When you can’t travel, whether it be because of limited funds, limited time off, or because the world has shut down due to a pandemic (I know, sounds crazy), you may experience a bit of cabin fever. Suddenly those vacations you’ve put off seem urgent and you just can’t wait to get out and explore the world. Virtual vacations allow you to get out while staying in! You can visit places from all over the world right from your living room.
I looked at MANY virtual tours and I’ve narrowed it down to the 10 I think give you the most bang for your buck (your buck being your time, in this case). These are the ones I think you’ll find the most interesting, informative, and engaging. So, rather than curling up on the couch and binge watching yet another Netflix show, take a virtual vacation!
So, what are you waiting for? Come explore with me…
- Safari Live by National Geographic – This Has been a long-time favorite at my house. Every day at 10:00am and 11:30pm EST, you can ride along on a live safari! You can also watch recorded safari rides and highlights anytime, day or night. One note of caution: this is filming in the wild so you may occasionally see animals attacking and/or eating each other, though this is rare.
- Machu Picchu – This tour gives you 360-degree views of many areas of Machu Picchu while telling you all about each area and giving you a glimpse into the world of the Inca’s who built it. They also give some great tips that will come in handy if you ever plan to go there in person.
- Ann Frank’s House – Take a 360 degree tour of the house where Ann Frank lived in Amsterdam with her family from 1933 to 1942 before they went into hiding. This is the only way to tour the house, as it is not open to the public.
- Museum of the American Revolution – Take a virtual field trip of the museum in Philadelphia, PA. The tour is led by Lauren Tarshis, author of the very popular “I Survived” books (a series of children’s historical fiction books).
- Scottish Highlands – Join Rick Steves as he tours some of the most popular areas of the Scottish Highlands. Want to see more on Scotland? I’ve written several articles about Scotland – it’s my all-time favorite! Check out my top 3 can’t miss places to visit in Scotland HERE.
- The Louvre – They offer several virtual tours of this well known museum in Paris, France.
- Stonehenge – This tour by the English Heritage is a great way to explore Stonehenge. You can look around with 360-degree views and watch videos at different points along the way to learn more. This site is full of interesting facts!
- Mount Vernon – Take a 360-degree tour of the home of George Washington in Virginia. It’s a great & informative virtual tour.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Take a virtual walk through each room of the museum and see the current & past exhibits. You can even zoom in to get a closer look or read the plaques!
- Petra – Google provides us with awe-inspiring 360-degree views and there is a voice-over tour guide telling you about the spots you can visit on your tour.
- Yosemite National Park – Watch videos exploting the park, check out webcams in real time, and you can even become a junior park ranger from home by completing a few required (fun & educational) worksheets!
I hope you enjoyed this list and found it interesting and inspiring! I know it isn’t quite the same as getting on a plane and enjoying an adventure in person. But, it ain’t bad either! You can see some wonderful things and learn more about some of the places you’ve been wanting to go to.
Now, wasn’t that fun?
P.S. Just because you can’t travel right now doesn’t mean you can’t do some research and map out (pun intended) your next vacation.
- Here is a list of some AMAZING places to get your wheels turning: 17 Places To Add To Your Travel Bucket List.
- Before you go, be sure to read my article How To Stay Healthy When Traveling for some great tips that you may not have thought of (yes, washing your hands is in there, but SO much more).
- Want to know how to find the best deals on flights? Get all my tips in my article How To Find Cheap Flights and never overpay for a flight again!
Stay Safe!
Until next time…
About The Author
My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.
I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
Learn more about me & My Travel Obsession here.
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🏡FOR FINDING GREAT PLACES TO STAY:
- VRBO – My #1 recommendation for family-friendly lodging options.
- Expedia – My favorite for hotel bookings.
🚗FOR CAR & RV RENTALS:
- Discover Cars & Sixt – My favorite sites for rental cars worldwide.
- Turo.com – Rent a car from an individual owner – It's like VRBO for cars!
- RVShare – Rent an RV for your next family road trip!
🚁FOR ACTIVITIES, EXCURSIONS, & TOURS:
- Viator & Get Your Guide – The best sites to find and book activities & excursions.
- Gypsy Guide – An AWESOME audio tour app. ALWAYS check to see if they have a tour available.
🩺FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE:
- SafetyWing – The lowest-cost travel insurance out there. Several options starting as low as $42 for 4 weeks of coverage.
✈FOR FINDING GREAT FLIGHT DEALS:
- Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) – My #1 recommendation for saving big $$$ on flights. Sign up for a free 14-day trial.
🥾FOR HIKING:
- AllTrails – THE APP for hikers. I recommend paying for the pro version so you can use the navigation feature while hiking.
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I have mostly been enjoying all my extra time at home. I am enjoying spending more time with my son and I even read, “Where the Crawdads Sing” (which I highly recommend) and started another book. I love these virtual tours you mentioned. I think I will try one or two to use as a homeschooling tool. The other day we watched some live feeds from the San Diego Zoo as part of “science class”. We will have to check out some of these!! Great post!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it. What a great idea incorporating these into school!