Stuck at home with no place to go? Well, that’s only partly true. Thanks to the power of your wonderful Wi-Fi connection, the world is your oyster, now more than ever. From theme parks, medieval castles, and pandas, to national parks and even Disney World, the whole family can go on the most exciting and educational virtual field trips from the safety of their own home.
Here’s how you can visit places you’ve only dreamed of going. Once you’re done exploring the world, you can create your own family bucket list of places you want to visit in person when this Lockdown is over.
10 Ways To Travel With Your Kids While Staying Home
1. Take a Trip to Universal Studios
The Universal Orlando virtual tour offers families the chance to virtually explore Universal Studios without spending a dime or waiting in line. So, step into the magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter, explore the New York and Fast & Furious – Supercharged area, or check out the Hollywood Rip-Ride Rockit. You can also step in front of Cinderella Castle or zipline over alligators.
There are tons of real-life castles you can virtually explore like Buckingham Palace or Windsor Palace, where the British royal family resides. Take a detour and go on a digital walking tour of the Catherine Palace, a Rococo 18th-century palace in Russia and bask in the beauty of their colorful and opulent exteriors. Up next, you could head to the magical city of Paris, France, and pay a visit to the Palace of Versailles. The luscious gardens and glamorous interiors are truly enchanting, even if you’re not standing in front of them in real life.
Looking for something a bit more medieval? Then head down to Milano, Italy, and enjoy Sforzesco Castle, which was built in the 14th century by the Visconti family, which contains the Sala delle Asse, the last work made by Michelangelo.
3. Take a Virtual Walking Tour of US National Parks
Take a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine and get some virtual fresh air. The sunsets are to die for and they did a wonderful job capturing it on camera. Looking for something with a little more Zen? Then how about Arches National Park in Moab, Utah? If you want to enjoy some jaw-dropping views, then head out to southwest Texas and check out Big Bend National Park and its stunning canyons.
The Georgia Aquarium provides an underwater sea adventure that would even make Ariel a little jealous. The Georgia aquarium provides live streams of a number of sea animals like the beluga whales, piranhas, jellyfish, coral reefs, and sea otters. No scuba gear needed!
5. Check Out the Life of Pandas at the San Diego Zoo
Love pandas? The San Diego Zoo offers live and pre-recorded videos that capture the everyday life of some of the most adorable pandas in the world. In fact, the zoo has a special soft spot for pandas. In 2019, they threw a three-week goodbye party for Bai Yun and her son Xiao Liwu before returning the lovely creature to a panda conservation in China.
6. Get a 360° View of the World’s Most Amazing Cities
With the help of 360cities.net, your whole family can check out a multitude of high quality panoramic views of some of the most spectacular areas from around the world. 360 Cities is the world’s largest collection of 360° photos and videos taken by expert photographers.
Explore aerial panoramas of cityscapes and landscapes and you can also explore underwater panoramas, and aerial views.
7. Visit the Seven Wonders of the World
No need to leave the couch. Simply visit the Seven Wonders of the World from the comforts of your home. Take a virtual walk along the Great Wall of China or enjoy the breathtaking views of Machu Picchu without ever running out of breath from hiking.
Exploring the famous city of Petra in Jordan, an archaeological 2000-year-old city with just the click of your mouse. If that wasn’t enough, capital cities around the world like London and Washington DC are offering virtual tours of some of their most popular landmarks.
8. Go on a Virtual Scuba Diving Tour
National Geographic is offering 360-degree videos of dive sites that allow users to explore exotic underwater places like Indonesia’s coral reefs. When paired with an Oculus Quest VR headset, viewers will feel like they’re actually underwater hanging with all types of marine life like Humpback Whales or sea lions.
If you want to take a deeper dive into the sea, then check out the National Marine Sanctuaries website. Thanks to their 360-degree footage, you can even swim along sea lions and explore the place they call home.
9. Spend the Day in Disneyland or Disney World
Obviously, these world-famous parks have closed down their doors for the time being. So get the full Disneyland and Disney World experience by watching recorded videos on YouTube. The Disney Experience allows guests to virtually explore theme parks like Magic Kingdom or Epcot. It’s the next best thing to being there until the parks reopen.
10. Take a Walk on a Glass Bridge
The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is shut down to locals and tourists for the time being. But thanks to virtual technology, families can walk across the park’s spine-chilling glass-bottom bridge, built 600 feet above the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. But make sure to take a deep breath before clicking as the view is as vertigo-inducing as it is in real life.
