Special Report
Virtual Travel
To support those searching for armchair travel inspiration, Smithsonian magazine has compiled a collection of coverage dedicated to virtual reality experiences, digital exhibits and books that will transport you to far-off lands.
Highlights
This Library in Brooklyn Is Home to the World's Largest Sketchbook Collection
With more than 50,000 sketchbooks, the Brooklyn Art Library in Williamsburg is still accepting submissions
Take an Interactive Tour of Jane Austen's House
The trustees of the house where Austen wrote her celebrated novels are finding ways to keep visitors happy—even amid a pandemic
Inside Edgar Miller's Masterwork
Seen by few until now, Glasner Studio in Chicago's Old Town is a rich mix of stained glass windows, wood carvings, tilework and bas-reliefs
This Virtual Reality App Takes Users to Historic Armenia
Painstaking imaging of cultural heritage sites worldwide has the potential to usher in a new era of participatory preservation efforts
Across the U.S.
Take a Virtual Tour of Feminist Icon Gloria Steinem’s Historic Manhattan Apartment
In honor of her 87th birthday, the speaker and activist is (digitally) welcoming visitors into her home
Explore Dorothea Lange’s Iconic Photos With These Online Exhibitions
Digital hubs from the Oakland Museum of California and the Museum of Modern Art showcase the American photographer’s oeuvre
Explore Centuries of Brooklyn’s History With These Newly Digitized Maps
The Brooklyn Historical Society recently launched a portal featuring almost 1,500 documents dating back to the 17th century
See Jean-Michel Basquiat Masterpieces Up Close in This Online Exhibition
The virtual experience spotlights a 2019 show that included around 70 works by the artist
This AR Artwork Reimagines Historical Spaces Across the U.S.
Nancy Baker Cahill’s red, white and blue “Liberty Bell” rings over sites in six major cities
Take Virtual Tours of These Seven Historic Homes of American Artists
A new book looks at American art through the studios of the masters that made it
Watch Fireflies Flicker From the Comfort of Home
Most firefly watching events are canceled this summer, but you can learn about and watch the flashy insects in this online event
Sample the World’s Cuisines With This Cookbook From a Popular New York Market
The Queens Night Market’s new guide brings the international flavors of the city’s boroughs into your home
Nostalgic for the North? Take a Virtual Dogsled Ride in Fairbanks, Alaska
Armchair travelers can also enjoy 360-degree views of the city’s famed Northern Lights
Explore the U.S. From Above with Smithsonian Channel's Aerial America
International Experiences
Follow Dante’s Footsteps Through Italy
For the 700th anniversary of the poet’s death, visit his birthplace, churches and tomb
Six Wonders Built by Pioneering Women Architects
Virtually explore these groundbreaking designs around the world, from an Italian villa to an American castle
Take a Virtual Tour of Failed Designs, From the DeLorean to Google Glass
An online exhibition showcases 40 creative flops, including a curvy ping-pong table and a doll dubbed Little Miss No-Name
Their Doors May Be Closed, but Embassies Are Still Showing People the World
From cooking demonstrations to poetry readings to special exhibitions, exploring another country has never been easier
New Online Tool Reveals Raphael’s Sistine Chapel Cartoons in Stunning Detail
High-resolution scans from the V&A offer an unprecedented view of the Renaissance drawings, down to every last line and wrinkle
Take a Virtual Tour of the World’s Largest Circular Tomb, Augustus’ Mausoleum
The Roman landmark will reopen in 2021 after a 13-year restoration
Meet the Real Animals Behind Mermaids, Dragons and Other Mythical Creatures
You can now take a virtual tour of a “Harry Potter”–inspired exhibition exploring the origins of fantastical beings
Celebrate Jane Austen’s Birthday With a 360-Degree, Interactive Tour of Her House
The trustees of the house where Austen wrote her celebrated novels are finding ways to keep visitors happy—even amid a pandemic
The Ten Best Books About Travel of 2020
In a year of travel restrictions, these titles helped us channel our wanderlust
Virtual Museum of Lost Art Asks Visitors to Help Track Down Missing Masterpieces
A new online exhibition revisits the fate of stolen or vanished paintings by the likes of van Gogh, Monet and Cézanne