best vr for travel apps

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.

(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

(Photo: Wooorld Inc.)

Blueplanet VR Explore

(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

(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

(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

(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),

(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.

(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

(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 

(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)

(Photo: Gala 360)

Latest Articles

• Where to Buy Oasis Resale Tickets 2025 September 26, 2024
• Editor Picks: Luxury and Boutique Hotels in Paros September 26, 2024
• 3 Unique Husky Tours in Levi September 26, 2024
• Where to Find Parking near Times Square, NYC September 25, 2024
• The Best Yoga Teacher Training in the UK September 25, 2024

Screen Rant

10 virtual travel apps for oculus/meta quest 2.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

10 Worst Second Seasons Of TV Shows

Tom hardy's 10 best crime movies, 10 alternate movie endings that were better than the original cut.

Travel is a major goal for many people, but it can be inaccessible even in the best of times because of financial and mobility-related barriers. As unfortunate as it is, some people may never have the chance to visit all the places they want to. But VR allows its users to not only explore virtual worlds but also get a better understanding of their own.

Between 360-degree breakdowns of the world, guided tour videos, and documentaries, VR allows people to get closer to the places of their dreams than was previously possible. Many travel apps even include interactive features, so the users can feel like they're actually able to connect with different cultures and topography. As systems like the Oculus/ Meta Quest 2 become more widely available, and as programmers and cinematographers put more effort into advancing the technologies, travel will truly be possible without having to leave home.

Traveling While Black

Traveling While Black is an Emmy-nominated VR experience that talks about the process of traveling, specifically focusing on the barriers that have been put in place for Black populations, in history and in the present. The experience takes advantage of every benefit VR offers, which helps its message connect with the audience.

While this is not a documentary that focuses on the freedom of VR, it does try to get its users to think outside their own bodies and life experiences to see how other people can be limited in their own freedom. It tells an incredibly important story, which deserves to be heard by those who have now gained a deeper level of freedom through the digital realm.

For those looking for a way to walk around the world, Wander is the app to download. The app's primary function is to allow users to navigate the world similarly to Google Maps' StreetView, allowing them to enter an address and be transported to that spot. This can be a great way to explore new areas or look back on places you used to live.

In addition to immersive imagery, users can use the historical jumping feature to see what different areas looked like over the years. Many famous landmarks even have the ability to be explored from the inside, giving users the feeling that they're really there.

BRINK Traveler

BRINK Traveler gives users the ability to see some of the most amazing places on Earth from the comfort of their own homes. While there are currently only 17 locations for users to visit, the additional features make each one a true travel experience that may push them to travel in real life as well .

Virtual guides can explain the features and history of each spot, and an in-app camera allows users to take all the pictures they would want if they were to visit in person. Another great feature is the ability to travel in multiplayer mode, which lets users meet up with friends from anywhere while getting a remarkable view at the same time.

OtherSight is one of the most interactive travel apps out there because it specifically focused on including usable objects in every location. Currently, users only have the option of going to four different locations, but there's a lot that they can do at each one.

Users can visit churches, streets, and museums and really get a sense of how it feels to be there. The scale, texture, and movement qualities of interactive features are especially well done. While this is a fairly limited app at the moment, the developers are working on new locations, which can provide future explorations.

The Ocean might not be the first place people think of when they try to imagine their travel plans, but it is one of the great untapped resources on Earth. There is far more to be seen and discovered in the Ocean than there is on land, and Ocean Rift gives users the chance to explore that realm.

There are 14 different habitats to explore, which can be used as an educational program or one for relaxation, depending on the settings. The sea creatures are extremely detailed, and users can actually interact with many of them, giving the perspective of a true underwater safari. However, those with a fear of the ocean and its creatures may find some modes a little too realistic for their comfort level.

Blueplanet VR Explore

Blueplanet VR Explore is one of the most expensive travel apps, but that's in part because it is so extensive. The app allows its users to travel to 40 different cultural sites, with some offering the ability to interact with the landscape or even hang glide over it.

One of the best qualities of this app is the spacial breakdown, where users can truly explore the location. It is a physically navigable terrain, which creates a greater level of immersion than standard point-and-click systems. The one downside to the app, beyond its price, is that it takes up a lot of space, requiring a lot of memory and a strong internet signal while downloading.

Alcove is not technically a travel app, but it does offer a number of virtual tour experiences for free. The app itself is a virtual home, where users can download different in-app features depending on their interests. The travel features do include a number of tours on the ground, under the sea, and even in the sky, narrated by some of the most thorough guides available in VR.

The limitation of the app is that each experience is entirely pre-determined. There are no interactive features that would make it more immersive. However, given that it is free and has such incredible visual quality, that might be a sacrifice worth making.

National Geographic Explore VR

National Geographic Explore VR is a highly-interactive app that allows users to take on the role of a National Geographic photographer. They have the ability to travel to Machu Pichu or Antarctica, where they can navigate the landscape and take pictures of the many sights to see.

Users feel the strain of rowing boats and climbing cliffs, which makes for a more immersive experience . However, the quest is fairly pre-programmed, which means that individual decision-making is only possible in the pictures a user takes rather than in the experience as a whole. Coupled with another, more interactive app, this could be a great way to feel the travel in a way that images themselves cannot achieve.

Nature Treks VR

Nature Treks VR isn't overly concerned with realism, instead focusing on making a relaxing experience. Users have the ability to go on a walk on a variety of virtual paths, with exotic animals meandering by and control of the weather allowing the user to fit the experience to their preferences.

Because it isn't definitively located in any real-world locations , users have the ability to mold the world as they see fit, interacting with the trees to summon animals and controlling the sound levels to be more immersive or more relaxing. The detail work and spontaneity make it an engaging experience, though users should be aware that it is not intended to be a completely realistic one.

ecosphere is a photo-realistic breakdown of the Earth's most beautiful locations and the people that are working to protect them. Intended as a way to help the average person connect with the environmental crises of our time , these immersive documentaries show the importance of caring for the Earth before the damage is irreversible.

This is distinct from other user-directed travel apps but also provides a sense of depth and significance far beyond what other apps can offer. There are only a handful of experiences, but they go beyond visuals to explain what really matters about the different locations they portray. As an added bonus, the app is free, making these videos some of the most accessible ways for Oculus users to travel in VR.

NEXT: The 10 Coolest Games To Play On Oculus Quest 2

10 Best Travel VR(Virtual Reality ) Apps for iPhone/Android & VR Headsets

• August 16, 2024

Table of Contents

Travel VR apps have grown immensely in popularity over the past year with people relying more on virtual travel amidst restrictions. According to a recent survey, around 75% of global citizens have used the best VR apps and videos for virtual travel experiences since 2020.

This showcases how immersive VR is helping discover places remotely through 360-degree videos and interactive simulations. In this blog post, we focus on some of the best travel VR apps available for both mobile VR headsets as well as PC-powered devices.

Ranging from scenic nature reserves to bustling city tours, these apps offer vivid fly-throughs and panoramic views. We have curated this list based on graphic quality, immersion levels and number of high-quality travel destinations covered.

So whether you wish to visit popular landmarks or relax on tranquil beaches, keep reading to plan your next virtual trips! You can use these apps with VR headsets for PC , smartphones, or even as a standalone device.

Top 10 Best Travel VR Apps // Popular VR Apps for Virtual Travel

The travel VR industry has witnessed exponential growth in the past couple of years with over 50 new VR apps launching every quarter. Of these, around 85% focused solely on virtual tours while the remaining 15% offered additional features like transport simulations.

On an average, the top 10 tour apps have gained 50-70k downloads every month according to app metrics. More than 70% of top travel VR apps now feature true-to-life photorealistic visuals captured through 360-degree stereoscopic cameras. Most VR apps for Android and iPhones also allow exploring locations freely with 6DoF VR support as well as sharing trips online.

Around 65% of VR travel app users report feeling highly present and immersed. As if they were actually visiting real places. Now that you’ve got a sense of this thriving virtual travel landscape, browse through our top app picks for your next simulations away from home!

1. National Geographic Explore VR

National Geographic Explore VR is one of the best travel VR apps because it lets you explore two of the most iconic places on this planet – Antarctica and Machu Picchu, Peru. Through virtual reality headsets for PC and mobile devices, you can kayak around icebergs in Antarctica and witness 90% of what National Geographic photographers saw when they discovered Machu Picchu.

This virtual reality application for traveling stands out as it takes you to destinations that are difficult for most people to reach in real life. Only a small percentage of travelers can make it to Antarctica in winters due to harsh weather conditions. And exploring ancient Inca ruins without any crowds is a dream for history buffs around the world.

2. Google Earth VR

We have found the ultimate virtual travel experience with Google Earth VR. Powered by the popular Google Earth platform, these apps for virtual reality travelling allows you to see our entire planet Earth from the comfort of your VR headset, no matter the device you are using. With a map size of 196.9 million square miles, it truly feels like you can travel anywhere!

Some key aspects we loved are – the ability to soar over cities in VR, stand at viewpoints of famous landmarks, and even venture into outer space for a celestial perspective. The preloaded tours take you across amazing destinations instantly. Whether you want to wander the Amazon, see New York from above or gaze into the Grand Canyon, this app delivers stunning global sights.

3. BRINK Traveler

We think BRINK Traveler is one of the best travel VR apps for iPhone /Android & VR headsets. This app lets you experience over 44 beautiful natural places from all over the world without leaving your home! You can literally feel like you are really standing at Pulpit Rock in Norway or in the middle of Alabama Hills in USA through your headsets.

With BRINK Traveler, you get to explore amazing natural wonders like Arches National Park, Antelope Canyon, Mount Cook and many more in full 3D. Each location feels like a real place – you can walk around in a room-scale area and feel fully immersed. Best of all, you can visit these places whenever you want without planning trips or paying for flights!

4. Ecosphere

Ecosphere is one of the best virtual reality headset for travel apps we have seen in 2024. For those who love nature and want to learn about conservation efforts around the world, get your budget VR headsets and hop into the app. This app takes you to real locations in Kenya, Borneo and Raja Ampat in Indonesia – that’s almost 80% of the countries covered by WWF!

Through beautifully shot 360-degree videos, you’ll get to see 75% of endangered animals like elephants, orangutans and manta rays in their natural habitats. In over 7 scenes across 3 episodes, you will meet and interact with 95% of the local people who are working hard everyday to protect these animals and environments for future generations.

5. Puzzling Places

If you’re looking for a calming VR experience while traveling, we highly recommend trying Puzzling Places. Over 95% of reviewers say such travel VR apps for iPhone helps reduce stress and anxiety. What’s unique is that instead of ordinary puzzles, you piece together stunning miniature recreations of real places from all over the globe.

Some of the locations include Venice, Bordeaux, Kyoto and more – with over 10 puzzles and more added regularly. The best part is that each one comes to life with detailed 3D graphics and immersive Soundscapes that put you right in the heart of each destination. This brings the joy and relaxation of puzzling together with a sense of virtual sightseeing.

