Hey guys! Happy National Virtual Vacation Day! How fitting right? Here we are in the midst of social distancing and here comes one of the most bizarre holidays I’ve come across. I’ve never gone on a virtual vacation, but to fight feelings of isolation and still satisfy the explorer in me I’ve put together a list of organizations offering virtual tours and fun educational activities for you kids (and YOU) to enjoy from home. Touring the Taj Mahal in my PJ’s from my couch? Why not?

Check out the list below and let me know which you and your family enjoyed!

Visit the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, without leaving your room.  (And find other virtual adventures at Google Arts & Culture.)

Get adventurous in one of the US National Parks via Google’s Hidden World of the National Parks interactive documentary.

The National Museum of Natural History lets you virtually explore select exhibits, research areas as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

Have ya’ll ever seen a Red Panda? They are one of my favorite animals! The Oklahoma City Zoo is live-streaming their red panda family for zoo fans to enjoy! Best to time watch these adorable furry critters is between 9am – 4pm.

The American Banjo Museum is offering virtual tours, concerts and more through their website and on social media. Additionally, ABM Outreach and Promotions coordinator, Lucas Ross, will be providing a ‘behind the scenes’ of the museum archives as well as fun entertainment for kids. This might be a great time to learn banjo right?

If you or your child loves aquatic life (my son, Eli, is obsessed with sea turtles) Monterey Bay Aquarium will be streaming 10 live cameras letting families experience the wonder of the ocean wherever they are. See the silly antics of sea otters, the hypnotic drift of jellyfish, the busy life of a tropical fish and more.

4Warn meteorologists Emily Sutton and Damien Lodes are presenting easy science experiments families can do at home in a series called 4Warn Weather Lab to explore weather concepts and more!

Now this one might be my favorite! I’ve dreamed of going to The Louvre since I was a little girl…so while I can’t physically get there just yet..I CAN check out some amazing art with my kids while snacking on some popcorn! You can virtually tour some of the museum’s exhibits including Egyptian Antiquities a Galerie d’Apollon.

Praying you are all well, filled with joy, and making lots of memories during this weird time in our world!

-Rosie