There are certain places throughout the world that almost everyone instantly recognizes – Yellowstone National Park and the Great Wall of China (to name a few). At one point in time, the only way you could see the beauty of these amazing landmarks was to physically visit them in person. Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, this isn’t possible.
On the bright side, technology has made it possible for us to experience the world in ways we never thought possible. One of the most innovative ways being that many tourist attractions now offer virtual tours. This makes it possible to “walk” through national parks, museums, and even amusement parks.
If you’re like us and are looking to do something that makes you feel like you’re across the world (while you’re really on your couch), here are five fascinating virtual tours you can take from the comfort of your own home.
Yellowstone National Park
With over four million visitors a year, there’s no doubt that Yellowstone National Park is a hot spot for tourists and nature lovers alike. It spans over 3,500 square miles throughout Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, and features numerous breathtaking natural formations such as forests, geysers, canyons, hot springs, rivers, and more.
With the virtual tour, you can visit six of Yellowstone’s most famous landmarks including the Fort Yellowstone Historic District which gives you the opportunity to view the start of the world’s very first national park. Another awe inspiring attraction you can visit on your tour is the Norris Geyser Basin Trail. Along this trail you’ll see plenty of hot springs, and will get the chance to view one of the world’s biggest active volcanoes. The other four features of this tour include the Mud Volcano Trail, the Mammoth Hot Springs Trail, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the Fountain Paint Pot Trail.
Disney World
If you’re one of the thousands of families that had to cancel their plans to go to Disney this year, we have a solution for you. Don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing like really being at Disney World, but being there virtually is a great alternative under the current circumstances. Visit Orlando is offering a virtual tour of all four of Disney’s Florida based parks including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.
On the virtual tour, you can take a crowd-free view of the oh-so-popular Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom, talk a virtual walk around the world of Epcot, explore the colorful land that is The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, and last but not least, visit Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the gang at Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios. This virtual tour is sure to entertain your entire family.
The Great Wall of China
One of the most magnificent attractions you can virtually tour is the Great Wall of China. Believe it or not, this UNESCO World Heritage site is almost 2,300 years old and is 3,000 miles long. For those of you who may not know the history behind the Great Wall of China, it was originally built to protect China from invading groups such as the Mongols.
This virtual tour allows you to travel along the part of the wall that starts from Jinshanling and goes to Simatai. This will allow you to view one of the most well-preserved portions that contain some of the most intact original features.
Chicago Botanic Garden
With 27 breathtaking gardens on 385 acres of land, the Chicago Botanic Garden is an incredible sight to see in-person or virtually. Since opening in 1890, 17 gardens have been added, including the popular Japanese Garden.
The great thing about this virtual tour is that even if all of the flowers haven’t yet bloomed in Chicago, the tour takes place on Google Maps in June when most of the flowers and plants are in full-bloom. Before starting your virtual tour, consider downloading the GardenGuide app. This way, you’ll be able to use the app’s plant guide, what’s in bloom section, and plenty of other neat features along the way.
The National Aquarium
The National Aquarium (previously known as the Baltimore Aquarium) is located in beautiful Baltimore, Maryland. The aquarium had its grand opening on August 8th, 1981, with the mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures. With over 20,000 birds, reptiles, marine animals, fish, and amphibians, it’s no wonder that this attraction brings in over 1.5 million visitors a year.
This virtual tour is one of our personal favorites, and is perfect for the whole family. As you explore the aquarium, there are plenty of unique species to learn about. When you click your way to an exhibit, there’s usually an information button that you can click on that tells you a fun fact about that specific animal. For example, did you know that Moon Jellyfish can shrink to a tenth of their original size when deprived of food in order to conserve energy? This virtual tour has got it all.
During these uncertain times, we have to find ways to bring positivity into our lives. Technology has given us an incredible opportunity that past generations didn’t have – if we can’t go out and travel, at least we can bring travel into our homes. Hopefully, these virtual tours will make you feel like you’re in another part of the world until you’re able to explore the world in-person once again.
