Virtual Attractions to Watch Right Now
Virtual Attractions to Watch Right now
Many of us are stuck inside with nothing to do. We are doing our part with social distancing but, it’s normal to be bored.
If you’re looking for virtual trips, live zoo cameras or live aquarium cameras–you’ve come to the right place.
According to the IAAPA.org , these are some of the most exciting virtual trips to take right now.
I must say, I agree.
Read on to for the entire list of virtual attractions to watch right now.
Zoo America, Hershey, Pa.
Through daily Facebook Live sessions, parents and children engage with experiences that include a behind-the-scenes look.
Plus, educational sessions with many of the park’s animals, including reptiles, the Canada lynx and even a skunk that leads children in finger-painting exercises.
Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas
The Houston Zoo shares information about the animals in its care. For example, how the community can help save threatened animals in the wild. Watch their “Houston Zoo Live,” Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. CT.
St. Louis Aquarium, St. Louis, Mo.
The St. Louis Aquarium hosts breakfast sessions with some of its animals. Fans are encouraged to dine virtually with sloths, river otters, and more.
They do this during live weekly sessions on the aquarium’s Facebook page.
Later in the day, the conversation continues as the aquarium posts an activity for fans to continue the fun and learning from home.
Looking for something more relaxing? The “QuaranStream” Live on Facebook, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-11 a.m. CT.
They feature live video from the aquarium’s webcams set to soothing music.
Gatorland, Kissimmee, Fla.
Airing live every day at 10 a.m. ET on Gatorland’s Facebook page, “School of Crocs” is a 20-minute segment that teaches viewers about alligators.
Plus, many other animals at the park.
For guests that can’t tune in that early, a YouTube segment called “Later Gator” is posted each day at 5 p.m. ET.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Fla.
From lessons on rocketry to creating rockets at home from recycled materials, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex provides content for kids on its Facebook page, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Programming for middle and high-school-age students begins at 1 p.m. ET.
In addition, downloadable activity sheets and experiments can be found online.
Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughn, Ontario, Canada
Since there’s nothing quite like the feeling of riding a thrilling roller coaster. Canada’s Wonderland has created 34 point-of-view videos to help families feel like they are really there.
They are then encouraged to make their own video, pretending they are riding the coasters.
Submitted videos may be shared by the park on its social channels.
Hersheypark, Hershey, Pa.
The sweetest park on earth has created downloadable coloring pages for kids at home.
They are adding point-of-view videos from their rides and attractions for families to experience from home.
Denver Zoo, Denver, Colo.
During its closure, the Denver Zoo launched its “virtual zoo,” providing entertaining, educational, and engaging content.
Zoo to You: Virtual Safari is complete with popular videos, articles and daily activity ideas for parents from the zoo’s Learning Experiences team.
A new Facebook Live series, #BringingtheZootoYou, goes behind the scenes around the zoo.
They interview animal keepers and curators, answering user questions in real-time.
Carowinds, Charlotte, N.C.
Carowinds has created a virtual stroll through the park fans can take from home.
Point-of-view videos throughout the entire park allow guests to feel like they are riding the roller coasters and strolling through the park.
Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Ga.
Known for its educational content, the Georgia Aquarium now has a dedicated, comprehensive landing page for remote learning.
Unique content includes nine webcams of the aquarium’s most popular animals, including whale sharks, penguins, beluga whales, rescued sea otters and many more.
Educational videos focus on what it takes to run one of the largest aquariums in the world.
Live feeds provide an exclusive behind-the-scenes look, lunchtime topics, animals at play and animal training sessions.
The aquarium’s educational content is great for parents with kids of all ages and includes a video series and downloadable curriculum materials.
We loved this aquarium! When you are able to travel again, check out some of the most fun things to do in Georgia.
OdySea Aquarium, Scottsdale, Ariz.
The OdySea Aquarium has created an “oceanic adventure from home” for its fans. Along with a virtual classroom, the aquarium’s live webcams give guests the chance to see what the animals are up to at any given time.
San Diego Zoo, San Diego, Calif.
A dedicated website and YouTube channel for kids are just two examples of the many ways the San Diego Zoo is communicating with its audience.
Live webcams allow people to peek in on the habitats of pandas, burrowing owls, elephants, polar bears, koalas, giraffes, tigers, condors and more.
Ripley’s Aquariums – multiple locations
The new Ripley’s Aquariums at Home program has a full schedule. It includes live Facebook events, Story Time Live!, arts and crafts, downloadable educational material and more.
Urban Air Adventure Parks – multiple locations
Urban Air Adventure Parks are hosting Facebook Live sessions. They provide cooking tips for kids from their corporate chef.
A virtual scavenger hunts inside the parks and other engaging activities through its social channels.
Escapology – multiple locations
Escapology, the live escape game attraction, has created #DailyDistinction Brainiac Challenge puzzles on its Facebook page.
Fans can have fun trying to solve them.
The quick games are similar to challenges guests face when in one of the attraction’s mystery room.
The National Cowboy Museum, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Not all content has to be focused on kids. The National Cowboy Museum has created a unique and hilarious commentary on its Twitter channel.
The daily content is provided by the museum’s head of security. They take a full, unfiltered look at the museum’s exhibits.
The attractions industry continues to innovate and entertain its guests.
Explore from Home
We may be spending a lot of time at home but, at least you can be entertained. Make sure to visit their websites to find even more fun content.
Thanks for doing your part and staying home!
Which virtual attractions are you going to watch right now?
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Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
