10 of the Best Virtual Reality Travel Experiences

  With the time and expense required to travel being prohibitive to many, there are alternative ways of indulging your wanderlust – including via the burgeoning world of Virtual Reality.

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: Cubicle Ninjas)

There are a huge number of VR companies all vying to create ever more unique experiences for consumers – and one of the biggest growth categories has been travel. And what better time to get a taste of exploration and adventure from the comfort of your living room, equipped only with a VR headset, than now, when travel is a luxury that many just can’t stretch to? We’ve picked out 10 of the best virtual reality travel experiences currently on the market.

So which VR headset should you go for? Our favourite is the Meta Quest 3, which launched onto the market in mid-2023 and is the successor to the Meta Quest 2. For immersive games and travel experiences, we believe the Meta Quest 3 is destined to become the leading VR headset over the coming years. It’s pretty affordable, too, and unlike other headsets, doesn’t require cords or a computer. You can purchase the Meta Quest 3 at Amazon.com.

Guided Meditation VR

Developed by Cubicle Ninjas, Guided Meditation VR is designed to bring peace, joy, and calm back into your daily life by teaching you ancient meditation practices in a cutting-edge way. It features over 40 lush environments to escape the everyday, 30-plus hours of guided meditations on anxiety, depression, maternity, resilience, sleep and zen, and hundreds of hours of calming musical audio tracks to help enhance your meditation experience. Users can also customise their sessions to their own specific preferences and needs, including the option to switch into Motion mode and gently float through beautiful vistas like you would on a lazy river, leaving the worries of your life behind before returning calmer and stronger.

PRICE £10.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

Be anywhere in the world with anyone, instantly, in this captivating game developed by Wooorld Inc. Visit hundreds of cities, architectural landmarks, natural wonders, and vacation spots in incredible 3D detail, and get tips about the best places to visit, the hidden gems, where to get the best food and all the tourist traps to avoid. You can also create your own 3D avatars with face and body tracking and test your worldly knowledge by guessing where you are after being teleported to 5 random locations, with only the landscape, flora, architecture, and road signs for clues. The game can played as collaboratively as you wish, with options to explore the world with friends and meet new people, or hop into a Solo World without any distractions.

PRICE Free HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: Wooorld Inc.)

Blueplanet VR Explore

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: Blueplanet VR Explore)

Highlighting sacred and fragile locations of natural beauty and cultural heritage, Blueplanet VR Explore  is a collection of remarkable places across the world. With freedom to move around and explore, the virtual reality experiences are captured in volumetric 3D with great detail and accuracy. The scenes look and feel like these places do in real life, and enable you to freely move around to enjoy and explore these remarkable, fragile, and priceless environments. Concern for the environment often comes from direct experience, and being as close as we can get to experiencing a sense of actually being there, Blueplanet can help encourage people to appreciate and protect these treasures.

PRICE £18.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

BRINK Traveler

Travel to some of the world’s most amazing natural wonders in fully immersive 3D and feel like you’re really there in this awe-inspiring game by Brink XR. Step into a scene akin to a postcard as you visit a total of 28 (with more on their way) of the most breathtaking places on Earth. In-game highlights include room-scale walkable areas in each destination, a virtual guide and assistant to learn about where you’re visiting, and the chance to shoot photos to share with friends. You can either play the game solo or with friends and family in multiplayer mode.

PRICE £11.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: BRINK XR)

National Geographic Explore VR

Created in partnership with National Geographic, a world-leading society in the fields of geography, cartography and exploration, this magical VR experience invites you to discover two of the most iconic locations on Planet Earth. Don your explorer hat and head to Antarctica for an exhilarating expedition. Navigate around icebergs in a kayak, climb a vast ice shelf and survive a snowstorm as you hunt for a lost emperor penguin colony. Visit the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru and get immersed in amazing digital reconstructions of the legendary site. Witness mummy worships, raise a cup of sacred chicha and encounter cute and furry alpacas as you match Hiram Bingham’s photographs from when he rediscovered the citadel. Be sure to take a camera as your best snaps may even make it into the prestigious National Geographic magazine.

PRICE £7.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: Force Field Entertainment B.V)

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners

Fans of the hugely popular TV blockbuster The Walking Dead can now join the world of zombies in this new VR adventure. Travel through the ruins of New Orleans as you fight, scavenge, and survive, each day unravelling another mystery lurking within the city’s historic quarters. Encounter desperate factions and lone survivors who could be friend or foe. Whether you help others or take what you want by force, every choice you make has consequences. What kind of survivor will you be for the people of NOLA? Scavenge for anything that you can; weapons, food, tools, and clues. Be wary of the living and the dead, with spatial audio drawing attention to any loud noise. Craft makeshift gear out of scrapped material; blades, guns, medicine, and more. Test your morals and make difficult choices for yourself and others. It’s all here, bringing the small screen to life in a big way.

PRICE £29.99 HEADSETS Meta Quest 3

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: Skydance Interactive)

Narrated by award-winning actress Anna Friel, this trail-blazing VR series opens the door to some of the planet’s wildest environments while redefining the limits of 3D-180 cameras. Meet the humans protecting our most precious wildlife, explore the great savannahs of Kenya, discover the ancient jungles of Borneo and dive into the rich coral reefs of Raja Ampat. Encounter elephants, orangutans, manta rays and some incredible humans, all in stunning cinematic footage filmed from the air and deep into the ocean. The series was produced in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF),

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: PHORIA)

The world is your oyster with this interactive, immersive VR experience that’s designed to be played by the whole family. There’s global travel and adventure in which your friends and family can join city tours, hot air balloon rides, back-country road trips, and plenty more. Or you can simply kick back and relax, practice meditation and get back to nature – all in the company of a guide or going solo, if you prefer. Other features include photo sharing, soundtracks, a range of fun games and media customisation.

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: AARP Innovation Labs)

Rome Reborn: The Pantheon

Created by Flyover Zone, an American company specialising in virtual travel applications that present the world’s most important cultural heritage sites and monuments, Rome Reborn is one of five applications that present different areas of ancient Rome. This particular one transports users over the entire ancient city, focussing on the Pantheon, perhaps the best-preserved building from antiquity. In the company of two virtual guides, you’ll get to explore the exterior forecourt and interior sanctuary of the reconstructed complex as you listen and learn about the Pantheon’s design and decoration, as well as the nature of the religious cult once housed within it.

PRICE £3.99 HEADSETS Currently only available on Oculus Rift

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: Flyover Zone Productions)

Monte Fitzroy is Argentina’s most famous mountain landmark and is even used as the logo for outdoor retailer, Patagonia. It is a place that immediately evokes a sense of adventure. At the foot of the mountain is a beautiful and remote glacial lake known as Laguna Sucia. Most people who visit Monte Fitzroy view it from a location that is much easier to access. Laguna Sucia requires a much tougher hard-to-access trail that culminates in one of the most beautiful and remote glacial lakes in existence. You are rewarded with a sense of almost meditative stillness as you approach this untouched natural amphitheatre. This VR experience utilises Pterovision, a 3D technology that integrates computational photography, 360 Video, and gaming and allows you to take off like a bird, fly around the lake, visit the waterfalls along the edge, and fly over glacial formations beneath the mountain peaks. Numerous narrations will tell you about the challenges we faced when filming in this location, as well as educate you about the geology, culture, and history.

PRICE $2.99 HEADSETS Currently only available on Oculus Rift 

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: Specterras Productions)

Gala360 – Travel & Relax

Taking you on awe-inspiring virtual adventures across the globe, Gala360 is the result of the magic touch of an array of exceptionally talented photographers who have captured their globe-trotting trips in all their glory before being rendered into VR form. In professional 6K resolution, more than 300 tours around the world are featured, with some also including narration which allows you to listen to the stories behind the trips. Most of the tours are free, but you can pay a small fee to unlock more.

PRICE Free HEADSETS Currently only available on Oculus Go (soon available on Quest 2)

best vr travel experiences 2021

(Photo: Gala 360)

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7 Great Virtual Reality Travel Experiences

Try VR travel to fulfill your bucket list without leaving the couch

best vr travel experiences 2021

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Who says you can't see the world if you stay home? Virtual reality (VR) tourism experiences let you see places all over the world without ever leaving your couch. These aren't games; they're experiences, so the pace may be slower than you expect, but they are worth your patience. Here are some of the best VR tourist destinations to help you decide on your next virtual adventure.

Make sure your computer is beefy enough to handle the demands of virtual reality technology.

The Grand Canyon VR Experience

Very relaxing experience.

Excellent visual and sound quality.

Impressive attention to detail.

Predefined with little control.

Requires powerful hardware.

Short experience.

In The Grand Canyon VR Experience ($2.99 by Immersive Entertainment), you sit in a virtual motorized kayak ride through the Grand Canyon. Tailor the tour to your preferences by selecting either a sunlit or moonlit experience and controlling the ride's speed.

While you cruise along, you'll enjoy the sights and sounds of procedurally generated, artificially intelligent wildlife. Attract and feed the virtual fish as you navigate the waterways.

The ride is on rails, so you can't steer the kayak. However, you can stop at various points and enjoy the scenery by using the throttle speed controls of your motorized kayak or by exiting at scenic rest stops.

The tour is short, and there's no historical background information for history buffs. Still, it is a fun ride perfect for someone new to VR.

This tour requires one of the following virtual reality headsets: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift , or Valve Index .

Explore amazing places.

Impressively detailed.

More locations are added to the library regularly.

Not updated recently.

Realities (free from Realities.io ) is a VR travel app that allows you to explore scanned and modeled real-world environments. The environments aren't just 360-degree photos; these locations were captured with specialized scanning equipment, allowing for immersive rendering in virtual reality.

The user interface is a giant globe you rotate with your VR controllers. Once you decide on the place you want to visit, tap the area on the virtual globe, and you are instantly whisked away to the exotic locale.

One interesting destination is a cell in the infamous Alcatraz prison. When you arrive, you're greeted by an unseen narrator, presumably a former prisoner in the cell next to you, who recalls their experiences. It's museum-like and an educational adventure worth having.

There are other destinations of varying size and complexity, and the experience is updated with new realities regularly.

This experience is compatible with the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Valve Index, and Windows Mixed Reality .

Titans of Space PLUS

Great soundtrack.

Detailed 3D visuals.

Impressive sense of scale.

Flying through space makes some users feel nauseated.

No improvements since late 2019.

Do you like planetariums? Have you always wished they were more realistic? If you've ever dreamed of riding in a spaceship and exploring the solar system and beyond, Titans of Space PLUS ($9.99 by DrashVR LLC) helps make this a reality—at least a virtual one).

The original Titans of Space was one of the first polished virtual reality experiences available; it created a lot of buzz about all the potential VR had to offer.

This app provides a theme park-style ride through the solar system and beyond, allowing you to control the pace of the experience. Factoids about the planets and moons are provided throughout your journey, as are distances and other measurements of interest.

The sense of scale of the planets and moons is truly awe-inspiring and gives a unique perspective only astronauts usually get to have.

This title runs in both standard and VR modes. It does not require a VR headset. It is compatible with HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Valve Index, and Windows Mixed Reality.

Impressive rendering technology.

Auto-tunes for your GPU.

Stunning visuals.

Can feel slow.

Mostly narration with little hands-on time.

Everest VR ($9.99 from Sólfar Studios ) is an interactive Mount Everest VR tourism experience.

You'll experience Mount Everest in five iconic scenes. Prepare for your expedition at Basecamp, traverse the terrifying Khumbu Icefalls, spend the night at Camp 4, ascend the perilous Hillary Step, and finally conquer the summit of Everest.

After completing your first summit attempt, unlock God Mode to reach a unique vantage point of the Himalayas that's only possible in VR. Towering over the mountain range, this is a stunning VR diorama.

EVEREST VR is a must if you're into mountain climbing but don't like its possible death and frostbite aspects.

Requires one of the following virtual reality headsets: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, or Valve Index.

The VR Museum of Fine Art

Lots of content.

Educational experience.

Hasn't been updated since its initial release.

No voice narration.

Only takes about 20 minutes to experience.

If you've ever wanted to peruse a museum at your own pace with no limits on how close you can get to the artwork, then The VR Museum of Fine Art (free from Finn Sinclair) is for you.

This free app holds amazing educational value with incredibly detailed scans of some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures. Look at the brushstrokes of Monet's Water Lilies or take a 360-degree tour of Michelangelo's David. This is an art lover's delight.  

The experience makes you feel as if you're visiting a museum, complete with a pamphlet map to help you navigate your way around the exhibits.

Great VR experience.

Incredibly realistic.

Contains three episodes.

theBlu ($9.99 from Wevr INC .) is a collection of virtual reality-based underwater experiences that make you feel as if you're literally in the tank of a huge aquarium exhibit.

Stand on the deck of a sunken ship while a gargantuan whale swims by and looks you straight in the eye or swim in a sea of bioluminescent jellyfish. There's no need for expensive scuba equipment or diving classes, or even to leave your living room, for that matter.

The level of detail in this app is amazing, and the sense of scale (especially during the whale encounter in the first episode) is jaw-dropping.

Compatible with HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Valve Index, and Windows Mixed Reality.

Google Earth VR

Amazing street view VR.

Travel the world virtually.

Impressive, vast experience.

Can be slow to load.

Lacks a search feature.

May cause motion sickness.

When Google Earth was released many years ago, everyone marveled at the novelty of finding and viewing their house from satellite imagery. Now, Google Earth VR (free from Google) lets you see your house from space and virtually fly to it and stand in your front yard or on your rooftop.

Change the sun's position, scale objects to any size you like, and fly around the world. The detail levels depend on what you're trying to view. For example, tourist destinations are likely to have more detailed geospatial imagery than rural areas. There is so much to see, and Google offers virtual tours to help you get started.

Google has even added several comfort features to prevent virtual travel sickness in this must-see virtual reality app.

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best vr travel experiences 2021

8 Best Oculus Quest 2 Travel Games and Experiences (Must Have)

best vr travel experiences 2021

One of the wonders of virtual reality is that you get to explore entire worlds and have it feel as real as being there. Visually, anyway. One of these worlds is our very own, and if you’ve got an interest for exploring it in VR, you’re in the right place!

In this article I’m going to be talking about the 8 best Oculus Quest 2 travel games and experiences. Namely:

  • National Geographic Explore VR
  • 360 Travel Videos
  • Google Earth VR
  • Flow (Bonus Entry)

First, let’s talk about the native Oculus experiences in more detail so you can see where you want to be going!