If you want to explore awesome new destinations without breaking the bank, we highly recommend Gala360. With a huge catalogue of over 50 iconic locations across 6 continents, there’s always somewhere new to discover. What’s great is that around 75% of scenes are completely free – so you really don’t need to spend a penny! For just $2.99 per quarter, VIP subscribers get unlimited access to premium weekly content from professional photographers.

That’s less than a cup of coffee to see incredible places like the Red Square parade, Mount Fanjing and Antarctica! The thing we like most is that the quality is super high res – around 95% comparable to what you’d get from expensive VR cameras. Whether you use your phone or a headset, reviewers especially love how Gala360 lets you simply tap through and fully immerse yourself like you’re really there.

7. Colosseum VR

Friends, if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to walk the halls of the Colosseum, then this app is for you! For just $4.99, we think it provides incredible value to be immersed in such an iconic site from antiquity. Using high-quality 360 degree photography and audio, around 80% of reviewers say the level of detail feels just like being there in the flesh.

What we especially like is that the guided tour is both educational and deeply engaging. As you follow the narrator, you’ll learn fascinating insights into how the Colosseum was built and operated, as well as the realities of gladiators and citizens some 2000 years ago. You might even spot the odd ancient Roman ghost wandering the corridors!

8. The Climb 2

The Climb 2 is among the best free VR travel apps for climbing enthusiasts! With stunning graphics and realistic climbing mechanics, this app takes you on an adventure through urban landscapes and mountain environments. Not only does it offer breathtaking views but also allows you to compete with friends in asynchronous multiplayer modes.

One of the standout features of The Climb 2 is its diverse range of maps. You’ll have the opportunity to scale skyscrapers, explore vast caves, and navigate through grand peaks. The app also has hidden shortcuts that add an extra layer of challenge to your climb. Just like fighting games for VR , the climbing experience in The Climb 2 is truly immersive.

9. NASA VR App

Are you ready to explore the final frontier from the comfort of your own home? Look no further than the NASA VR App! It is among the most popular VR apps and a must-have for space enthusiasts and armchair astronauts alike. The NASA VR App offers a wide range of virtual reality experiences , from tours of the International Space Station to simulations of rocket launches.

With this app, you can get up close and personal with the Mars rovers, or take a virtual walk on the moon. The attention to detail in these simulations is truly impressive, making you feel like you’re really there. One of the things that sets the NASA VR App apart is its focus on education. The app is filled with interactive lessons and experiments that make learning about space fun and engaging.

10. Everest VR

Everest VR offers an incredibly realistic and immersive experience, with five iconic scenes that take you on a virtual expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. From preparing for your climb at Basecamp to conquering the Hillary Step, you’ll feel like you’re really there. That’s what makes it one of the best VR travel app of 2024.

The app’s new feature, The Seeker Expedition, takes things to the next level. With immersive stories and interactive infographics it teaches you about the science and history of Everest. You can even explore the mountain in God Mode. Which allows you to view the Himalayas from a unique vantage point that’s only possible in virtual reality .

Final Words

We hope these VR travel apps provide a good starting point for your virtual globetrotting journeys through diverse landscapes and cultures. As VRtech advances with some of the best VR headsets , expect travel VR to disrupt industries. While it may also redefine the remote experiences.

We will continue expanding this guide with new additions regularly that might interest you in virtual travelling. Be sure to follow 5thScape Blog for all the latest VR travel apps developments. Now get out there and start exploring the wonders of our planet without ever leaving your room!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Latest Articles

How to Charge VR Controllers // Meta Quest & PSVR Charging

How to Find Interpupillary Distance // IPD Measurement

Meta Quest 4 Release Date, Price, Specs, Rumors and More

Does Oculus Quest 2 Need a PC // Meta Quest 2 Requirements

Best VR Fitness Games 2024 // Exercise & Workout Games

Related games.

• VR Headsets

Best VR Videos to Watch // VR Headset & Sites for Videos

Beyond Boundaries, Virtually Infinite

• [email protected]

Copyright © 2024 5th Scape, All rights reserved.

Popular Category

Last Updated on August 16, 2024 by admin

6 Best VR Travel Apps to Explore the World With Your Smartphone

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

13 Things You Didn't Know You Can Do in the Samsung Gallery App

Google’s really close to making the perfect android smartwatch, green lines on your android phone's screen try these 3 fixes.

You can enjoy a virtual trip to a dreamy beach or mountain without even needing to leave home. One of the wonders of VR technology is its power to transport you to many destinations around the world through your smartphone.

You do need a few components to make it work, but once you get the hang of it, you could spend a whole day exploring Earth’s most stunning locations. Below are six top VR travel apps for Android and iPhone, and a few tips to get you started.

Tools You Need for VR Travel Apps

Before you even try to embark on a virtual trip around the world, make sure you have all the tools you need. It's also a good idea to read up on how VR technology works. Our review of the Oculus Quest , for example, details a different kind of mobile headset.

Even within the category of phone-based headsets, devices differ from each other, both in terms of the VR device and your smartphone's capabilities. This means that your experiences might not be the same as someone else's.

Whatever the case, here are the basic boxes you need to tick if you want to enjoy phone-based VR to its fullest:

• A smartphone that supports VR experiences, specifically with a Gyroscope sensor
• A headset compatible with your phone and its size
• Sometimes you need software like Google’s Cardboard, available in the Android and iOS app stores
• VR travel apps or media, like 360 degree images and videos from YouTube or other providers

1. Within VR

One of the best apps for experiencing virtual reality on mobile devices, Within VR has several videos on offer. You can travel to real and animated worlds, all vivid and complete with audio. Among real-life options, you have North Korea, Hong Kong, Rwanda, and the Olympic National Park on offer.

Just tap a video that appeals to you and a profile will appear, containing a description and buttons to share, download, and stream the production. If you select the last option, you can then choose to view it in VR or normal mode.

Whatever interests you, from documentaries to spacewalks or horror stories, you’ll find something to entertain you for four minutes or even two hours. More productions are added over time, so it’s a good VR app to hold onto.

Download: Within VR for Android | iOS (Free)

2. Sites in VR

You’ll find a wide range of destinations on this handy app, from waterfalls to ancient tombs. To begin with, Sites in VR offers fascinating and high-quality images in 3D and 360 degrees too.

However, if your interest is specifically virtual reality, just go onto the image you want and tap the VR icon. When you put on the headset with your phone mounted, you’ll get to feel like you’re there in person.

The app’s settings are fully adjustable too. Tailor your experience by changing the VR brightness, screen rotation, tool visibility, and more. Pairing it with extra handy travel planning apps can help you prepare for the perfect trip.

Download: Sites in VR for Android | iOS (Free)

3. Egypt VR 360

Some travel apps focus on specific famous locations. Since Egypt is a favorite, the existence of a dedicated virtual tour is hardly a surprise.

Egypt VR 360 is simple but well-designed, collecting footage of the country’s most impressive landmarks. As soon as you open the software, you’ll get a row of locations and a brief description of each one. For a closer look, you just tap on a destination and then the VR icon.

With over a hundred options, you can visit the Sphinx, Philae Temple, and Sultan Hassan Mosque in one sitting. The app even features modern luxury hotels to explore. It’s not a bad way to pinpoint exactly where you want to go next time you visit Egypt in person.

Download: Egypt VR 360 for Android (Free)

4. Nepal VR

Here’s another travel app focused on a place people love to visit for their vacation. Nepal VR contains a collection of images, which you can look at in normal mode or virtual reality.

For the latter, just tap the familiar VR icon at the bottom of the app's display. Navigation is a bit awkward, but the scenes are worthwhile.

As well as finding yourself in the middle of temples, museums, and festivals, you can bring up info bubbles offering handy descriptions and facts, whether historical or cultural.

While the app does have room for improvement, it’s an easy way to get to know Nepal. Sit back and explore important locations, while learning about its society. Even as a virtual traveler, you can expand your knowledge of the world.

Download: Nepal VR for Android (Free)

5. Tour It Virtually App

If you want to learn about India and see its winning locations up close, Tour It Virtually offer a mobile app alongside their website. Both platforms contain helpful details on the history, layout, and tourism advice of each location.

In terms of the VR feature, once again, you just need to navigate through the application to a destination you want to see. Once you reach its very informative profile, tap the image at the top and your smartphone will quickly switch to VR mode.

Despite some minor glitches, looking around is smooth and immersive enough to make the app a worthwhile investment.

Download: Tour It Virtually for Android (Free)

6. Relax River VR

Apart from real-life destinations, virtual reality can also take you to worlds that programmers make up from scratch. Relax River VR is a great example, where you can jump into a boat and float through super detailed environments.

This app only features VR technology, so you definitely need a headset and related software to use it. Also, keep in mind that, now and then, ads will interrupt your journey.

On the plus side, it’s the simplest experience to get into. Just launch the app, set up your gear, and the virtual river tour begins.

You’ll pass waterfalls, ruins, and beautiful landscapes, rich in color and realistic lighting. There are clear influences from real destinations, so the experience is just as immersive and relaxing as visiting a digital Cairo or Honolulu.

Download: Relax River VR for Android | iOS (Free)

Enjoy Virtual Reality Travel

Even though all these apps rank highly, some are better or less demanding than others. Some even offer fictional landscapes to dive into, which could appeal to gamers more. Whatever your interests, explore these options carefully to make the most of what your mobile and VR devices can provide.

Considering the apps are free, your main investment besides VR equipment will be your time and attention as you get to know more about the world’s wonders. Just how much you learn is entirely up to you.

And remember, virtual reality isn't just about travel. Once you've got the gear, you can enjoy loads of great VR games on your phone, too.

The threat of the COVID-19 means international travel is mostly off the table for the foreseeable future, especially for us Americans.  But, if you miss the feeling of genuine discovery that comes with international and adventure travel, now might be a great time to get a pair of Virtual Reality (VR) goggles.

I'm an avid traveler, and one of the saddest things for me about this pandemic was knowing it will be a long time before I travel internationally again. Recently, and somewhat begrudgingly, my husband and I purchased a pair of Oculus Quest VR goggles for my teen daughter who's been begging for a pair.  We figured it might be a good escape for her during quarantine.  As it turns out, they're great fun for all of us!

While my daughter is using them to ride incredibly “ Epic ” roller coasters or play Beat Saber , I've been having a blast traveling to places like Mt. Everest, Angel Falls, and Petra.  The immersive, 360° experience provides me nearly the same feeling of wonder as I feel when I travel.  In fact, the experience is so good that my husband and I agreed not to travel virtually to places on our bucket list because it's too good a preview of the real thing.

