Institutions across the world are seeking innovative ways in which to bring culture to your armchair. With the digital world readily at our fingertips for the next two weeks (initially), galleries, museums, zoo’s and national parks are encouraging virtual visits through tours, interactive art classes and animal cams.
See below our top picks of how to get your online culture fix.
ANIMAL CAMS
Giraffe Cam at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Colorado Springs, Colorado
While Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is currently closed to members of the public, visitors can keep up with the happenings of the zoo’s tallest residents with Giraffe Cam. The zoo is home to the largest giraffe herd in North America and its newest member is baby Viv, born in July last year. The camera is broadcast for eight hours every day so giraffe-fans can watch the herd as they graze and relax.
Beneath the sea at Monterey Bay Aquarium – Monterey, California
Experience the wonders of the ocean from anywhere thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Choose from one of ten live cams and be delighted by the antics of the sea otters, the hypnotic drifting of the jellies or animals in the Open Sea exhibit; home to one of the most diverse communities of open-ocean animals to be found in any aquarium, including sharks and turtles.
San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
Located in the east of Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo is home to over 3,500 animals and more than 650 different species. Enjoy multiple live cams from the Zoos liveliest residents, including baboons and penguins in Africa Rocks; polar bears in Northern Frontier; koalas in the Outback and the newest resident with the apes in the Lost Forest. Additional cams available across the sarafi section of the park includes condors, tigers, burrowing owls, giraffes and elephants.
INTERACTIVE ART
Denver Art Museum online collections – Denver, Colorado
Culture vultures can get their fix without leaving the house with the Denver Art Museum. The museum’s website features a number of online collections, both currently on display and previous exhibits. Check out the Treasures of British Art exhibition, which tells the story of Britain’s rich history from the 1400s to the late 1800s.
Mattress Factory goes social – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Founded in 1977, the Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum and experimental lab featuring site-specific installations created by artists in residence from around the world. For the next two weeks across its social media channels, the team behind the screen will provide daily virtual content, including tours, exhibits and tutorials from their educators so you can still enjoy the art from your couch. Kicking things off is a virtual tour of Yayoi Kusama’s infinity dots room. Just head to their instagram page and click on the link in the bio.
Portland Art Museum online collections – Portland, Oregon
Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. The Museum is internationally recognised for its permanent collection of art from the natives of North America and the world’s finest public and private collections. With more than 50,000 objects reflecting the history of art from ancient times to today, the Museum is a premier venue for education in the visual arts. Online collections are readily available to peruse across nine galleries spanning Asian, Native American, Westerm and Africa art.
The Andy Warhol Museum interactive art lessons – Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, the Andy Warhol Museum is the largest museum in the US dedicated to a single artist. With art over seven floors, each dedicated to a decade of the iconic pop artist life, the museum during its close is bringing free online portrait classes directly to your desk as part of its #warhollessons. Explore portraiture and learn how to create a self-portrait using collage.
VIRTUAL TOURS
360-degrees of virtual culture, Japan
With virtual reality the present and possible future of immediate travel, whilst at home embark on a VR 360° tour of Japan for some bucket-list inspiration. Watch a fresh piece of sushi whizzing around on a conveyor belt in Tokyo or set your sights on a sumo wrestlers match. Viewers can even watch the majestic deer in Nara chomping on snacks handed out by tourists.
Art islands a plenty – Setouchi, Japan
Teshima and Naoshima Island are often referred to as the art-filled islands of Setouchi. With art installations, sculptures and galleries available to see across the islands, it’s a perfect for those who love modern art. Virtually visit the Teshima Art Museum and Chichu Art Museum and view five masterpieces from Claude Monet or a clutch of light sculptures by James Turrell through VR 360° panoramic vision.
All aboard the Paul Gauguin cruise – The Islands of Tahiti
Tahiti360 allows everyone to experience an exclusive VR tour that takes you aboard the award-winning Paul Gauguin cruise ship. Gain valuable insight into the heart of French Polynesia and set your sights on stingray and shark encounters, aerial views of motu mahana, a private beach, as well as Papeete marketplace.
Adventure in all seasons – Mammoth Lakes, California
Surround yourself with unbelievable views with these award-winning 360-degree videos of Mammoth Lakes, the year-round adventureland and one of California’s best kept secrets. Enjoy adventure through the seasons, from snow-capped peaks to shimmering lakes and everything in between. Pop on your headphones or VR headset for the best experience by clicking and dragging your mouse around the screen to explore your surroundings.
The wonders of Yosemite National Park – Yosemite Mariposa County, California
Remote travellers can explore the wonders of Yosemite Mariposa County from the comfort of their own homes. The Xplorit programme is a groundbreaking interactive tour of one of America’s most spectacular national parks and allows viewers to soar over granite giants, rushing waterfalls and verdant valleys. Take in 360-degree views of the country, while learning more about the park through videos of friendly park rangers.
The California Capitol Museum – Sacramento, California
The California State Capitol Museum’s virtual tours provide virtual visitors the unique opportunity to visit California’s Capitol from anywhere in the world. View the Capitol’s blended architectural styles from neo-classical and Renaissance Revival to California’s own architectural elements. Through the virtual tour, roam the Capitol’s halls, the 40-acre Capitol Park and learn about the city’s unique history, culture and legacy.
Museum of Flight – Seattle, Washington
Take an online tour inside some of the world’s most iconic aircraft. Access the cockpits and interiors of Seattle’s Museum of Flight aircraft from the comfort of your living room. These 3D self-guided virtual tours include Concorde, the NASA Space Shuttle Trainer and the first ever presidential jet plane, aka the “Air Force One”.
Columbia State Historic Park – Yosemite Tuolumne County, California
Step back into the era of gold panning and horse drawn carriages with a 360 tour of Tuolumne County’s working gold mining town. Columbia State Historic Park is a destination for those who wish to truly immerse themselves in California’s Gold Rush history. The tour invites viewers to stroll along wooden sidewalks and peek inside multiple buildings, including Wells Fargo, working blacksmiths and livery stable. Click on the icons to learn more.
Beach cams – Santa Cruz, California
Dream of feeling the sand between your toes and the calming rolling surf of the Pacific Ocean at one of nine beach cams in the quintessential beachside town of Santa Cruz. Enjoy scenic views from several different angles in Aptos, Moss Landing and Capitola via beach pier and surf cam or take a virtual aerial tour of the boardwalk. Sit back, relax and enjoy watching surfers riding the waves, birds flying freely and add this stop to your next holiday bucket list.
Wander List with Greater Palm Springs, California
It’s one thing to read about the attractions in the desert oasis and another to see it live. The four-part series aims to inspire viewers through showcasing behind the scenes looks at some of the most unique experiences across outdoor adventure. Wander List explores scenic hikes, the sandy shores of the Salton Sea and the towering windmills of the San Gorgonio Pass. Chill Chaser looks at local farmers markets, Sunday polo matches and rock climbing. DineGPS highlights a few local restaurateurs transforming the desert dining scene and the latest series, craftGPS explores the cocktail scene through the eyes of the locals.