1) National Geographic Explore VR

Spit on that virtual camera lens and wipe it clean as you experience the wonders in National Geographic Explore VR. As an explorer, you’ll have to visit locations and capture the same photographs as the one who came before you.

The VR experience that will have you demanding more. Like, seriously. The biggest criticism of the game is that it’s only got two locations for you to dive into.

  • An expedition to Antartica
  • Machu Picchu, Peru 

Although the game doesn’t have the best graphics out there, it’s still worth checking out by VR standards. Survive a snowstorm, keep still during a mummy worship, and experience much more with National Geographic Explore VR!

Since there’s not much replay value with only two locations, you might want to wait for a sale to really get the most bang for your buck.

Get National Geographic Explorer for $9.99 on Oculus Store

2) ecosphere

ecoshpere is a collection of fantastic 360-degree exploration videos. But they’re not your typical 360 videos!

The ones in ecosphere are beautifully narrated documentaries that add to the element of immersion. You have over 10 episodes to download and start your virtual adventure. Learn more about locations such as Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia from the comfort of your Oculus Quest 2.

What’s even more is that ecosphere is getting constant support with new updates and features, so the future for 360 travel is looking really good on this app!

Get ecosphere for free on Oculus Store

There’s one big reason I’d like everybody to at least give Alcove a try: variety. Okay, there are two big reasons. It’s also free. But let’s talk about the first one more.

While not being big on high-end graphics, Alcove does a fantastic job of letting you go on a tour in virtual reality. The game includes virtual tours across hundreds of landscapes and beautiful sites around the world. Ride hot air balloons or go for long drives in VR.

What’s more is that you can even take to the seas of Australia and the Pacific Ocean!

That’s not even where the possibilities end. Alcove allows you to customize your personal vacation home in VR, and invite your friends over to appreciate it even more. 

Although the majority of minigames like Chess and Puzzles are single-player, Alcove is constantly receiving fresh updates and new features. The opportunity to do more with your friends may not be far off!

Get Alcove for free on Oculus Store

4) 360-Degree Travel Videos

These are the travel experiences you’re looking for if your main goal is to explore the world. Leaving out the gaming and interaction parts, 360-degree travel videos are available across the Internet and have plenty of thrill to offer.

How do they work? All you have to do is load the video from within your browser in your headset.

Oculus Browser will do just fine, but some Quest 2 users recommend using the Mozilla Firefox browser. They experience higher frame rates and an overall better VR tour experience.

Since the durations of many 360-degree tour videos are short, you can look for multiple videos and add them to a playlist. Then, simply hit play and let yourself be taken around the world from the comfort of your couch.

For your convenience, here are two of the best VR tour compilations I came across:

The best 360° aerial footage by AirPano. Part I – YouTube

Virtual Travel (VR Experience) – YouTube

Wander is not your average adventure app, not by a long shot. 

And by that, I mean that this app lets you travel in time. With a unique feature, you get to actually visit different areas at different points in time . See your hometown since you moved away or the construction of Dubai from a desert. 

The magic of this app also integrates Google Street view to give you a truly one of a kind experience.

Even with time travel being an amazing feature, it doesn’t mean you can’t travel in the present. Wander lets you visit the world without restrictions. Explore the Wonders of the World in VR and live the traveling dream you always had!

Get Wander for $9.99 on Oculus Store .

Best PCVR Travel Experiences for the Quest 2

Since we’re talking about the best travel experiences you can have on the Quest 2, it wouldn’t be fair to leave out the PCVR possibilities!

You can immerse yourself in PCVR experiences on your Quest 2 through PC streaming options such as Virtual Desktop or Oculus (Air) Link. If you are new to VR and want to know more about how these options work, check out this article .

6) Google Earth VR

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Google Earth VR. When it comes to travelling experiences, everybody should have at least heard of this app.

Google Earth VR lets you travel the literal world in your VR body. You get to float around in any location and take in the marvelous sites created by man and nature anywhere!

As a bonus, this app comes with preloaded tours for selected locations like the Amazon River and The Grand Canyon. All you have to do is not forget to enjoy the ride.

So whether it’s the Eiffel Tower, Pyramids of Giza, or the entire Great Wall of China, Google Earth VR is something definitely worth trying out!

Did I mention it’s free? Get it from Steam now!

7) Realities

With additional add-ons that are just as free as the game, Realities is a mesmerizing historical VR experience.

This app takes you to a bunch of different locations that are incredibly detailed for a VR game and lets you explore what once was. Photorealism is at the core of Realities as it abandons the traditional 360-degree approach to VR experiences in favor of greater and more realistic immersion.

You’ll especially like this app if you’re interested in knowing what the less popular “tourist sites” are like!

Get to explore the chill of the Alcatraz prison, the lifelessness of Death Valley, and the ruins of old castles with Realities.

Get Realities for Free on Steam

8) Bonus Entry: Flow

Not everybody wants to travel for the fun, the thrill, or the exploration. Some people want to visit new locations for the serenity and to discover new ways to relax.

If your next trip across the world in VR is like that, then Flow is the app for you. The locations in this app revolve around what Iceland has to offer, mainly because of the natural scenery there . 

The features of Flow revolve around meditation and calmness. Even the chosen locations from around the world are an inspiration to help the human brain feel more calm.

There’s also a specially curated playlist to help VR enthusiasts make the most of their virtual vacation.

Recharge yourself in all the soothing experiences that Flow has to offer on the Quest 2!

Get Flow Free from SideQuest

Note! For more information on how to sideload an app onto your Quest 2, give this article a read.

That concludes my current list for the best travel experiences on the Quest 2. There are a few games that are currently only compatible with the Oculus Go that are slowly but surely making their way to the Quest 2.

Stay tuned for more, especially as new game releases and updates roll out! 

HARDWARE USED FOR TESTING AND WRITING THE ARTICLES : * Meta Quest 2 (My “daily driver” headset, which I absolutely love & recommend) * Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (AMD Ryzen 5 5600H, Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060, 16GB RAM) * TP-Link Archer C6 (budget dedicated router for Air Link, see my full setup tutorial ) ESSENTIAL QUEST 2 COMFORT ACCESSORIES : * VR Cover Foam Replacement (one of the easiest & cheapest ways to improve headset comfort) * BoboVR M2 Head Strap (reduce pressure on your head and improve the overall fit of the headset)

Martin Rakver

I am a software engineer and tech enthusiast. During my free time, I like to immerse myself in the world of virtual and augmented reality, which I believe will be more and more prominent in the years to come.

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Take a Glow-in-the-dark Tour of an Australian Forest, Enjoy Teatime in Japan, and More With This New Virtual Travel Company

Beeyonder offers more than 350 virtual travel experiences in nearly 50 countries.

Jessica Poitevien is an international storyteller and regular contributor to Travel + Leisure.

best vr travel experiences 2021

The idea of connecting with people and places online is nothing new, but virtual experiences have undeniably gained a higher level of popularity since the pandemic forced almost everyone around the world to stay home. Familiar companies like Amazon and Airbnb began offering online tours, classes, and other digital travel experiences, but new names also sprung from the hardships over the past year.

Beeyonder is one of them.

Launched in December 2020, Beeyonder brings people on virtual adventures around the world, exploring nearly 50 countries, plus Antarctica. And though the company was established in the midst of the pandemic, its inspiration and purpose stems from its founder's experience as a bilateral amputee.

"While being a bilateral amputee doesn't prevent me from traveling, I do have joint issues that prevent me from walking long distances without a significant amount of pain," Beeyonder founder Brittany Palmer told Travel + Leisure . "I thought how wonderful it would be to be able to see things I may never get to see in person through virtual experiences."

She also thought of her husband, who suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2013 and spent weeks in the hospital and several months at home in recovery.

"Based on [those] experiences, I started looking into how many people in the U.S. have disabilities and other conditions that prevent or inhibit travel, and found that there are [more than] 40 million people in that category — limited mobility, hospital/homebound, those who have degenerative diseases, agoraphobia, a fear of flying, those on parole," Palmer explained. "I wanted to provide the ultimate equal access to travel."

With that, Beeyonder was born. Now, anyone can sign up for the company's 350 virtual experiences, which include glow-in-the-dark tours of an Australian forest to see biofluorescent and bioluminescent wildlife, fungi, and leaves; a dive into the world of the Vikings in Norway; and teatime in Japan. Beeyonder offers both private and group options, each led by a qualified guide. The experiences are also interactive, so guests will be able to speak with their guides and ask questions.

According to Palmer, the response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.

"We've had families from across the country, a rehabilitation center for adults suffering from brain injuries, a nonprofit working with adults and kids with developmental disabilities, and many more, all of whom have had wonderful experiences," she said.

And although countries are reopening their borders and travel is picking up again, Palmer believes that virtual experiences are here to stay .

"Based on surveys we've conducted, most people plan to continue to do virtual tours, even after the pandemic subsides. There are millions of people in the U.S. alone that have disabilities that prevent or inhibit travel. They will still need virtual tours to see the world."

Jessica Poitevien is a Travel + Leisure contributor currently based in South Florida, but she's always on the lookout for her next adventure. Besides traveling, she loves baking, talking to strangers, and taking long walks on the beach. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

The Ultimate Guide to the Best VR Travel Apps on Meta Quest

The Ultimate Guide to the Best VR Travel Apps on Meta Quest

Discover the world from the comfort of your own home with our meticulously handpicked selection of the best VR travel apps available on the Meta Quest platform. With these immersive and engaging virtual reality applications, you can traverse continents, delve into the depths of the ocean, soar through the skies, and embark on exhilarating adventures, all without ever leaving your living room.

As virtual reality technology continues to evolve, the experiences offered by these apps become increasingly lifelike and captivating, creating unforgettable memories and fostering a deeper appreciation for our planet's diverse beauty. Whether you're a seasoned traveler seeking new horizons, a curious explorer who loves learning about different cultures, or someone who simply wants to relax in breathtaking environments, our curated list of the best VR travel apps for Meta Quest caters to every taste and interest. These cutting-edge experiences will undoubtedly transport you to extraordinary places and provide unique perspectives that redefine the way you discover and connect with the world around you.

Introduction: The World at Your Fingertips

Virtual reality has transformed how we explore the world, allowing us to travel to far-off destinations without ever leaving our homes. The Meta Quest platform offers a plethora of immersive experiences with the best VR travel apps that take you on breathtaking adventures. From guided tours of the world's most stunning locales to tranquil meditation retreats, there's an app for everyone in this comprehensive guide.

Wander: Roam the Globe with Street View

Wander: Roam the Globe with Street View

Wander is one of the best VR travel apps on Meta Quest, providing users with access to Google Street View in a fully immersive environment. Traverse city streets, hike through national parks and visit historical landmarks as you explore the world at your leisure. Key features include:

  • 360-degree panoramas
  • Time travel: view historical imagery
  • Multiplayer mode: travel with friends
  • Voice search and teleportation

Google Earth VR: Soar Through the Skies and Dive into Oceans

Google Earth VR: Soar Through the Skies and Dive into Oceans

Google Earth VR is another top contender among the best VR travel apps on Meta Quest. It allows users to fly over cities virtually, dive into oceans, and walk the streets of their favorite destinations. Highlights of Google Earth VR include:

  • Immersive 3D environments
  • Guided tours of popular attractions
  • Customizable itineraries
  • Integration with Google Maps

National Geographic Explore VR: Embark on Exciting Expeditions

National Geographic Explore VR: Embark on Exciting Expeditions

National Geographic Explore VR brings the world's most iconic locations and thrilling adventures to life. This Oculus-exclusive app allows users to:

  • Dive with sharks in Belize
  • Climb Antarctica's highest peak
  • Explore Machu Picchu and ancient Incan history
  • Uncover hidden secrets of Egyptian tombs

Guided Meditation VR: Find Peace and Serenity

Guided Meditation VR: Find Peace and Serenity

Guided Meditation VR transports users to a serene, virtual world filled with breathtaking environments to aid in relaxation and meditation. This app ranks among the best VR travel apps on Meta Quest for those seeking a peaceful escape. Features of Guided Meditation VR include:

  • Over 100 meditation sessions
  • A variety of calming environments
  • Personalized meditation experiences
  • Integration with popular wearables for biofeedback

TheBlu: Dive into the Depths of the Ocean

TheBlu: Dive into the Depths of the Ocean

TheBlu offers a mesmerizing underwater experience that immerses users in the beauty and wonder of the ocean. As one of the best VR travel apps on Meta Quest, TheBlu lets you explore the depths of the sea and interact with marine life in stunning detail. Key aspects of TheBlu include:

  • Photorealistic marine environments
  • Three unique oceanic experiences
  • Interaction with diverse marine species
  • Educational content about ocean conservation

Conclusion: The World Awaits in VR

Virtual reality has revolutionized how we explore the world, offering immersive experiences that transport us to distant lands and captivating environments. The best VR travel apps on Meta Quest provide an unmatched way to discover new destinations, embark on thrilling adventures, or simply unwind in peaceful settings. As you journey through these breathtaking experiences, you'll gain a newfound appreciation for the beauty and wonder of our planet.

  • Can I use these VR travel apps without a Meta Quest device? Most of the apps mentioned in our list are specifically designed for Meta Quest devices, such as the Meta Quest Quest and Oculus Rift. However, some apps, like Google Earth VR, may be available on other VR platforms such as HTC Vive and PlayStation VR. It is always recommended to check the compatibility of the apps with your specific VR headset.
  • Are there any free VR travel apps for Meta Quest? Yes, there are free VR travel apps available on the Meta Quest platform. Google Earth VR, for instance, is a free app that allows you to explore the world in immersive 3D environments. However, some apps may require a one-time purchase or offer in-app purchases to unlock additional content and features.
  • Can I travel with friends using these VR travel apps? Some VR travel apps, like Wander, offer multiplayer modes that allow you to explore and experience the world together with friends or family members who also have compatible VR headsets. This feature can make virtual travel more engaging and enjoyable as you share adventures with your loved ones.
  • Are there any educational VR travel apps? Many VR travel apps provide educational content and experiences. For example, National Geographic Explore VR combines breathtaking expeditions with informative content on history, culture, and wildlife. Similarly, TheBlu offers educational material about ocean conservation and marine life.
  • Is an internet connection required for using these VR travel apps? Most VR travel apps require an active internet connection, as they rely on real-world data and imagery to create immersive environments. However, some apps may allow you to download content for offline use. It is best to check the specific requirements of each app before use.
  • Can I use these apps to plan real-life trips? While VR travel apps primarily focus on providing immersive experiences, they can also be helpful in planning real-life trips. For example, Google Earth VR and Wander can give you a sense of what a destination looks like and help you identify places of interest before you visit. This can aid in creating a more efficient and enjoyable travel itinerary.

