The social distancing and quarantine orders are helping all of us to stay Coronavirus free. Being homebound doesn’t have to be bothersome, especially since it’s the most sacred of holy holidays, Passover and Easter. How about checking my list? I complied with historic sites, museums, and attractions for free virtual experiences.
Hopefully, during this unprecedented time in history, we’re learning to love and grow together during this international health crisis. We all have lots of free time and nowhere to go. Already sitting on the couch, why not expand your cultural and artistic experiences from the comforts of home?
No waiting in line, forget the crowds, and who doesn’t like free admission? How? Thanks to the Google Arts and Culture page and other websites, here’s my list of historic sites, museums, and attractions for free virtual experiences:
Sistine Chapel: visitors can tour the interior artworks of the chapel, including its renowned ceiling and “The Last Judgement,” by the Renaissance-era painter Michangelo.
Guggenheim Museum: The Guggenheim is offering VCs access to its contemporary art collection through a partnership with Google Arts & Culture. Using the Street View feature, you can tour the museum’s iconic architecture, sprawling design, and galleries.
The Louvre: Last year, the world’s most visited museum. I visited in 2012 and 2016.
Metropolitan Opera House: The MET in New York will host nightly encore performances of some of its most iconic shows throughout its season. The free streams go live at 7:30 p.m. each day and be available for 20 hours after the performance
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA): The MoMa is one of the over 500 museums and galleries Google Arts and Culture Partnerships
Van Gogh Museum: The most extensive Van Gogh Collection in the world
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Current exhibits include the Butterfly Pavillion and the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils
Yosemite National Park: Yosemite’s iconic landmarks include the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the top of the Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls.
The Great Wall of China: China’s most famous attraction
San Diego Zoo: The most visited zoo in the country is known for its open-air, cageless natural habitats and one of the few zoos in the country that spearheaded the conservation efforts of giant pandas.
British Museum
I love a fashion exhibit. My love of fashion didn’t start when I minored in Textiles in college. I’m always enamored with fashion and beauty; here’s a high dose of Fashion Museum exhibits, all free virtual experiences:
SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion and Film
The Museum at FIT
The Victoria and Albert Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: There is no Met Gala this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs: I viewed the Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs exhibit on my first visit to Paris in August 2012.
FIDM Museum Galleries
Kyoto Costume Institute
Conde Nast Archive
Museo Salvatore Ferragamo
MoMu Fashion Museum Antwerp
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
My love of museums started as a child when my parents, on holidays, would take my older brother and me to local museums and attractions in Philadelphia. The Franklin Institute and Zoo are always a favorite. I didn’t discover the Philadelphia Museum of Art until college. Finally, that tradition continued during my secondary education. Every year for spring, my all-girls high school took yearly trips to the Big Apple to tour museum exhibits and see Broadway plays.
Here in Central Pennsylvania, the virus is not slowing down. Whether you live in the Harrisburg area or not, do help flatten the curve by practicing social distancing, staying at home unless shopping for essentials, and wearing a mask to limit Corona exposure.
As always, thank you for reading. Enjoy Passover and Easter as much as possible. Have a fantastic week.
