Though being at home gives you a break from the busyness of everyday life, you can start to feel like you are going in circles. That’s why it’s important to get out of the house, even if it means doing so virtually. Experiencing new things from home keeps you engaged outside world, especially if you participate with friends and family.
Here are some ways you can “leave the house” and explore the world from home.
Visit World Museums
Browse hundreds of collections from museums around the world using Google’s Arts & Culture archive. Now is your chance to relax and take your time appreciating pieces from around the world. Beyond just exploring high-quality scans and images, you can take a virtual 3D tour of dozens of museums.
Other collections include a world history timeline from the British Museum: London, a walkthrough of Russia’s largest museum which clocks in at over five hours long, and exhibits from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Hop on a video call with your friends, and you can enjoy a lunch and day at the museum together, virtually!
Attend a Concert
Venues are temporarily closing, but the music continues online! NPR Music has created a constantly updating list of upcoming concerts and performances available to stream from home, most of them for free!
You can always check out your favorite artist’s social media pages to see if they are planning on live streaming as well. Don’t forget to check your local theater or performance venue as well for streaming options!
Visit the Great Outdoors
If you simply want to escape from the small indoors, transport yourself to some of our nation’s natural treasures. Google has partnered with some of our most beautiful national parks to provide immersive 3D experiences guided by park rangers.
Throw on a pair of headphones, and settle in for a relaxing journey “away” from home.
See a Show
Past theater performances are available from the comfort of your home. Stream hundreds of Broadway performances with BroadwayHD, which offers a seven-day free trial if you want to browse their selection before committing to a membership. Performances include hits like “Kinky Boots” as well as productions from London and San Francisco.
If you prefer opera, OperaVision has an impressive selection of performances streaming for free on their website. The Metropolitan Opera is streaming performances daily as a part of their Live in HD series for free.
Experience Wildlife
Zoos across the nation are bringing the animal kingdom to you while they are temporarily closed. Check out your nearby zoo’s website to see if they are offering digital experiences.
Nationally recognized zoos such as the Cincinnati Zoo, Houston Zoo, and the Oregon Zoo are hosting regular live streams.
Audubon Bird Cams has a collection of bird nest live feeds running 24/7. Explore.org also has a huge collection of animal live streams to browse. Soon you’ll have a whole collection of feathery, fluffy, and scaly friends to visit every day!
Go to an Amusement Park
Turn your couch into a roller coaster car by viewing some of the thousands of videos on YouTube showcasing the world’s greatest rides. A subculture of amusement park fans from around the world have captured extremely high definition and immersive videos and posted them online.
While it may sound silly, really is fun to go through a roller coaster corkscrew or enjoy a calm Disney World ride from your childhood in your pajamas.