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What is Amazon Explore?

How much is amazon explore, how is amazon explore different from other virtual experiences, my experience with amazon explore, some of the best amazon explore experiences to try, prime members can try amazon's new virtual travel experiences for free — here's what the platform is like to use and some of the best tours to try.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

  • Amazon Explore was recently launched to offer interactive, one-on-one virtual travel experiences.
  • Hosts are located around the world and for some, you can even shop for local items in real time.
  • Amazon Explore experiences range from $10 to $99, but Prime members can try it for free.

Insider Today

The other night I walked through the streets of Tokyo, stopping in at small shops, exploring handmade ceramics, saying hi to a local shopkeeper, and filling a basket with new treasures to display in my home — all while sitting in my living room in New Jersey. This was possible thanks to one of the new virtual tours from Amazon Explore . 

For the last long year, I've been trying to scratch my travel itch with virtual experiences, with mixed success. I tried online cooking classes, virtually toured museums and historical sites around the globe, and even bought my son and his cousin a small group online tea ceremony with EF Tours. And I've followed along as Airbnb added online interactive tours with guides. 

After all of that, I was surprised to hear that Amazon was jumping into the game. After a year of online experiences, why now? And how would this be different? 

To find out, I bought a virtual ticket for a first-hand Amazon Explore review to see exactly what they were offering. 

Amazon Explore is a series of live, virtual one-on-one experiences with hosts located around the world. You can access the program on the Amazon website. However, as a brand new offering that is technically still in beta, it's a little hard to spot tucked away as the very last entry on the "Programs and Features" tab.

Perusing Amazon Explore you'll find experiences ranging from hands-on cooking to tours of Paris and Berlin to virtual trips to the beach. Before I jumped in and booked my own tour, I was given an opportunity to do a short media "sampling" of Amazon Explore for review purposes. Highlights included two cooking experiences (salsa in Mexico , $28, and pasta making in Italy , $52) and two shopping and culture tours (one in Tokyo for only $9 and Quebec City at a pricey $62). They were all fun and exciting enough that I was eager to sign up for a full experience myself after. 

Other available options range from learning about the legends of alchemy in Prague ($56) to getting up close with sloths in Costa Rica ($27). No matter your travel interests, it's easy enough to find an experience catered to it. You can also filter by place, price, ratings, experience duration, and more to help narrow down the options. 

Everything takes place within the unique Amazon platform, and on the shopping experiences, you have the added benefit of being able to pick items out in real time to be sent to you later. 

Prices run the gamut from $10 to $99. Sometimes you'll find multiple prices for similar experiences (individual guides set their own prices, according to Amazon). Those who have Amazon Prime can try their first experience up to $50 completely free using the code FREEFUN . If you're not already a Prime member, you can sign up here . 

Before you get started, shop around to make sure you're not overpaying, just like you would if you were actually in the destination. 

Like purchasing any other item on Amazon, you can use your preferred stored payment method, add a new card, or use gift cards.

One additional way you can pay is with travel points — which is especially great since many of us have been sitting on a pile of unused points due to the pandemic. Hilton Honors has expanded its collaboration with Amazon so you can now use your Hilton points to book experiences. You just need to link your Hilton account with your Amazon one before you book. 

I noticed that the charge for my session wasn't processed until I had successfully completed my experience, and I also had the option to cancel right up until the time slot began. If there are tech difficulties that force a cancellation, you'll automatically be refunded. 

There are a few things that make Amazon stand out from other online virtual tours and experiences. First, every tour with Amazon Explore is a one-on-one experience. If you're hoping to sit back with your microphone turned off, this isn't going to be your cup of tea. However, if you miss chatting with someone new, asking questions about what you're looking at, or trying out a few words of a new language, this is a great option. 

Another difference you'll notice right away is the high production value. While other experiences use a regular Zoom log-in, Amazon has created its own unique platform. This high-tech option has integrated graphics, including maps and labels; the ability to touch an item on your screen and have your guide see what you're pointing to; and one-touch buttons for taking screenshots and to use a "megaphone" to talk to locals (for example, a shopkeeper) near your guide.

One thing to note: Currently, there's no dual camera. Amazon's platform allows you to see your guide, but they can't see you. However, you can still easily converse in real time.

Another intersection where Amazon Explore detours from Airbnb and other virtual tours is with the shopping experiences. Your guide will shop for you if your experience is marked with an "In-Session Shopping" tag. 

On a shopping itinerary I tried, this was a revelation and an entirely new way of interacting with the destination. The guide entered a local store, held up items, and after we chose one, brought it to the register, photographed it, and purchased it for me. The itemized charges appeared in my Amazon orders immediately. Genius. 

However, shipping is extra, so don't assume you'll have free Amazon Prime delivery for this program. 

Additionally, for one of the cooking experiences, I was able to have all of my fresh ingredients delivered from Amazon Fresh. Although this service isn't fully integrated into the program yet (it's not a one-click option), it's easy enough to copy and paste the ingredient list into your Whole Foods or Fresh shopping basket. 

While you're at it, you can also order any suggested kitchen equipment for your recipe from the Amazon site (if you're wondering, like I was, why Amazon is getting into experiences, this was an "Aha" moment).

I was interested in trying Amazon Explore 's live shopping options, and my son, who was joining me for this experience, is interested in Japanese culture, so it was an easy jump to choose a Tokyo shopping experience. There were three options that worked for us timing-wise (we had to choose a late-night time slot on the East Coast to coincide with stores opening in Japan in the morning) for $10, $20, and $39 price points, all 45 minutes long. I chose the mid-level option: Shop Like a Chef . It was a tour of Kappabashi, an area of Tokyo that specializes in cookery and kitchenware, and $20 for a 45-minute private session seemed like a good value.  

Our session started out strong. Explore has an interface that can only be accessed via Amazon on a laptop or desktop computer. The graphics were great, and the short intro of technicolor experiences around the world created Disney-level excitement. This was definitely not a Zoom chat. 

Our guide Giulia (a friendly, trilingual Italian, Japanese speaker), jumped right in with introductions and gave us a quick intro to the cooking district complete with a map of the area displayed across our screen and crisp graphics that showed four shop choices available to tour — Chopsticks, Ceramics, Fake Food, and Knives. Giulia said we'd have time for two, and we chose Ceramics and Fake Food, because plastic ramen was something we needed to see.

One note I quickly realized is that you need to be decisive on these tours. It helps to be able to pull the trigger quickly on a purchase since time is quite literally ticking while you shop. After I (finally) committed to a lovely hand-painted teapot and two teacups halfway through the session, Giulia brought them to the register and photographed them so she could return after the tour to process payment. 

We then tagged along on a quick walk through Kappabashi, listening to the sounds of shoppers and background store music on our way to an "only in Japan" shop filled with hand-painted food replicas. 

Several magnets and key chains shaped like raw fish later, our 45-minute tour was over and it was time to say sayonara . All around, it was a really fun, truly unusual, and rewarding virtual experience.

My receipt arrived immediately, and although shipping can take as long as four weeks, my package arrived in just five days. However, be aware that prices can quickly add up on top of the initial experience price. I ended up spending $80 while shopping and the shipping was an additional $25. 

"Souvenirs are memories," enthused guide Mizuki in Japan at the end of our tour, which seemed to perfectly sum up why these experiences seem so special. Staying at home this year I have neither new memories nor new souvenirs, and I was happy for an opportunity to get both. 

Overall, I found the Amazon virtual experiences I tried to be superior to other online travel options I've tried. From the unique interactive platform to the personal, one-on-one interactions to the real-time shopping options, these virtual offerings truly stand out in a crowded field.  I'm guessing that when Amazon Explore comes out of beta there will be a dual video option, which would be very helpful. 

Still, I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the Amazon Explore programming and the tech which delivered it to my home. 

Ready to try out Amazon Explore and take a virtual vacation yourself? Consider some of these top Amazon Explore experiences. And don't forget, if you have Amazon Prime you can try your first experience up to $50 for free using the code FREEFUN at checkout.

  • Explore Florence, Italy's historic city center, including Piazza del Duomo, San Lorenzo Church, and more ($10)
  • Visit Costa Rica's Las Pumas Rescue Center and meet jaguars, monkeys, sloths, and more ($27.30)
  • Cook authentic Manchmanteles Mole with a Mexican chef ($28)
  • Tour a foodie's paradise and visit one of Singapore's famed hawker centers ($24)
  • Take an iPhone photography class with an award-winning photographer and filmmaker ($45)
  • Sip on Malbecs and wine taste your way across Argentina ($20.30)
  • Get up close with cuddly kangaroos and koalas at a Sydney wildlife park ($59)
  • Learn to make delicious French macarons from The Lincoln Apartment Bakery in Montreal ($69)

best vr travel experiences 2021

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Virtual travel experiences to enjoy now

Although some countries have reopened their borders , many travellers are still unable to venture out during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. This has forced tourism industries to rethink how they can promote tourist attractions online.

One way of getting tourists to travel abroad from the comfort of their own homes is through virtual reality (VR) technology and 360-degree videography. We round up the best virtual travel tours and online travel experiences that can be enjoyed online right now.

Virtual Reality National Parks

For Safari enthusiasts, luxury tour operator andBeyond has been live streaming wildlife footage to viewers at home from its game reserves in South Africa. To raise funds for conservation, andBeyond is also now offering unique virtual experiences such as a private zoom session where viewers can chat to guides who will answer questions, share experiences from recent drives or interpret sightings recorded at the reserves.

The fee from booking a virtual safari session is donated to the Africa Foundation as well as going towards essential habitat maintenance, sustainability and conservation initiatives at the reserves that would normally be funded by eco-tourism. 

Another way to watch Africa's big five animals from home is by tuning in to live cams on explore.org , which features live safari streams from South Africa and other regions across the globe. 

Those wishing to explore the US while borders are closed can explore national parks including Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and the Everglades with 360-degree videos via google earth . For a truly detailed journey through the beautiful National Park of Yosemite, click here .

On the Google Arts platform, you can also enjoy a detailed virtual journey through another five national parks including Alaska's Kenai Fjords, the volcanoes of Hawai'i or Utah's Bryce Canyon .

In the UK, the National Trust has curated a selection of virtual tours from their most breath-taking vistas and gardens, including the Giant's Causeway and the flower beds of Hidcote House. To embark on your virtual stroll,  click here .

The historic Arundel Castle in West Sussex is not planning to reopen until later in 2021, and in the meantime has produced immersive videos such as a highlight of the 2020 tulip festival, allowing visitors to enjoy the collection of 80,000 flowers while staying at home. Another gardening event that has gone virtual is the popular RHS Chelsea Flower Show .

Virtual Reality Scuba Diving Tours

For superyacht owners and charterers, one of the best activities available at sea is scuba diving . National Geographic has created 360 degree videos of nature spots and dive sites which, when pared with an Oculus Quest VR headset, can offer users the chance to swim with Humpback Whales in  Antarctica  or explore  Indonesia’s coral reefs.

GoPro, a brand renowned for making the  best action cameras , has produced 360 degree videos sure to delight those interested in meeting marine animals.

For more chances to take a virtual dive into the deep sea, head to the National Marine Sanctuaries website , which uses 360 degree photos and videos to educate viewers about life below the surface.

Virtual Reality Sightseeing Tours

Some tourist boards have gone one step further and created interactive tours of the entire country, highlighting their nation's most popular cultural sites and beauty spots.

A number of capital cities from London to Washington D.C . have been offering comprehensive virtual tours of their famous neighbourhoods, landmarks and gardens. For example, many of Paris’ iconic cultural spots can now be viewed online, from virtual tours of Montmarte's Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Louvre museum , to a peek inside the Opéra de Paris .

Switzerland's immersive virtual experience allows armchair travellers to enjoy the view from the peaks of  St Moritz , sit on the shores of Lake Lugano or peer up at Zurich’s historic cathedrals. All together, tourists can take in 22 lakes, five alpine passes and 12  UNESCO sites  all from inside their home.

Austria is also showcasing the country’s most iconic spots with 360-degree videos . The Ice Caves of Werfen and Mozart’s residence are some of the sites featured, plus users can experience virtual boat tours along the Danube river.

The coastal country of Portugal is famed for its rich and varied cultural heritage. On the tourist board website , you can take look inside some of the country's most beautiful museums or take a virtual train ride through Lisbon.

Highlight's from Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way can now be experienced from home. To enjoy a ride on horseback along Streedagh Beach or a surfing session below the Cliffs of Moher, click here .

Google Maps have used their technology to present tours of a number of beauty spots across to globe. Click here for a chance to meet Polar Bears in Canada, Trek along Nepal's Khumbu mountains or roam the romantic canals of Venice.

With the help of virtual effects, those who have wondered what the Cambodian site of Angkor Wat looked like in it's prime can uncover it's history by clicking here . To see what the temples look like today, click here .

Want to visit the Seven Wonders of the World without leaving your home? All of them are available online. You can now peer out from Machu Picchu without making the climb, explore Petra of Jordan with a helpful audio guide or virtually walk along the Great Wall of China .

Those missing out on sampling  the best champagnes  during vineyard visits can now enjoy a 360-degree virtual tour of the hillsides, houses and cellars of France's Champagne region and get a behind-the-scenes look at the production process of the famous bubbly. If watching that makes you thirsty, take a look at our roundup of the best wine delivery services .

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has also suggested interactive ways to experience the city’s highlights, inspired by the five senses. For a taste of the Principality, resident chefs have shared their signature dishes  here  so that viewers can bring hotel cuisine to their own home. To listen to the sounds of Monte-Carlo’s nightclub scene, you can tune into the online playlists from COYA with Spotify.  Click here  to listen.

To take in Monaco’s famous sights, the Société has recommended adding some  James Bond  movies to you  quarantine movie watchlist . The Bond films  GoldenEye  and  Never Say Never Again  are both back-dropped by the famous Monte-Carlo Casino and the French Riviera beachfront.

A Hotel Experience at Home

Alongside joining the fight against COVID-19 with charitable donations, some luxury hotels are also offering experiences that can be enjoyed at home. While some are sharing their chefs' recipes or mixology masterclasses, others are live-streaming yoga classes or uploading tours of resort grounds.

Examples include the Jamaica Inn hotel in Ocho Rios, from which you can enjoy cookery, yoga, 360 degree tours and live music here , as well as wellness classes broadcast from the two Chablé Hotels in Mexico, available here .

