Free Virtual Field Trips and Other Money-Saving Online Tours

Exploring the world from your couch with virtual field trips and online tours is a wonderful way to engage and enjoy some of the most historically significant and interesting places in the world, no matter your travel budget or restraints. See places you've always dreamed of; ancient ruins, deep oceans, or even outer space. Virtual tours and experiences give you a glimpse into global history and help students and their families connect on a deeper level, giving context and a frame of reference as history and science are taught.

Historical Sites and Landmarks

Virtual tours allow us to travel back in time to explore historical landmarks without the long flights or expensive tickets. Take a walk through Rome's Colosseum or explore the pyramids of Ancient Egypt; history is at your fingertips.

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy: Take a 360-degree tour of this ancient amphitheater where gladiators once battled.
Machu Picchu, Peru: Explore the breathtaking Inca citadel high in the Andes mountains. The Great Wall of China: Walk along sections of this incredible ancient defense structure.
Acropolis, Athens, Greece: See the iconic Parthenon and other ancient ruins.
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: Get an up-close look at these magnificent wonders of the ancient world.

The White House

The White House, the home to the president of the United States, the first family, and countless meaningful items connected to the legacy of democracy.

White House Virtual Tour: Walk through some of the halls of the White House and get a behind-the-scenes look at life within its walls.
The People's House: With dollhouse and floorplan perspectives, you will get a better sense of the scale and grandeur of the White House.

The Vatican

Visiting the heart of Rome to explore Vatican City's masterpieces is on the bucket list of many. These virtual tours let you visit famous religious and artistic landmarks, including the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica, no passport needed.

Vatican Museums Virtual Tours: Breathtaking artwork can be found in the Vatican. With many different areas to explore, everyone has their own favorite.
St. Peter's Basilica: Explore this stunning church with a virtual walkthrough and learn more about the history and purpose of various sites.

Museums Around the World

These museums have opened their virtual doors so you can enjoy art, science, and culture from around the globe, whether you're into ancient artifacts or world-famous paintings.

The Louvre Museum, Paris, France: Take a virtual tour of some of its most famous exhibits, including ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Explore the exhibits and halls of the National Museum of Natural History from your screen.
British Museum, London, UK: Discover millions of objects worldwide through their virtual gallery.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA: Take 360-degree tours of famous art galleries.

War & Military History Museums

Explore powerful stories of resilience and conflict through virtual visits to military museums. These tours bring history to life with aircraft, war memorabilia, and educational resources on global conflicts.

National Museum of the United States Air Force: Take a virtual tour of the world's largest military aviation museum.
National Naval Aviation Museum: Explore naval aviation history through virtual exhibits.

Space Tours

Virtual space tours offer us a unique perspective on our planet and our place in the solar system. You can walk through NASA research centers and labs to see how scientists today are working to better understand and explore outer space, tour the International Space Station, or explore Mars through high-resolution 3D models. These virtual field trips are perfect for aspiring astronauts and curious minds alike.

NASA Glenn Research Center Virtual Tours: Explore the Glenn Research Center and some of the different projects they have going on.
International Space Station (ISS) Tour: Explore the different modules of the ISS.
The Kennedy Space Center: Explore the Kennedy Space Center, the site responsible for every U.S. manned space flight since 1968.

Under the Sea/Aquariums

Get ready to go underwater with virtual aquarium tours and live streams that let you dive into the ocean and get up close with marine life-from sea otters and jellyfish to deep-sea robots on real-time expeditions.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cams: Watch live cams of sea otters, sharks, jellyfish, and more.
Georgia Aquarium Live Webcams: Explore various exhibits and watch live cams of their aquatic residents.
National Aquarium: Take a virtual tour and learn about different marine species.
Ocean Exploration Trust - Nautilus Live: Join ocean explorers on their expeditions and see incredible deep-sea discoveries.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Explore this incredible underwater ecosystem.

Nature and National Parks

When you can't get out into nature in person, virtual park tours let you hike, climb, and explore stunning landscapes without ever leaving your living room. That fresh-air feeling hits differently, even from your screen. Several national Parks offer opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, no matter where you are.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland: Explore this unique natural rock formation in Northern Ireland.
Grand Canyon National Park: Take a virtual hike through the breathtaking canyon.
Zion National Park, USA: Explore the stunning red rock cliffs and canyons.
Yosemite National Park, USA: Explore famous spots like El Capitan and Half Dome with 360-degree videos.
Yellowstone National Park: Witness geysers, hot springs, and wildlife through virtual tours.

Miscellaneous Adventures

There's no shortage of virtual fun online to satisfy curious minds, from factory tours to animal livestreams and coral reef dives. These experiences are quirky, educational, and perfect for filling a free afternoon.

M&M's Factory Tour: Get a virtual peek inside the world of M&M's.
San Diego Zoo Live Cams: Watch your favorite animals from home.

Other Fun Activities For Families on a Budget

There are so many different ways to make a staycation fun for your family. Here are a few simple, budget-friendly ideas to keep the fun going even when the budget is tight.

Have a themed movie night: Pick a theme, make some popcorn, and enjoy a cozy night.
Get creative with crafts: Use materials you already have around the house to make art.
Go for a nature walk or hike: Explore local parks or trails.
Bake or cook together: Try a new recipe or make your favorite treats.
Game night: Dust off those board games or card games for some friendly competition.
Visit your local library: Borrow books, movies, or even attend free events.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you create yourself. And remember, wherever you are, discovery is just a click (or a craft supply box) away. When your adventures take you out of the home, do your research ahead of time to see what types of coupons and discount codes might be available to help you save on the things you want to do.