Interactive Historical Virtual Reality Field Trips

Virtual reality offers everyone the chance to visit places they’ve read about but might never be able to go in person. That’s especially true when you consider that VR can also allow you to time-travel, experiencing a place or event in history as if you’re actually there. Museums and historic sites have embraced virtual reality as a way to make visiting and learning about their subjects more available to a wide variety of visitors. So get ready to understand history in an entirely new way!

The Great Wall of ChinaWalk down a wall that was constructed beginning in the 5th century B.C.E. and experience the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape without the crowds.

The AcropolisOne of the most famous sights in the world is within reach when virtual visitors enter through the Propylaea and visit the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion. Whenever the visitor turns, they can see panoramic views of the city of Athens.

The Museum of the WorldThe British Museum put together this virtual exhibit that allows users to travel along a timeline and learn about everything from the Rosetta Stone to 18th-century Japanese art objects as they move through time.

The ColosseumDesigned to host sporting events with up to 50,000 spectators, this Roman relic offers private and pre-recorded virtual tours.

Dunkirk VR Experience: Find Yourself on the Shores of Dunkirk Fighting to SurviveTime magazine helped produce this virtual reality experience that drops users onto Dunkirk’s beaches as one of the British soldiers waiting for rescue in the aftermath of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Originally intended as part of the marketing strategy for Christopher Nolan’s 2017 film, it offers a haunting and detailed re-creation of the soldier’s experience.

The Anne Frank House in Virtual RealityThe story of Anne Frank and the diary she kept as her family hid from the Nazis brings the Holocaust and its victims to life like few other stories are able to accomplish. The house where they hid is now a museum, and its website offers a wealth of content about Frank and what she experienced during World War II. The virtual reality tour of the annex where she hid helps people who can’t visit Amsterdam reach a deeper understanding of Frank and all those like her.

360° Video: Viking and Slav Reenactors Face Off in an Epic BattleMore than 600 re-enactors were involved with this re-creation of a Viking and Slav battle, armed with period-appropriate swords and axes. The 360-degree camera allows users to immerse themselves in an intense battle as the location and sounds of swords and axes clashing make the experience as real as possible.

The Sistine ChapelOne of the most historically important pieces of art in Europe is available to tour virtually. Learn about Michelangelo’s masterpiece and the historical significance of Renaissance artists while viewing the mural.

Beyond the Battlefield: A Virtual Field TripWhole families will enjoy a trip behind the scenes of the Museum of the American Revolution hosted by Lauren Tarshis, author of the popular book series I Survived. Along the way, visitors will discover artifacts from soldiers and learn the stories of two teenage soldiers.

TitanicStudents can explore one of the most famous shipwrecks of all time when they step onto the Titanic as it looked when it left Britain on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

Holy Land Virtual TourVirtual reality visits to more than 45 sites of historical significance can be toured in this in-depth overview.

The Tomb of Queen Meresankh IIIAlthough it’s not a pyramid like its more famous neighbors, the tomb of Queen Meresankh III is considered one of the most beautifully designed Egyptian tombs. Produced by Harvard’s Giza project, this VR experience allows visitors to see the well-preserved bas-relief artwork that retains its beautiful coloring after all these centuries.

Taj Mahal Virtual TourVisit the grounds and interior of this Indian mausoleum constructed in the 17th century in the city of Agra.

Machu PicchuDiscovered in 1911, this site is thought to have been built as a palace for an Incan ruler during the 1400s. It was abandoned sometime in the 16th century. During the virtual tour, visitors will see 360-degree vistas from various lookout points, and an informative narration is available.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Museum Virtual TourFranklin D. Roosevelt was the president of the United States during a significant portion of the Great Depression and almost the entirety of World War II, and he was also the only president to be elected for four terms. The interactive and virtual exhibits here allow online visitors to learn about the war, the Depression, the New Deal, and the lives of Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor.

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural CentreThe history and present of the Squamish and Lil’wat nations in Canada are on display in this in-depth tour of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.

Ellis IslandAn immersive, informative virtual experience allows visitors to understand what Ellis Island was like for immigrants who entered the country there.

Mount RushmoreMount Rushmore is one of the best-known sculptures in the United States. Sculpting the faces of the presidents took 14 years, and more than 3 million tourists visit annually. Virtual visitors can experience the Avenue of Flags, travel down the Presidential Trail, and see artist Gutzon Borglum’s studio.

Step Inside AircraftThe Museum of Flight offers both 360-degree galleries and 3D tours of various airplanes in their collection. Airplanes available for virtual tours include the Concorde and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The museum has more than 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 aviation artifacts in its collection, many of which can be viewed online.