Virtual Reality Museum Tours

For those missing out on the cultural delights of museums and theatre, the wonders of technology have come to the rescue. The British Museum was already ahead of the curve when it launched its Hold the World VR experience in collaboration with Sir David Attenborough back in 2018. The Sky TV app, when used together with a VR headset, allows users to handle the museum's collection and have a one-on-one lesson from Attenborough. To find out more, click here .

If you want to see Vatican City's Sistine Chapel, the archaeological wonders inside Athen's Acropolis Museum or study the extensive collection at The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, simply head to the Google Arts platform and step inside virtually.

Other museums have created more personalised tours, available on their own websites. The VR tour of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum is particularly impressive, and the Uffizi gallery in Florence also uses virtual reality to get viewers up-close with the art. Over in New York,  The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a collection of 360-degree videos that you can watch.

With the Grammy Museum in LA closed, music fans can enjoy virtual offerings from regularly scheduled music history lessons to curated spotify playlists.

And for something truly out of this world, head to the NASA website for a virtual tour of its space stations and telescopes.

Online Theatre Performances

Other cultural experiences now accessible online include a number of live-streamed theatre performances. 

Glastonbury Festival has announced that it will be not be going ahead in 2021, although it is likely that the organisers will be arranging some virtual entertainment as they did last summer. 

To watch some Shakespearean plays in their original performance space, head to the website of London's Globe theatre . Another London institution also streaming it's performances of opera and ballet is The Royal Opera House .

For additional performances of operas by Puccini, Verdi and Mozart, head to the Opera Vision website . The Metropolitan has also started streaming performances by the world's greatest opera singers.

Want to bring a bit of Broadway home? If you've been waiting for a chance to watch Hamilton! you can now enjoy it via the Disney+ subscription service. And If you're a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals, you can watch your favourites on youtube via The Shows Must Go On! Youtube channel. Click here to tune in.

Even if it can’t compare to a real life experience, VR technology is still allowing us to get a little closer to the world’s greatest wonders. At the very least, these platforms might help travellers plan their next superyacht holiday or city break once the lockdown has been lifted.

Looking for more virtual experiences? Head over to our Virtual BOAT Show

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hp-reTop 10 Virtual Travel Experiences with the HP Reverb G2 VRverb-g2-travel.jpg

Top 10 Virtual Travel Experiences with the HP Reverb G2 VR

Introduction.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

1. Virtually visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites

mehrangharh-Mehrangharh Fort and Jaswant Thada Mausoleum in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Indiafort-and-jaswant-thada-mausoleum-in-jodhpur,-rajasthan,-india.jpg

  • The remotely located island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel and one of Normandy, France’s most iconic landmarks.
  • The Pompeii ruins of a city preserved in ash, resulting from the tragic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 BCE.
  • The site of the first hominid fossil and an important place for understanding human evolution at the Sangiran Early Man Site in Java, Indonesia.
  • Petra, Jordan , the city of stone built more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans.
  • The Slovakia-based Domica Cave , shaped by limestone from the Middle Triassic era and an underground river (actually) named Styx.
  • The limestone statue of the half-lion, half-human mythical creature known as the Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt .
  • The Genbaku Dome, otherwise known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and the only structure left standing after the August 6, 1945 explosion of the first atomic bomb during WWII -- preserved in the same state as it was immediately following the explosion.

2. Take in online exhibits

the-mThe Metropolitan Museum of Artetropolitan-museum-of-art.jpg

  • Peruse rooms and galleries of the rightfully world-famous Louvre in Paris, the world’s largest art museum, and even visit with the Mona Lisa from home in the Louvre’s first virtual reality project applying the latest scientific research on Leonardo da Vinci’s creative processes and painting techniques.
  • Virtually visit the iconic spaces of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art such as the Cloisters, the Temple of Dendur, the gilded sculpture of Diana in the Charles Engelhard Court, and more – all without the pressing crowds.
  • Explore Saint Petersburg, Russia’s State Hermitage Museum – second only to the Louvre in size -- through this truly comprehensive VR experience that includes many of the museum’s renowned works of art from Catherine the Great’s expansive collections as well as special exhibitions.
  • Experience the world’s first entirely virtual art museum (including the building itself), the Virtual Online Museum of Art (VOMA) , launched in September 2020, featuring galleries of works by dozens of artists such as Matisse, Manet, Li Wei, Bosch, and many more including newer and lesser-known artists from the around the world.

3. Partake in cross-cultural virtual experiences steeped in literary and art history

festiFestival of San Fermin Pamplonaval-of-san-fermin-pamplona.jpg

  • Virtually run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain at the annual Festival of San Fermin and be like Hemingway, who immortalized this event in his acclaimed novel The Sun Also Rises .
  • Take an interactive, virtual tour of the J ane Austen House in Chawton, Hampshire, UK, to explore some of the rooms where she wrote her renowned novels.
  • Immerse yourself in the Immersive van Gogh Experience , which places you inside several of his paintings such as “The Starry Night.”
  • Join in on Dublin-based Bloomsday activities with other super-fans of James Joyce’s Ulysses , which celebrates the central character of Leopold Bloom on June 16, 1904, the specific day depicted in the novel.
  • Step into the Anne Frank House and rooms of the secret annex, where the brave 13-year-old diarist, her family, and friends hid for more than two years from the Nazis during WWII.

4. Join in virtual castle tours in the UK

Edinburgh Castle Scotlandurgh-castle-scotland.jpg

  • Edinburgh Castle , one of Scotland’s most impressive landmarks built in 1103 on top of 350-million-year-old volcanic rock. It’s an ancient stronghold with a long and rich history as a fortress, prison, and military garrison, as well as the royal residence of several kings and queens.
  • Blair Castle , a 750-plus-year old Scottish castle in Perthshire in the central Scottish Highlands, ancestral home of the Clan Murray and historic seat of the Duke of Atholl.
  • Malahide Castle , one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic castles dating from 1185, in the picturesque seaside town of Malahide about 20 miles north of Dublin.

5. Take virtual tours of national parks

Yellowstone Park

  • Yellowstone Park , established in 1872 and America’s first national park, spans approximately 3,500 miles of breathtaking views across Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. It has numerous hiking trails, hot springs, and geysers like Old Faithful, which shoots water 100 feet into the air.
  • The Grand Canyon National Park , a true wonder of the world and one of this planet’s geological spectacles, was carved out by the Colorado River. It’s nearly one mile deep, and covers over 1.2 million acres.
  • National Mall and Memorial Parks Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC features almost 3,800 cherry trees, 3,020 of which were gifted by Japan in 1910, and represent 12 different varieties.
  • Redwood National Park is home to the world’s tallest trees, some of which are taller than the Statue of Liberty. With specimens up to 2,000 years old, this spectacular biosphere located in northern California contains almost half of the world’s old-growth redwoods.

6. Visit theme parks

Universal Studios

  • Dollywood VR roller coaster rides , some of the best and fastest roller coasters in the world, located in Dolly Parton’s eponymous Dollywood theme park in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
  • Universal Orlando in Florida, walk through and experience some of the rides of this theme park completely on your own in this truly immersive virtual experience, including Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

7. Take a virtual cooking class

8. share in a virtual wine tasting, 9. swim with the sharks on a deep-sea dive.

Sharks Underwater in Ocean

10. Visit out-of-this-world places with NASA

Bonus: experience the travel experience itself, experience virtual travel with the hp reverb g2 vr headset.

HP Reverb G2 Headset

  • Industry-leading, Valve-designed lenses, which can be adjusted for each user’s unique eye distances and face shape
  • Four cameras and internal sensors for detecting position to track more of your arm movement and jump right into VR without additional peripherals
  • Ultra-sharp visuals with 2160 x 2160 LCD panels per eye
  • An ergonomic design with controllers that are comfortable to hold onto

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The 8 Best Virtual Reality Experiences Around the World

Discover the next generation of virtual reality.

Virtual reality is now more realistic than ever, and not just the games you can play at home. Plug into alternate worlds where you duck fire-breathing dragons on a rollercoaster, soar like a bird through NYC and more.

Ghostbusters: Dimension, NYC

best vr travel experiences 2021

Photo by: The Void

The Void, a Utah-based start-up company, has quickly become a major player in the virtual reality realm. It’s advanced the field by using wireless equipment, and by combining virtual reality with actual reality to create what’s been dubbed hyper-reality. The Void’s first public venture is Ghostbusters: Dimension at Madame Tussauds in New York. Despite what you might be thinking in terms of tourist trap from hell, the experience has earned rave reviews for the life-like experience — although we won’t spoil whether or not getting slimed is part of the fun.

David Attenborough at the National Museum of Australia

Anomalocaris from David Attenborough’s First Life VR

Anomalocaris from David Attenborough’s First Life VR

Photo by: ©Atlantic Productions Ltd

©Atlantic Productions Ltd

If you’re a fan of David Attenborough’s nature documentaries, then add these two VR experiences to your must list. It’s one thing to virtually experience another part of the planet with Attenborough, but how about time traveling? That’s right, follow him to the beginning of time, where you can interact with ancient sea creatures like the Anomalocaris (pictured). Or tour the modern-day Great Barrier Reef, a great alternative for the scuba-dive averse, where colorful fish and realistic sharks weave around you. It’s also a great way to learn about the reef’s future prospects.

Birdly , worldwide

best vr travel experiences 2021

Photo by: Birdly

best vr travel experiences 2021

Up until now, the closest you could come to flying involved risky endeavors like parachute jumping. Luckily those who prefer terra firma can still experience flight thanks to Birdly, a motion simulator that just requires you to assume a bird position. Not only will you achieve a bird’s eye perspective of NYC, but you’ll really feel like you’re flying thanks to wings that you control and a fan that mimics wind. Find it around the world at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Science Centre Singapore ,  MK2 VR  in Paris and more.

SoReal, China

best vr travel experiences 2021

Photo by: Sam Wang

Unlike most amusement parks, don’t expect this one to look like much — until you don your virtual reality gear. SoReal, touted as the world’s first virtual reality theme park, is in the works to open in the next year or so in China’s eastern Jiangxi province. Until that happens, VR enthusiasts can visit the 10,000-square-foot prototype, which opened this past April in Beijing. Here, participants can time travel, battle monsters and watch 4D movies. Director Zhang Yimou is the co-founder behind both parks, and is best known for films such as the “House of Flying Daggers,” as well as the opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Demon Rollercoaster, Copenhagen

Dæmonen i Tivoli får ny dimension i form af virtual reality til sommersæsonen 2017

Virtual Reality i Dæmonen i Tivoli

Dæmonen i Tivoli får ny dimension i form af virtual reality til sommersæsonen 2017

Photo by: Lasse Salling

Lasse Salling

Scandinavia’s first virtual reality rollercoaster opened this past April in Copenhagen. Ironically, the ride is found in Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. Named The Demon, the virtual experience, combined with the rollercoaster itself, is no joke. On top of experiencing 4Gs and 50 mile-an-hour speeds, insatiable thrill-seekers going the optional VR route get an added dimension of demons, fire-breathing dragons and firecrackers. Fun!

House of VR, Toronto

best vr travel experiences 2021

Photo by: House of VR

House of VR

Virtual reality arcades have mushroomed in Toronto. Experience some of the best at House of VR in happening Queen West. Players can choose from some of the newest releases, but the lounge isn’t just for hard-core gaming enthusiasts. Other options entail being in the center of the action at Cirque du Soleil, climbing Mt. Everest and even scuba diving with whales. There’s also a meditation option that offers remote snowy villages and palm-ringed beaches for those who have trouble visualizing their happy place.

The VR Cinema, Amsterdam

best vr travel experiences 2021

Photo by: The Virtual Reality Cinema by &Samhoud Media

The Virtual Reality Cinema by &Samhoud Media

Gone are the reclining seats and gigantic screen at this next-gen movie theater. In their place are swiveling chairs and Samsung Galaxy S6 glasses at the world’s first virtual reality movie theater in Amsterdam. Continuing the non-traditional format, movie-goers choose from one of four 30-minute VR films based on themes: documentaries, animated, sci-fi and journeys. Unlike many VR headsets, the vision-challenged can comfortably wear the goggles over their glasses.  

iPilot, worldwide

Inside the cockpit of A Flight Simulator,

Inside the cockpit of A Flight Simulator,

Photo by: osheaphotography

osheaphotography

If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a pilot, this is the closest you’ll get to flying a commercial plane. You can even choose from a buffet of flight simulator programs at locations around the world, from Prague to Dubai. In a replica cockpit you’ll learn how to takeoff and land from your preferred airports, navigate, and experience being both the pilot and copilot. In fact, the entire experience is so realistic that for safety reasons you’ll need to provide proper ID.

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Virtual reality travel: is it more than just a gimmick?

Can vr still offer a rich travel experience technology innovations and a lockdown-led surge in interest suggest virtual travel is here to stay..

As the technology gets better and a new generation of tech-friendly gamers grow up into globetrotters, VR ...

As the technology gets better and a new generation of tech-friendly gamers grow up into globetrotters, VR could become a standard part of the travel experience.

Once the preserve of gamers, geeks and marketing agencies, VR has been given a new lease of life under lockdown. Let’s be clear: it’s never going to replace actual, physical travel in the real world. But as the technology gets better — the headsets more advanced and apps genuinely more immersive — and a new generation of tech-friendly gamers grow up into globetrotters, VR could become a standard part of the travel experience. Being able to step into a 3D space, be it a hotel room or museum, natural beauty spot or city street, isn’t only a useful tool at the planning stage, but a means to augment your experience on the road, and a way to relive it afterwards. VR also offers opportunities to explore with a lighter carbon footprint and, right now, while international travel remains limited, it caters to both those hungry for new horizons and travellers seeking a way to revisit favourite haunts.

Where should I start?

The latest improvements in VR headsets mean most now support apps, and as a result there are more programs to tap into; you can journey worldwide into whichever arena of nature or culture you fancy. Leading the pack, Oculus launched its Quest 2 headset in October 2020 with sharp screen resolution, no cables and visual hand-tracking. This means that as you reach out, your VR hands do the same, allowing for more intuitive movement. It still hasn’t quite overcome VR’s potential to cause motion sickness in some users, but as travel apps are generally less high-octane than games, it’s less of a risk. And as tech innovations increase, the price seems to be decreasing — at £299, Quest 2 isn’t the preserve of VR fanatics only. Also creating a buzz, thanks to headset innovations and a menu of engaging apps, is PlayStation ’s PS VR headset, HTC’s Vive and Vive Pro , and Valve ’s Valve Index.

What about VR on my phone?