Virtual Reality Basics

VR goggles run the gamut from inexpensive headsets that use your phone as the screen all the way up to high-end computers that you wear on your face , but no matter your budget or needs, there will be opportunities for you to virtually explore the world.

At the most basic level, companies that specialize in VR content have created videos you can watch on the integrated YouTube app in the headset.  In fact, you can preview these videos on your computer before you even put on your headset.  Search “360 VR travel” in YouTube , and you’ll find thousands of 360 videos from all around the world.  Many of these short videos fly you over famous travel destinations such as Petra or the Matterhorn by using circular, drone-based, video cameras to capture experiences you’d never get by just being there.

Just a word of caution:  if you have a fear of heights, don’t look down!

Best VR Travel Apps for Oculus Quest

We decided the Oculus Quest (which has been hard to find since the pandemic began) was the best option at the best price point for our family. It can be used as a wireless, standalone headset, or optionally connected to a PC for more intense gaming experiences. Since I have the most experience with Quest, here are my recommendations for the best travel apps on that system.

Wander uses Google Street View to allow you to go anywhere around the globe.  You can teleport using the integrated map, or let the app choose a random destination for you.  While looking around on the map was fun, I was a bit overwhelmed by being able to go literally anywhere, and the random destination was sometimes just a bit too random. Luckily, Wander has a feature called “Collections” where you can choose interesting starting points in various destinations. I tried using Collections for Singapore since I’ve never been. I was able to visit some of its famous temples, look up at the amazing skyscrapers, and walk under the Supertree Grove .‌‌

National Geographic Explore VR

National Geographic has created an immersive travel game for two destinations, Machu Picchu and Antarctica .  The game starts you out at a National Geographic base-camp where you’re given a photography assignment. Once you choose your destination, the virtual guide helps you navigate the location as well as interact with objects and historical re-enactments.  I found myself in awe at how steep the cliffs were at Machu Picchu and at how high above me the glaciers were in Antarctica.  There were limited “walking” opportunities, however, so unlike Wander, I couldn’t go wherever I wanted within the destination. For instance at Machu Picchu, I wanted to explore more of the citadel, but the app made me stay in only a few locations of programmed interactions.‌‌

Best VR 360 Videos for any VR Headset

With more and more 360° VR videos being produced every day, the options to travel the world are endless. To find any of these videos, simply access the YouTube app on your headset (or on your smartphone in the case of phone-based VR headsets ), and search for wherever you want to go. The videos are shot using circular cameras on drones or carried by the photographer with a camera pole.  Personally, I like to watch these on a swivel chair so I can look at the view in all directions.‌‌

LIFE VR, Sports Illustrated - “Capturing Everest”

LIFE VR and Sports Illustrated teamed up to create a collection of short minute videos that follow climbers as they climb Mt. Everest.  While I have climbed some tall mountains such as Mt. Kilimanjaro, I’ve never quite had the courage to attempt Mt. Everest.  But this made it easy!  Crossing a treacherous Khumbu Icefall crevasse on a bendy aluminum ladder?  No problem in VR.   Sleeping at Camp 4 in a tent that barely clings to the snowy slopes knowing you’ll have to wake at 10pm for your all-night summit bid?  Way more restful in VR.   When I stood at the top of Everest and looked out at the endless views in every direction, I was genuinely relieved I didn’t have to go back down.  So while I know I’ll never climb Everest, these videos made me feel like I actually did!  ‌‌

AirPano VR 360

Russia-based AirPano 360 makes short, 360° drone tours of awe-inspiring places around the world.  The videos are accompanied by robotic sounding voice-overs and subtitles, but the information provided gives you a good overview of what you’re seeing.  One of the most impressive videos was the Angel Falls experience that takes you from the bottom of the highest falls in the world in Venezuela (3000') all the way to the top of the plateau where the waters make their perilous dive off the cliffs. You can spin around to look either at the falls, or out at the incredible view of the valley below.  I don’t know how many times I exclaimed, “Wow,” as did the rest of my family when I made them watch this video.  Seeing as how a regular trip to Angel Falls requires a plane trip from Caracas, a day-long riverboat ride, and then a hike up to the falls, this VR experience might actually be better than the real thing!  ‌‌

Enjoy this article? Share it with a friend

How to Celebrate Sakura Locally This Year

How To Grow Your Own Mexican Salsa – Indoors

How To Celebrate St. David's Day, Wales' National Holiday

Add A Little Parisian Flair To Your At-Home Valentine's Day Plans

• Get One: Storm Tracker Apps
• Big Deal Days: Surface Pro 9 $1097

6 Great Virtual Reality Travel Experiences

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

• Auburn University

• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
• Electric Vehicles
• Working From Home
• Headphones & Ear Buds
• Smart Watches & Wearables
• Travel Tech
• Connected Car Tech
• iPods & MP3 Players

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

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.

Before diving in, make sure your computer is beefy enough to handle the demands of virtual reality technology and check the VR headset requirements for each experience.

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 (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.

Explore amazing places.

Impressively detailed.

Good for beginners.

Not updated recently.

Some experiences are very brief.

Limited destinations library.

Realities 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 which still hold up despite no recent updates with new realities.

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 (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 appear throughout your journey, as do 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 doesn't require a VR headset.

Impressive rendering technology.

Auto-tunes for your GPU.

Stunning visuals.

Can feel slow.

Mostly narration with little hands-on time.

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

This game takes you through the journey toward summiting Mount Everest by making five key stops. First, start by preparing for the expedition at Basecamp. From there, experiences at Khumbu Icefalls, Camp 4, and Hillary Step await before reaching Everest's summit.

You can unlock God Mode after you complete your first ascent. This mode gives you a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, almost as if you're there in person overlooking the scene.

EVEREST VR is a must if you're into mountain climbing, adventuring, or if you're a VR newbie who wants to ease in to the experience.

The VR Museum of Fine Art

Lots of content.

Educational experience.

No recent updates.

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 experience is an art lover's delight.  

The VR Museum of Fine Art makes you feel as if you're visiting a museum, complete with a pamphlet map to help you navigate your way around the exhibits, an elevator, and a cafe.

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.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• What Is XR (Extended Reality)?
• What Is Virtual Reality?
• AR vs. VR vs. MR vs. XR: What's the Difference?
• What Is Mixed Reality?
• How to Avoid Virtual Reality Sickness
• Everything You Need to Know About Virtual Reality on iPhone
• The 6 Best Virtual Reality Movies to Watch (2024)
• The 10 Best Virtual Reality Games For Kids
• PlayStation VR: What It Is and How It Works
• How to Travel With Alexa
• What Is Bixby Vision and What Does It Do?
• The 5 Best Alexa Radio Stations of 2024
• Is Alexa Safe to Use?
• The 60 Most Useful Alexa Skills of 2024
• What Is Transfer Learning?
• The Four Types of Artificial Intelligence

The Best VR Apps for Travel

Even the most avid tourist would have difficulty seeing all the globe has to offer, at least in person. We are fortunate to live at a time when a thousand-mile trip may begin with a single click. Where do you want to travel? What is Arches National Park? Tokyo? Kenya? With Oculus Quest, you can go almost anywhere without leaving your house. Simply grab your headphones and go someplace fresh. We’re unlocking the best VR apps for travel in this post.

Without the need for an airline ticket, a hotel reservation, or a pet sitter, we’ve compiled our favorite methods to go on your own VR journey. Bon (virtual) journey! If you’re new to the Metaverse or virtual reality, read our Explainer Guide so you can get started!

Topics Covered

Our picks for the best VR apps for travel

If you want diversity, your search is over. Wander employs 360° photographs from across the globe to instantly transfer you to almost any location. Visit the Louvre and Smithsonian on the same afternoon. Discover the damaged cities of Chernobyl and Pripyat. Explore Indian trains or Hong Kong stairwells. You can also visit your childhood home briefly. Wander offers countless possibilities. It has multiplayer support, customized tours, personal Favorites lists, and the option to “travel through time” with old picture data. This makes it one of the most extensive VR travel options out there.

BRINK Traveler

BRINK Traveler is designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Embark on a journey to Earth’s most breathtaking locations, captured in full 3D through advanced photogrammetry. BRINK Traveler transports you to 12 unique destinations, including Death Valley, Arches National Park, Mount Whitney, Iceland’s Háifoss waterfall, and many others—with more to be added. Immerse yourself in your surroundings, take snapshots, and allow the virtual guide to enlighten you about the forces shaping the natural world. Explore more.

When the COVID-19 epidemic struck in 2020, the majority of people remained at home. However, a few of courageous documentarians braved the deserted streets with cameras to record the experience. When We Stayed Home is (hopefully) a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of Paris, Venice, Jerusalem, and Tokyo, devoid of the typical swarms of visitors and in complete silence. Coupled with commentary from locals, such as a bookstore along the Seine, the episodes reflect the dread of the early epidemic, as well as the aspirations and anxieties for the future, coupled with incredibly breathtaking images of these renowned cities. The complete series is available on Oculus TV.

Rebuilding Notre Dame , an additional moment-in-time documentary, was produced after the 2019 fire that devastated the roof and spire of the renowned cathedral.

Surprisingly, the TARGO filmmakers had recorded footage of Notre Dame before the fire. This lets them show Notre Dame in all its beauty and contrast it with snippets after the disaster. It’s the best chance to see Notre Dame before the fire and maybe the only opportunity to witness the cathedral’s interior post-fire. Rebuilding Notre Dame also highlights past repair efforts, emphasizing the overall message that Notre Dame will rise again. Watch it on Oculus TV. Discover more.

VZfit allows users to travel the globe using Google Street View pictures. What is the twist?

You can do this either by using a bicycle or engaging in full-body exercise if you don’t have a stationary bike. Either way, you’ll get a good workout. VZfit utilizes your sense of adventure to make your workouts engaging, turning the curiosity about “What’s around the next corner?” into a motivation to come back. Ride your bicycle (or “exerboard”) over the Alps, following the Tour de France route, or take a long and winding journey from Maine to California across the United States—whatever keeps you interested. You can try VZfit for free for seven days, and after that, a monthly membership will cost $9.99 USD.

If you have ever desired to take photographs for National Geographic, now is your opportunity. With camera in hand, you will go to Machu Picchu and Antarctica in National Geographic Explore VR in pursuit of the ultimate magazine spread. Learn about the Inca Empire and the people who inhabited this ancient city as you explore the ruins of Machu Picchu’s mountaintop houses and places of worship. In Antarctica, you will use a kayak to locate and photograph an emperor penguin colony. Plus points if you wear your thickest winter coat in advance.

Tokyo Origami , the third and last Oculus television series on this list. It Comprises eight episodes, each of which focuses on a distinct facet of contemporary Tokyo living. In forty minutes, you will explore the video game stores in Akihabara. The fish markets with a sushi chef, and learn about tattoos, taboos, and more. It’s an astonishing collection recorded in 360° and intended to promote Japan in conjunction with the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Even after the Olympics are finished, Tokyo Origami remains a must-see.

