One of the many advantages of virtual learning is the plethora of opportunities to do virtual field trips from the comfort of home. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to visit the Nasa Glenn Research Center in Ohio one minute and the next minute find yourself inside The Palace of Versailles in France.
From virtual tours to interactive lessons, there’s no shortage of amazing virtual field trips available for students. We’ve compiled a list of 45 virtual field trips and learning resources so you can take your virtual learning experience global.
- The Louvre Museum in Paris, France – https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
The Louver not only features a virtual tour but has an entire section dedicated to kids with stories, videos and history. - The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. – https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour
Taking a virtual tour of the Smithsonian even has a narrated version so you can listen as you traverse the different exhibits. - The San Diego Zoo in California, USA – https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
This zoo has live cameras students can access to check out baboons, polar bears, tigers and more. - The Great Wall of China – https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
This virtual field trip gives students a birds eye view of the Great Wall of China with controls to travel to different spots on the wall. It even lets you connect a virtual reality headset to heighten the experience. - The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Italy – https://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/index_sistina_en.htm
This visit to the Vatican City shows the art and beauty of the Sistine Chapel with 360 degree views. - The NASA Glenn Research Center in Ohio, USA – https://www.nasa.gov/glennvirtualtours
On this virtual field trip you get to experience a supersonic wind tunnel, the electric propulsion and power laboratory, the ballistic impact lab, and many more. - The British Museum in London, England – https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
This website features a 3D model that graphically represents the history of the world. It allows you to choose what part of the world you want to learn about and which time frame. - The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. – https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/explore-more
The Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History partnered with Google to digitize in 3D all of their collections. - The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, USA – https://aqua.org/explore/virtual-tour
An award winning aquarium, the National Aquarium not only has what you’d expect from a normal aquarium but features many animals that spend time equally out of the water, too. - The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, USA – https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/met-360-project
This museum’s virtual tour has been visited by over 11 million people and boasts a spherical 360° technology that allows users to explore some of the museum’s iconic spaces. - The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada – https://www.historymuseum.ca/virtualtour/
This virtual field trip features the museum’s own curators guiding the way. It features native Indian culture all the way up to the 20th century. - The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA – https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/
This aquarium features several live webcams of different species. From fish and ducks to penguins, you can watch them in real time here. - The Palace of Versailles in France – https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/palace-of-versailles
The palace was completed in 1682 and features some of the most prominent French art in the world. You can also explore its famous hall of mirrors. - The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. – https://airandspace.si.edu/anywhere
The Smithsonian features a 3D rendering of the entire National Air and Space Museum for you to traverse as you see fit. It includes all of their exhibits, too. - The Vatican Museums in Vatican City, Italy:
- Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Ceiling
- Raffaello’s “School of Athens”
- Laocoön and His Sons
- “The Trials of Moses” by Sandro Botticelli
- Belvedere Torso
- Delivery of the Keys by Pietro Perugino
- “The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple” by Raphael
- Augustus of Prima Porta
- Apollo Belvedere
- Vatican Apoxyomenos “Scraper” by Lysippus
- Vatican Library
- “Sixtus IV Appointing Platina as Prefect of the Vatican Library” by Melozzo da Forlì
- Borgia Map
- “Sphere Within Sphere,” “Sfera con Sfera,” by Arnaldo Pomodoro
There are a plethora of places to virtually visit in Vatican City. Each link above is filled with videos and other virtual education resources.
- The Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA – https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
From the Mud Volcano to Mammoth Hot Springs, you can visit virtually every nook and cranny of Yellowstone with this virtual field trip. - The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California, USA – https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams
This aquarium feature many live cams to spy in virtually on sharks, crabs, otters, penguins, sea turtles and jellyfish. - The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. – https://americanindian.si.edu/online-resources
This virtual destination is home to 12 online exhibitions featuring the history of the American Indian. - The Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia – https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/sydney-opera-house-360%C2%B0-experience-sydney-opera-house/ngF4UkaoPwJ81A?hl=en
The famous Sydney Opera House partnered with Google to give users a 360 degree virtual field trip experience. - The Museum of Modern Art in New York City, USA – https://www.moma.org/calendar/groups/58
This museum features many virtual views of its art. From sculptures to paintings, you will be exposed to some of the world’s greatest artists. - The Vatican Library in Vatican City, Italy – https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/europe/italy-museums/rome-museums/vatican-library/
This famous library boasts the very first bible ever written – The Gutenberg Bible. In addition, the 15th century Borgia Map is featured.
- The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands – https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/van-gogh-museum?hl=en
The world’s largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) is housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The museum’s permanent collection comprises more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 letters by the artist. - The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia, USA – https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center
Two large hangars at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center houses thousands of aviation and space artifacts, such as the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Blackbird SR-71, and a Concorde. You can virtually visit them all. - The Palace of Westminster in London, England – https://www.parliament.uk/virtualtour
Ever wanted to visit the Houses of Parliament in the UK? You can take a virtual field trip to the Palace of Westminster. - The National Women’s History Museum in Virginia, USA – https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/online-exhibits
This museum has collections that go back to the early founding of the United States. It features prominent historical figures from women’s suffrage to their military service, among many others. - The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, Mexico – https://www.mna.inah.gob.mx/visita-virtual Embark on a virtual journey through the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City using your computer. This museum is entirely dedicated to the archaeology and history of pre-Hispanic civilizations in Mexico.
