tour of National Parks: <\/strong>Take a guided journey through 31 of the most breathtaking sights in the US with these incredible national parks virtual tours<\/a>. You might not be able to hike these gorgeous terrains at the moment, but exploring the rugged views almost feels like you\u2019re there with your own personal park ranger.<\/p>\n Tip: <\/strong>Make sure to take a virtual tour of some of the lesser-seen American spots like active Hawaiian volcanoes and remote Alaskan fjords.<\/p>\n Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History<\/a>:<\/strong> With the largest collection of natural history in the world, you\u2019ll love taking a self-guided virtual look<\/a> at each exhibit of this world-renowned museum. This institution is larger than 18 football fields, so there\u2019s plenty to explore.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Check out the bones of prehistoric wonders on the first floor, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex!<\/p>\n Japanese Cherry Blossom Gardens: <\/strong>Looking for a new and relaxing view? Take a virtual stroll<\/a> through the four-hundred-year-old Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima. Surrounded by delicate cherry blossoms, vibrant green trees, and charming bridges, you\u2019ll feel transported to the other side of the world on this lovely virtual tour.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong> Take a breather and immerse yourself in tranquility with a meditation next to virtual bonsais and koi ponds.<\/p>\n In times when you aren\u2019t able to travel to see some of your favorite places, create memories at new destinations, or even see your most well-loved faces, it becomes even more important to explore what you can, even if it\u2019s from home. This is when you can create memories together across technology, share places you can\u2019t wait to explore together in the future, and plan for times when you can be together and travel.<\/p>\n Even though you can\u2019t go now, looking ahead to a time when you can get out and see it all again, and planning for those days, will make it even more special when that time comes. To discover these sights for yourself, or to share with a loved one. These are the days to fill with \u201ctraveling\u201d from home and falling in love with places you haven\u2019t been yet\u2014but you will someday<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/a>
\n
\n
\n<\/a>Zoos and Aquariums: Virtual Tours with a Wild Side<\/h2>\n
<\/a>
\n
\n
\n<\/a>
\nLet These Virtual Tours Entertain You<\/h2>\n
<\/a>
\n
\n<\/a>
\nGetting Back to Nature<\/h2>\n
<\/a>
\n
\n
\n