Virtual Tours of Museums, Zoos and Attractions Around the World

If you’re stuck indoors, it doesn’t mean you can’t explore new places – it’s easy with a virtual tour of a world-famous museum or attraction. Many museums around the world offer online tours, which means you can discover the treasures of these places without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Explore the marine life of the world’s oceans, or take a virtual walk through a world-famous landmark. Taking a virtual tour or watching a live webcam is a great alternative to the real thing, if for financial, health or mobility reasons you can’t visit in person.

Get Started

As well as visiting websites and You Tube tour videos, you may like to download the “Expeditions” app (Apple app store or in Google play store) to your smartphone for a true virtual reality (VR) experience. You may need a “cardboard” to convert your smartphone to a virtual reality headset. These are available to buy online from just $5.70.

Virtual Tours at Zoos, Aquariums and Animal Parks

Taronga Zoo, Sydney

Both Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo can be explored on a virtual field trip through Google Street View, as well as video tours on You Tube. A new doco “Taronga: Who’s Who in the Zoo”, can be watched on 9Now. Toronga Zoo even has its own series of Taronga Talks podcasts and is on the Expeditions App.

San Diego Zoo, USA

Go on a virtual field trip of California’s famous San Diego Zoo. Discover the zoo’s resident monkeys, giraffes, polar bears, big cats, koalas pandas and much more, through live web cams (best viewed in the late afternoon/evening due to the time difference). San Diego Zoo is also found on the Expeditions App.

Monterey Bay Aquarium, US

Found right on the edge of the ocean in California, the Monterey Bay Aquarium offers e-visitors a glimpse into the fascinating world of sharks, jellyfish, penguins, sea otters through web cams. Whether their home is a coral reef, kelp forest or the open ocean, the webcams cover many sea loving creatures.

Other Zoos and Aquariums

Historic Buildings, Places and Landmarks of the World

Machu Picchu, Peru

Perched high up in the Andes mountains, Machu Picchu is a mysterious and ancient ruin of tombs and temples. If you can’t travel to Peru, a virtual tour on the Expeditions App is the next best thing.

The Great Wall of China

This ancient man-made wonder of the world is over 21000 kms long! The UNESCO World Heritage site offers a virtual tour on the Expeditions App which allows you to walk the wall, and explore watchtowers without ever getting a blister!

Buckingham Palace

Visit the Queen at Buckingham Palace! Take a tour around the grand rooms of the London palace, including the monarch’s throne room.

Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

See the 5000+ year Pyramids from a different view and learn all about these Egyptian structures that were built as tombs for pharaohs and queens.

Other Ancient Monuments and Interesting Attractions to Explore Online

Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Blarney Castle, Ireland
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland – Expeditions App
London Eye
Petra, Jordan
Stonehenge, UK
Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
Taj Mahal, India
Windsor Castle, UK

Natural Wonders of the World

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

This volcanic area of the Pacific Ocean is famous for its diverse species of animal life and plants. Jump into this virtual scuba dive, which will give a glimpse of below the surface of the ocean and playful sealions.

Giants Causeway

This incredible natural formation comes along with old stories and legends of giants. A virtual tour of the rugged scenery of the Northern Irish coastline is just amazing.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The world’s largest coral reef system, off the coast of Queensland, can be explored through virtual scuba dives. There are many dive sites for you to explore a colourful underwater world and swim amongst vibrant fish, huge turtles and even stingrays! Also found on Expeditions App.

Yellowstone National Park, USA

This is a unique national park in the USA, where beautiful natural scenery and wildlife are found at a volcanic hot spot. There’s stunning canyons, rivers and forests, as well as hot springs and geysers. You can experience all the features of Yellowstone, through webcams.

Mount Everest, Nepal

At 8,848 meters tall, Mount Everest is the highest mountain on the planet. There are many ways to explore the mountain virtually – climb to Base Camp via Google Street View, or 360° views of the Himalayas.

Other Natural Wonders of the World to Explore Online

Virtual Tours at Museums & Art Galleries

The Louvre, France

This iconic Parisian museum offers four virtual tours online, including fascinating Egyptian Antiquities.

NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton

Most of NASA’s famous Langley Research Centre is not open to the public. Visiting virtually is the only way you can take a peek at what goes on behind the scenes. See everything from laboratories/and wind tunnels to learning about aeronautics, space exploration, and technology.

British Museum, London

This world renowned museum in the heart of London specializes in history, art and culture – with ancient mummies, Roman artefacts, and much more to see via a virtual tour. The British Museum has one of the most comprehensive collections in the world. It’s so large, it would take days to cover by foot.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is the most visited natural history museum in the world. With over 45 million specimens of animals, rocks, human remains, cultural artefacts and more, the virtual self-guided tours take you through the museum’s exhibits, collections and research areas.

Other Museums to Explore Online

9/11 Memorial & Museum, NYC – Expeditions App
Guggenheim Museum, NYC – Expeditions App
Museo Galileo, Florence
Natural History Museum, London
The Acropolis Museum, Athens
The German Oceanographic Museum, Stralsund
The National Museum of the United States Air Force, Ohio

Have you found fascinating virtual tours online? Let us know in the comments below!

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About the Author
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About Stella B

Stella is loving retirement! Besides her loves of gardening, reading and painting, she adores spending time with her family and being out and about in Perth. Living in the Perth Hills, her time is often spent brunching with her husband at one of Kalamunda’s many cafes or enjoying a food platter over a glass of wine at a Bickley Valley winery.