It’s possible, but not nearly so immersive. Google Cardboard , allows you to turn your phone into something like a VR headset, offering an immersive viewing experience within a foldout frame. Plenty of smartphone apps, as well as YouTube and Facebook, offer 360-degree videos, which approach a VR experience, albeit in standard 2D view. And, proving that the pandemic-led boom in Instagram TV cook-along sessions, live-stream lectures, Zoom concerts and online museum tours has left a permanent mark, Amazon is the latest big brand to invest megabucks in VR-like experiences that bring the world to your doorstep. The launch of Amazon Explore in September offers one-on-one tours and classes in destinations worldwide, via live video. 

Where can I go?

Via Oculus , National Geographic VR allows you to hop into a kayak to explore icebergs in Antarctica, or discover Machu Picchu. With Wander, meanwhile, you can walk anywhere in the world that’s mapped in Google Street View, with Wikipedia integration that adds location-based learning as you stroll. Plus, it offers a way to jump back in time to witness changes to your destination over the past 16 years (Google launched the Street View app in 2005). If you want to experience Europe’s cities during these strange times, When We Stayed Home travels through the heart of familiar, currently deserted, urban destinations. In Paris, your guide is local bookseller Jérôme Callais, while in Venice it’s gondolier Alex Hai. 

Who can take me there?

What began as a pandemic stopgap is looking more like a viable product, not least for tourism bodies keen to keep their destination front and centre in people’s minds for when travel resumes. Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation uses VR to showcase such seductive offerings as snorkelling, beach yoga sessions and cookery classes, while the German National Tourist Board can take VR travellers with Oculus Rift headsets on 360-degree treks across the country, and on trips along its Baltic and North Sea coasts. Six of Germany’s fairy tale castles are also open for exploration for those with Microsoft HoloLens smart glasses.    

Three VR experiences to try

1.  First Airlines offers VR ‘flights’ from its Tokyo base. The company reported a 50% spike in bookings last summer. 

2. Kayak in search of a lost penguin colony, all in 3D, with 360-degree video footage shot by National Geographic. oculus.com

3. Earlier this year, Snoop Dogg and the TIDAL streaming service presented a live DJ night via Facebook’s Oculus , while Jean-Michel Jarre saw in the New Year with a show at Notre-Dame.

Published in the June 2021 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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VR sights around the globe

Virtual reality tourism ready for takeoff as travellers remain grounded

Experts say pandemic could provide watershed moment for technology, potentially leading to more sustainable tourism

With globe-trotting banned in the pandemic, increasing numbers of people are turning to virtual reality to relieve pent-up demand for travel.

Escapism from the sofa through a growing range of VR travel experiences is whetting appetites for post-pandemic holidays and could be a watershed moment for the technology in tourism, say analysts.

“As long as the pandemic increases and we are spending more time indoors, we should see adoption keep on growing,” said Ralph Hollister, a tourism analyst at Global Data and the author of a recent report on VR in tourism.

Oculus launched its Quest 2 headset in October and the most popular experiences include National Geographic VR, which takes users to places such as Antarctica – where they can navigate icebergs in a kayak, climb an ice shelf and survive a raging snowstorm as they search for a lost emperor penguin colony.

Another app, Wander, can teleport VR travellers from the pyramids of Egypt to the gardens of the Taj Mahal, while Alcove offers immersive experiences from hot air balloon rides to city tours.

When We Stayed Home takes travellers to the heart of Paris, Venice, Jerusalem and Tokyo as they largely are today. Through the eyes of a local, you can witness the calm, the beauty and the emptiness of a places on pause during April 2020.

“In this time of social distancing, people are looking for different ways to stay entertained, connected and active, and VR offers that,” said an Oculus spokesperson. “Whether you want to transport yourself to different places in the world, play with friends, get fit or just hang out together and feel like you’re in the same room, people are realising they can with VR.”

One prominent adopter of pandemic VR is Germany’s national tourist board, which has unveiled a number of immersive projects. The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation is using VR to showcase experiences such as beach yoga and snorkelling.

Hollister said VR was still seen as a gimmick. “It remains to be seen if increased usage will last beyond when meaningful travel resumes.” But he believes it could.

“I think the increase will be sustained, especially with the Gen Z and millennials in coming years, as they move into higher-paid jobs, and marketers take them more seriously as a consumer group. They will not feel alienated by the technology,” he said.

Currently, VR is used in the pre-trip “dreamer” stage in tourism, with people looking at where they might want to go. Among the tourist operator Kuoni’s offerings, potential customers can take a 360-degree tour of the upmarket Sandy Lane luxury resort in Barbados.

Hollister predicts that in the future people could use VR to book trips directly, as well as choosing seats on planes and hotel rooms with a click of the controller.

“A lot of travellers and consumers want a seamless experience, to go from looking to booking with minimal clicks, instant gratification and saving as much time as possible,” he said.

It has its limitations. ‘Tourism is also about touch, taste, smell, all those other sensory experiences, which is something VR cannot do,” he said. The price of high-quality headsets restricts access too.

But as the world seeks more sustainable tourism, Hollister said VR also offered a solution. As historic sites are damaged through mass tourism, recreating them in VR could help conserve them.

So this could be a watershed moment for VR and travel. “Everyone will be analysing that and working out its real worth to the industry,” he said.

‘More immersive than I could have imagined’

Angel Ross hoped to be travelling this year – and he has. He’s been cage diving with white sharks, kayaked in Antarctica and played poker in China – all virtually.

Ross, who works for a London-based marketing firm, invested in an Oculus Quest 2 in January to satisfy his wanderlust after finding himself “stuck at home with the winter getting a bit depressing”.

He said: “I love travelling. I am 22 and these are the years when I have been wanting to do a lot of things, and obviously can’t do anything right now. I love the ocean and I love snorkelling. On the Oculus you can dive with all these different animals, and it’s super immersive and realistic.

“There’s a great white shark, you can get in a cage and it comes up to you. It was pretty terrifying but amazing. Then there’s more friendly animals like dolphins you can play with. I’ve done all of them, pretty much.”

To make it more inclusive, he can cast what he is seeing on to his computer or TV to share with friends. “You feel quite disorientated when you come out, because you are really tricking your brain to think you are there,” he said.

On the National Geographic VR app, he went on an Antarctic adventure. “I saw whales, I was in a kayak and you can climb an ice shelf. You really feel like you are walking and moving and going somewhere. All your senses – obviously not smell and touch – feel they are being completely absorbed.

“I am a big poker player, with friends and not for money. And the poker on there is incredible. You can go to all these different locations. And one is this Chinese rooftop garden pool. Really cool.”

He has also been rock climbing in the Alps, “which is super realistic – you chalk your hands and you can look around and see the drop. Pretty insane.”

On YouTube VR he went in a drone up to 40,000ft to see the curvature of the Earth. “It’s even more immersive than I could have imagined. One hundred per cent,” he said .

“Because it’s so immersive and intense, you can’t sit on it for hours on end. You need breaks. So you can have an intense, fun experience and do so many different things, invigorate your senses. And then you just stop, have a break. And you don’t need that constant fix.”

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The 12 Best Free Virtual Travel Experiences Worth Checking Out

Don't have the means to travel the world? You can still visit stunning locations via virtual travel. Here are some of our favorites!

Do you want to travel, but circumstances are preventing you from doing so? Thankfully, the internet enables you to visit multiple destinations around the world in real time. No plane tickets, visas, or long flights necessary!

If you have a laptop, a smartphone, or a VR device and a reliable Wi-Fi connection, you are all set to take these virtual tours for free.

1. African Safari

WildEarth relies on safari vehicles, guides on foot, drones, balloons, rovers and remote cams to capture some of Africa's most iconic animals in their own habitats. You can interact with an expert game ranger hosting the safari while you watch.

Related: Outdoor Virtual Tours to Get Back to Nature With Hikes, Dives, and Spelunking

2. The White House

At 55,000 square feet, the White House has 6 floors, 132 rooms (16 are family guest rooms), 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, eight staircases, three elevators, 412 doors and 147 windows.

Thanks to Google Arts and Culture, you can enjoy a walk through the most famous residence in the US without having to worry about the Secret Service.

Related: Virtual Field Trips That Make History Come Alive

3. Discover India

You can visit the Taj Mahal and other iconic Indian sites via the official Indian government's immersive Audio Odigos app.

Once the app is downloaded Audio Odigos does not require Wi-Fi or an Internet connection. You can choose a destination and download all the chapters of the destination you are visiting in one go and enjoy your tour offline.

Download: Audio Odigos for Android | iOS (Free)

4. Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House offers exclusive live streams of their performances, inclusive of original new digital programming direct from Sydney Opera House. It's free when you sign up.

5. Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

The Northern Lights most commonly appear between 5:00 pm and 2:00 am.

A good display may last for no longer than 15-30 minutes at a time, although if you're really lucky, they could last for a few hours. Norway's lights over Lapland project enables you to experience the Northern Lights via VR.

6. The Grand Canyon

The most popular hiking trail into the Grand Canyon is the Bright Angel Trail. Google's Street View Trek enables you to virtually hike it.

7. Paris Catacombs

Beneath the City of Paris is a 200 mile series of macabre tunnels containing the bones of 6 million people. As photographer Felix Nadar put it, the catacombs are one of those places "everyone wants to see and no one wants to see again". You can see the catacombs for yourself with this virtual tour.

Related: The Best Virtual Tours of the Human Body for Interactive Anatomy

8. Christ the Redeemer Statue

Located at the peak of the 700-metre (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Christ the Redeemer statue is the largest art deco statue in the world. You can skip the 200-step climb to the top via this stunning virtual tour set to soothing jazz by Kenny G.

9. Roman Colosseum

Fans of the Gladiator movie will no doubt recall the legendary fight scenes in the colosseum.

In real life, the colosseum was used as an entertainment venue for 390 years. During that time more than 400,000 people and 1 million animals died inside the Colosseum. You can virtually visit the real colosseum on AirPano.

10. Brooks Falls, Alaska

EXPLORE is the largest live nature cam network on the planet.

If you are a fan of bears, the livestream of Brooks Falls in Alaska's Katmai National Park is the best place in the world to watch brown bears feasting on salmon as they swim upstream to spawn. EXPLORE offers a multicam experience of various virtual tours both on land and under the sea.

11. New York Times Square

Would you like to visit Times Square in New York right this very moment? EarthCam takes you on an aerial and street-level tour of the square, complete with audio.

12. Marine Life Virtual Dive

America's National Marine Sanctuary System is a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters, and now you can visit these amazing places in the blink of an eye through virtual reality.

If you're on a desktop, click and drag to experience in 360 degrees, or pair your phone with your virtual reality headset. For the best viewing experience, watch the video in high-definition: click the gear symbol in the lower right corner, then select any of the HD options that pop up when you click "Quality."

Related: Google Earth Tour Guide: Virtual Tours You'll Want to Check Out

Hot Tip: Amazon Explore

Amazon Explore enables you to virtually tour the world's cities and experience local culture with the help, or rather the company, of local guides or hosts.

Amazon Explore experiences are not free. However, if you’re an Amazon Prime member, your first experience of up to $50 is free with the promo code FREEFUN for a limited time.

How to get a free Amazon Explore experience:

  • Visit Amazon Explore .
  • Select and schedule an experience that is $50 or less. Use the code FREEFUN at checkout. This will reduce your cost to zero.
  • Meet Your Host: When it’s time for your livestreamed session, show up at your computer and meet up with your host.
  • Explore: The session is private and just for you, so ask questions, take pictures, and focus on what interests you the most.

Virtual Travel Is Here to Stay

For travelers who have various physical impairments—mobile, visual, auditory—virtual tours are a great way to visit destinations that were once off limits. Needless to say, those with financial limitations are equally empowered to visit places they otherwise could not afford.

If you are worried about global warming, traveling via internet is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and avoid flight shaming while seeing the world.

And of course there are the time savings. You may not have the time to see the world in your lifetime. With virtual travel, you can visit a new continent every day.

Best VR experiences 2023: Explore, learn, and be entertained in virtual reality

Toy with planets, explore the ocean, or step into the past with the best VR experiences.

Best VR experiences - National Geographic Explore VR Machu Picchu_National Geographic

Space Explorers: The ISS Experience

Brink traveller, star chart vr, national geographic explore vr, all kinds of limbo xr, universe sandbox, perspectives: paradise, the book of distance, within - cinematic vr.

With virtual reality well and truly in the mainstream, there’s no time like the present to dive into the best VR experiences on offer. And we do mean experiences, not games. Yes, there’s fun to be had soaring through space in an X-Wing or gunning down bad-guys from behind a dumpster but VR has so much more to offer besides.

There are a whole range of VR applications that, from the comfort of your own home, let you visit places, times and even whole worlds that would otherwise be out of your reach. Sometimes you’re just you, while some titles put you in someone else’s shoes, offering a perspective you might never have considered. VR fitness apps are becoming more popular, and you can even work in VR .

Without the need to fend off murderous bandits or face-eating xenomorphs, you can take your time to immerse yourself in the experience of your choosing. And if you haven’t already picked up a VR headset (they’re surprisingly affordable) check out our list of the best VR headsets here.  

The only snag is there are so many VR experiences out there that it can be hard to know where to start, even if you’ve a specific area of interest in mind. For example, put “dinosaurs” and “VR” into the Steam Store and you’re greeted by 80+ results.

That’s why we’ve rounded up the ten of the best VR experiences available. Some are free, others sport a reasonable price tag but all offer the chance to expand your horizons without even leaving your living room. And if you want to pick up a VR headset to check out these experiences, head to our VR headset deals page to get the best price. 

  • Platforms: Oculus
  • Price: $2.99 for each of the 4 episodes (via Oculus Store) 

If anyone is looking to experience the wonders of space, this VR experience may be close to what you’ll get to seeing what its like aboard a space station. Shot over two years, the VR experience was filmed at the International Space Station. It’s a gorgeous look at life aboard the station, told through four parts as you follow eight astronauts on a journey through some missions. It’ll give viewers an intimate look at living the life on orbit. 

There won’t be much interaction, but the experience does dive deep into space exploration through the eyes of these astronauts. With these extreme close-ups of these workers in space together, you’ll feel like you are with them during the joys and dangers of their profession.

  • Check out Space Explorers on the Oculus Store .
  • Platforms: Steam VR, Meta (including Meta Quest)
  • Price: $9.99 / £7.99 (via Steam Store, Meta Quest Store)

BRINK Traveller takes you on a tour of twenty stunning natural spots, across thirteen locations. That may not sound like a lot when you can run Google Earth on most headsets, but BRINK Traveller’s locales are more than just 360° videos or shots.

