28 ways to leave home without actually leaving the couch, from virtual zoo exhibits to museum gallery tours

Darcy SchildApr 28, 2020, 03:48 IST

Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, and NASA's Houston Space Center all offer free virtual exhibits.photocritical/Shutterstock; Sean Pavone/Shutterstock; Mark Scott/Shutterstock

Even when spending the day at a museum or going to the theater isn't an option, there are still ways to connect with the arts and stay entertained at home.
Many cultural institutions, castles, and historic landmarks offer free virtual tours and exhibits that can be educational and fun for all ages.
National parks and zoos also have online exhibits that can help people experience the outdoors.
Here's how to visit theme parks, museums, and other spots around the world without leaving your couch.
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Many museums and cultural institutions around the world are inspiring people to stay curious and occupied by offering free virtual tours, exhibits, videos, and performances for people to enjoy from their homes.

You can (digitally) take a walk through Main Street in Disney World's Magic Kingdom, view art from renowned names like Picasso, Dalí, and Vincent van Gogh, or relax by watching the sunset off the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland — all while staying at home.

Here's how to enjoy an afternoon at the museum, the zoo, or your favorite national without leaving your couch.

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The National Portrait Gallery has digitized versions of its famous paintings.

Portraits of Oprah Winfrey and Condoleezza Rice by Mickalene Thomas. Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The Acropolis Museum lets users take in stunning views of Athens, Greece, from their couch.

A view from the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece. jpbarcelos/Shutterstock

There are a couple of ways to virtually tour the Louvre.

France's Louvre Museum announced it would not open on Sunday due to fears of the coronavirus. Thierry Thorel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Picasso Museum has a virtual tour of its historic courtyard, plus an interactive map of Barcelona.

Pablo Picasso spent many of his formative years as an artist in Barcelona. Popova Valeriya / Shutterstock

NASA's free mobile app lets space-enthusiasts virtually step into mission control.

NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston in 2019. Michael Wyke/AP

Fans of surrealism can virtually step inside The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, has an extensive collection of Dalí's artwork. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Take a deep breath and take a virtual stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO-recognized site in Kew, London.

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, England. Kamira/Shutterstock

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a series of videos set to calming music showing stunning views of its buildings.

Inside the Met in New York City. Diego Grandi/Shutterstock

You can take a tour of Blarney Castle in Cork, Ireland.

Blarney Castle is famous for a stone that visitors kiss for good luck. John Cogill/AP

The Museum of Modern Art has a library of photos from its permanent collections, featuring works by van Gogh and other contemporary artists.

The MoMA is home to Vincent van Gogh's "The Starry Night." Google Art Project

History buffs can explore an interactive tour from the British Museum in London.

Inside the British Museum in London. Piotr Wawrzyniuk/Shutterstock

Several exhibits in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, can be toured virtually.

A fossil exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Carolyn Kaster/AP

Monterey Bay Aquarium in California is livestreaming penguins, sea otters, jellyfish, and other creatures.

Jellyfish at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Transport yourself to a world landmark, like the Taj Mahal.

Google Street View offers a 360-degree look at many famous destinations. Matt King/Getty Images

The Guggenheim Museum in New York City is offering a free virtual tour of all its galleries.

The outside of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan. Earthscape/Shutterstock

If a "walk" through Disney isn't your speed, try going for a virtual rollercoaster ride.

Slinky Dog Dash ride in Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World. John Raoux/AP

Disney World and Disneyland are closed for the time being, but fans can still virtually roam the magical theme park.

Mickey and Walt Disney. Associated Press

The San Diego Zoo has live and archived videos of pandas, polar bears, giraffes, and other zoo animals.

A panda at the San Diego Zoo. KPG_Payless/Shutterstock

The famed Metropolitan Opera is hosting nightly live opera streams.

The Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Relax during golden hour by viewing the sunset off the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

The Cliffs of Moher. Shutterstock

Transport yourself to some of the world's most ornate theaters, like Palais Garnier from "Phantom of the Opera" and Carnegie Hall in New York.

Vienna State Opera in Wien, Austria. Izim M. Gulcuk/Shutterstock

The National World War II Museum has a variety of virtual field trip activities and oral histories available to explore for free.

Newspapers in an exhibit at the National World War II Museum. Gerald Herbert/AP

Envision yourself dining at the renowned Windsor Castle or exploring the Palace of Versailles.

A look inside Windsor Castle. Royal Communications and Royal Collection Trust.

Take a virtual trek through Australia's famous Outback region.

Kangaroo crossing. totajla/Shutterstock

The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York City has tons of online activities tailored for students in elementary, middle, and high school.

The outside of the Intrepid Museum. Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock

Take a virtual tour of New York City's American Museum of Natural History and tune in to Facebook Live sessions perfect for educators and families.

The American Museum of National History is known for its wildlife scenes. Jay Yarow

Browse the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago or create your own masterpiece with a printable coloring page.

The famous scene from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" filmed at the Art Institute. Paramount

Take a guided virtual walking tour through one of many US national parks, from the Badlands to Yellowstone.

The Thurston Lava Tube is an entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. George Rose/Getty Images

NBA legend Michael Jordan owns several multimillion-dollar homes across the US. Take a look inside his impressive real estate portfolio and see which ones are for sale.

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