Virtual Tours from Around the World

Last updated on April 5, 2020.

It’s no secret that we are living in a crazy world right now, and things are changing faster than we could even imagine. But while the travel industry is struggling and many of us are stuck at home, that doesn’t mean we should stop dreaming and learning. Because as the saying goes, “this too shall pass,” and everyone will be itching to get out and adventure! In the meantime, virtual tours from around the world are opening up to online visitors. From museums offering virtual tours to theaters streaming performances, I’m here to help you see the world from home.

This list will continue to be updated as I discover more virtual tours and webcams from around the world. A huge thank you goes out to the family, friends, and fellow travel bloggers who have shared links for this list.

Use these links to jump to the section that interests you the most:
Art Museums
Cultural Museums
Science & History Museums
Historic & Famous Landmarks
Zoos & Aquariums
Parks & Outdoor Spaces
Streaming Concerts & Performances
Additional Resources

Museums Offering Virtual Tours

A huge thank you needs to go out to Google Arts & Culture for their initiatives in bringing many of these museums to life online. Google has over 1200 museums archived from around the world. Many of the virtual tours also allow you to go up-close on some of the exhibits to learn more about them. You can easily get lost in the online exhibits for days!

ART MUSEUMS

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Sydney, Australia

One of Australia’s largest art museums, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is available for online exploration. Visitors can find collections of art from Australia, Asia, and Europe, as well as a large selection of Aboriginal art.
Highlights: First-Class Marksman by Sidney Nolan & Black Sister Family by Bronwyn Bancroft

Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL, USA

One of the best art museums in the country, and I still haven’t gotten inside. Despite visiting Chicago twice! Nonetheless, we can all enjoy the gorgeous artwork from the comfort of our own homes with the virtual tour of The Art Institute of Chicago.
Highlights: Water Lilies by Claude Monet & American Gothic by Grant Wood

Baltimore Museum of Art

Baltimore, MD, USA

If you can’t make your way to Charm City, you can still stroll the halls of the Baltimore Museum of Art online. The museum is over a century old and houses the largest collection of Matisse paintings in the world. Pro tip: If you get a chance to visit in person, admission is free!
Highlights: Flower, Fish and Fruit by Louis Comfort Tiffany, A Wild Scene by Thomas Cole, & The Watering Place by Theodore Robinson

Belvedere

Wien, Austria

Belvedere houses an impressive collection of Austrian art, including the largest selection of work by Gustav Klimt in the world. The online tour takes you through these pieces as well as other artwork by European artists.
Highlights: The Kiss by Gustav Klimt & Death and Girl by Egon Schiele

Corning Museum of Glass

Corning, NY, USA

Are you interested in learning about the history of glass in different cultures around the world? The Corning Museum of Glass offers a virtual tour with up-close views of several pieces of art. And let me tell you- I’ve been to the museum. The pieces of glass artwork are incredible!

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Bentonville, AR, USA

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has both 3D videos about the artwork that is housed there and virtual tours of the property. In addition, you can virtually “walk through” Bachman-Wilson House, designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The house was originally located in New Jersey until it was moved to Arkansas in 2015. The virtual tour even allows you to see inside rooms typically closed to the public!

Galeria Nazionale

Rome, Italy

This Italian art museum features masterpieces from the past few centuries, from Neoclassicism to Cubism, Impressionism, and more. The virtual tours of La Galeria Nazionale allow visitors to explore the artwork inside as well as the gardens and courtyards filled with the Italian sculptures we’ve come to know and love.
Highlights: Grande composizione A con nero, rosso, grigio, giallo e blu by Piet Mondrian & Ninfee Rosa by Claude Monet

Guggenheim

New York, NY, USA

Guggenheim’s famous spiral staircase is available via Google Streetview. You can pretend you’re meandering around the spiral and enjoy all of the artwork along the way!
Highlights: Woman with Yellow Hair by Pablo Picasso & Before the Mirror by Eduoard Manet

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Boston, MA, USA

Inspired by the Venetian Palazzo, the Isabella Gardner Museum in Boston houses an impressive collection of artwork. The online tour allows viewers to take a peek at the art as well as the garden view in the courtyard.
Highlights: Europa by Titian & Pieta by Michelangelo