- The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France – https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/recreation/virtual-tour-eiffel-tower
Ever wanted to see what the views of Paris look like from the top of the Eiffel Tower? You can with this virtual tour in 360-degree panoramic views. - The National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan – https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-palace-museum-taiwan
In a virtual partnership with Google, The National Palace Museum boasts one of the world’s most extensive collections of Chinese art, featuring nearly 700,000 precious artifacts that span thousands of years. The collection comprises magnificent treasures from the imperial collections of Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. - The American Museum of Natural History in New York City, USA – https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit/field-trips/virtual
Designed for explorers and adventurers, this museum is perfect for individuals who have a passion for science and a deep appreciation for the thrill of virtual discovery. - The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan – https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/you-can-now-visit-the-hiroshima-peace-memorial-museum-via-virtual-tour-080620
As a monument to the tragedy and devastation caused by the world’s first atomic bomb dropped during World War II on August 6, 1945, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum stands in solemn remembrance. You can take a virtual field trip to Japan and explore. - The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands – https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/web-and-digital/
Take a moment to virtually explore the Secret Annex, where Anne Frank lived in hiding for over two years during WWII and penned her famous diary. - The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. – https://www.nga.gov/visit/virtual-tours.html
Virtually experience the rooms of many exhibitions through the exciting new virtual tour. Zoom in on the artworks, read wall texts by clicking on different-colored dots, view high-resolution photos, and discover artist biographies. - The Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia – https://www.qantas.com/travelinsider/en/explore/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/video-tour-see-travel-sydney-harbour-bridge-opera-house.html
Take in the highlights from fresh perspectives with this 360-degree virtual tour, which starts at ground-level but provides varying vantage points of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. - The National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung, Taiwan – https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-museum-of-natural-science
This museum partnered with Google to deliver several virtual exhibitions so you don’t have to travel all the way to Taiwan to experience them. - The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, USA – https://www.msichicago.org/education/field-trips/virtual-field-trips/
When visitors are unable to attend the MSI (Museum of Science and Industry), they can participate in a virtual field trip instead. They have the option to join a facilitated learning lab livestream or take a live virtual tour of some of the museum’s most popular exhibits. - The Berlin Wall in Berlin, Germany – https://www.the-berlin-wall.com/videos/360-degree-video/
- The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai, UAE – https://www.dubai360.com/scene/2581-dubai-aquarium-and-underwater-zoo-uae-night-creatures-fruit-bat/en
The 360 degree virtual tour of The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo offers an immersive and interactive experience of one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world. With just a few clicks, visitors can explore the diverse marine life on display and get up close with sharks, rays, and other sea creatures. - The Getty Center in Los Angeles, USA – https://www.getty.edu/visit/center/virtual_tour/
- “The Grand Canal in Venice from Palazzo Flangini to Campo San Marcuola” by Canaletto
- “Modern Rome – Campo Vaccino” by J.M.W. Turner
- “Irises” by Vincent van Gogh
- “After the Bath, Woman Drying Her Back” by Edgar Degas
- “Wheatstacks, Snow Effect, Morning” by Claude Monet
- Portrait of a Halberdier by Pontormo
- Spring by Édouard Manet
- Greek Kouros (Getty Museum)
- Spring by Lawrence Alma-Tadema
- “Portrait of a Man” by Paolo Veronese
- Euclid by Jusepe de Ribera
- “Venus and Adonis” by Titian
- “Portrait of Marquise de Miramon” by James Tissot
- “The Rue Mosnier Dressed with Flags” by Édouard Manet
The virtual tour of the Getty Museum offers visitors an immersive experience of exploring the world-class art collections and architecture of the museum. The virtual tour allows viewers to navigate through different galleries and zoom in on high-resolution images of the artworks on display.
- The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, USA – https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-states-of-america/dallas-museums/perot-museum-of-nature-and-science/
The 360-degree virtual tour of The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is an immersive experience that allows visitors to explore the museum’s exhibits and interactive displays from anywhere in the world. With high-resolution images and detailed descriptions, the virtual tour provides a comprehensive and educational look at the museum’s collections. - The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands – https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/from-home
Would you like to experience The Battle of Waterloo up close without leaving your comfortable chair? How about creating your own perfect exhibition? All of these options are available to you for free and from the convenience of your home! - The Great Barrier Reef in Australia – https://attenboroughsreef.com/experience_intro.php
The virtual tour of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia allows you to explore one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders from the comfort of your own home. You can enjoy the view of the reef’s vibrant colors and diverse marine life without even getting wet. - The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration in New York City, USA – https://www.nps.gov/hdp/exhibits/ellis/ellis_index.html
Experience the history of American immigration with a virtual field trip to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Walk in the footsteps of millions of immigrants as you explore the exhibits and interactive features of the museum. - The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada – https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/online-exhibits
The Royal Ontario Museum’s online exhibits showcase the cultural and natural history of Canada. Experience world-renowned collections through virtual activities. - The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA – https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm
Experience the breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon from the comfort of your own home with the Grand Canyon Virtual Tours. You can either explore on your own or take a guided tour for a more immersive experience. - The Heidelberg Castle in Heidelberg, Germany – https://www.dw.com/en/heidelberg-in-360-degrees/a-46464950
Heidelberg, known as the epitome of Romanticism in Germany, is a popular tourist destination due to its iconic castle ruins that attract visitors globally. Immerse yourself in the panoramic views of this castle.
In conclusion, virtual field trips offer an excellent opportunity for students to experience and learn about places and cultures from around the world. The internet has provided us with a wealth of resources that can be accessed from the comfort of our own homes, allowing us to explore places we might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit.
This ultimate list of virtual field trips and learning resources offers a variety of interactive lessons and tours that can be used to enhance learning and engage students in exciting and unique ways. From the Louvre in Paris to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C., the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Great Wall of China, and even the Vatican City, the possibilities for virtual field trips are endless. These experiences can broaden students’ perspectives and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
