Top 10 virtual vacations you can enjoy from home
By
Staff, AccuWeather
Published Apr 15, 2020 7:41 PM EDT
As COVID-19 keeps more would-be vacationers closer to home, AccuWeather's Dexter Henry takes a look at a new travel option that is gaining popularity.
With tens of thousands of new COVID-19 cases being reported around the world, tighter social distancing and travel restrictions are being implemented every day to keep people safe and to stop the spread. The travel industry is taking a huge hit with many airlines scaling back flights and hotel rooms sitting empty or being used to give first responders a safe place to stay so they don’t possibly expose their families to the deadly virus. With millions of Americans being forced to work from home and stay indoors longer than what we’re typically used to, many are itching for a safe getaway. Virtual vacations are rising in popularity since the “safer at home” guidelines were mandated by city and state government leaders. This allows people to momentarily escape the monotony of adapting to the current coronavirus restrictions. Whether you choose an exotic beach vacation destination or want to be a thrill-seeker at an amusement park, the internet has you covered.
Let’s check out the top 10 virtual vacation spots you can enjoy from the comforts of your couch.
Photo by Robert Bye
Robert Bye
New York, NY
New York City is one of the top vacation spots in the world with more than 65 million people visiting each year. “The Big Apple” has a lot to offer virtual vacationers as they can see world-famous sites like Broadway, Times Square, and 5th Avenue, You can also take in that stunning NYC skyline...from a safe distance.
-
Visit Broadway here.
-
Visit Times Square here.
-
Visit 5th Avenue here.
-
Check out the gorgeous NYC skyline here.
Photo by Dave Herring
Dave Herring
Los Angeles, CA
Sun, surf, shopping, celebrities -- Los Angeles has a lot to offer the 50 million people who vacation here every year. There are so many great places to take in a virtual vacation in L.A. and SoCal. You can see vacationers from around the world flock to the TCL Chinese Theater to see how their hands and feet stack up to celebrities, gawk at the iconic Hollywood sign, or catch surfers hanging 10 at one of the many pristine L.A. beaches.
-
Visit TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood here.
-
Visit the Hollywood sign here.
-
Visit Santa Monica State Beach here.
Photo by Luke McKeown
Luke McKeown
Kauai, HI
Kauai is known as “The Garden Isle” thanks to a lush tropical rainforest that covers much of the island. The rainforest in Kauai isn’t just the top tourist attraction, the dramatic cliffs and pinnacles draw people from all across the world to this paradise setting. Those cliffs and pinnacles have actually been used in blockbuster movies like “Jurassic World” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” just to name a few. Hikers love Kauai because of the 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon and the Nounou Trails traversing the Sleeping Giant mountain ridge.
St. Jean Bay, St. Barths
St. Barths is one of the pricier parts of the Caribbean, but you don’t have to break your bank to enjoy the breathtaking beauty. Grab a cocktail, kick back, and let your worries wash away in the gorgeous turquoise water at this virtual vacation destination.You may even want to crank up the heat at your home so it feels a little more tropical!
-
Visit St Jean Bay, St. Barths here.
Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq
Nicolas J Leclercq
Reykjavík, Iceland
Reykjavík, the capital city of iceland, may be a little cold, but, you don’t have to bundle up if you’re visiting this virtual vacation destination from the comfort of your couch. An estimated 2 million people vacation in Reykjavík each year to visit sights like the abandoned DC plane on a beach or the stunning Northern Lights.
Photo by Harshil Gudka
Harshil Gudka
Laikipia County, Kenya
If your kids’ favorite movie is The Lion King, you can show them a real-life version thanks to this virtual vacation safari that is about 5 hours away from Nairobi, Kenya. Thousands of elephants roam around this space and even take a dip in the cooling waters.
-
Visit the Laikipia County, Kenya safari here.
Photo by Andy Falconer
Andy Falconer
Thanks to the hit song by Barry Manilow, this is one of the most famous beaches in the world. Copacabana is on a long stretch of Rio’s Atlantic coast. It’s teeming with tourists and resorts so you’re bound to see a lot of people swarming the sand to catch some rays. You don’t have to deal with the crowds or the sand getting stuck in your shoes on this virtual vacation.
-
Visit Copacabana Beach here.
Johnny Bhalla
Johnny Bhalla
Sydney, Australia
Head “Down Under” without having to deal with a grueling 24-hour long flight to get to Sydney, Australia. More than 10 million people visit Sydney each year. Put some shrimp on the barbie as you start your virtual vacation and log onto a live camera that shows the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge with the skyline as the backdrop.
Photo y Jovyn Chamb
Jovyn Chamb
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal is the ultimate show of affection. The palace was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The estate also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb itself is the centerpiece of a 42-acre complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a wall. Each year, 7 to 8 million visitors visit the site in Agra, India.
-
Take a virtual tour of The Taj Mahal here.
Photo by Ferdinand Stöhr
Ferdinand Stöhr
Buckingham Palace, London, UK
Go behind the doors of Queen Elizabeth II’s premier palace thanks to this virtual tour.
Located in Westminster, the 775-room Buckingham Palace has served as the administrative headquarters for the British monarch since 1837. It was built in 1703 as Buckingham House - a London residence for John Sheffield, the 3rd Earl of Mulgrave. However, it was Queen Victoria who was the first British monarch to use the palace as their official residence when she moved there in 1837
-
Take a virtual tour of Buckingham Palace here.