J. Paul Getty Museum

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Here you’ll find artwork from the 8th century through modern times, from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The J. Paul Getty Museum also has an extensive collection of photographs to browse.
Highlights: Irises by Vincent van Gogh & The Rue Mosnier with Flags by Eduoard Manet

Louvre

Paris, France

One of the most famous museums in the world – and a personal favorite – has a few of its collections available online. While it’s nowhere near the millions of pieces of art you can see in person, it’s free and available from home! Check the Louvre website to find virtual tours of the Egyptian Antiquities, the Louvre moat, and the Galerie d’Apollon.
Highlights: Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, & La Liberté Guidant le Peuple by Eugene Delacroix

Mauritshuis

Den Haag, Netherlands

Located at the center of The Hague in the Netherlands, you can virtually visit Mauritshuis to see one of the most paintings in the world: Girl with a Pearl Earring. Continue your online journey to view the best of the best from Dutch artists.
Highlights: Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer & The Goldfinch by Cabrel Fabritius

Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, NY, USA

The first view of the virtual tour of The Met is stunning. The online collection holds an unbelievable 200,000+ images of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, vases, fashion, and more.
Highlights: Study of a Young Woman by Johannes Vermeer & Self Portrait with a Straw Hat by Vincent van Gogh

Musée d’Orsay

Paris, France

Once you’re done exploring the wonders of the Louvre, a virtual visit to the Musée d’Orsay is a must! Here you’ll find even more pieces of artwork by world-renowned artists. And the architecture is incredible to admire. Make sure you take alook up at the intricately carved rounded ceiling.
Highlights: The Evening Air by Henri-Edmond Cross, & Self Portrait by Vincent van Gogh

Musée de Beaux-Arts, Lyon

Lyon, France

The Musée de Beaux-Arts not only contains gorgeous pieces of art and history, it is a masterpiece all its own. Housed in a centuries-old building and garden, it truly is one of the best museums to explore online. Visitors can explore both the hallways of the museum, but also the views of Lyon from the rooftop, and the sculptures in the garden. This is a virtual tour not to be missed!
Highlights: Nave Nave Mahana by Paul Gauguin & Egyptian sarcophaguses

Museo Frida Kahlo

Mexico City, Mexico

Fans of the famous Mexican painter can celebrate with the virtual tour of the Museo Frida Kahlo. The museum was created in La Casa Azul (The Blue House), where Frida lived her entire life. It’s a unique tour embracing the true essence of the artist.
Highlights: The Alarm Clock & Viva la Vida

Museum of Art Sao Paulo (MASP)

Sao Paulo, Brazil

One of the most interesting art museums I’ve ever visited is available online. That’s right, you can explore the unique layout of the masterpieces at MASP from your couch. Instead of wide open rooms with artwork on the walls, these pieces are displayed throughout the room on clear surfaces. It’s a true modern art museum. Bonus tip: if you’re visiting in person, MASP is free to visit on Tuesdays!
Highlights: Girl with Flowers by Pierre Auguste Renoir, The Canoe on Epte by Claude Monet, & Four Ballet Dancers on Stage by Edgar Degas

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Bangkok, Thailand

If you’re looking for a different style of art, check out the virtual tour of the MOCA BANGKOK. The walls are filled with colorful artwork from Thailand’s best artists.
Highlights: The Blessing of Lord Buddha & Spiritual Eye both by Chalermchai Kositpipat

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Boston, MA, USA

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts houses an impressive collection of paintings from some of history’s most famous artists. In addition, you’ll find Egyptian mummies and unique sculptures from around the world. Virtually climb the stairs and view the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston online.
Highlights: Helen Sears by John SInger Sargent, Enclosed Field with Ploughman by Vincent van Gogh, and several pieces by Claude Monet.

Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

Like most other European art museums, the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest is filled with works from the most famous painters. Click through their online tour and see the sculptures and artwork that make up the cultural history of Europe.
Highlights: Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist by Raphael & The Penitent Mary Magdalene by El Greco

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Houston, TX, USA

The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston is the largest cultural institution in the area and over a hundred years old. It continues its excellence online with several virtual tours available to view their artwork and several collections.
Highlights: The Windmill on the Onbekende Gracht by Claude Monet & Girl Reading by Auguste Renoir

Museum of Street Art

Paris, France

Go in-depth and explore the many styles of street art from around the world as you wander the halls of the Museum of Street Art in Paris.