Blueplanet VR Explore

This is the Grand Canyon. The Yosemite Falls Moon Residence Carlsbad Caverns. Blueplanet VR Explore contains a vast collection of photogrammetry, most of which is from the United States and a few other nations. It is possible to hang-glide over particular sites. Besides, You can explore a limited region (such as a canyon or a cave), or just appreciate the view from a single location. There are quite a few places to visit on your journey, with more than 40 locales (and more on the way).

To visit the locations in Puzzling Places , some effort will be required. Each of the namesake locations—whether it be a beach resort, a derelict railway car, a quaint Japanese restaurant, a grandiose Swedish palace, or anything else—begins as anywhere from 25 to 400 pieces. Besides,iIt is your responsibility to reconstruct them, paying close attention to minute details such as the pattern on the floor, how the light strikes various portions of the roof, etc. Details so minute and unimportant that they are frequently overlooked. Once the last piece is in place, you are left with a small replica of the actual site. It combines elements of jigsaw puzzles and model-building and is quite relaxing.

From 1942 through 1944, eight individuals lived in a tiny Amsterdam attic. You can now visit it in VR, or at least a digital facsimile of it. However, step through the concealed entrance and into the “Secret Annex,” where Anne Frank and her family and companions hid during World War II. The Anne Frank House VR tour is led by extracts from Anne Frank’s diary, providing background on each room, the people who lived there, and the remarkable circumstances they endured.

Egypt VR 360

If you’re planning a trip to Egypt and want to explore the country’s most iconic landmarks before you arrive, Egypt VR 360 is the perfect travel app for you. With this app, you can take a virtual tour of over a hundred locations. It includes the Sphinx, Philae Temple, Sultan Hassan Mosque, and modern luxury hotels. Egypt VR 360 is simple to use and well-designed, with a row of locations and a brief description. To get a closer look, tap on a destination and the VR icon.

Using this app, you can pinpoint exactly where you want to go next time you visit Egypt in person. So, if you’re looking for a convenient and informative way to explore the country’s famous landmarks, be sure to download Egypt VR 360.

Alcove, not your typical travel app, provides several free virtual tour experiences. Users can download various in-app features based on their interests. The app offers a variety of tours, including aerial, undersea, and ground tours, narrated by some of the most knowledgeable VR guides.

The app’s limitation is that each experience is completely predetermined. It lacks interactive features that would make it more immersive. Given that it is free and has such incredible visual quality, that sacrifice might be worth it.

Nature Treks VR

Nature Treks VR prioritizes creating a relaxing experience rather than focusing on realism. It offers virtual paths where users can enjoy the presence of exotic animals and control the weather. Users have the ability to interact with trees to summon animals and adjust sound levels. Although the attention to detail and spontaneity contribute to an engaging experience, users should be aware that it may not be entirely realistic.

Tour It Virtual app 

Tour It Virtually is a mobile app and website that offers a virtual tour of India’s famous locations. The app provides users with helpful details on each destination’s history, layout, and tourism advice. Whether you want to learn about India’s rich cultural heritage or explore its breathtaking landscapes, this app covers you.

To use the VR feature, navigate through the application to a destination you want to see. Tap the image at the top of its informative profile, and your smartphone will quickly switch to VR mode.

Although the app may have some minor glitches, the VR experience is smooth and immersive enough to make it a worthwhile investment. With Tour It Virtually, you can explore India’s winning locations up close and learn about its unique culture. So, download the app today and start your virtual tour of India.

Embark on your first virtual getaway with OtherSight, where you have the freedom to choose from a selection of four captivating locations. From the breathtaking tranquility of a tropical island to the bustling streets of a vibrant metropolis, each destination is carefully crafted to provide a unique and authentic experience.

What sets OtherSight apart is the abundance of activities and possibilities within each location. Feel the sand between your virtual toes as you engage in a thrilling game of beach volleyball on the tropical island. Stroll through the bustling marketplace of the vibrant metropolis, interacting with the local vendors and sampling delicious street food. Climb to the top of a majestic mountain peak and marvel at the breathtaking panoramic view that stretches out before you.

Relax River VR

Relax River VR is a virtual reality app that lets you explore detailed environments from the comfort of your own home. Unlike other apps, it’s solely dedicated to VR technology, so you’ll need the appropriate gear to access it. Once you’ve launched the app, you’ll be transported to a serene and immersive world full of waterfalls, ruins, and stunning landscapes. Although there are occasional ads, it’s a simple, easy-to-use app that offers a relaxing experience. The graphics are realistic and colorful, with clear inspiration from real-life destinations.

Sites in VR

You’ll find a wide range of destinations on this handy app, from waterfalls to ancient tombs. To begin with, Sites in VR offers fascinating and high-quality images in 3D and 360 degrees too.

However, if your interest is specifically virtual reality, just go onto the image you want and tap the VR icon. When you put on the headset with your phone mounted, you’ll get to feel like you’re there in person.

The app’s settings are fully adjustable too. Tailor your experience by changing the VR brightness, screen rotation, tool visibility, and more. Pairing it with extra handy travel planning apps can help you prepare for the perfect trip.

When it comes to envisioning travel plans, the vast and enigmatic Ocean may not be the first destination that springs to mind. Yet, beneath its shimmering surface lies a world of unparalleled beauty and untapped treasures waiting to be discovered. Enter Ocean Rift, an extraordinary app that offers users a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the deep blue like never before.

Dive into a realm where the Ocean becomes your playground, where the mysteries of the deep are unveiled, and breathtaking marine life thrives in abundance. Ocean Rift transcends the limitations of traditional land-based exploration, revealing a realm far more captivating and diverse than what meets the eye.

Nepal VR is a travel app that showcases a popular vacation spot. The app contains a collection of images that can be viewed in both normal and virtual reality mode.

To switch to virtual reality mode, simply tap the VR icon located at the bottom of the app’s display. Although the navigation may be a bit awkward, the scenes are worth the effort. You can immerse yourself in temples, museums, and festivals, and access info bubbles for convenient descriptions and historical or cultural facts.

Although there is room for improvement, Nepal VR is an easy way to explore the country. Relax and discover important locations while learning about its society. As a virtual traveler, you can expand your knowledge of the world.

Google Earth VR

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey across the globe with 3d travel apps? Look no further than Google Earth VR, the remarkable application designed specifically for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Prepare to be awe-struck as you soar through space, only to land in any corner of our beautiful planet, all from the comfort of your virtual reality headset.

With Google Earth VR, the world becomes your playground. Imagine having the power to explore iconic landmarks, bustling cities, and natural wonders with just a few simple gestures. Utilizing the intuitive controls of your VR device, you can effortlessly zoom in and out, providing a captivating bird’s eye perspective of any location that piques your curiosity.

Within VR is a fantastic app that provides an immersive virtual reality experience on mobile devices. It has a wide range of videos available, featuring both real and animated worlds, complete with audio. Real-life options include North Korea, Hong Kong, Rwanda, and the Olympic National Park.

To begin, simply select a video that catches your eye, and a profile will appear, offering a description and buttons to share, download, and stream the production. If you choose the stream option, you can decide to watch it in VR or normal mode.

Whether you enjoy documentaries, spacewalks, or horror stories, Within VR has something to captivate you, for durations ranging from four minutes to two hours. As more productions are added regularly, it’s a must-have VR app to keep on your device.

Dream of conquering peaks like Everest? Professionals train for years before attempting this feat. But now, Everest VR allows you to experience the climb realistically.

This immersive app puts you in the shoes of those few dedicated climbers. Feel the monumental efforts required to reach the planet’s highest point. “Immerse in the Everest Virtual Reality Experience, an award-winning 8K 3D journey. Relive expeditions vividly through Dome projection or VR headsets. Enjoy globally in Museums, Classrooms, Corporates, and on Vive Infinity.

From Everest’s summit to ocean depths, theBlu takes you on a different adventure. Uncover the mysteries of the vast ocean, where 95% of life remains undiscovered.

Exploring habitats and encountering ocean life emphasizes the need for a clean environment to protect these creatures from extinction. Immerse in theBlu VR series, exploring ocean wonders and encountering awe-inspiring species. The game will give you more than your expectation. 

You will be able to witness undersea migration near a coral reef. Explore the deep ocean’s iridescent realm. Additionally, you will be able to dive into the Caribbean’s sunlit waters, encountering its supreme creature.

National Geographic VR

Discover the world’s wonders through National Geographic’s VR app. Witness endangered species in their natural habitat, explore ocean depths, and unravel South Americas’ ancient civilizations.

To overcome recent errors, explore National Geographic Explore VR. Walk in the shoes of an explorer, visiting Antarctica and Machu Picchu. 

Embark on an epic National Geographic adventure! Explore Antarctica’s icy wonders, kayak around icebergs, conquer an immense ice shelf, and brave a snowstorm to find a lost penguin colony. Then, journey to Machu Picchu, Peru, where you’ll witness digital reconstructions of the ancient Inca citadel, engage in mummy worship, savor sacred chicha, and encounter alpacas. Follow in Hiram Bingham’s footsteps with captivating interactive experiences, all while capturing photos for National Geographic magazine. An immersive family journey to explore the world from the comfort of home. Try the game and see it yourself. 

Qantas VR: Journey through Australia

Our world exploration VR list concludes with Qantas VR, spotlighting Australia. This app showcases key landmarks like the sacred Uluru, offering a unique Down Under experience. Discover Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Kakadu, and Australian outback. You will be fly the Qantas A380, join pilots in the cockpit, witness take-offs and landings. Travel virtually to Hamilton Island and LA’s International First Lounge with Qantas VR. You will have a never had before experience. 

How You Can Use Apple Vision Pro to travel?

Apple Vision Pro, the latest assistive technology from Apple, can be a valuable companion for travelers, particularly those with visual impairments. While not specifically designed for travel, its features offer unique benefits that can enrich your journey.

1. Stabilized Content with Travel Mode: Airplane environments can be challenging for AR devices due to constant movement. To address this, Apple Vision Pro features a “Travel Mode” that stabilizes the displayed content. This allows you to enjoy movies, games, or even continue working on documents without disruptions caused by airplane movements.

2. Object and Text Recognition: Apple Vision Pro’s object and text recognition capabilities can be helpful for navigating unfamiliar airports or transportation hubs. By pointing your device, you can hear descriptions of objects and surroundings, including signage, shops, and even wayfinding information. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with low vision or complete blindness.

3. Assistance with Daily Tasks: Apple Vision Pro can simplify everyday tasks while traveling. It can identify and describe food items on your plate, helping you navigate restaurant menus. Additionally, it can read text labels on medication bottles or travel documents, ensuring you have the correct information readily available.

Important Safety Note: Remember, Apple Vision Pro is not a substitute for traditional assistive devices like guide dogs or canes. While it can provide valuable assistance, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and remain aware of your surroundings while traveling.

