Every day we spend indoors is beginning to feel like the point of no return. Rather than wallowing in the sadness of life in isolation, now is a great time to make use of endless resources that will leave you more connected with the world, rather than less. These virtual museums are providing just that: a unique look into the world’s most famous museums. Best of all, you don’t even have to leave home!
Virtual Museums around the world
1. The British Museum
With more than 8 million objects, the British Museum is one of the most fascinating collections. The museum teamed up with Google streetview to offer a virtual experience to museum goers so you can view the collection right from home.
2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The MET will forever be among my favourite collection to explore. But the good news is for art lovers, the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers dome really great tours through the museum and its collections without leaving home. Check them out here.
3. The Vatican Museums
One of the most incredible places I have visited that has exceeded my expectations was the Vatican Museum. It was way back over a decade ago when I first stepped inside the Vatican and after touring the museums online, I find them just as impressive now as I did back then. More importantly you can tour Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel – a sight to behold!
4. NASA
Along with a tour of the NASA facilities in Virginia and Ohio, NASA also have their own app to tour their facilities. Now I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I downloaded an app that didn’t make my iPhone photos look better, so I’m guessing you’d be more interested in a tour of the Langley Research Centre.
5. The Louvre, Paris
Not only is the Louvre one of the world’s largest art collections, it is also one of my favourite attractions in Paris. The halls are filled with endless exhibitions to discover and the architecture alone makes it worth visiting. The Louvre is accessible in 360 degrees so you really feel like you’re visiting in person. Visit the free online tour here.
6. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, South Korea
Opened in 2013, this museum offers a great insight into Korean art. This is one of the most unique displays of modern and contemporary art and in conjunction with Google Arts and Culture, you can now tour the museum virtually.
7. The Anne Frank House
Anyone who has been to Amsterdam will know this is the must visit museum in the city. You can now take a virtual tour of Anne Frank’s secret annex and the house in which she lived by taking a virtual tour.
8. The London National Gallery
You can now tour 18 gallery rooms inside the London National Gallery which houses an impressive 2,300 works of art. My personal highlight is Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
9. The Guggenheim
The architecture of the Solomon R Guggenheim museum is reason enough to visit but the collection is the cherry on the cake. The museum has made some of its collections and exhibitions available to view online, including works from Franz Marc, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, and Jeff Koons. Visit the Guggenheim museum by virtual tour here.
10. De Young Museum, San Francisco
One of the newest additions on the scene is the De Young Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The museum houses American art dating from the 17th to 21st centuries. You can step inside select exhibits here.