National Gallery

London, England

The National Gallery in London contains several centuries worth of painting from the best European artists in history. Yes, all of the names you’ll recognize – Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, Botticelli, and so many more. Explore these treasures of European painters online by ‘walking’ through The National Gallery.
Highlights: The Water Lily Pond by Claude Monet & Bathers by Paul Cézanne

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Gwacheon-si, South Korea

Take an in-depth look at Korean art at the four different branches of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in South Korea. Each branch has its own focus; Deoksugung also features artwork from around the world.
Highlights: Grandfather and Grandson by Park Su-geun, & Spiritual Energy by Bang Hai Ja

National Palace Museum

Taipei, Taiwan

The National Palace Museum houses one of the largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts in the world. Their online tour shows both interior and exterior views.
Highlights: Ch’ing furniture & ancient pottery

Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Explore the museum with the largest collection of artwork in Google Arts & Culture. In addition, you can also wander the halls on your own in the virtual tour of Rijksmuseum.
Highlights: The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer & The Night Watch by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn

Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery

Washington DC, USA

While free to visit in person, just like all the Smithsonian museums, The National Portrait Gallery also offers virtual tours of the galleries. Explore the artwork portraying the people who made American history, including the presidents and their families.
Highlights: President Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley, Abraham Lincoln by George Peter Alexander Healy, and George Washington (The Athenaeum Portrait) by Gilbert Stuart

Tate Britain

London, England

Wander the halls of the Tate Modern in this virtual tour. Google’s online collections of the Tate’s artwork are extensive and include pieces on film, fashion, cooking, and more. Check them out!
Highlights: Ophelia by Sir John Everett Milais & The Rescue of Andromeda by Henry Fehr

Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo, Japan

This research museum houses art and artifacts from Japan and other Asian countries. The virtual tour of the Tokyo National Museum highlights folding screens, sculptures, and paintings of Japan’s people and landscapes.
Highlights: Maple Viewers by Kano Hideyori & Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji by Katsushika Hokusai

Uffizi Gallery

Firenze, Italy

One of the oldest and most famous art museums in the world is available to explore online. The Uffizi Gallery has one of the largest collections of Renaissance paintings and sculptures in the world.
Highlights: The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli & Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci

Van Gogh Museum

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Van Gogh has always been one of my favorite painters. I was crushed when some of his paintings were off-display when I visited MASP in Sao Paulo. I’ve spent most of my life dreaming about visiting the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. And while I haven’t made it to the Netherlands yet, I’m happy to be able to explore the Van Gogh Museum through a virtual tour.
Highlights: Sunflowers & The Harvest

Vancouver Art Gallery

Vancouver, Canada

The Vancouver Art Gallery holds a collection of some of Canada’s best modern art, including a large selection by Douglas Coupland. The online tour takes you through the colorful galleries of Canadian art.
Highlights: Pop Head Series by Douglas Coupland

CULTURAL MUSEUMS

Anne Frank House

Amsterdam, Netherlands

In the darkness of World War II, there was a glimmer of hope. Young Anne Frank kept a diary of her time spent hiding in her house with her family, avoiding Nazi persecution. Nearly a century later, visitors can see her secret annex for themselves. Be sure to click the bubbles to learn more about the features of her home and their significance.

Baseball Hall of Fame

Cooperstown, NY, USA

The Baseball Hall of Fame is definitely the shining star of Cooperstown, New York – and for good reason! Baseball fans – or fans of any sports- can appreciate all of the history and memorabilia that is housed here. And while the virtual tour is from before their recent renovation, the exhibits are still pretty neat to look at!

Israel Museum

Jerusalem, Israel

The largest collection of Israeli art and artifacts can be found at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem. For those that can’t make the journey in person, the museum can be toured virtually.