Instead, you get to roam around each lookout spot, gazing down into the Grand Canyon, for example, watching the odd bird soar overhead. Should you be so inclined you can pick up a rock and pitch it into the water or take photographs. Or why not pull up a chair and just relax? It’s not 100% photorealistic but it’s convincing enough that it’s almost as good as being there. 

The locations are, mostly, American but the developers are slowly adding more international locations. Besides which, (virtually) taking in California’s Death Valley, Arizona’s The Wave rock formation and more, you’re bound to come away impressed.

  • Buy BRINK Traveller on Steam .
  • Buy BRINK Traveller on Meta Quest Store .
  • Platforms: Oculus, Steam, Google Play
  • Price: $9.99 

Speaking of space, this VR experience is also out of this world as it allows you to explore the solar system in a beautiful rendering of a real-time space simulation. You can take a closer look at all the planets in our galaxy whether its Saturn’s rings or the moons that orbit it. This is a great way to educate yourself in what the solar system has to offer and see how these constellations are formed in the night sky. Choose from different Star Chart modes to give you some choices in your star gazing activity. 

There’s also tons of experiences like Moments in Time that take you throughout history in space expedition like the moon landing and the rover’s exploration in Mars. No matter what you choose, you’ll enjoy what our solar system has to offer thanks to this one-of-kind VR experience.

  • Buy Star Chart VR on Steam.
  • Buy Star Chart VR on Oculus .
  • Buy Star Chart VR on Google Play Store .
  • Price: $9.99

There are plenty of discoveries to be made in this world, and National Geographic help make this possible with their app called Explore VR. There are countless experiences to uncover and it’s a nice educational tool to see what this world has to offer regarding culture and exploration. 

Users can explore the old ruins of Machu Picchu or even scale the icebergs in the far-off region of Antarctica. It’s perfect for the whole family to travel the world without ever leaving the house. The main goal is to capture photos on these exhibitions, so the National Geographic Explore VR experience is a nice way to discover these vast locations to get to know the landscape and learn its history.

  • Buy National Geographic Explore VR for $9.99 at Oculus store .
  • Platforms: Steam VR, Meta (including Meta Quest 2)

It’s estimated that 80% of the ocean’s depths remain unexplored and while Ocean Rift is based on what we do know, it still offers some amazing encounters. Swimming around one of several sub-aquatic areas, you’ll get to gawp at humpback whales, play with dolphins and, should you so choose, swim with a handful of prehistoric animals. 

Ocean Rift isn’t the only application to offer a similarly watery experience, but what’s impressive is the freedom it grants you. You can roam to your heart’s content, assuming you’ve not chosen the shark cage area, and, occasionally, stumble on some unsettling aquatic items. Ocean Rift doesn’t set out to kill you, but we still got the chills when we stumbled across an abandoned submersible.

  • Buy Ocean Rift on Steam .
  • Buy Ocean Rift on Meta Quest Store .
  • Platforms: All
  • Price: £6/$8

Live theater still draws in a big crowd with the likes of Broadway shows, concerts, and other types of entertainment. If you would rather see live entertainment from your own home, look no further than the performers behind All Kinds of Limbo. The musical performance is developed by artists Raffy Bushman and Nubiya Brandon alongside the NuShape Orchestra in the U.K. 

Using just a VR headset on a mobile device or PC, audiences can take part in this immersive experience that brings the Caribbean culture to life in a story of a life in limbo across different genres of music. Called All Kinds of Limbo XR, this special production from the National Theater utilizes VR technology to create a place for audiences to watch these musicians perform with the tunes of the Caribbean.

  • See upcoming All Kinds of Limbo events here.
  • Platforms: Steam VR
  • Price: $29.99 (via Steam Store, also includes non-VR version)

Universe Sandbox happily caters to those who just want to watch the planets leisurely orbit the sun or, with the click of a button or two, watch days pass in seconds. Even without touching the extensive and sometimes silly Steam Workshop items (space whale included), just poring over solar systems (ours and a handful of others) will keep stargazers happy. 

However, it’s the option to experiment that really elevates Universe Sandbox. You can move planets, alter their size, their composition, blow them up – the Solar System is your oyster. Yes, there’s nothing to stop you swapping the Sun out for a black hole and the resultant planetary chaos is really something. But you can have just as much fun making little tweaks and observing the knock-on effects.

  • Buy Universe Sandbox VR on Steam (Early Access) 
  • Price: Free (via Steam Store)

Perspectives: Paradise starts with a bang and ends with a whimper which, given the subject matter is entirely appropriate. It’s a virtual reality dive into the 1952 test detonation of the first hydrogen bomb and the effect it had at Enewetak/Bikini Atoll, both upon the environment and the original inhabitants. 

Aside from a spectacular VR recreation of the detonation of the bomb, you get to delve into the unsettling aftermath, standing atop the sealed mound where radioactive materials were buried. On top of that, there are 360° views of the island, interviews (including with the people who live there now) and more. 

The subject is treated with an appropriate level of dignity – it’s not a fist-pumping celebration of America’s might, thanks in part to the involvement of some Finnish journalists. And it’s absolutely going to leave you with food for thought. 

  • Get Perspectives: Paradise on Steam .
  • Platforms: Steam VR, Meta
  • Price: Free (via Steam Store, Meta Quest Store)

Aside from visiting remote locations, VR allows you to experience other people’s stories. The Book of Distance tells just one such story, about a Japanese man who emigrated to America. That might be an interesting tale in its own right, but what makes his story so significant is that he was one of the many, many Japanese American citizens who spent some or all of WWII in American internment camps . 

What makes this such an impactful experience is that it has such a narrow, personal focus. It was produced with the involvement of Randall Okita, the man’s grandson, and it lets you delve into various aspects of his life. It’s presented as sort of a play, one that will absolutely hold your attention, and it’s the perfect way to illuminate an important but often glossed over chapter of America’s history. 

  • Get The Book of Distance on Steam .
  • Get The Book of Distance on Meta Quest Store .
  • Platforms: Oculus, Steam, Google Play, Apple
  • Price: Free

For those in need of a cinematic experience at home, Within VR can make that happen. Get immersed in some amazing stories in different genres like documentaries, horror, music videos, animation, and so much more. What’s great is that these are viewed at no charge at all. 

You can catch the best from indie filmmakers and studios from around the world. These videos are also available to download in high-resolution, so you can take it anywhere you go if you don’t have an internet connection to stream it. If you’re up for some video content, then you’ll find plenty of that through Within.

Best of all, there are no platform limitations, as the Within website proudly states that it's "available everywhere fine VR is served".

  • Check out Within VR on Steam ,  Oculus, Google Play , or Apple .

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Chris is a freelance journalist who, aside from covering games and gaming-related tech, has a taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic. As well as Live Science, you can find his work at Space.com, The Escapist, GameSpew (where he’s the morning news writer) and more. You can follow him on Twitter @MarmaladeBus .

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Best VR space experiences

The best VR space experiences puts space travel within reach of everyone - with the right hardware.

Best VR Space Experiences: Mission: ISS_Magnopus_InGame still_OCULUS VR, LLC.

Travel the cosmos and explore the ISS in the best VR space experiences.

VR gaming is great but there are also a wealth of smaller VR “experiences” that let you explore places and situations that would otherwise be beyond your reach. Space has its own subset of experiences which range from letting you board the International Space Station to giving you the power to bend planets to your will. 

Yes, space exploration is still the domain of a select few, based on their skill sets, celebrity status or bank balances.  Most of us won’t get to escape Earth’s gravitational pull, let alone live on the moon. But, thanks to the best VR headsets , all you need to do to take to the stars (or demolish them) is to don a headset and enter virtual reality. 

It’s not absolutely the same, your feet will remain firmly planted on Earth, but VR experiences can be the next best thing to actually going to space and with VR more affordable than it’s ever been, there’s no better time to blast off. So, to give you a head start, we’ve rounded up six of the best VR space experiences.

1. Space Explorers: The ISS Experience 

  • Headsets : Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2 
  • Price: $2.99 for each of 4 episodes (via Oculus Store) 

One the best VR space experiences, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience was filmed aboard the International Space Station, over the course of two years. Exclusive to the Oculus Quest it’s an absolutely fascinating look at life aboard the station and, while only two of the four half-an-hour episodes have been released, it offers some insights you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. 

It is largely non-interactive; you’re limited to jumping back and forth through each mini documentary’s timeline. But Space Explorers: The ISS Experience is well worth your time, not just because of how astonishing it feels to “be” on the ISS (even if you can’t freely explore), but also because it happily delves into the mundane.

Yes, there are interviews and so forth, and the final episode is set to contain a spacewalk. But the quieter moments are just as vital; a crew member’s sorrow over her comrades’ imminent departure is framed by an extended scene of them all dining together. And, thanks to the VR close-ups, it feels like you’re right there with them; I had the urge to grab a can of tuna as it drifted by. 

Two years of footage has, naturally, been edited down but it still has an air of honesty and if you’ve the slightest interest in the ISS it’s a must-see. 

  • Get Space Explorers via the Oculus store for free .

2. Mission: ISS  

  • Headsets : Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2
  • Price: Free (via Oculus Store) 

Ever wanted to roam around the International Space Station? Mission: ISS lets you do just that and the freedom it bestows upon you is really something. You can “cheat” and navigate the ISS using the controller’s joystick, but pushing yourself along using the various wall-mounted bars makes for a more authentic, if slightly chaotic outing. 

Mission: ISS’s attention to detail is real a joy; you can’t go around just flipping switches, but chances are you’ll spend ages poring over buttons, reading labels and batting ketchup bottles about. You get to play with the ISS’s docking arm, but if you’d prefer a truly harrowing experience, spacewalking is where it’s at. 

The stars are quite clearly textures but once you’re out there it still feels disquietingly real. In your head the only thing keeping you in the vicinity of the ISS is a few metal hand-grips and your SAFER pack . And this is all from a free game, with not an in-app purchase in sight; short of drifting off into the void, you really can’t go wrong. 

  • Download Mission: ISS for Oculus Quest 2 or Oculus Rift S .

3. Spheres 

  • Headset: Oculus Rift & Oculus Quest
  • Price: $9.99 (via Oculus Store) 

Spheres is not so much a scientifically-accurate exploration of space as it is a semi-interactive art piece. It’s split into three ten minute chunks, narrated by Millie Bobby Brown, Jessica Chastain and Patti Smith respectively. Their presence, compared to regular voice actors, doesn’t elevate Spheres but, for the most part, the narration (and writing) comes across as sincere, only once edging into near-parody. 

The voice-overs serve to set the scene, but it’s the stunning visuals and subdued but haunting soundtrack that make Spheres such a memorable meditation on the cosmos. All three chapters, Chorus of the Cosmos, Songs of Spacetime and Pale Blue Dot are excellent but Songs of Spacetime is worth the asking price alone.  

Writer Eliza McNitt’s interpretation of a black hole is breathtaking enough but Spheres briefly puts you in control of this galactic sinkhole, letting you reach out to slowly devour a doomed sun. Then, just when you’ve seen the most Spheres has to offer, it takes things to a whole other level, but it wouldn’t be fair to spoil the surprise. 

  • Buy Spheres for $9.99 on Oculus Quest 2 or Oculus Rift S .

4. Discovering Space 2 

  • Headset: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift (Oculus Quest via air link or cable) 
  • Price: $9.99 (via Oculus Store), $9.99 (via Steam Store) 

The bad news is Discovering Space 2 , which sees you soaring around the Solar System in a sci-fi ship, sometimes resembles a theme park ride rather than a real space voyage. The good news is it feels like the kind of cutting edge computer-assisted ride you’d have to wait two years to get tickets for. 

You can follow one of several guided tours, or just explore the Solar System at will. The latter is where Discovering Space 2 comes into its own because it manages to convey the vastness of the distance between planets. Yes, you can throttle up and travel at currently unattainable speeds if you want to reach Mars in minutes. But just pointing yourself at a planet and being informed it’ll take 79 days to reach is hugely sobering, as you gaze at the blackness through your cockpit.  

The icing on the cake is you can fly down to each planet (there’s an optional autopilot) and while their surface textures are fairly low resolution, it’s a welcome addition. Once you get used to the fact that a few planets, the Earth in particular, don’t quite sell their size, Discovering Space 2 is a worthy exploration.

  • Buy Discovering Space 2 on via Oculus store or Steam .

5. SpaceEngine 

  • Headset (not required): Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift (Oculus Quest via air link or cable), Windows Mixed Reality, can run without headset. 
  • Price: $24.99 (Early Access, via Steam Store) 

SpaceEngine, while still in Early Access, is a vast interactive planetarium where the sky definitely isn’t the limit. It’s an impressive experience, more so when you strap on a VR headset and find yourself surrounded by the stars. You can explore Earth’s planetary neighbours or select a distant system and, in a matter of seconds, be standing (or floating) in unfamiliar space. Half of the fun of playing SpaceEngine is clicking away at stars, not knowing what you’re going to discover when it takes you there.

It does incorporate actual astronomical data, so you can soar off to Trappist-1 or any number of known systems. Some systems and planets are procedurally generated and are labelled as such; the more you explore the uncharted regions of space, the more SpaceEngine has to give you its best guess or make something up entirely. 

However, as immersive as SpaceEngine is, the VR interface is pretty clunky. For example, if you want to enter the name of a system you need to lift your visor and use the keyboard. As a work in progress, it’s well worth diving into but overhauling the VR controls should be next on the developers’ to-do list. 

  • Buy SpaceEngine for $24.99 via Steam.

6. Universe Sandbox 

  • Headsets (not required): Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift (Oculus Quest via air link or cable), Windows Mixed Reality
  • Price: $29.99 (via Steam Store) 

Universe Sandbox is less a planetarium and more an opportunity for you to perform your own experiments on an unsuspecting system.  These experiments range from the low key (if potentially prophetic) - raising Earth’s temperature a few degrees - to the malevolent – dropping the blue supergiant Rigel into the Solar System and watching everything fall apart. 

However, donning a compatible VR headset takes Universe Sandbox’s stellar shenanigans to a sublime new level. Zoom into Earth and it’ll float so close you’ll swear you could grab it. Launch the Moon towards our precious planet and watch awe-struck as the annihilation unfolds before your eyes. Planetary events that are striking when viewed on a monitor become absolutely spectacular when witnessed in VR and, unlike SpaceEngine, the VR controls are entirely intuitive. 

Is Universe Sandbox accurate?   Creators Giant Army state they “strive to keep the results as realistic as possible”, though they admit it doesn’t take account of relativity . So we wouldn’t recommend you use it to support your dissertation, but if you’ve ever contemplated our solar system and thought “What if?”, Universe Sandbox will give you hours of planet-meddling joy.

  • Buy Universe Sandbox for $29.99 via Steam.

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best vr travel experiences 2021

[Top 10] Best VR Nature Experiences That Are Amazing

Best VR nature experiences

In today’s world, many people don’t have the time to relax because their lives are so busy. This is where virtual reality can help, removing the travelling needed to find amazing nature experiences, as well as the cost. The nature experiences that I’ve listed below are one of one the best selection of nature experiences that you can experience with current VR technology. All of these games cost around the same as a meal deal in your local convenience store, but offer so much more. If you’re looking for solutions to become less stressed with the help of VR, then you’ve come to the right place.

10. Nature TreksVR

best vr travel experiences 2021

Nature TreksVR takes players to virtual worlds full of life in alternative creative worlds. There’s over 60 different animals, the ability to explore the world, control of both the weather and time of day, 15 environments, and over 500 locations that span across 10km. This is a wonderful game to help users escape into a world of relaxation at a low price of £7.99. Current players praise the game for it’s realism, so I highly recommend checking this one out. The developers are also working on a more modern version of the game, and will be releasing it in December 2021. This game comes with a lot more features and environments for users to explore, so I’d suggest that you add it to your wishlist on Steam if you haven’t already.

9. Sphaeres

best vr travel experiences 2021

Sphaeres takes VR users to the real world, allowing them to explore 360 videos of amazing places all over the world. Their high quality 360 cameras. Interestingly, each experience has to be bought separately for £0.79, which isn’t a bad deal for the content and footage that you receive. It also appears as though they have an abundance of experiences for users to try, so go have a look if you want to see the Sunrise Serenity or travel through London in it’s iconic spots.

8. National Geographic Explore VR

best vr travel experiences 2021

This game does everything it says it does, allowing users to explore two iconic locations on earth. While exploring the amazing place of Antarctica, you’re given a job of finding a lost emperor penguin colony. The game requires players to climb massive ice shelves and survive raging snowstorms in order to find this lost colony. Or, players can visit Machu Picchu, Peru and explore digital constructions of the Inca citadel. The game has received a lot of positive reviews on the Oculus Quest store and is considered a family favourite for many. I would certainly check out this game if you’re looking for some amazing views. 

7. ecosphere

best vr travel experiences 2021

Despite being a collection of 360 videos, ecosphere boasts the best video quality around and strives on making users feel immersed, unlike many of the 360 videos that one can find on Youtube. Players can explore a multitude of locations, such as the great savannahs of Kenya, the rich coral reefs of Raja Ampat, or travel through the ancient jungles of Borneo. Players also get to meet elephants, orangutans, and even manta rays! I for one would check out this game, especially as it’s free on the Oculus store and receives regular updates.

6. Olympia in VR

best vr travel experiences 2021

For users who own an Oculus Go or have Gear VR, I suggest checking out Olympia in VR. This digital reconstruction of Greece has players exploring the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Zeus. Players can also explore other monuments and buildings, using teleportation to roam the small city. It’s a great historical tool too because of its factual content, and the developers have clearly mentioned that every detail has been researched, approved, and is backed-up by archaeological evidence. This makes the game great for those looking to visit or study about ancient Greece, but don’t expect amazing visuals as the game suffers from poor lighting in open areas.

5. Rome Reborn: The Pantheon

best vr travel experiences 2021

This game is a digital reconstruction of ancient Rome, focusing on the ancient city and Pantheon. Players get to explore both the forecourt and sanctuary, learning about the decoration, history, and design of the place, as well as the people who once lived within it. Despite only being available on the Oculus Go and Quest 2, it’s a great Nature experience for those looking to travel back in time and understand the history of Ancient Rome.

4. Lights over Lapland

best vr travel experiences 2021

This VR experience is a five-minute experience that lets users watch a series of amazingly high-quality 360-degree videos. From starting in an ice hotel that’s located in Abisko national park, the player is transported by sleigh to Arctic forests near the base of Mount Nuolja. From here, users can watch timelapses of the Northern lights as they pass overhead. Users can view the Northern Lights from Iceland, Yamal, Russia, and in Norway. All from the comfort of your home.

3. Gala360 – Travel & Relax

best vr travel experiences 2021

A popular app for the Oculus Go, users can see professional 6K resolution 360 photos and 5K 360 relaxation videos that show the beauties of the world from an insane number of locations. With more than 300 tours, many of which are free, users can visit countlessly interesting places without ever leaving their room. Gala360 also allows users to walk around in some of their tours, and each tour provides interesting information and stories to help educate users. This free app is a must for nature lovers!

2. Nature Treks: Together

best vr travel experiences 2021

This game is one of the best virtual and fully customizable VR nature experiences that will truly blow you away. Designed around creating a world of peace and relaxation, users can explore handcrafted worlds with up to 16 users. Users can get up close with virtual animals and insects and have the power to spawn any natural object that they desire to make each environment their own. In part, the game was developed with the UK government to help those who have suffered isolation or emotional trauma as a result of the covid pandemic and is a wonderful game to help people relax in our stressful world without having to actually travel anywhere.

1. Relax with nature

best vr travel experiences 2021

Relax with nature is a gorgeous app that has a handful of 360 videos for users to relax in. Designed around meditation, users get to enjoy the scenes while listening to high-quality sounds from the environment or listen to quiet music in the background. For £2.29, the game’s price and purpose is excellent for people who have stressful lives. However, many users have complained that they cannot get rid of the virtual buttons once in the scene, taking away their immersion. Other users are also complaining that you only get 4 minutes of video for each scene, making the experiences short and frustrating. The developer is working on fixes though, so the app should work just fine now.  

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UploadVR's Best VR Of 2021 Awards - Nominees

Roll out the red carpet, it’s time for UploadVR’s Best of 2021 awards nominees!

2021 was a year unlike any else the VR industry has ever seen. With relatively few major new headset releases, all eyes were on big new software debuts to satiate the ever-growing list of PC VR gamers, devoted PSVR fans and the swarm of new Quest 2 customers that took their first dip into the world of VR this year.

And developers rose to the occasion. This isn’t a year of huge flashy new shooters and sequels (though there is some of that), but a lot of genuinely new and different experiences that really proofed out just how different VR gaming can be. And, of course, there are plenty of other moments, developers and hardware releases to recognize. We also revealed our nominees live in our virtual studio today, which you can see in the video below. Check back for the full list of winners later in the week!

UploadVR’s Best VR Of 2021 Awards – Nominees

Best Competitive Multiplayer

best vr travel experiences 2021

The quest for VR’s competitive crown really heated up in 2021. Whilst new shooters like Larcenauts and Hyper Dash aspired to esports glory, returning favorites like Loco Dojo Unleashed and Ragnarock gave us a spin on what VR multiplayer could look like. Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention the standout success of Gorilla Tag, which John Carmack himself recently noted had more players than many multiplayer AAA VR games.

  • Loco Dojo Unleashed
  • Gorilla Tag

Best Co-op Multiplayer

Upload VR Best Of 2021 Co-Op Multiplayer

Competitive multiplayer might be a tough category to choose, but Best Co-op is an even harder choice. 2021 saw the release of fantastic co-op titles up and down the board, from the Left 4 Dead-like horde-slaying of After The Fall to the dungeon-crawling adventures of Legendary Tales. Demeo, meanwhile, made tabletop gaming possible once more in the middle of a pandemic, whilst many of us lost hours gathering resources in A Township Tale. And then there are the experiences that came out of the blue, like the fantastic versatility of Warplanes: WW1 Fighters. This’ll be a tough one.

  • After The Fall
  • A Township Tale
  • Legendary Tales
  • Warplanes: WW1 Fighters

Best Experience

Upload VR Best Of 2021 Experience

VR headsets are still seen as gaming devices first and foremost, but we’re gradually starting to see more and more excellent experiences that blur the lines between movies and gaming creep onto headsets too. Festival circuit darlings like Battlescar, Goliath and Madrid Noir finally found their way to consumer headsets, whilst Welcome to Respite teased the power of live VR performances. Sentenced, meanwhile, pushed the boundaries of VR comfort zones with a bloody tale of morality.

  • Madrid Noir
  • Welcome To Respite

Best Updated Game

Upload VR Best Of 2021 Updated

Just as with traditional games, the way we interact with VR games is changing. Many titles are no longer just about a day one purchase and the package you get there and then, but instead a rolling series of updates that improve, augment and expand upon that foundation. Some games get this approach really, really right, like Pistol Whip’s stream of new campaigns and features, the additional modes and cosmetics added to Blaston, or the steady drip of experimental extras added to Cubism. Sometimes it can also be major singular updates that entirely overhaul a product, like Pro Putt’s transformation into GOLF+, The Walking Dead’s long-awaited Aftershocks content, and the excellent arena-scale multiplayer dueling of Space Pirate Trainer DX.

  • Space Pirate Trainer DX
  • Pistol Whip
  • Waltz of the Wizard

Upload VR Best Of 2021 DLC

DLC has been the lifeblood of many a VR game this year. Having sold copies to basically anyone with a headset, Beat Saber pushed on with packs from major artists, whilst Walkabout Mini Golf expanded on its near-perfect mechanics by simply giving us more courses to master. Meanwhile, both Jurassic World and Star Wars delivered DLC packs that rivaled the size of some standalone games.

  • Beat Saber – Music Packs
  • Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge – Last Call
  • Jurassic World Aftermath – Part 2
  • Walkabout VR Minigolf – New Courses

Most Immersive Moment

Upload VR Awards 2021 Immersive Moment

One of our favorite categories to debate, Immersive Moment cherry-picks singular moments from some of the year’s best games that really made us feel a part of their reality. Unplugged offered a lot of fun across its many tracks, but nothing felt quite as good as letting your fingers shred a solo, whilst A Township Tale’s physics-driven mechanics made crafting a meticulously detailed affair. Awaiting car crashes in Traffic Jams had us biting our fingers, meanwhile, and sequentially solving the ridiculous opening puzzles of Floor Plan 2 felt like visiting the set of Sesame Street live. Finally, few moments rival negotiating the stagehand equipment in I Expect You To Die 2’s best level, or the heart-melting affection of petting Arashi: Castles of Sin’s Haru.

  • Petting Haru in Arashi: Castles of Sin
  • Soloing in Unplugged
  • Chopping trees and crafting backpacks in A Township Tale
  • Joining Puzzl in Floor Plan 2
  • Behind the stage with I Expect You To Die 2
  • Impending crashes in Traffic Jams

Most Innovative Design

Upload VR Best Of 2021 Innovative Design

Designing any VR game is hard, but some titles go above and beyond to deliver immersive experiences unlike anything else you’ve ever played. Hand Physics Lab showed us what weird and wonderful directions developers could take hand tracking tech, whilst Unplugged used it to make Guitar Hero without the need of a plastic peripheral. Carve Snowboarding, meanwhile, expertly recreated the snowboarding experience with a unique control scheme, and Gorilla Tag made monkeying around in VR a must-see experience. Puzzling Places, meanwhile, was a real lightbulb moment for 3D puzzling, whilst Eye of the Temple gave us a callback to the power of fully room scale VR.

  • Carve Snowboarding
  • Puzzling Places
  • Hand Physics Lab
  • Eye of the Temple

Upload VR Awards 2021 Hidden Gem

A new category for this year, Hidden Gem seeks to highlight all of the indie darlings and low-key hits that might’ve flown under a lot of people’s radars. These might not necessarily have a shot at best game, but they impressed us with their unique visions all the same. That includes the rustic, wind-swept scenery of Mare, intuitive storytelling of Arcsmith and the Firewatch-inspired narrative of Vanishing Grace. Crashland, meanwhile delivered brutal arcade thrills, Carve Snowboarding perfected extreme sports and Eternal Starlight realized the VR RTS dream. PC VR also got some great new experiences, like Eye of the Temple.

  • Vanishing Grace
  • Eternal Starlight

Best VR Developer

Upload VR Best Of 2021 VR Developer

2021 really feels like the year a lot of VR’s most committed developers stole the spotlight. Resolution Games’ tireless updates and releases paid off with Demeo and Schell Games continued to push the boundaries of consumer VR releases and beyond. Fast Travel Games and nDreams, meanwhile, sought to cement themselves not just as great developers but premiere VR publishers, too. And we can’t forget the round-the-clock devotion to Beat Saber that Beat Games displayed once again, delivering easily the game’s best year of content yet.

  • Resolution Games
  • Fast Travel Games
  • Schell Games

Best PC VR Game

Upload VR Best Of 2021 PC VR Game

We didn’t see too many games take full advantage of the power of PC VR in 2021 but, when they did, they provided some stunning experiences. Lone Echo 2 provided yet more jaw-dropping visuals and immersion, whilst indie hits like Sweet Surrender, Song in the Smoke, I Expect You To Die 2 and Demeo all played and looked best on a PC headset.

  • Lone Echo 2
  • Sweet Surrender
  • I Expect You To Die 2
  • Song in the Smoke

Best PSVR Game

Upload VR Best Of 2021 PSVR Game

Sony’s aging VR headset still had plenty of fight left in it in 2021. As we waited for PSVR 2 news, AAA releases like Hitman 3 kept us coming back, whilst exclusive new games like Fracked carved a name for themselves. And, of course, the best of VR’s multiplatform titles also came to PSVR, including Sniper Elite, I Expect You To Die 2 and Song in the Smoke.

  • Sniper Elite VR

Best Quest Game

Upload VR Best Of 2021 Quest Game

Meta’s newest headset didn’t wait around when it came to establishing a strong software library. Both Quest 1 and 2 saw a slew of great new titles showcase standalone VR this year and, although we started to see more and more Quest 2 exclusives towards the tail end, most of the very best games, like Demeo, Unplugged, A Township Tale and Song in the Smoke, released on both. But will that extra exclusive boost help Resident Evil 4 secure the crown?

  • Resident Evil 4 VR

Best Hardware

Upload VR Best Of 2021 Hardware

2021 was a decidedly quieter year for VR hardware. But, in some respects, that makes it an even more interesting category to judge, as innovative new headsets like the HTC Vive Flow and powerhouses like the Varjo Aero get a little breathing room. We also saw accessories like Anker’s Quest 2 Charging Dock and the VR Power 2 really take off. And, though the DecaGear seems to be having issues, the much more manageable DecaMove gave us a new way to walk in VR.

  • HTC Vive Flow
  • Anker Quest 2 Charging Dock

VR Game Of The Year

Upload VR Awards 2021 GOTY

The big one. What’s refreshing about 2021’s list of the best of the best is that there’s very few sequels and ports of big flat-screen games. Song in the Smoke, Unplugged and Demeo were all completely native, thrilling VR games with original concepts that were expertly executed. But spare a thought for how Schell Games built on top of its rock-solid foundation with I Expect You To Die 2 and, of course, the surprising efficiency with which Resident Evil 4 was ported to VR. This won’t be an easy one to judge.

Check back later in the week when we reveal the winners of our Best of VR 2021 awards!

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More Best of VR

Uploadvr's best of vr 2023 awards – game of the year & more, latest articles, apple vision pro is coming to china this year, expansion vr mixes deck building with real-time strategy on quest & pc vr, playing half-life: alyx on apple vision pro using nintendo switch joy-cons, eye of the temple gets quest 3 upgrade with improved graphics & refresh rate, visionos 2 is reportedly coming this year - will it bring 3d spatial personas, escape simulator vr arrives next week as a free update to the flat game, quest 3 has higher retention than previous headsets, meta confirms, toy monsters brings mr tower defence to quest next month, upcoming vr games 2024: new releases on quest, pc vr, psvr 2 & more, meta ai research: making headsets and glasses understand your room layout & furniture, vrider hands-on: promising vr superbike racing, alvr for apple vision pro is now available to download & forwards hand tracking to steamvr.

Watch CBS News

The best virtual reality headsets in 2024 are here to blow your mind

By Brittany Vincent

Updated on: March 25, 2024 / 2:07 PM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Best VR Headsets

Ready to escape real life for some virtual reality playtime? The innovative  tech  is more affordable than ever. You can get lost in your favorite TV shows, practically bathe in a terrific game , and even get some work done in the virtual world. 

Maybe you've had your eye on a new game console and want to immerse yourself even further. Or maybe you've heard of the AR that the  Apple Vision Pro  delivers, but want something friendlier toward Steam games. No matter your reason for jumping into virtual reality, there are a variety of headsets, from great wireless options suitable for a general consumer base, like the affordable  Meta Quest 2 to the only console-based virtual reality headset on the market, the PlayStation VR 2 . 

Which one should you buy? We've got a can't-miss list of the best virtual reality headsets of 2024 across different categories and budgets. Read on to see our picks for the best VR headsets of 2024. 

Best VR headsets of 2024

  • Best VR headset: Meta Quest 3
  • Best VR headset for beginners: Meta Quest 2
  • Best VR headset for console gamers: PlayStation VR 2
  • Best VR headset for PC gamers: Valve Index
  • Best premium VR headset: HTC Vive Pro 2

Best VR headset: Meta Quest 3: $480

Meta Quest 3

Take your VR adventures to new heights with the powerhouse Meta Quest 3. As the mightiest Quest to date, it delivers stunning graphics via double the processing power and crisper resolution over its predecessor. 

Ultra-realistic 3D audio and improved Touch Plus controllers help take your gaming experience to the next level with better gesture recognition and navigation. Fully wireless and controller-free, you can move around the room without being tethered to wires -- something so many prior VR headsets did not allow for. 

This bundle sweetens the deal with an exclusive edition of the epic "Asgard's Wrath 2." A $60 value all its own, it's like getting that game for free with your purchase, so even though this new headset is a bit pricey, you do get a game to start you off on the right foot. 

Best VR headset for beginners: Meta Quest 2: $199 (20% off)

Meta Quest 2

The reasonably-priced Meta Quest 2 is the best VR headset for most consumers, and it's also the most versatile.

It's not only cordless, but also compatible with a vast library of games and apps that you can jump into without the need of a powerful PC. It features a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye, with a 90Hz refresh rate. 

It's also quite comfortable, with a lengthy battery life and fantastic motion controllers to help you immerse yourself in your favorite games.

If you're curious or only want to spend a few hundred to try out VR, this is your best bet. It's been discounted once more to just $199, making it cheaper than buying a current-gen console like the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, so if VR is in your future, this headset is going to be the best entry point that you'll find right now. 

Best VR headset for console gamers: PlayStation VR 2: $550

PlayStation VR 2

The PlayStation VR 2 is the only virtual reality headset for consoles right now, but it's so great there doesn't really need to be another. 

This is the newly-refined version of Sony's original PlayStation VR, and it's an improvement in just about every way. It has two impressive 2K OLED HDR screens with 4K resolution, headset haptics, and eye tracking -- goodies that not every headset has.

Granted, you will need a PlayStation 5 to use the headset. And the PlayStation VR 2 is more expensive than the actual console. But barring the standalone experience that the Meta Quest 2 offers, it's the simplest way for PlayStation fans to experience VR. 

It's also the home of familiar PlayStation brands like "Gran Turismo 7," which offer VR content you won't find elsewhere. If you want to enjoy new games and spin-offs from popular PlayStation titles, you'll want to get a PlayStation VR. 

Best VR headset for PC gamers: Valve Index: $999

valve-index-vr-headset.jpg

The Valve Index is anything but affordable, but it's a high-end VR option for PC gamers looking for the utmost quality, especially in terms of controllers. 

It doesn't excel when it comes to resolution, hovering at 1440 x 1600 pixels, but it has a ridiculous refresh rate of 144Hz and a 130-degree field of view, which put it leagues beyond other headsets on the market. Of course, you'll pay for the luxury, as the Index is quite pricey.

It also requires the installation of two sensors ahead of use, and it must remain connected to your PC, which means you should already have a PC that can handle the latest and greatest games if you want to use the Index. 

Still, that's not a bad tradeoff for controllers with excellent finger tracking and a super high refresh rate that can turn your favorite games into seriously amazing immersive sessions.

Best premium VR headset: HTC Vive Pro 2: $1,200 

HTC Vive Pro 2

If price isn't an object and you're mostly concerned with performance and quality, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is your best bet. It's the most premium VR experience you'll get right now, but you need a computer that's up to snuff to power it. 

It boasts a 5K screen with an eye-popping 120Hz refresh rate. But you will be paying for the boost in graphical prowess. Just about everything in this package feels premium, from the comfortable headset itself to the controllers, which are comparable in size and function to the  Meta Quest 2 . This is the best-looking VR headset you'll see on the market right now, and that's no exaggeration.

The complete Vive Pro 2 kit comes with a headset, two SteamVR sensors and controllers. You can buy the headset separately for a hefty discount, but it's still a hefty price here at the time of writing. 

Also, keep in mind that if you want to go wireless, you'll have to buy the separate  Vive wireless adapter .

y-dp7sn-400x400.jpg

Brittany Vincent has been covering gaming, tech, and all things entertainment for 16 years for a variety of online and print publications. She's been covering the commerce space for nearly a decade. Follow her on Twitter at @MolotovCupcake.

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  1. VR for Travel and Tourism

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  2. Best VR Travel Experiences

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  3. Extended Reality In Tourism: 4 Ways VR And AR Can Enhance The Travel

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  4. Best VR Travel Experiences: Explore The World With VR

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  5. Best VR Travel Experiences

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  6. Virtual Reality Is A Reality For The Travel Industry Today- By VR Duct

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VIDEO

  1. The BEST LOOKING VR Game just got Better!

  2. EVEREST VR: 360 Preview

  3. The Best VR Glasses in 2023: A Complete Review

  4. 360° VR

  5. Traveling the World in #VR using #Quest3 #VirtualDesktop and #GoogleEarthVR

  6. Introducing VR Videographers at Vacation View

COMMENTS

  1. 10 of the Best Virtual Reality Travel Experiences

    With the time and expense required to travel being prohibitive to many, there are alternative ways of indulging your wanderlust - including via the burgeoning world of Virtual Reality. There are a huge number of VR companies all vying to create ever more unique experiences for consumers - and one of the biggest growth categories […]

  2. 7 Great Virtual Reality Travel Experiences

    Requires powerful hardware. Short experience. In The Grand Canyon VR Experience ($2.99 by Immersive Entertainment), you sit in a virtual motorized kayak ride through the Grand Canyon. Tailor the tour to your preferences by selecting either a sunlit or moonlit experience and controlling the ride's speed.

  3. 10 of the best virtual travel experiences for 2021

    Travel the world through this new crop of virtual experiences, from online guide walks to film festivals, wine-tasting to birdwatching Lorna Parkes Tue 12 Jan 2021 01.30 EST Last modified on Wed ...

  4. 8 Best Oculus Quest 2 Travel Games and Experiences (Must Have)

    One of these worlds is our very own, and if you've got an interest for exploring it in VR, you're in the right place! In this article I'm going to be talking about the 8 best Oculus Quest 2 travel games and experiences. Namely: National Geographic Explore VR. ecosphere. Alcove.

  5. Virtual Vacation: 11 VR Apps and Films That Let You Travel the ...

    With Oculus Quest, you can travel pretty much anywhere you'd like without ever leaving home. Inside, you'll find 11 VR experiences for the adventurous at heart.

  6. Bucket List Travel: The World's Best Virtual Tours

    Launched last October, now anyone can explore Austen's home without having to travel. The guided tours give avid fans an exciting resource to learn more about the life and times of Jane Austen ...

  7. Best Virtual Reality Tours You'll Want to Embark On Today

    9. When We Stayed Home - Oculus Quest. Coming from a totally different perspective from the other titles so far, When We Stayed Home is actually a virtual reality series about the pandemic, or rather, an international travel experience through the world's most iconic cities as they were empty during lockdowns.

  8. This New Travel Company Offers 350 Virtual Travel Experiences in Nearly

    Beeyonder offers more than 350 virtual travel experiences in nearly 50 countries. By. Jessica Poitevien. Published on May 23, 2021. The idea of connecting with people and places online is nothing ...

  9. The Ultimate Guide to the Best VR Travel Apps on Meta Quest

    Wander: Roam the Globe with Street View. Wander is one of the best VR travel apps on Meta Quest, providing users with access to Google Street View in a fully immersive environment. Traverse city streets, hike through national parks and visit historical landmarks as you explore the world at your leisure. Key features include: 360-degree panoramas.

  10. Amazon Explore Virtual Travel Experiences Review 2021

    Prime members can try Amazon's new virtual travel experiences for free — here's what the platform is like to use and some of the best tours to try Written by Melissa Klurman 2021-05-13T16:51:05Z

  11. Virtual travel 2021: Best virtual travel experiences in lockdown

    Switzerland's immersive virtual experience allows armchair travellers to enjoy the view from the peaks of St Moritz, sit on the shores of Lake Lugano or peer up at Zurich's historic cathedrals. All together, tourists can take in 22 lakes, five alpine passes and 12 UNESCO sites all from inside their home. Thanks to the Switzerland Tourism ...

  12. Top 10 Virtual Travel Experiences With a VR Headset

    10. Visit out-of-this-world places with NASA. Explore our solar system and beyond with these virtual tours and experiences from NASA. Take a virtual tour of the Moon, explore Earth-sized exoplanets, view spacecraft, and walk through the laboratories, mission and operations control centers themselves, and more.

  13. The 8 Best Virtual Reality Experiences Around the World

    SoReal, touted as the world's first virtual reality theme park, is in the works to open in the next year or so in China's eastern Jiangxi province. Until that happens, VR enthusiasts can visit the 10,000-square-foot prototype, which opened this past April in Beijing. Here, participants can time travel, battle monsters and watch 4D movies.

  14. The Amazing Ways VR And AR Are Transforming The Travel Industry

    Apr 12, 2021, 12:22am EDT. ... Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans By. Amy Danise. ... Their VR experiences include first-class airline tickets with four-course meals, followed by VR tours of the ...

  15. Virtual reality travel: is it more than just a gimmick?

    Three VR experiences to try. 1. First Airlines offers VR 'flights' from its Tokyo base. The company reported a 50% spike in bookings last summer. 2. Kayak in search of a lost penguin colony, all in 3D, with 360-degree video footage shot by National Geographic. oculus.com. 3.

  16. BRINK Traveler

    This experience is available from Oculus here (Quest):https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/3635172946605196/This experience is available from Oculus here...

  17. Virtual reality tourism ready for takeoff as travellers remain grounded

    Sat 6 Feb 2021 03.00 EST Last modified on Sun 7 Feb 2021 08. ... Escapism from the sofa through a growing range of VR travel experiences is whetting appetites for post-pandemic holidays and could ...

  18. The 12 Best Free Virtual Travel Experiences Worth Checking Out

    The Grand Canyon. The most popular hiking trail into the Grand Canyon is the Bright Angel Trail. Google's Street View Trek enables you to virtually hike it. 7. Paris Catacombs. Beneath the City of Paris is a 200 mile series of macabre tunnels containing the bones of 6 million people.

  19. Best VR experiences 2023: Explore, learn, and be entertained in virtual

    Star Chart VR. National Geographic Explore VR. Ocean Rift. All Kinds of Limbo XR. Universe Sandbox. Perspectives: Paradise. The Book of Distance. Within - Cinematic VR. With virtual reality well ...

  20. Best VR Movies & Experiences

    If you love the diorama-sized antics of VR games like Moss and Astro Bot then you'll love what Gloomy Eyes has on offer, making it one of the best VR movies you can see today. 9. Bonfire. Baobab ...

  21. Best VR Space Experiences

    The best VR space experiences puts space travel within reach of everyone. ... published 25 October 2021. ... One the best VR space experiences, ...

  22. [Top 10] Best VR Nature Experiences That Are Amazing

    2. Nature Treks: Together. Nature Treks: Together official trailer. This game is one of the best virtual and fully customizable VR nature experiences that will truly blow you away. Designed around creating a world of peace and relaxation, users can explore handcrafted worlds with up to 16 users.

  23. UploadVR's Best VR Of 2021 Awards

    As we waited for PSVR 2 news, AAA releases like Hitman 3 kept us coming back, whilst exclusive new games like Fracked carved a name for themselves. And, of course, the best of VR's multiplatform ...

  24. Resident Evil 4 on Meta Quest

    Rated 9/10 by IGN and winner of Best VR/AR Game at The Game Awards 2021, explore the world of Resident Evil 4 in this all-new version, entirely remastered for VR. Step into the shoes of special agent Leon S. Kennedy on his mission to rescue the U.S. President's daughter who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. Come face to face with enemies, and uncover secrets with gameplay that ...

  25. The best virtual reality headsets in 2024 are here to blow your mind

    Best VR headsets of 2024. Best VR headset: Meta Quest 3. Best VR headset for beginners: Meta Quest 2. Best VR headset for console gamers: PlayStation VR 2. Best VR headset for PC gamers: Valve ...