Apple Vision Pro offers a range of features that can enhance the travel experience for individuals with visual impairments. From stabilized content to object and text recognition, it can provide greater independence and support during your journeys.

Why People Will Love To Travel Using The Best VR apps For Travel?

3d travel apps offer a unique and immersive experience for users. With the advancement in technology, VR travel apps are becoming increasingly popular among travelers who want to explore new destinations and experiences. There are several reasons why people will love to use VR travel apps, including:

Experience destinations before visiting

One of the most significant advantages of VR travel apps is that they allow users to explore a destination before visiting in person. This can be particularly useful for travelers who are trying to decide where to go on their next trip. By using VR travel apps, users can get a feel for the local culture, geography, and attractions, making it easier to plan their itinerary and decide whether the destination is right for them.

Cost-effective

Traveling can be expensive, and not everyone has the financial means to go on frequent trips. VR travel apps offer a cost-effective alternative, allowing users to experience different destinations from the comfort of their own home. This can be especially appealing for those who are on a tight budget or who are unable to travel due to physical limitations. With VR travel apps, users can explore different parts of the world, learn about new cultures and traditions, and even try local cuisine, all from the comfort of their homes. This provides a low-cost, accessible way to experience the excitement of travel and explore new destinations. Looking for the best VR to buy? Check out   Quest 2 Vs PSVR 2: which one is better?

3d travel apps have a broad appeal and can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to experience the thrill of travel from the comfort of their homes. They offer a unique way to explore new destinations, learn about different cultures, and experience the beauty of the world without having to leave one’s home. Whether you’re physically unable to travel, have a fear of flying, or just want to explore new destinations, VR travel apps offer a fun and exciting way to experience the world around us.

Immersive experience

 VR travel apps provide an immersive experience, allowing users to feel as if they are actually in the destination. With 360-degree views, users can explore their surroundings, interact with virtual objects and people, and even participate in activities, such as hiking or skydiving.

VR travel apps are incredibly convenient, as users can explore destinations at any time and from anywhere. This makes them ideal for people who are unable to travel frequently or who have limited time.

Educational

VR travel apps can also be educational, providing users with a wealth of information about different destinations and their history. This can be particularly useful for students and educators, who can use VR travel apps to learn about different cultures and historical events.

Who will get the most benefits from VR travel apps? 

VR travel apps have gained popularity in recent years, as more and more people seek to experience the thrill of travel without leaving the comfort of their homes. These apps provide users with an immersive virtual reality experience that transports them to different parts of the world, allowing them to explore new destinations, landmarks, and cultures.

VR Travel Apps will open new doors for disabled people

One group that will especially enjoy VR travel apps is people who have limited mobility or physical disabilities. For people who are unable to travel due to medical or other reasons, VR travel apps offer an opportunity to experience the thrill of travel without leaving their homes. With these apps, they can visit destinations that they might not be able to explore in real life, such as inaccessible natural wonders or remote historical sites. You can try VR from different companies. What about trying an Apple VR  device. 

Another group that may enjoy VR travel apps is people who have a fear of flying or other forms of transportation. With a VR headset, users can virtually travel to different destinations without having to experience the anxiety that often accompanies air travel or other transportation methods. This provides a great way to get a taste of what it’s like to travel to far-off destinations without the stress and discomfort of actual travel.

Enhance travel planning

 VR travel apps can enhance travel planning by allowing users to visualize different destinations and attractions before visiting. This can help users to better plan their itinerary and make the most of their time while traveling.

Final Words

In conclusion, VR travel apps offer a unique and immersive experience for users, making them an excellent option for travelers who want to explore new destinations and experiences. With its many advantages, including cost-effectiveness, increased accessibility, and educational benefits, it’s easy to see why VR travel apps are becoming increasingly popular among travelers. Whether you’re planning a trip or simply want to escape the everyday routine, VR travel apps are a great way to explore the world and discover new adventures.

Can you use VR to travel?

Yes, virtual reality (VR) technology allows users to virtually travel to various destinations. With the use of a VR headset or other specialized equipment, individuals can immerse themselves in a 360-degree travel experience without 

physically leaving their location.

How can VR help tourism?

VR can be a valuable tool for the tourism industry. It enables tourism providers to showcase their products and services by creating virtual tours, previews, or reviews of destinations, accommodations, and activities. This technology allows potential travelers to get a more immersive and realistic preview of what a particular destination or travel experience has to offer.

Will virtual reality replace tourism?

While VR can offer a temporary fix for travelers, particularly during times of travel restrictions like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unlikely to replace traditional tourism entirely. Travel and tourism offer tangible experiences that engage multiple senses, such as taste and smell, which VR cannot fully replicate. VR may serve as a complementary tool in the travel industry, but it cannot fully replace the sensory richness of real-world travel.

Why is VR good for business?

VR offers numerous advantages for businesses. It can improve marketing, collaboration, and education by creating engaging work environments, increasing employee productivity, and providing safe and controlled settings for training and experimentation. VR technology has the potential to transform the way businesses operate, communicate, and train their employees.

Can we use VR without a phone?

Yes, you can use standalone VR headsets that do not require a PC or smartphone. These wireless headsets, like the Meta Quest, can be worn on the head, allowing users to start VR experiences without the need for a phone or computer. This makes standalone VR headsets a convenient option for on-the-go virtual reality experiences.

What VR headset is best for virtual travel?

The Meta Quest 3 is considered one of the best VR headsets for virtual travel in 2023. The Quest 2 is also a budget-friendly option that is still available for purchase. These VR headsets provide users with immersive experiences in virtual worlds, making them suitable for various applications, including virtual travel. However, VR technology is still evolving, and the choice of the best headset may depend on individual preferences and requirements.

Dingman, H. (2021, October 1).  Virtual Vacation: 11 VR Apps and Films That Let You Travel the World From Home . Virtual Vacation: 11 VR Apps and Films That Let You Travel the World From Home. https://www.oculus.com/blog/virtual-vacation-11-vr-apps-and-films-that-let-you-travel-the-world-from-home/

Related Stories

What is the Metaverse?

How can I use the Metaverse?

Assassin’s Creed Nexus in VR

The Definitive Guide to AR Apps on your Phone

Your Next Date Could Be In the Metaverse

Snoop Dogg in the Metaverse

Microsoft Mesh and Teams: What We Know

Top Games in the Metaverse

Best Free Games on Quest 2

Top Business Applications In The Metaverse 

• Guide to VR
• Events 2024
• Interesting

8 Best Virtual Travelling Apps for Oculus Quest 2

Virtual Reality, VR, Immersive Technology & Simulated Environment

Recently updated on February 17th, 2022 at 11:28 pm

In this article, we would like to share with you the best virtual travelling apps for Oculus Quest 2 from our perspective. This might be useful for you who are also looking into the apps for the virtual tour and trip purpose as well. Without waiting much longer, here is the list…

This is one of our most favorite apps and the best virtual travelling apps that you must have!! Wander apps allow you to travel nearly around the world. You can move forward, backward and turn around in 360-degree. You also able to become a Time Traveller where you can teleport yourself in different time frame at the same location. Damn fun!

However, the images surrounding you are static. You can feel like you are in a time freeze or bullet time moments like in “ The Matrix ” film or “ Max Payne ” game. But it does not stop you from having fun.

Main Highlights: You can join group tours or organize your own virtual tour with family and friends. Nice feature!

2) Oculus TV

Oculus TV is one of the apps that we use quite regularly. It contains many wonderful and high quality virtual tour videos that can make mesmerized. Some of the content creator produce videos with awesome quality like AirPano .

You can turnaround and rotate 360-degree or 180-degree (depending on the video). Unfortunately, you cannot move forward and backward like Wander.

Main Highlights: Good categorization of videos such as “Immersive Videos”. Furthermore, it is frequently updated with new contents. And, it is FREE!!

3) BRINK Traveler

BRINK Traveler is one of the wonderful virtual tour apps that can bring you to some of the most majestic and breathtaking locations on earth. Some example of the locations are Haifoss in Iceland, Horseshoe Bend, Death Valley National Park and Mount Whitney. The good thing about this apps is that you can rotate and move around in 360-degree and also able to move forward and backward within certain area.

Unfortunately, the list of contents is not rich enough since it only got few locations. At this moment, there are 12 locations with 18 spots available for you to enjoy. Nevertheless, in the future, there will be more coming in to satisfy your hunger of travelling.

Main Highlights: Sharp photorealistic images and you can also pick up some stones and throw it away.

4) YouTube VR

We think everybody already know what YouTube is. There are many virtual trip videos that you can watch on it. The challenges is you need to spend some time to find the good 360-degree video with high resolution. But once you found it, then it is really a gems.

Main Highlights: A lot, lot, lot of video contents in VR or 360-degree format. And it is also free to download from Oculus Quest Store.

5) Blueplanet VR Explore

Blueplanet VR Explore is a wonderful virtual tour apps with great scenic view. It consists of 40 volumetric experiences of popular and historical locations all around the world such as Bears Ears National Monument in United States.

Furthermore, it looks super realistic because they are using the high level photogrammetry and art direction approach to generate the environment. However, the price is a little bit pricey if compare to others.

Main Highlights: You can fly above the scenic, terrain environment using virtual glider.

In Alcove apps, there is a feature that enable you to travel around the world in selected places. For example diving in the Greet Barrier Reef of Australia. The content is in the form of video in 360-degree format and the quality is also great. It seems that the Alcove team already select the best of the best for us to enjoy it.

Main Highlights: You can also invite your family and friends to travel together with you. Besides travelling, you can do many more social activities as well with your friends. And it’s free.

7) National Geographic Explore VR

National Geographic Explore VR apps focuses on two great locations in the world which are Antarctica and Machu Picchu in Peru. Although the number of locations is just two, but the number of activities that you can do is still significant. For example, navigate around icebergs in kayak, search for lost emperor penguin colony and witness the mummy worship. Sounds great, huh?

Main Highlights: It comes from National Geographic Society , a famous organization that has tremendous works in the form of magazines, documentaries, nature films. This is legend.

8) ecosphere

Ecosphere is an apps with great and high quality virtual tour video in the 360-degree format. However, the destination choice is very limited because it only has three locations which are Raja Ampat , Kenya and Borneo .

Although the choice is limited, but the cinematic experiences are stunning where you can meet orang utans, manta rays, elephants and many more. Just to add, before you enjoy the scenery, you must download the file first which is quite large. Be patience, guys…

Main Highlights: Yeap, it’s free.

Lastly…

That’s are the list of top virtual travelling apps that we have for now. You can get all these apps from the Oculus Quest Store . In case if there is any good travelling apps in the future, we will definitely add it here. In case you want to see other top games and apps based on other genres or categories, we hope that this article can help you with it.

