As travellers continue to plan, plot and prepare for where to go when the coronavirus pandemic passes, we offer a sample of virtual experiences to help inspire ideas, or simply pass some time. Part 3 of our series focusses on the north part of south of the border.
Pennsylvania
A new campaign by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau features ways to interact with the city’s offerings from home, including Facebook Live from the Philadelphia Zoo, a Philadelphia Spotify list, and recipes for a famous Philly Cheesesteak. Check out the Philadelphia from Home blog on the CVB web site.
Maryland
Baltimore’s National Aquarium knows there’s nothing like experiencing the attraction firsthand, but for now, live cams are the next best thing. Viewers are invited to tune into Blacktip Reef, Jellies Invasion and Pacific Coral Reef livestreams and enjoy a piece of the Aquarium from home. (Note: Cameras are only live streaming during business hours. After hours, a recorded live stream segment is played). Go to aqua.org.
New York
• A full listing for New York City is available HERE.
New Hampshire
• Mount Washington Hotel is one of the last surviving grand hotels in the White Mountains and includes an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, as well as the hotel’s original 9-hole course designed by A.H. Findlay. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Take a tour online.
• NH LiveFree360 on YouTube introduces a host of virtual videos, from hiking to fly fishing to experiencing a “sun-drenched” summer day Lake Winnipesaukee.
• Kids can take a trip through Story Land, a theme park that has offered rides and entertainment to thousands of families with young children for over 65 years.
Massachusetts
• The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is inviting visitors to experience their artworks virtually. Each day, the museum highlights various pieces of art housed within its walls on its social media channels. And if visitors would like to see a particular piece featured, they can even send a request for possible inclusion in a future post via Instagram and Facebook.
• 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.
• A full list of virtual experience in Massachusetts is available HERE:
Illinois
Chicago
Chicago is a bustling city and no less so during the pandemic with a host of virtual and online options available for those who can’t visit in person. Visit choosechicago.com and the web and social media sites of individual attractions for a wide range of experiences, such as videos of Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio, Facebook broadcasts from the Lincoln Park zoo, live cam from the Shedd Aquarium, online comedy classes from Second City, and recipes from countless chefs. Additionally, virtual visitors can roam the halls of many Chicago museums from the comfort of their home courtesy of Google Arts & Culture. Check out this SITE for virtual events.
Oregon
Oregon takes its nature-based wellness seriously, so Travel Oregon is sharing its favourite Moments of Zen, and other virtual tours, in hopes of offering some mindfulness who may not be able to get to the state at the momet. The 20-minute videos take viewers around the state and include a musical performance at The Painted Hills; painting Autumn colours en plein air at Lithia Park; fly fishing on the Deschutes River, and more. Viewers can also explore Oregon sites like the Columbia River Gorge, Smith Rock State Park, Hellgate Canyon and others in 360-degree video. Search YouTube for Oregon Zen and Oregon 360 respectively.
Alaska
Explore Fairbanks is showcasing five brand new virtual experiences including a dog sled ride through a snowy pristine forest, a float down the Chena River on that perfect summer day and a panoramic mountain scene from nearby Murphy Dome. In addition, web visitors can virtually experience the midnight sun, the northern lights and other great views of the Fairbanks region, including during the Summer Solstice on June 21. Another unique way to delve into virtual-type reality is via the Midnight Sun Tracker, which will turn into an Aurora Borealis tracker in August. Go to tourist board web site for links.