Strong National Museum of Play

Rochester, NY, USA

While the Strong Museum is definitely a lot more fun to visit in person, there are still some cool perspectives that you can see from the comfort of your own home. Strong is one of the most interactive museums I’ve ever been to, and taking a 360-degree tour shows you why. Adults can reminisce about games from their childhood while kids can get excited for an upcoming trip to Rochester. Win-win!

The Wild Center

Tupper Lake, NY, USA

It’s no secret that The Wild Center is one of my favorite places. Located in Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks region of New York state, you can now experience the wonders of mountains from your own home. There are two virtual tours of The Wild Center – one for inside the museum, and the other for their famous Wild Walk. These tours offer 360-degree views of the Adirondack landscape as well as the uniquely designed museum showing both the history and wildlife of the mountains.

SCIENCE & HISTORY MUSEUMS

Acropolis Museum

Athens, Greece

The Acropolis Museum in Athens is devoted to archaeological finds from the Acropolis. Sculptures and carvings of limestone, marble, and other forms of stone fill the museum. Glass exterior walls provide visitors, both in person and online, gorgeous views of the surrounding Greek landscape.

American Museum of Natural History

New York, NY, USA

One of the most famous historical museums in New York City, the American Museum of Natural History is incredible. And speaking from experience, you could easily spend an entire day here. Luckily, you aren’t limited on time with the virtual tour of the museum. Spend as much time as you want – even pretend you’re Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum!

Insect Museum of West China

Chengdu, China

Looking for something a little different? How about the Insect Museum of West China? Yep, you can tour it online! Definitely a fun option for the kids, and I can’t help but think that Max from the tv show Parenthood would be in complete awe!

Museum of Natural Sciences

Bruxelles, Belgium

Dinosaur skeletons, replicas of human evolution, and collections of rocks & minerals are what you can find in the online tour of the Museum of Natural Sciences in Belgium.

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Warsaw, Poland

So a little known fact about me: I find learning about World War II and the Holocaust fascinating. Not in a morbid way, but in a historically and culturally important way. Plus, my ancestors were Polish and my grandfather served in the Army and saw the atrocities. With that said, the fact that POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews has an online tour makes me very happy. It obviously goes well beyond the realm of the Holocaust, and I can’t wait to spend some time strolling through the halls!

National WWI Museum and Memorial

Kansas City, MO, USA

Online visitors can check out memorabilia from World War 1 in the virtual tour of the museum. Both interior and exterior views of the WWI Museum are included in the tour.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Washington DC, USA

Animals, plants, dinosaurs, and everything else that makes up the natural world can be viewed in the virtual galleries of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Virtual Tours of Historical & Famous Landmarks

Buckingham Palace

London, England

Home to the queen and her royal family, as well as the site of the famous Changing the Guard ceremony, Buckingham Palace offers a virtual tour. That’s right, you can see the queen’s throne room, the grand staircase, and more – without booking a flight to London.

Catacombs

Paris, France

The Catacombs are both haunting and incredible. A bucket list item I was proud to check off when I was in Paris. Luckily, it doesn’t take nerves of steel to virtually visit this historic French landmark! Scroll through 3D views of different points along the underground tunnels. (Use the double arrow in the bottom-right corner to get to the next spot!)

The Eiffel Tower

Paris, France

Have you ever wanted to know what the view is like at the top of the Eiffel Tower? Now you can! Thanks to Google’s wizardry, anyone can see panoramic views of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Spoiler alert: it’s amazing.

English Heritage Sites

England

It’s no secret that England is full of history, beautiful landscapes, and incredible castles. Thanks to Google and English Heritage, you can see several of them online. Explore the castles, abbeys, gardens, monuments, and other sites of England – from the comfort of your own home.

Ford’s Theatre

Washington DC, USA

Ford’s Theatre will forever be known as the place where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. While you can tour the theater if you’re visiting DC, you can also check it out from home. The virtual tour includes views from the stage as well as exhibits throughout the museum.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Washington DC, USA

In case you aren’t aware of who Frederick Douglass is, he was an important figure in the Civil Rights movement in the United States. He led the charge for equality. While he lived and is buried in Rochester, NY, he spent the last few years of his life in Washington DC. And now you can tour his home online and learn all about the honorable man.