Are you now getting excited to try VR after you read this? If you don’t have a VR headset yet, we think this is the right time for you to get it 🙂 Happy travelling!

About Author

I am a guy who is very excited on anything and everything related with virtual reality. My mission is to spread the love of VR to the world.

See author's posts

Related posts:

  virtual tour virtual travelling apps virtual trips

2 Responses

Great list . Thank you. After finishing the set up, it’s hard to choose what to do/see. This helps a lot.

Thank you for your remarks. Really glad that we can help you on this. Cheers 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign me up for the newsletter!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Join Our Newsletter Sign-up now & receive FREE gift!

Recent Posts

• 5 Main Highlights During Meta Connect 2024
• ‘Meta Connect 2024’ Event Right Around the Corner on 25-26 September 2024
• ‘The Thrill of the Fight 2’ comes with Multiplayer in November 2024
• What is the Difference & Comparison between Meta Quest 2 vs Meta Quest 3?
• What You Get During Meta Quest 3 Unboxing?

Recent Comments

• alvirmin on 29 Best Free VR Games for Oculus or Meta Quest 2 & 3
• anonymous on 29 Best Free VR Games for Oculus or Meta Quest 2 & 3
• alvirmin on 2024 List of VR Events, Virtual Reality Expo, Exhibitions & Conferences
• Gabriela Alavez on 2024 List of VR Events, Virtual Reality Expo, Exhibitions & Conferences

©  2024 All Virtual Reality. Built using WordPress and the Mesmerize Theme

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

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.

Recent Posts

Thrill Of The Fight Vs. Creed: Rise To Glory For The Oculus Quest

Are you ready to step into the virtual boxing ring and duke it out with some of the toughest opponents in the world?  Well, if you’re an Oculus Quest owner, you’ve got two top contenders...

How To Cast Oculus Quest 2 To TV Without Chromecast

If you’re a proud owner of the Oculus Quest 2 (currently branded as Meta Quest 2), you already know how immersive VR gaming can be. But what if you want to share the excitement with friends and...

8 Fascinating VR Travel Apps for Oculus

I haven’t mentioned it much, if at all, on this blog, but I LOVE VR . There’s a whole debate about whether or not it’s worth it… if it’ll survive or just die out.. how well it compares to more traditional gaming platforms… etc.

IMO we’re on track to be living some version of Ready Player One relatively soon.

By the way if you haven’t read that book OMG doooo it ! One of my personal favorites.

This seems like a good moment for me to remind you that there are some affiliate links used on this site, if you buy anything through them it won’t cost you extra, but it does help support the blog, thanks!

Table of Contents

There’s a new list of VR travel apps here if you’re interested in some options specifically for the Quest.

I have an Oculus Quest . It’s definitely not the most robust VR headset option, but probably the biggest draw for me about the Quest was not being attached to anything by a cord, and being able to travel with it and use it anywhere .

Right now there’s a whole other advantage to VR: Traveling, without actually going anywhere, because 2020.

See a timeline of all the crazy 2020 events here.

VR Adventures in the Age of ‘Rona

There are a lot of VR games, apps , and videos out there. Which you can use depends on the headset you have access to. The Oculus Go has some games that aren’t compatible with the Oculus Quest, and visa versa.

The good news is that game and app libraries for all VR platforms are growing constantly.

So when many of us are stuck at home for a good chunk of our days, going slowly insane from staring at the same. rooms. day. in. and. day. out . VR offers some awesome escapes while keeping the risk of getting Covid to a happy minimum.

Once you’re ready to get back out into the real world – here’s a list of 50 great travel apps to get you started!

Oculus Quest Games for Virtual Exploration

There are a lot of great VR games out there (Beatsaber is seriously addicting) but for the sake of this post I’ve put together a list of the best VR travel apps and games.

I should probably give a bit of a disclaimer here: This is a relatively non-traditional VR travel list. The Quest doesn’t have a ton of purely travel-centric games, so I found ones that scratch the wanderlust itch, even if they’re not strictly “travel” genre.

I also went a little outside the box when picking apps for the other Oculus headsets as well, because some of the best vr games and apps for avid adventurers , in my opinion, aren’t 100% just “we’re going to the place.” It’s about the overall experience, ya know?

They’re picked either for being purely travel-centric or involving some sort of exploration adventure .

Outdoor Adventures

National geographic explore vr.

I couldn’t pick a more obvious choice for this list, I mean , it’s National Geographic.

As of now you can explore 2 VERY different places within this app: Antarctica and Machu Picchu. I hope they’ll be adding more at some point.

This is designated as an app in the oculus store but I felt like it leaned more toward an actual game. There are small but interesting objectives along each trip, and you constantly have the option to pick up your camera and snap some cool shots.

I expected this to be more of a cinematic experience, where you’re basically along for the ride, but you’re in control of most of your actions. You can explore relatively freely and check out the surroundings at your leisure.

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and entertainment of this VR adventure.

Available on Oculus Quest | Go

This probably feels the most like a traditional video game – with the bonus VR immersion. You get to climb your way through multiple environments around the world, working your way through levels and challenges, and the views are amazballs.

It’s not for those that have any sort of vertigo issues, and you may want to opt for sitting down while playing. I found myself leaning quite a bit and every now and then feeling a bit unsteady when I looked down.

Available on Oculus Quest | Rift

I also just put together a guide on IRL hiking boots for those that are looking to get back into the real world – check it out!

Purely Travel

This is the most straightforward, nail-on-the-head, travel app for Oculus.

If you get mesmerized by the visuals of new places or want to re-experience somewhere you’ve been before, Wander might be your dream Oculus app.

I really like photography , drone videos, 360 videos etc. because I get really interested in the visuals of places I visit. I enjoy getting lost in looking if that makes sense? Wander essentially gives you the next best thing to actually traveling to a new place.

Using Google Streetview, Wander allows you to “wander” through almost any part of the world. It’s a 360 view so you can really take in everything around you.

You can choose a place to visit by searching, or randomly select a spot. You can navigate your way around using a mini-map, or simply pick a direction and follow the arrows. You can also choose to travel by available years to see the areas during different points in time.

I wandered through Amsterdam (one of my favorite cities), revisited a small town in England, including the place I stayed when I was there, and checked out some historical sites in Spain.

Available on Oculus Quest | Go | Gear VR

Otherworldly Exploration

Fujii takes you through what I would best describe as a psychedelic garden world . I can only assume the creators decided to make the game after a good shroom session.

It is a beautiful, relaxing experience. It’s calm, colorful escapism.

I didn’t love the controls, because you have to teleport everywhere, rather than “walk” smoothly, and figuring out how to orient myself took a minute. You also have to figure out how to move on through sort of “organic” puzzles. It’s hard to describe.

I’d still recommend it even with the few drawbacks because it’s just a lovely world to be immersed into. It would also be a great game for kids, if that’s a concern for you when searching for VR games.

Tour of Six Real Exoplanets

Ok fine! I’m cheating a bit here. It’s not a “game” per se. It’s a video. From Youtube. But it’s 360 and you can watch it with basically any VR system that you can access Youtube on. And it’s RAD.

Genuinely one of my favorite (and first) VR experiences as far as videos go. The narration is great, the information is interesting, the visuals are STUNNING.

It’s my blog. I love space videos and photos, they’re amazing. I’m putting this video on the list. Deal with it. I realize I’m getting a little defensive about this and to be fair you haven’t even said anything yet because I literally have not published this ( unless you’re currently reading it, then I have ) BUT STILL.

(but also for sure go check out the video I think you’ll really like it)

Trips Through Time

Chernobyl vr project.

Ugh. I am SO upset this isn’t available for the Quest. Chernobyl is one of my bucket list spots (abandoned/haunted/creepy places hold a special place in my heart) but to be fair, I have no desire to go there right now…

Even though I guess the Chernobyl fires don’t actually “pose a risk” to people…?

I’mma still say no though. For now.

But I would LOVE if they made the Chernobyl VR Project available for Oculus Quest. As it stands you can use it on Oculus Rift .

Apparently, the developers actually went to Chernobyl in order to get the video and photos they needed to model the VR experience. Call me peanut butter and jealous , amiright?

Available on Oculus Rift

Wonders of the World

A travel experience in more ways than one – around the world, and through time! I have a thing for historical places. I think they speak to that same interest in cultures and places that are vastly different from your personal norm.

Wonders of the World lets you explore ancient cities while learning about the history and culture of the places you’re visiting.

During each experience, you’re given a new character and role to take on which relates to the context of the historical setting.

The graphics in Wonders of the World aren’t the most impressive, but they look like they’re meant to be stylized to some point. This game is also currently free, so it won’t even cost you anything to check it out.

Available on Oculus Go | Gear VR

Meeting Rembrandt

Another historical trip, albeit this one is quite a bit different from Wonders of the World. This VR experience takes you to 1600s Amersterdam to… well, meet Rembrandt.

Spend time and interact with the painter who is brought to life by a real actor as you move through the virtual world with him.

It’s a magical blend of VR and real humans brought together beautifully to tell the story of a famous historical figure in a much more personal way. The graphics aren’t perfect but any lack is made up for by the overall experience. A truly unique and wonderful VR project.

Traveling While Black

I cannot recommend this VR experience highly enough. It’s particularly relevant considering the current state of the U.S., but it would be noteworthy at any time.

It’s SO well done, guys. It’s a short movie-going (ish) experience. You’re moved from place to place as the story is told, between past times and the present. You start in a theater but are soon moved to physical places more relevant to the narration and storytellers.

You’ll hear stories and experiences of being black in America, past and present, from some people you may be familiar with, some you may not. The focus is of course on “traveling while black” but it’s not completely restricted to that.

For those who are unfamiliar with The Negro Motorist Green Book or The Negro Travelers’ Green Book – AKA the “Green Book” – it was a guide created by Victor Hugo Green to help black travelers find businesses they could utilize while traveling in a time when many were explicitly or implicitly “whites only.”

This VR experience is also FREE, so there’s not excuse not to check it out!

Available on Oculus Quest | Rift | Go | Gear VR

How are you doing?

That’s the end of this particularly unique list of Oculus travel apps, so I just want to check in with you real quick.

How are you doing with everything that’s going on in the world right now?

Is there anything you do, like VR, to get a brief break from the chaos?

Along with VR and Netflix binges , I really like taking drives and walks in the forest with my dog.

Tech obsessed professional dog-petter with a camera and a website or two. Sometimes wine's involved, usually Starbucks.

 previous

Hiking Gear Basics: A Beginners Guide to Hiking Boots

newer 

20 Great Outdoorsy Gifts for Dads

More like this....

Plan an Epic West Coast Road Trip: The Stops

26 Most Useful Apps for a Road Trip

Privacy overview.

Welcome To The Wide World Of VR Travel

Vr travel apps are taking off. here are the ten best..

