Amazing Virtual Zoo Tours & Museums to Explore on Your Couch

Check back from time-to-time as more institutions join this growing trend.

Two words: panda cam! Through the Smithsonian National Zoo's giant panda cam, you can watch giant pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang chomp on bamboo and tumble in the grass. You can also help your little ones explore the amimal cams using the activities designed to engage K-5 students in thinking about the animal behavior and habitats. Tap the link in the photos below to check it out.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden rolled out an innovative series of "Home Safari Resources" for your enjoyment last year. Now that the zoo has reopened to the public, you can still find the home safari archive on their website. This collection of videos shows a wide variety of species and are curated by zoo staff. Check it out by tapping the photo below!

The San Diego Zoo is widely recognized as a leader among conservation organizations and was an pioneer in the development of more humane, cage-free enclosures. It remains the most visited zoo in the United States. The zoo has a number of fun animal cams with live video feeds and a large archive of recordings from their previous giant panda residents Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu. Tap the photo below to browse their offerings.

Monterey Bay Aquarium has thrilled visitors from around the world since first opening in 1984. With its focus on local marine life around the Monterey area, the aquarium has garnered widespread attention for its exhibits as well as its important conservation work. Now you can relax to videos of swimming jellyfish as they move mesmerizingly through the water or find yourself delighted by the playful behavior of sea otters. Check it out at the link below.

Georgia Aquarium is home to hundreds of marine and other species. When it opened in 2005, it was the largest aquarium in the world. Georgia Aquarium offers a range of virtual guided tours that take you around to explore the various exhibits and animal residents. The clever and interactive videos are a great companion for your little ones. Check out the offerings and book your virtual tour today. Just tape the link in the photo below.

Ready to get wet? By now you've probably seen the adorable videos of penguins exploring empty aquariums as zookeepers take them around to "visit" the other animals. If this sight melted your heart like it did ours, we think you'll enjoy the digital programs offered by the New England Aquarium in Boston. Aquarium staff post new educational presentations where they introduce viewers to different animals and tackle some of your frequently asked questions. Find a wealth of educational activities to try at home. These are perfect for families with kids or people who are just kids at heart. Check out the link in the photo below.

The Barnes Foundation may not be super well known to the public; however, it is quite the name to Impressionist art aficionados. Located in Philadelphia, Barnes offers a slate of online courses for you to enjoy from home. Scholarships are available and new classes are starting up all the time. If you’ve ever fancied dabbling with pen and paper, there's never been a better chance to give it a try and follow your passion. Even if you're not an inspiring artist, you can enjoy the Barnes Takeout video lecture series where curators, scholars, and educators offer their perspectives on works in the foundation's impressive collection. Follow the link in the photo below to learn more.

Google has built up an online gallery of more than 2,500 museums. You can explore masterpieces online with a simple click including at places like Musee d'Orsay, The Museum of Modern Art, the Van Gogh Museum, Uffizi Gallery, the National Gallery of Art, and more. Wandering around Versailles or virtually strolling through MoMA is a great way to spend some time when you're stuck indoors. Check out the offerings in the link below.

You could explore virtual exhibitions and collections with this 360 degree virtual tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. As one of the most popular of the Smthsonian museums, the National Museum of Natural History is a delight to visitors of all ages. Discover why you when you follow the link below to start the tour.

The world's most visited museum offers a collection of virtual tours that you can enjoy at home. With updating content, you can discover more and more of the exciting works of art housed at the world's foremost museum. Get started today by following the link below.

The British Museum has collaborated with Google to bring you this fascinating virtual tour through history. Interactively explore various world cultures and civilizations as you move around on the timeline. You can sample artifacts from the British Museum's collections from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Check it out below.

The Papal enclave in Rome houses some of the most important artwork in the Western canon. You can explore their magnificence without needing to stand elbow-to-elbow as people crane their necks looking up at Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. The 360-degree movable panoramas allow you to approximate walking through the many collections. On offer include Sala Alessandrina, the Profane Museum, the Pio Clementino Museum, and of course, the Sistine Chapel. Check it out below.

The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia has loads of virtual tours. Navigate through the gallery in 3D virtual space where you can see recommended works, hear the audio guide, and move around using the dollhouse view. Experiencing a gallery in this manner is quite nice as you can get a sense for how the artists and curators work together to develop the space in its entirety.

Who doesn't love the idea of space exploration? From the Apollo moon landings to the Space Shuttle program and Mars rovers, NASA has pioneered space exploration for over 60 years. Now kids can come along on a series of virtual field trips that explore NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They'll learn about various mission successes and failures. These educational videos provide loads of great entertainment for adults and kids alike. Blast off today at the link in the photo below.

The Egyptian Tourism Authority has an online tour of the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses VI. The 3D virtual experience allows you to feel as if you're walking into famous the tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Murals decorating the tomb appear in striking clarity and the online interface allows you to explore objects up close, something you can't do in real life. If you have an interest in archeology, then this virtual tour is for you. Tap the hieroglyphics below to get started.