As travellers continue to plan, plot and prepare for where to go when the coronavirus epidemic passes, we offer a sample of virtual experiences from south of the border to help inspire ideas, or simply pass some time. Part 2 of our series focusses on the US east coast.
South Carolina
• From James Taylor to Hootie and the Blowfish, Myrtle Beach has put together a Spotify and YouTube playlist to help stay in touch with visitors; so, as Visit MB says, “grab a beachy refreshment and enjoy these Myrtle Beach vibes.
• Visitors to the Visit Myrtle Beach web site are also invited to share a favourite Myrtle Beach memory with a chance to win a two-night getaway for two. Entries are due by June 12.
Florida
• Florida is inviting cooped up Canadians to the beach… from the comfort of home. Check out the tourist board’s customizable Florida Beach Finder on its website, which is powered by Google, offering 360-degree views captured “one step at a time.”
• Search Virtual Kissimmee on the organization’s web site for a host of online experiences on the Central Florida destination and its attractions (such as Disney World) or similarly enter Experience Kissimmee on YouTube for more videos. EK has also put together a Spotify playlist featuring the sounds of Disney parks to give you an auditory trip until you can visit again.
• Visit St. Pete/Clearwater aims to bring its beaches into the living room “one wave at time” with an a 75-minute video/soundtrack of rolling waves, available on the CVB website. It’s “pure bliss.”
• From the Glazer Children’s Museum’s learning hub to The Florida Aquarium’s daily live broadcast, SEA-SPAN, dozens of virtual experiences and live streaming content from partners like Busch Gardens, ZooTampa and Tampa Theatre can be found Visit Tampa Bay’s web site.
• Visit Jacksonville’s virtual experience hub (via its website) includes 360-degree immersive videos of such experiences as surfing, fishing hiking and the Jacksonville Symphony, live camera feeds, and a virtual trip planner, while #JaxFromHome hashtag on social media (@visit-jax) is a link to live Instagram and Facebook watch parties at local attractions including the Jacksonville Zoo and Catty Shack Ranch; virtual classes from top chefs, artists and entertainers; printable word search puzzles; and more.
• Wild Florida is inviting people from across the globe to listen as they explore uninterrupted natural sounds every #WildWednesday. Sounds will range from daybreak on the Florida swamps to giraffes enjoying their dinner. Each listening experience will be posted on Wild Florida’s social media channels.
• For a full report on Orlando, click HERE.
Maryland
• While it can’t match the beauty of the Chesapeake firsthand, armchair travellers can take a virtual tour of some of the Chesapeake Trail’s scenic rivers, scope out the access site, or just soak in the beauty from the screen with the perspective of a paddler through the Chesapeake Conservancy.
• Take a dive into the National Aquarium in Baltimore on the attraction’s web site.
Massachusetts
• The award-winning state-wide Art Week creative festival offers hundreds of events featuring unique and interactive experiences that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. This year the team is setting up a virtual version of the week with #ArtWeekatHome happening May 1-10.
• The Salem Witch Museum is now offering virtual online tours on its web site. The museum focuses on educating people about all aspects of the famous Salem Witch Trials.
• The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is encouraging everyone to #MuseumfromHome and experience their artworks virtually. Each day, the museum highlights various pieces of art housed within its walls on their social media channels. People are also invited to send requests that may be featured in a future post.
• The Berkshire Botanical Gardens is offering virtual learning opportunities to anyone looking to hone their gardening skills. These virtual opportunities range from online gardening classes, tours, fun facts, Q&A sessions, upbeat videos, family craft projects and more.
North Carolina
• North Carolina is known for its beautiful gardens and several of them can be explored virtually, and bug free, online. They include The Elizabethan Gardens in the Outer Banks, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, in Durham, Biltmore Blooms in Ashville. Check out the web sites and/or YouTube.
• Explore more than 20 iconic mountain hikes in the Asheville area on the CVB’s web site.
• Take flight with Kitty Hawk Kites in a tandem hang glider for a 360 view of Currituck, in the Outer Banks on YouTube.
• Check out some of the great water activities that Bryson City and the Great Smokies have to offer including: White Water rafting down the Nantahala River, Creek tubing, fly fishing and more on the Great Smokies web site.
Virginia
• Virginia is offering a literal taste of the state via online recipes that encourage potential visitors to serve up some of the region’s signature dishes, ranging from oyster stew to lamb meatloaf. They’re available on the Eat. Drink. Love. section of the website, as is other culinary content.
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