Photo by Frank Vessia
Frank Vessia
We all need a little escape from dealing with the gravity of the global coronavirus pandemic and these are 10 virtual vacation destinations that can do the trick. In the meantime, it’s critically important to stay up to date on the latest developments in the COVID-19 fight. We’ll have the latest information on our site, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Report a Typo
News / Travel
Top 10 virtual vacations you can enjoy from home
By Staff, AccuWeather
Published Apr 15, 2020 7:41 PM EDT
As COVID-19 keeps more would-be vacationers closer to home, AccuWeather's Dexter Henry takes a look at a new travel option that is gaining popularity.
With tens of thousands of new COVID-19 cases being reported around the world, tighter social distancing and travel restrictions are being implemented every day to keep people safe and to stop the spread. The travel industry is taking a huge hit with many airlines scaling back flights and hotel rooms sitting empty or being used to give first responders a safe place to stay so they don’t possibly expose their families to the deadly virus. With millions of Americans being forced to work from home and stay indoors longer than what we’re typically used to, many are itching for a safe getaway. Virtual vacations are rising in popularity since the “safer at home” guidelines were mandated by city and state government leaders. This allows people to momentarily escape the monotony of adapting to the current coronavirus restrictions. Whether you choose an exotic beach vacation destination or want to be a thrill-seeker at an amusement park, the internet has you covered.
Let’s check out the top 10 virtual vacation spots you can enjoy from the comforts of your couch.
Photo by Robert Bye
New York, NY
New York City is one of the top vacation spots in the world with more than 65 million people visiting each year. “The Big Apple” has a lot to offer virtual vacationers as they can see world-famous sites like Broadway, Times Square, and 5th Avenue, You can also take in that stunning NYC skyline...from a safe distance.
Visit Broadway here.
Visit Times Square here.
Visit 5th Avenue here.
Check out the gorgeous NYC skyline here.
Photo by Dave Herring
Los Angeles, CA
Sun, surf, shopping, celebrities -- Los Angeles has a lot to offer the 50 million people who vacation here every year. There are so many great places to take in a virtual vacation in L.A. and SoCal. You can see vacationers from around the world flock to the TCL Chinese Theater to see how their hands and feet stack up to celebrities, gawk at the iconic Hollywood sign, or catch surfers hanging 10 at one of the many pristine L.A. beaches.
Visit TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood here.
Visit the Hollywood sign here.
Visit Santa Monica State Beach here.
Photo by Luke McKeown
Kauai, HI
Kauai is known as “The Garden Isle” thanks to a lush tropical rainforest that covers much of the island. The rainforest in Kauai isn’t just the top tourist attraction, the dramatic cliffs and pinnacles draw people from all across the world to this paradise setting. Those cliffs and pinnacles have actually been used in blockbuster movies like “Jurassic World” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” just to name a few. Hikers love Kauai because of the 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon and the Nounou Trails traversing the Sleeping Giant mountain ridge.
Visit Kauai here.
St. Jean Bay, St. Barths
St. Barths is one of the pricier parts of the Caribbean, but you don’t have to break your bank to enjoy the breathtaking beauty. Grab a cocktail, kick back, and let your worries wash away in the gorgeous turquoise water at this virtual vacation destination.You may even want to crank up the heat at your home so it feels a little more tropical!
Visit St Jean Bay, St. Barths here.
Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq
Reykjavík, Iceland
Reykjavík, the capital city of iceland, may be a little cold, but, you don’t have to bundle up if you’re visiting this virtual vacation destination from the comfort of your couch. An estimated 2 million people vacation in Reykjavík each year to visit sights like the abandoned DC plane on a beach or the stunning Northern Lights.
Visit Reykjavik here.
Photo by Harshil Gudka
Laikipia County, Kenya
If your kids’ favorite movie is The Lion King, you can show them a real-life version thanks to this virtual vacation safari that is about 5 hours away from Nairobi, Kenya. Thousands of elephants roam around this space and even take a dip in the cooling waters.
Visit the Laikipia County, Kenya safari here.
Photo by Andy Falconer
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Thanks to the hit song by Barry Manilow, this is one of the most famous beaches in the world. Copacabana is on a long stretch of Rio’s Atlantic coast. It’s teeming with tourists and resorts so you’re bound to see a lot of people swarming the sand to catch some rays. You don’t have to deal with the crowds or the sand getting stuck in your shoes on this virtual vacation.
Visit Copacabana Beach here.
Johnny Bhalla
Sydney, Australia
Head “Down Under” without having to deal with a grueling 24-hour long flight to get to Sydney, Australia. More than 10 million people visit Sydney each year. Put some shrimp on the barbie as you start your virtual vacation and log onto a live camera that shows the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge with the skyline as the backdrop.
Visit Sydney here.
Photo y Jovyn Chamb
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal is the ultimate show of affection. The palace was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The estate also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb itself is the centerpiece of a 42-acre complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a wall. Each year, 7 to 8 million visitors visit the site in Agra, India.
Take a virtual tour of The Taj Mahal here.
Photo by Ferdinand Stöhr
Buckingham Palace, London, UK
Go behind the doors of Queen Elizabeth II’s premier palace thanks to this virtual tour.
Located in Westminster, the 775-room Buckingham Palace has served as the administrative headquarters for the British monarch since 1837. It was built in 1703 as Buckingham House - a London residence for John Sheffield, the 3rd Earl of Mulgrave. However, it was Queen Victoria who was the first British monarch to use the palace as their official residence when she moved there in 1837
Take a virtual tour of Buckingham Palace here.
Photo by Frank Vessia
We all need a little escape from dealing with the gravity of the global coronavirus pandemic and these are 10 virtual vacation destinations that can do the trick. In the meantime, it’s critically important to stay up to date on the latest developments in the COVID-19 fight. We’ll have the latest information on our site, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Related: