Virtual Tour Resources
25 + Amazing Virtual Field Trips you don't need a permission slip for!!!
Just click on the image below to be connected to Wyoming's Famous Landmarks and National Parks, brought to us by our distant friend Jake. Jake does not live in New York but he enjoys our school website and all of our virtual tour links so, he wanted to give back. Way to pay it forward Jake!! Thank you. From your friends in the P.S. 121x Community
This week we will be whisked away to hikes and trails all around the world. While we won't actually be out in nature you can still pretend like you are! I just did the Positano (number 7 on this list) one and I nearly cried. It's so beautiful. Put your computer on full screen and you take a walking tour just as it would be if you were walking...down awesome narrow walkways and cobblestone streets...or in a national park by a lake!If a visit to Banff National Park isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. But why wait for quarantine to lift before witnessing the bright blue waters of Moraine Lake? This glacially fed lake is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park. It’s the sort of place you’ll never forget, and you can experience it virtually right now.
2. Indian Beach Trail, Oregon
This virtual hike takes you along the rugged Oregon coast on a perfectly sunny day, showing off stunning ocean views, rocky beaches, and plenty of lush, green forest. The popular trail travels through Ecola State Park, delivering jaw-dropping vistas every step of the way.
3. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
This walking route takes you to another world — one of sandy terrain dotted with looming pyramids. This well-shot walking tour starts at the Mortuary Temple of Khafre, passing by the pyramids of Khafre, Khufu, and Menkaure, before ending at the iconic sphinx.
4. Havasu Falls, Arizona
You must have a reservation to enter the Havasupai tribal lands, where the stunning turquoise-green Havasu Falls can be found. Located in the Grand Canyon, this virtual tour winds between mesas, taking you through stunning red-rock desert as you near the powerful falls.
5. Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
If you’re looking for a hearty dose of green, head to Klevan, Ukraine, home of the lush Tunnel of Love. After spending three hours virtually walking on this abandoned train track that’s surrounded on all sides by bright green foliage and chirping birds, it’s near-impossible to feel anything but relaxed.
6. James Irvine Trail in Redwood National Park, California
It doesn’t get more relaxing than walking amongst the giant redwoods on a calm summer day. Paired with soothing music, this virtual walking route instills an immediate sense of peace the moment the camera starts rolling.
7. Village of Positano, Italy
If you’re up for experiencing a new culture — in addition to enjoying a virtual hike — this tour of Positano, a cliffside village on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy, is hard to beat. You’ll pass through steep, narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafes as you head down toward the beaches and waters below.
8. Wailea Beach Path, Hawaii
With its year-round tropical climate and never-ending ribbon of beaches, Hawaii is a top destination for many Americans. But thanks to this virtual experience, you don’t have to fly across the ocean to get a feel for the islands. The tour takes you from the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort to the Fairmont Kea Lani and along the Wailea Beach Path.
9. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
For a complete change of scenery, head to the red rocks of Utah, where you can virtually slink through narrow canyons and wind along high-desert paths. The view only gets more stunning when you enter into the trail’s wooded areas. Here, the red rock and dirt pop against the greens and browns.
10. Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, Washington
The moss-covered trees and neon green foliage seen along this trail are so vibrant that it feels like you’re walking on another planet. This special bit of nature is arguably just as stunning in this 4K-resolution virtual hiking experience as it is in real life.
11. Panorama Trail, Switzerland
This virtual walking trail starts at Männlichen, then takes you on a beautiful and easy downhill walk to Kleine Scheidegg, a mountain pass between the Eiger and Lauberhorn mountain peaks. Along the way, enjoy meeting (albeit virtually) some Swiss cows before descending amidst stunning mountain views.
12. Juan de Fuca Trail in British Columbia, Canada
Link: Juan de Fuca Trail - BC, Canada
Up north in British Columbia, you can virtually experience the beautiful Juan de Fuca Trail on Vancouver Island. Located within Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, this virtual walking route takes you deep into the forest and along the coastline, with occasional views of the Olympic Mountains.
VIRTUAL TRAIN RIDES
Choo Choo!
1. The Flåm Railway, Norway
Link - The Flam Railway
Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, this 12-mile route takes you from the end of Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the Sognefjord, up to the high mountains at Myrdal station. Along the way, you’ll pass waterfalls, deep ravines, snow-capped mountains, and high-altitude farms, all while watching the weather shift from sun to rain.
2. Geibi Line to Fukuen Line, Japan
Link - Line to Fukuen
You can get a taste of the Japanese countryside as you travel virtually from Hiroshima Station to Fuchū Station on the Geibi Line turned Fukuen Line. The route passes through the mountainous area of the Chūgoku region, so expect to see stunning bridges and long, dark tunnels cutting through mountains.
3. Bernina Railway, Switzerland to Italy
Link - Bernina Railway
The trip starts in St. Moritz, Switzerland on a perfectly sunny day and ends in Tirano, Italy via the high-mountain Bernina Pass. Sit back with an Italian-style caffè and watch as the train cuts through picturesque villages and rumbles alongside dizzying cliffs and sparkling blue waters. Along the way, you’ll break a few records — albeit virtually: It is the highest railway alpine crossing in Europe and the highest adhesion railway on the continent. Not bad for a fully virtual experience.
4. Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Colorado, United States
Link - Pike's Peak Cog Railway
If you’ve ever dreamed of making it to the top of Colorado’s Pikes Peak, which sits 14,115 feet above sea level, here’s your chance. Hop aboard North America’s highest train and join this fast-motion virtual tour. The trip starts at the station in Manitou Springs and climbs the well-known peak in a matter of minutes, allowing the viewer to sit back and enjoy the dizzying ride.
5. Belgrade–Bar Railway, Montenegro
Link - Belgrade-Bar Railway
You’ll start your journey in the town of Bar, near the Adriatic Sea, before passing through the line’s longest tunnel (20,246 feet) and over the highest railway bridge in Europe. After zipping through the country’s impressive mountainous region, end the virtual trip in the town of Bijelo Polje — 102 tunnels and 96 bridges later.
6. North Wales Coast Line, England to Wales
Link - North Wales Coast Line
Travel along the beautiful Wales coast aboard a British Rail Class 175, a type of diesel passenger train used in the United Kingdom. The virtual excursion kicks off in the city of Chester, England and quickly travels over the border into Wales, passing through lush countryside before hitting the coast and continuing west.
7. Nordland Line, Norway
Link - Nordland Line - COLD and SNOW! Brrrrrr!!! #sweaterweather
The adventure starts on the Trondheim Fjord in Trondheim and only seems to get snowier as you head farther north. Eventually, you virtually pass into the Arctic Circle before ending in the municipality of Fauske.
Link - Part 1: Puente Carrion Bridge
Link - Part 2: Matucana to San Mateo
Link - Part 3: Puente Infiernillo Bridge
Link - Part 4: Travel Through One Of The World's Highest Railroad Tunnels
Often considered to be one of the world’s most scenic railroads, the Ferrocarril Central Andino links the Pacific port of Callao and the capital city of Lima with Huancayo and Cerro de Pasco. This four-part virtual journey begins in Chosica and ends near the Galera railway station in the Andes. In part one, you’ll traverse the massive Puente Carrión bridge; part two climbs from Matucana to San Mateo, one of the most scenic parts of the line; part three takes travelers over the Puente Infiernillo bridge, which passes through a tight canyon with high rock walls on either side; and finally, part four lets you travel virtually through one of the world’s highest railroad tunnels.
9. 7 Express Line, New York, United States
Link - 7 Express Line - Queens to Manhattan
If you find yourself strangely missing the familiar sounds of your commute, this cab-view video of the New York City subway will scratch the itch. The 7 Express Line (Flushing Express) travels from Queens to Manhattan, providing outside and underground views along the way. And if you’re into trains, keep in mind that this footage was shot on one of the line’s R62A trains, which have since been returned to the 6 train.
10. Sarajevo–Ploče Railway, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Link - Sarajevo-Ploce Railway
You can explore the Balkan country of Bosnia and Herzegovina by train, thanks to this virtual cab-view video. Starting in Čapljina, you’ll dip into Croatia quickly before crossing the border back into Bosnia and Herzegovina and ending your trip in the country’s capital, Sarajevo. A good portion of the journey follows the Neretva River and passes through tight, mountainous terrain and over the Bradina Pass.
11. South Western Railway, England
Link - South Western Railway
You’ll start your virtual journey on the London Underground at London Waterloo station and then head west, eventually dropping south toward Southampton and ending at Southampton Central station. Along the way, you’ll see the London skyline before moving into the vibrant, green countryside.
12. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado, United States
Link - Part 1: Narrow Ledge Above The Animas River
Link - Part 2: Go High Into The Colorado Mountains
Link - Part 3: Head Down The Mountain Pass Into Silverton
This historic line takes travelers from one mountain town to another, traveling over a high-alpine mountain pass to get there. This three-part tour offers guests a virtual ride on the three-foot-wide narrow-gauge heritage railroad as it traverses over 45 miles between Durango and Silverton. During part one, enjoy the breathtaking journey along a narrow ledge cut into a sheer cliff face far above the Animas River; in part two, the train chugs high up into the Colorado mountains; and in part three, it heads down the mountain pass into the Wild West town of Silverton.
13. Wengernalp Railway, Switzerland
Link - Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg
Enjoy a perfectly clear driver’s-eye view of the stunning route from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg. You’ll virtually cross pretty Swiss villages and tree-covered slopes as you climb up into the mountains, eventually passing views of snow-covered mountains and deep valleys.
National Parks
This week put on your explorer hat and experience our National Parks from your couch!
Happy Trails!
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Link - Kenai Fjords National Park
This virtual tour lets you explore glaciers, fjords, and icebergs located in the Alaskan wilderness. Descend into an icy crevasse, kayak through majestic icebergs, and even see how a glacier melts and the effects that climate change has on this frozen terrain. Kenai Fjords has over 40 glaciers in the Harding Icefield, according to the National Park Service website, and the tour begins with a peek into Exit Glacier, one of the only accessible glaciers by road within the national park.
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
One of the most popular national parks in Hawaii is now totally accessible online. This virtual tour lets you explore the Nahuku Lava Tube, which is a cave formed by flowing lava, which can drain lava from a volcano during an eruption. On the tour, you can also enjoy the stunning view from the volcanic coastal cliffs, “fly” over an active volcano, and see the effects of an eruption from 1959.
Link - Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, this popular park has over 100 caves. On this virtual tour, you can take a walk through the fascinating caverns, view incredible rock formations, and even see thousands of bats who live in the cave system. You can even “experience” life as a bat thanks to this park’s impressive simulation.
Link - Bryce Canyon National Park
The beautiful, red and orange hoodoos of this famous desert landscape are now on full display, even if you’re in your living room. This virtual tour centered on Sunset Point lets you enjoy the star-filled night sky from this Dark Sky certified national park, get up close and personal with the park’s unique rock formations, and even take a horseback ride through the canyon from the comfort of your own home.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Link - Dry Tortugas National Park
This remote and severely underrated park is located 70 miles west of Key West, according to the National Park Service website. Thanks to this virtual tour, you no longer have to book a seaplane or boat to get there. Visit the Civil War-era Fort Jefferson, swim through the third largest coral reef in the world, and even take an exploratory dive into a shipwreck from 1907.
Disney Musicals & BROADWAY (like) shows, Songs in Different Languages & Troll Yoga
Free Educational Resources
Free Online Resources
Science lessons for at home-> https://www.mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning
NAEYC Resources on Supporting Math Learning at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/math-at-home
NAEYC Resources on Supporting Writing Development at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/support-writing-home
NAEYC Resources on Creating Big Jobs for Children at Home: “Big jobs are indoor and outdoor jobs children do with their families (or others) that help the whole family”: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/big-jobs-home
http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
Websites to support learning: ABCmouse.com, getepic.com, education.com, ABCya.com, starfall.com, learningA-Z.com, cookie.com, PBSkids.org, http://daybydayny.org, www.nyphilkids.org, filefolderfun.com, https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology, https://learninglab.si.edu, https://www.nps.gov/kids/index.htm
Access e-books from the New York Public Library: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral
NAEYC Resources on DIY with Children at Home-AKA Makerspaces: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/creating-makerspace-at-home
NAEYC Resources on Supporting Music at Home: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/playing-music-home
Remote learning ideas for Kindergarten:
https://www.scholatic.com/parents/school-success/school-succes-guides/guide-to-kindergarten.html
Remote Learning for Prek-1st Grade:
Khan Academy Education App for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st:
https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/
Khan Academy Kids’ materials are aligned with both the CCSS for kindergarten-aged children and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework for preschool-aged children, according to the organization. (Please click the “get help here” on the blue banner on the top of the web page to get the directions for using this program.