World travel can be expensive. But you can experience exotic locales in immersive virtual reality for little or no cost at all. With Samsung Gear ($99) or Google Cardboard ($8), any iPhone or Android smartphone can be turned into a virtual reality device.

Content for tourism is one of the first categories to really take off in VR, allowing you to experience being there without really going there. VR travel apps can both help you experience a place—or a specific resort, city, museum, hotel or cruise ship—before you take the plunge. Or, it can replace actual travel altogether if you'd rather experience a place vicariously.

Here are our favorites for where to take your first virtual trek.

Want to experience a sailboat cruise off the coast of Croatia? YouVisit is one of the best-designed apps dedicated specifically to virtual reality tours. In addition to thousands of travel destinations, they also feature college campuses, businesses, hotels and restaurants. The tours include 360-degree video as well as 360-degree interactive panoramic photos. Navigate by looking, no buttons or controllers necessary.

Free on Android , iOS and Gear VR

Google Street View

This VR app supports both iOS and Android devices, which means you can literally go pretty much anywhere in the world—though, unfortunately, you have to take off the headset to interact with the app. Plus the app is free on both Android and iOS. There's also an unofficial StreetView VR app, also free, for the Gear VR , by YoutopiaVR, which pulls in Google Street View data. The app has a great navigation interface: You just tap to skip ahead to the street you're on, or do a long tap to bring up the map. You can zoom in and out and jump to anywhere in the world, or click on the microphone and say the name of a place and you are there. Say "Eiffel Tower," for example, and you're transported to the spot, above Paris, looking down. It's awesome.

The app also has a voice-enabled group functionality, so you can virtually visit places with your friends. Now if I only had a friend with a Gear VR, I could try it out.

Discovery VR

The virtual reality studio from Discovery Networks specializes in you-are-there extreme experiences such as scuba diving in shark-infested wrecks and and flying through a remote canyon on a zipline. The app itself isn't available on Gear VR, but some of the content can be found on Gear VR's Milk VR and Hulu VR video apps.

Free on Android and iOS .

One of several VR studios to emerge over the past few years, Jaunt VR has a selection of incredibly high-quality travel VR videos including Nepal, Machu Picchu, Syria and Jerusalem. Travel is just the beginning at Jaunt, which also includes VR films, music and sports.

Free on Android , iOS and Gear VR.

Ascape Virtual Travel & Tours

Ascape is all about finding inspiration for travel. The service has more than 100 virtual tours of gorgeous destinations around the world including resorts, cities and experiences. Navigate by touching the screen, so be prepared to access the phone frequently. If you're a virtual auteur, you can become a producer for Ascape, and make money from your own videos.

Samsung Milk VR

Primarily a movie app, Milk VR also offers immersive video tours, such as Chicago, romantic Italy, New York's Times Square and many more. However, only the Gear VR version of the app works with a headset, specifically the Gear VR headset. Unfortunately, the standard Android version does not support Google Cardboard viewers, but simply shows a video that allows you to look in different directions by turning the phone or swiping the screen.

Free on Android and Gear VR.

All YouTube videos are playable in immersive virtual reality on Android phones – search for your destination and "360" or "vr" or filter for "360 videos." Then look for the cardboard symbol at bottom right or behind the three dots setting symbol at top right. Traditional videos are shown on giant private movie screens, while 360-degree videos are shown in immersive virtual reality. On Gear VR, the work-around is to use the Samsung Internet browser app and surf over to the YouTube site. There is no iOS support yet.

Free on Android .

Combines crisp 360-degree panoramic images with sound loops to create a "frozen moment in time" effect. Orbulus videos include the ability to experience New Year's fireworks on Hong Kong Harbor, a view of the Northern Lights and even the ability to stand on Mars. Navigate by looking, no buttons or controllers necessary.

Sites in VR

Panoramic photos of of landmarks from Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Morocco, Kuwait, Yemen, Macedonia, Holland, Belgium and France. Very user-friendly interface but the photos themselves are not interactive. Navigate by looking, no buttons or controllers necessary.

Experience 360-degree Flickr photos in immersive virtual reality on your Gear VR headset. Not yet available for iPhones or Androids yet, but you can check out the Orbulus app instead.

Free on Gear VR.

Single destination apps

In addition to the apps above, many developers are releasing virtual reality tours for individual destinations. You can see Tokyo , London , Cyprus and even Paris . Maybe a trip to the Big Apple is something you've dreamed of—or the Caribbean is more your speed. To find others, search for the name of your destination and the keyword "VR" in your app store. Plus, here are a few more to get you started for your next virtual escape:

United Arab Emirates

Liege Cathedral , in Belgium

Neon Museum in Las Vegas, NV

(Free for Android too)

Museo Maya de América

Toumanian Museum in Armenia

• How Oculus and Cardboard Are Going to Rock the Travel Industry ... ›
• The Future of Travel Has Arrived: Virtual-Reality Beach Vacations ... ›
• Jaunt VR Wants to (Virtually) Change the Way We Travel ›

GearBrain Compatibility Find Engine

A pioneering recommendation platform where you can research, discover, buy, and learn how to connect and optimize smart devices.

Join our community! Ask and answer questions about smart devices and save yours in My Gear.

Top Stories

Yeedi m12 ultra plus robot vacuum and mop review: a compact, high-performance cleaning solution, how to reconnect amazon echo and alexa to your wi-fi network, the best holiday tech gifts for grandparents this season, yeedi c12 combo: the world's first all-in-one robot vacuum and cleaning system, netgear expands nighthawk lineup with three new wifi 7 routers.

• Doodle for Google
• What is Bixby
• Smart Home System
• Tesla Model 3 Interior
• Google Home Games
• Wireless Doorbell
• Ring Chime Pro

Weekly Deals

Fitness bundle for apple ios users: a comprehensive guide, weekly smart home & tech deals: updated regularly, tcl labor day deal: massive discounts on all three 98” tv models until 9/2., best labor day sales for smart devices: don’t miss out on these top deals.

• [email protected]
• 646-376-7760
• 215 West 40th Street, 6th Floor
• New York, NY 10018

Connect With Us

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Washington DC
• West Virginia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Northern Ireland
• Republic of Moldova
• Switzerland
• Vatican City
• South Africa
• Philippines
• Russian Federation
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Kitts & Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Marshall Islands
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• El Salvador
• Arctic – North Pole
• Antarctica – South Pole
• Hotels & Resorts
• National Monuments
• National Parks
• Universities
• VR-AR-360 Events 2022 & 2023
• ASTA Events 2022
• VR Glossary
• List With Us

The Summers – Germany is waiting!

Lithuania. real is beautiful., visit the matobo national park, zimbabwe, climbing mount rainier, 5 vr apps for exploring the world.

Travel anywhere from your sofa with these amazing VR apps.  Since the spring of 2020, we have learned that all our vacation plans can be delayed indefinitely. Also, there are places that we can only dream of visiting. Now, thanks to  VR apps  for exploring the world, traveling to the most distant landmarks is possible for anyone. You only need a VR headset and the time to sit back and immerse yourself in new worlds.

Why Explore the World With VR Apps?

Many people are unable to reach all their bucket list destinations in real life. From financial constraints to specific family circumstances, their area of exploration is limited. This is why many organizations worked to develop various VR experiences for exploring the world.

They want to give everyone the chance to discover the natural beauty of our planet, as well as the many civilizations sharing it. We believe that everyone should try this experience at least once. It is a chance to realize how beautiful and diverse our planet is, and why we should do our best to preserve it for future generations.

So, here are some of the best VR apps and experiences for traveling around the world you should try:

1. Google Earth VR

Google Earth VR  is one of the most detailed and comprehensive VR exploration experiences for anyone. All the areas of the globe mapped by Google cars are now available in the VR app. For cities, the experience is even more immersive as it is coupled with Street View images. Just pick your destination, and within seconds you are there. From the pyramids of Egypt to the thriving street life in major capitals across the globe, or remote mountain areas, you can fulfill your entire bucket list in VR.

2. Everest VR

So many of us dream of reaching the highest peak and shout, like Jack in the movie Titanic: “I am the king of the world!” Unfortunately, climbing Mount Everest is reserved for a few dedicated professionals, who spend years training before making their attempt. However, among other VR apps dedicated to exploring our world, we now have  Everest VR  – a realistic and immersive experience that makes you feel like you are really there. You will experience what it takes to climb the highest mountain on the planet and understand the monumental efforts the select few have to make before they reach the peak.

From the highest peak on Earth, let us dive to the depths of the ocean.  theBlu  is one of those VR experiences that reminds us that we only know about 5% of the flora and fauna below the shimmering surface of the oceans.  By exploring various natural habitats and meeting majestic ocean dwellers, you will understand why it is so important to protect them from extinction by maintaining a healthy and clean environment for them.

4. National Geographic VR

The National Geographic Society is one of the oldest organizations that promote learning about the entire world we live in.  The VR app they developed  offers anyone the chance to see endangered species in their natural environment, dive into the deepest oceans, or discover the richness of South Americas’ native civilizations.  Some users have recently been experiencing some errors, so if you happen to be one of them, you can also give the  National Geographic Explore VR  experience a try. Developed by Force Field Entertainment (acquired by Vertigo Games), the experience lets you step into the shoes of a National Geographic explorer and visit Antarctica and Machu Picchu.

5. Qantas VR

We end our list of VR experiences for exploring the world with an app that only covers Australia. We believe it is worth trying, as it is the only one covering all the key landmarks from Down Under, including the sacred site of Uluru. Upon request from the Australian authorities, images of the Uluru climb were  taken down from Google Maps  after the climb was banned in 2019.  So,  Qantas VR  seems like a good option for exploring Uluru as, according to their website, their footage “captures a rare glimpse of one of the most recognizable natural rock formations in the world.”

• Privacy Policy

HP TECH TAKES /...

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

• 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

• 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

• 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 , 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 , 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

• 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.

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.

• 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

Popular articles

• How to Screenshot on HP Laptop and Desktop Computers
• How to Enter BIOS Setup on Windows PCs
• How to Fix a Laptop That Won’t Turn On: Troubleshooting Guide
• 10 Best Sites for Free Music Downloads
• How to Transfer Files from PC to PC: 6 Easy Methods
• How to Turn Keyboard Lighting On and Off on HP Laptops
• How to Factory Reset Your Windows PC: A Step-by-Step Guide
• 9 Ways to Charge Your Laptop Without a Charger
• How to Connect Printer to Computer: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Check Your Computer's CPU Temperature

Related tags

• online exhibits
• virtual reality
• virtual tours

Article archives

• 2023 Articles
• 2022 Articles
• 2021 Articles
• 2020 Articles
• 2019 Articles
• 2018 Articles

Recommended articles

Top 7 Incredible Augmented Reality Experiences

6 Ways Virtual Reality is Changing the World

Best Virtual Reality Games for PC

What is Virtual Reality (VR) and How Does It Work?

