Unique ways to experience virtual FUN!
We have now moved into a new era. From stay-at-home work to virtually everything. Our lives have changed to accommodate a new wave of thinking. Not all of us are familiar with virtual online activity. There are now options for big events such as virtual live stream music, travel, museum tours, and virtual learning. If you want a bit of direction, here are some interesting virtual experiences that you can try out.
Virtual Learning
The learning never stops! We can now go online with the highest-level universities to upgrade our knowledge for FREE! From Yale University to the University of Toronto here is a list of a few universities that offer a variety of free online courses. Yale University, Harvard University, Stanford University, The University of Toronto, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and many more options to learn about anything that appeals to you from Technology to Mindfulness to Physics, explore and enjoy! 20 Best Free Online Certifications & Courses for 2021.
Virtual Library
Still have your library card and wondering what to do with it now? Our Toronto Public Library offers online borrowing of books for free. Whether you like fiction, non-fiction, murder mysteries, or romance, this free virtual resource is a great new way to escape into your favourite book. Reading is one of the best ways to expand your mind and now you can take part in this option from your home or anywhere!
Toronto Library LINK to register
Alternatively, Hoopla is another platform that offers free streaming for audiobooks, music, and e-books.
hoopla | streaming audiobooks, music, video & ebooks
Virtual Music
You can now experience live-streamed concerts, vocalists, or bands online. 'TO DO CANADA' has options from all across Canada on what to do virtually every month. Super easy to use, just go to the link and sign up!
You can also try something local with Eventbrite music. There are numerous choices for local bands to help you stay locally connected and still enjoy some of our Summer season events like the Beaches Jazz Festival.
If you are interested in traveling afar virtually….have a look at Lockdown Presents. Virtual performers are specializing in Jazz, Opera, and Classical music. From independent vocalists to saxophones this unique site allows you to stream live from wherever you please.
In the mood to spice it up with EDM or House music? DJ Manzone & Strong have live podcasts and live streams. Check out these local DJ's and get hyped up any day of the week!
Virtual Wine Tasting
Being Canadian and proud we love our hockey! Although Wayne Gretzky is famous for his amazing accomplishments in hockey, I can say that the taste of his wine is delicious! With Wayne Gretzky Estates they have virtual events from wine tasting to sampling of their other fantastic spirits such as their Maple Cask Whiskey, Canadian Cream Whisk and several varieties of craft beers. Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery is Niagara's newest wine country destination. Make it easy and order online from The Wine Shop.
Want to try more unique wines? Or choose options from around the world?! New World Wine Tours provides an option for easy delivery right to your door. Set up a cheese board, pop open a bottle, and taste wine with a sommelier featured via Zoom from the comfort of your own home. Don't want to worry about shopping? New World Wine arrange for wine and food to be delivered to your door.
Virtual Museums
Missing culture and travel? If you are like me and craving the opportunity to travel and experience the amazing culture that other countries offer this virtual opportunity is for you!
Louvre, Paris
Did you know that The Louvre Palace was created as a fortress by King Philip II in the late 12th century? The Louvre Museum is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris. It is best known for being the home of the Mona Lisa. A painting everyone needs to experience. Take a tour of their art online!
AGO, Toronto
The Art Gallery of Ontario offers engaging and interactive private virtual art talks led by professional art educators. You can explore the collection through conversation and group members exchanging their ideas and observations on the selected artworks.
The Met, New York
The Met hosts several events, but one of the tops is the MET Gala. Referred to as "fashion's biggest night out," this fundraising event has a different theme each year! A treasury of rare and beautiful objects containing a collection of humanity's greatest accomplishments. From Edgar Degas' ballerinas to Claude Monet's water lilies collection, it is definitely a must-see! Take a virtual tour of the MET and find an amazing way to expand your knowledge.
Rijks, Amsterdam
Amsterdam is famous for its canals, beautiful houses, 'coffee' shops, and Red-Light District, but there's plenty more to this liberal city than most visitors realize. The Rijks Museum has masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer, including a small Asian collection on display in the Asian Pavilion. In addition, artifacts showcase Amsterdam's Golden Age beginnings through to recent artistic innovations. A perfect way to see the talent expressed through the media of art throughout the ages. Something you don't want to miss.
Picasso Museum, Barcelona
Picasso is one of the utmost influences on 20th-century art. Pablo Picasso often mixed various styles to create wholly new interpretations of what he saw. He was a driving force in the development of Cubism. Famous for, Guernica which was exhibited at the Spanish display at the 1937 Paris International Exposition and then at other venues worldwide. The Picasso Museum hosts a vast online catalogue of Pablo's best bits, this temple to all thing's Picasso, offers a 360-degree tour of some of the best-preserved Medieval architecture in Barcelona.
Musee d'Orsay, Paris
Musee d'Orsay is famous for its vast collection of Impressionist paintings, holding the most significant number of paintings in the world by the painters we love —Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Morisot, and Renoir. Who doesn't want to view the most unique images in the world from a beautiful location? Did you know that Musee d'Orsay was once a train station! The idea of a train station came about in 1900 when Paris planned to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
British Museum, London
This virtual experience of the British Museum is one of the most unique and fun ways to view art. The graphics on this tour are crazy; think an intergalactic guitar fretboard. Tap through a musical guide to Africa, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Europe – and play a little tune along the way. Were you aware that the British Museum houses an object over two million years old!! The Olduvai Stone Chopping Tool is one of the oldest objects in the British Museum.
Virtual Live Cameras
Everyone knows about the fireplace channel during Christmas time. There are now more options for you to experience unique get-a-ways right from the comfort of your own home. From the African elephant park to the tropical fish live feed, there is something to peak everyone's interest. Explore.org has a growing library consisting of more than 250 original films and 30,000 photographs from around the world that include live feeds ranging from tropical fish to African Mozambique Elephant Park and Zen cams in Hawaii. A perfect way to experience new and exciting opportunities virtually!
Ripley's Toronto Aquarium
Looking for a fun, educational and local virtual adventure? Try the Ripley's Toronto Aquarium Virtual Tour!! They will teach you about the science of diving to feedings with live scuba divers. Offering 10 galleries to choose from, there is a unique and fun experience for everyone! Have a look a the Aquarium Gallery to choose your favourite underwater creature!
Virtual Rollercoasters
From Canada's Wonderland virtual rollercoasters to Tokyo's rollercoaster adventures there are many options to ride roller coasters virtually. From scary twists and turns to spinning rides endless options await for everyone.
Who can't say that every kid or even adult has wanted to visit Disney World? You may not be able to visit in person, but there are virtual options! Explore the world of Harry Potter or take the kids to the Magic Kingdom, enjoy the theme parks virtually. Or if you want more theme park adventures like Universal Studios, visit the site Visit Orlando.
Even though these are not live rides, nothing stops you from taking an empty laundry basket and placing your tiny person inside it while streaming it on a big screen at home. The motions will be very similar. An exciting, fun, and safe way to experience a new adventure.