Great Wall of China

Beijing, China

There’s a reason that the Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. See the incredible wall and the surrounding landscape for yourself! On a side note, I’m still jealous that my husband got to visit it and I didn’t.

Palace of Versailles

Paris, France

Have you ever dreamed of walking through the Hall of Mirrors in the famous Parisian palace? Retrace the footsteps of Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV? Well, if you can’t make it there in person, the second best option is to tour Versailles online. Missing Versailles is one of my biggest regrets from my only trip to Paris. Getting to see it virtually helps to make up for it!

Sahara Desert

Algeria

Deserts are one of the most difficult places to visit in person. The literal nature of the landscape makes it incredibly difficult to trek across due to the heat and lack of water. Luckily, you can see the incredible views of the Sahara Desert online.

Skokloster Castle

Skoklosters, Sweden

If you haven’t gotten your fill of castles just yet, check out the stunning interior of Skoklosters Castle with their virtual tour. The castle is a few hundred years old and embraces the Swedish culture through its art and architecture.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Vatican City

Whether religious or not, no one can deny the grandeur and beauty of Vatican City. Several of the museums at the Vatican – including the Sistine Chapel – offer virtual tours for you to browse from home. Honestly, the Sistine Chapel shouldn’t be missed. It’s absolutely incredible. Don’t forget to scroll up to see the famous ceiling!

Waddesdon Manor

Waddeson, England

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild was at the height of society in the late 1800s, and his manor exemplifies just that. Built as a place to house his growing collection of artwork and host elaborate parties, present day visitors can view Waddeson Manor online. The virtual tour offers clickable spots to learn more about the artwork and architecture of the home, and even allows viewers to see places that are closed to the public.

The White House

Washington DC, USA

Easily the most famous – and most difficult to visit – house in the United States, you don’t need to be elected to do a virtual tour of the White House. Pretend you’re a guest in the Oval Office and check out the artwork of former presidents.

The Winchester Mystery House

San Jose, CA, USA

The Winchester Mystery House is an architectural oddity in San Jose originally purchased as an eight-room farmhouse in the late 1800s. Following the purchase, 36 continuous years of construction were done on the house. The Winchester is known for its 10,000 windows, countless rooms, and staircases that lead to nowhere. It’s often featured on lists of the most haunted places in the world. And while it’s currently closed to the public, you can take the virtual tour of this mysterious mansion online.

Eiffel Tower Paris - Europe Travel Advice

Live Webcams at Zoos & Aquariums

While zoos and aquariums around the world are closing to the public, many have set up webcams so animal lovers can check in on their favorite creatures. These virtual tours come from all around the globe, so no matter what time you’re looking, you’re bound to find some animals that are up and active!

Alaska Zoo

Anchorage, AK, USA

‘Meet’ Cranbeary, the polar bear that lives at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. You watch in her habitat on this webcam.

Animal Adventure Park

Binghamton, NY, USA

Animal Adventure Park got famous because of April the giraffe, who was famously pregnant with thousands of people watching her live stream waiting for her to go into labor. Giraffe lovers will be happy to know that her webcam is still live and viewers can watch her and her son Tajari at any hour of the day. A second webcam checks in on father Oliver and another female, Johari.

Atlanta Zoo

Atlanta, GA, USA

Who doesn’t love pandas? That’s right – no one. Pandas are a favorite worldwide for their cuteness and gentle nature. Atlanta Zoo’s panda cam lets you sneak a peek at their pandas during the day!

Chattanooga Zoo

Chattanooga, TN, USA

If you’re looking for some more unique animals to watch, check out the Chattanooga Zoo webcams. Choose from the meerkats, snow leopards, tamarins, or the spotted genet!

Cincinnati Zoo

Cincinnati, OH, USA

During the current coronavirus pandemic, the Cincinnati Zoo is offering Home Safari lessons through Facebook Live. In case you miss the daily lessons at 3pm EST, the extensive videos showcasing their animals are all later uploaded on their website.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Clearwater, FL, USA

Home to several rescued dolphins and other marine animals, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers several webcams to watch the animals throughout the day. In addition to the dolphins, you can also watch the otters, pelicans, and sea turtles.

Dublin Zoo

Dublin, Ireland

A variety of animals are waiting to say hello to you on the Dublin Zoo’s webcams. Choose from the elephants, penguins, or animals of the African savannah.

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh, Scotland

The cuteness continues at the Edinburgh Zoo. Their webcams provide views of the giant pandas, penguins, tigers, and a personal favorite – Tanami the koala.

Georgia Aquarium

Atlanta, GA, USA

One of the biggest aquariums in the world – and a personal favorite – Georgia Aquarium has several webcams for your viewing pleasure. The worst part? Having to choose between watching the belugas or the sea otters! Or the sea lions. Or the jellies…

Houston Zoo

Houston, TX, USA

The webcams at the Houston Zoo offer creatures both tiny and large. Choose from the leaf cutter ant colony, giraffes, elephants, chimps, rhinos, or gorillas.

Kansas City Zoo

Kansas City, MO, USA

The animals just keep coming! The Kansas City Zoo webcams bring you penguins, giraffes, and polar bears. Since their cameras are available 24/7, you can even take a peek at them to see when they are active at night!

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne, Australia

The zoo from my home away from home, Melbourne, offers several live streaming webcams of their most popular animals. Viewers can check up on the giraffes, penguins, lions, and zebras. My favorite? The snow leopard cubs!

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee, WI, USA

Lions, tigers, and bears – oh my! Those animals and more are what you’ll find when you browse through the Milwaukee County Zoo webcams.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey, CA, USA

There is a lot to choose from in California! Monterey Bay Aquarium has 10 different webcams to let you peek at your favorite sea creatures. Most of them are active between 10am and 10pm PST daily. Choose from the otters, jellies, moon jellies, coral reef, penguins, sharks, and more!

National Aquarium

Baltimore, MD, USA

If you can’t decide if you prefer virtual tours or live webcams, you don’t have to choose! The National Aquarium has both. The webcams highlight the Pacific coral reef, jellyfish, and the blacktip reef. The virtual tour lets you guide yourself through the various exhibits, including the tropical rainforest.

Paignton Zoo

Devon, England

Support the efforts of animal conservation and watch the critically endangered macaques (and some meerkats as well) on the Paignton Zoo webcams.

San Diego Zoo

San Diego, CA, USA

One of the largest and most famous zoos in the US, San Diego Zoo doesn’t disappoint with its webcams. Choose from 11 different animals to watch, including koalas, baboons, owls, giraffes, and more!

Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver, Canada

Otters, penguins, or jellies – which will you choose to watch? The Vancouver Aquarium offers live streaming of each of them!

Virtual Tours of Parks & Outdoor Spaces

Google’s Art & Culture project also includes 360-degree videos exploring unique perspectives of famous landscapes, theater stages, and even the Hubble Space Station!. One of my favorites? These videos allow you to explore the landscape of India, ‘step inside’ the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, see the ruins of Palmyra, and more! Currently there are nearly 200 videos. Don’t forget to click and drag on the videos to get the 3D perspectives!

Northern Lights

Another popular bucket list item is to see the northern lights. And with good reason! I caught a glimpse of them once in Syracuse, and then spent three nights searching for them in Iceland. They are amazing! Lucky for us, the Churchill Northern Studies Center in Manitoba, Canada has a webcam where they live stream the northern lights. Being under the aurora oval, the center has a prime viewing location.

Want to see the northern lights from a different view? No worries, the Aurora Chasers in Anchorage, Alaska also have a live webcam of the lights. I also like to check the daily images of the best of the northern lights from the past few days. It’s incredible!

Their site also lets you check the forecast for the upcoming days, based on solar activity, so you can plan ahead for when might be a good time to watch.

US National Parks

Google has partnered with park rangers throughout the US to provide guided virtual tours of some of the most unique landscapes in our National Parks.

Learn about the glaciers of the Kenai Fjords of Alaska.
Explore the volcanoes about lava tubes that make up Hawaii.
Go underground in the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.
Stargaze in the desert of Bryce Canyon, Utah.
Swim through the coral reef of Dry Tortugas in Florida.

Through a separate project, Yosemite National Park is also available through a virtual tour. The natural sounds of the parks is a nice added touch.

Grand Canyon

A trip to the Grand Canyon is a must-do on nearly everyone’s bucket list. And it’s no surprise why! It’s a stunning sight to behold, even through a computer screen. Thanks to Arizona State University, you can visit Grand Canyon National Park and several more places through virtual tours.

Son Doong Cave

Quang Binh Province, Vietnam

Thanks to National Geographic, visitors from around the world can take a virtual tour of Son Doong Cave. Located in Vietnam, Son Doong is the largest natural cave in the world. The online tour provides 360-degree photos, a map to guide you, and detailed information at each ‘stop’.

African Safari

Ever dreamed about visiting the safaris of Africa? Well now you can – from home! In an effort to support conservation efforts, Africam has several webcams set up in different parts of the African safari for you to catch the animals in the wild.

Wild Earth also offers live safaris hosted by expert rangers twice daily – at sunrise and sunset. The rangers provide a variety of footage depending on animal activity from two different national parks. They bounce between Greater Kruger in South Africa and Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

The Hawaiian landscape is absolutely stunning. And you can take a virtual tour of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden to see it for yourself.

Kew Gardens

A UNESCO World Heritage site located just outside of London is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. The architecture of the greenhouses is strikingly unique. Enjoy it all in this virtual tour of Kew Gardens.

Huntsville Botanical Garden

Check out this virtual tour of the Huntsville Botanical Garden in Alabama. You can “walk” through the aquatic garden, “stroll” along the nature trail, and “visit” the nature center.

Coral Reef in the Bahamas

Thanks to the conservation efforts of Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, you can get up close and personal with some sharks – without getting wet! Researchers have created these 360-degree videos to show you sharks in their natural habitats.

Munich City Tour

The German tour company Your Local Friend Tours recently did a Facebook live digital tour of Munich. The tour guides visited all of the major highlights – Marienplatz, Hofbrauhaus, Viktualienmarkt, and more. Luckily for you, the video is still available to watch on their Facebook page. Since Munich is one of my favorite places I’ve visited, I’m definitely loving this!

Vancouver

Grouse Mountain, known for its popular ski resort and wildlife refuge, has several webcams to give you some more views of Vancouver. Choose from views of the city skyline, ski slopes, or the grizzly bears in their hibernation den.

Street Art Alleys

It’s no secret that street art is a personal favorite of mine, and the fact that you can explore many of them with Google Streetview makes my heart so happy! Particularly Hosier Lane in Melbourne – where I fell in love with murals and street art. If you’re feeling adventurous, click through the alley to get a view of Federation Square – one of the most controversial pieces of architecture in Melbourne. Why? The modern design is a stark contrast to the historic St. Paul’s Cathedral and Flinders Street Train Station.

A few other favorite places for street art are Beco de Batman in Sao Paulo and Olympic Boulevard in Rio de Janeiro.

Streaming Concerts & Performances

Broadway Shows

It’s no secret that Broadway is a bucket list destination for people around the world. And I can vouch for it! I’ve seen several shows both off and on Broadway, and nothing compares. The performances truly are the best. Luckily, if you can’t make it to New York in person, you can still find several Broadway shows streaming online.

Broadway HD offers a 7-day free trial. If you’re hooked, there are monthly and yearly plans available to keep you entertained.

The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre in London, famous for its history of Shakespearean shows, has an online library of performances to watch. Admittedly, most shows have a rental fee to watch, but there is also a small selection of free content.

The Metropolitan Opera

As a temporary offering during the current coronavirus pandemic, the Metropolitan Opera is offering FREE opera performances. Each night at 7:30pm EST, a new opera will be available to stream for the following 23 hours. It’s a great opportunity to experience more arts & culture.

Additional Online Resources

Can’t get enough? The website 360 Cities offers exactly that – 360-degree views of cities and locations from around the world. Their database is enormous!

If that’s still not enough, AirPano offers even more 360-degree views of famous landmarks from around the world. Their collection is interactive and provides additional information about each locale. Plus, their photography is absolutely incredible.

So which virtual tour or live web cam is your favorite? I love watching the otter and jellyfish webcams while I work. They are so relaxing! And you have to admit, it’s pretty incredible to have this technology to provide virtual tours from around the world. Should money, health, or safety limit us, we can travel without leaving home.