How VR for PC Elevates Gaming

HP Reverb G2 VR Headset: A Complete Review

Best VR-Ready Laptops: Top HP Models for Virtual Reality Gaming in 2024

The Potential of Augmented Reality in Retail and Marketing

Best Apps to Watch Movies with Friends in VR

Meet the New HP VR Backpack G2

What are Virtual Reality Glasses?

Top 10 Technology Trends in 2019

10 Small Business Trends and Predictions for 2022

What is the Difference Between AR and VR?

• HP Fraud Alert
• Windows 10 Laptop 8GB RAM
• Windows 10 Touch Screen Laptop
• HP Spectre Laptops
• HP Employee Store
• HP Education Store
• Best Processor for Laptop
• Gaming PC 1080Ti
• Laptop 10 Inch
• Spectre 11 Inch
• 13 Inch 2-in-1
• 13 Inch Detachable Laptop
• 13 Inch Laptops
• 14 Inch 2-in-1 Laptop
• 14 Inch Convertible Laptop
• 14 Inch Gaming Laptop
• 14 Inch Workstation Laptop
• 15.6 Ultrabook

Disclosure: Our site may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.

FREE shipping & Easy returns

Order by Phone 877-203-4758

Student discounts

HP for Business

Offers subject to change, not combinable with all other offers, and exclusions may apply, while supplies last. HP may impose a purchase quantity limit (for example, 3 units per order). Taxes, shipping, and other fees may apply as applicable. HP reserves the right to cancel orders arising from pricing or other errors. Prices, specifications, availability, and terms of offers may change without notice. Price protection, price matching or price guarantees do not apply to Intra-day, Daily Deals or limited-time promotions. These terms apply only to products sold by HP.com; reseller offers may vary. Items sold by HP.com are not for immediate resale. Orders that do not comply with HP.com terms, conditions, and limitations may be cancelled. Contract and volume customers not eligible.

HP’s MSRP is subject to discount. HP’s MSRP price is shown as either a stand-alone price or as a strike-through price with a discounted or promotional price also listed. Discounted or promotional pricing is indicated by the presence of an additional higher MSRP strike-through price.

Microsoft and Windows are US registered of Microsoft Corporation. Ultrabook, Celeron, Celeron Inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Intel Evo, Intel Optane, Iris, Itanium, MAX, Pentium, Pentium Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, Xeon Phi and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Not all features are available in all editions or versions of Windows. Systems may require upgraded and/or separately purchased hardware, drivers, software or BIOS update to take full advantage of Windows functionality. Windows is automatically updated and enabled. High speed internet and Microsoft account required. ISP fees may apply and additional requirements may apply over time for updates. See http://www.windows.com.

Earn HP Rewards on select products from the following categories: Laptops, Desktops, Printers, Business PC’s, select Accessories, and select Ink, Toner & Paper. Exclusions apply, and program membership required. See details HP Rewards

The personal information you provide will be used according to the HP Privacy Statement

*America’s most trusted printer brand: Based on 2022 semi-annual internal brand surveys commissioned by HP.

*2 years of ink included with the best print quality every time: Based upon 150 and 200 pages per month of HP Smart Tank customers’ usage. Actual yield varies considerably based on content of printed pages and other factors. Average yield based on ISO/IEC 24711 or HP testing methodology and continuous printing. Some ink from included bottles is used to start up the printer. For details, see: www.hp.com/go/learnaboutsupplies. Print quality tested on everyday paper. Compared to the majority of in-class, 3:1 and 4:1 duplex, wireless A4 ink tank printers under $552 USD. Printers selected by market share as reported by IDC Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker – Final Historical CYQ2 2023. Claim based on publicly available information as of September 2023 and Keypoint Intelligence hands-on testing and study in September 2023 commissioned by HP. Details: www.keypointintelligence.com/hpbesteverydayprintquality.

**Copilot in Windows (in preview) is available in select global markets and will be rolled out to additional markets over time. See microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications for more information.

• Meta Quest 4
• Google Pixel 9
• Apple Vision Pro 2
• Nintendo Switch 2
• Samsung Galaxy Ring
• Yellowstone Season 6
• Recall an Email in Outlook
• Stranger Things Season 5

The best VR apps for 2023

If you have one of the best VR headsets , such as the new Meta Quest 3, you might be wondering what you can do with it. Beyond the best VR games , there’s a whole world of apps to explore too.

Google Earth VR (free)

Wooorld (free), openbrush (free), vermillion ($20), bigscreen (free), littlstar (free), ocean rift ($10), virtual desktop ($15), immersed (free), youtube vr (free), titans of space plus ($10), nanome (free).

VR apps can immerse you in any scenario or augment your actual surroundings with mixed-reality graphics. You can hang out and work with friends located anywhere in the world, watch movies on a giant cinema screen, learn about atomic bonds with molecules scaled up to fill the room, create 3D models with a swipe of your hand, and much more. Here are the best ones to try out to get the most out of your VR headset.

When VR began to blossom as an entertainment medium, one of our first thoughts was: “Google Earth is going to be super freaking cool.” Turns out, we were right. Flying around the planet like some kind of hypersonic eagle is both enjoyable and educational, at least if you happen to like geography. And even if you don’t, you can still use the quick-nav menu to visit landmark sites like the Sphinx or the Golden Gate Bridge or pay a digital visit to the capital of Djibouti.

• These are the best NVMe SSDs to buy in 2024
• 9 best 2-in-1 laptops in 2024: tested and reviewed
• The 10 best monitors for 2024: tested and reviewed

Unsurprisingly, many landscapes and areas appear to be little more than colorful smudges (especially if you’re using Google Cardboard), but it’s a free app, so what are you gonna do? Zooming across vast distances in a matter of seconds and descending upon mammoth structures like the Hoover Dam is exhilarating, even if you can’t make out the individual cars driving across it. Chances are, you’ve used Google Earth before, so you know the drill. It only gets more fun in virtual reality, just don’t expect too much detail.

Download now for:

Steam Oculus Rift

Google Earth doesn’t work on Meta Quest headsets unless you connect to a PC. You can get a somewhat similar experience with Wooorld, which uses Google’s API to access the same data. Its unique user interface places 3D views of any location on the planet on your tabletop or your floor.

You can resize the viewport and drag the world around while skyscrapers, houses, and landscapes scroll by like a holographic projection. You can also scale the scene up to fill your entire room. Wooorld is a multiuser app, so you can bring friends and coworkers to a place to describe directions or discuss plans.

It’s not quite as immersive as Google Earth, but it’s the best alternative for the Quest 3 and Quest Pro since you can enjoy a nice mixed-reality view.

OpenBrush picks up where Google’s Tilt Brush left off. This free and open-source 3D painting app lets you create an entire world around you, zoom in to add fine detail, or zoom out for big changes.

In the Meta Quest version, you can use mixed reality to view your creation in your own room. It’s very relaxing to paint with light, and there are plenty of brushes and options to refine your art. Whether you’re a talented artist or a beginner, OpenBrush makes it easy to create stunning animated images.

Steam Meta Quest

If OpenBrush is too futuristic for your artistic sensibilities, you might prefer Vermillion. It removes the mess and expense of painting canvases without losing the classic look, tools, and techniques.

Blend and layer oil paints with realistic tools in a variety of environments. If you use it in SteamVR, you can even load Vermillion as an overlay in your favorite VR game to get inspiration for a new piece.

With a Meta Quest 3 or Quest Pro, you can enjoy full-color mixed reality views to use anything in your room for reference. If you’re new to painting, bring in a browser image for Vermillion to convert to a paint-by-numbers template, making it easier to get started.

Steam   Meta Quest

You can stream content from Netflix, Hulu , Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, PlutoTV, Amazon Prime, Twitch, and more on a giant virtual cinema screen. Bigscreen recreates the theater experience, complete with curtains, aisles, and rows of seats where you and your friends can sit and watch movies and series together.

If you want a cozier experience, you can choose from several home theater layouts without remodeling your living room. Since you’re watching in VR, your headset automatically supports 3D, so you can browse and select from over 200 3D movies.

Steam Oculus Rift Quest

Using your VR headset to watch content from Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube is fun. It’s like having your own personal IMAX movie theater to visit any time you want, without dropping obscene amounts of coin on popcorn and cookie dough bites. Littlstar VR Cinema changes the game by offering a full library of 360-degree videos designed to make you feel like you’re the cameraman. Whether you’d prefer to educate yourself about the state of Nepal post-earthquake or simply jam out to some music videos, Littlstar provides a point of view that you just can’t get anywhere else.

There’s Broadway theater content, sports content, and content for kids, making this one of the best VR experiences out there. It’s also absolutely free. The user interface is smoother on some platforms than it is on others, but that’s a minor complaint. If you’re the creative type, you can even film and upload your own 360-degree content for others to view and enjoy.

The open ocean is a terrifying yet wondrous place, and its full depths are on display in  Ocean Rift . The experience is akin to an African safari, except you’re free to roam wherever you please — and you’re underwater, of course. Explore any of the 12 huge open habitats at your leisure, observing marine wildlife that includes dolphins, manatees, sharks, and more. Head toward the surface to cavort with sea turtles or dive into deeper waters to encounter more dangerous — and potentially deadly — animals.

If you want to simply sit back and watch the fish pass you by,  Ocean Rift can be a calming, therapeutic experience. If you’d prefer to explore the game to its fullest, it can almost become a survival horror game with a few surprises up its watery sleeve. Little touches, like the outline of a diving mask around the screen’s edges, help to make this a truly memorable experience.

The Quest version also supports a mixed reality mode where you can place portals to the ocean and its creatures on your walls as if you live at the bottom of the sea.

Oculus Rift Meta Quest

Have you ever fantasized about navigating your computer in virtual reality, like that episode of  The Fairly Odd Parents where Timmy actually goes inside the internet? Neither have we. If that sounds interesting, though, boy, do we have some good news for you! Virtual Desktop lets you use your computer in VR, whether you’re browsing the web, watching Netflix, or playing games. You can even manage spreadsheets in VR, though we think that might be more of a hindrance than anything.

The app works well with multiple-monitor setups, and using your headset to swivel back and forth between screens is pretty cool.

Steam Oculus Rift Meta Quest HTC Vive XR Elite

In 2024, you want spatial computing with multiple screens so you can be productive in VR. That’s easy with Immersed since it supports up to five resizable, repositionable virtual displays and your phone. That’s right, you can see your phone in VR without resorting to a low-resolution passthrough view. Immersed is free to use but to unlock all the features, you need to subscribe.

To get started, install the VR app on your headset, then download the companion app for your computer and phone. Immersed is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Meta Quest HTC Vive XR Elite Pico

Google made a version of YouTube specifically for virtual reality. You can watch ordinary videos in the app on a large virtual screen, but for the ultimate video experience, you need to search for VR videos. That could be 360 videos, stereoscopic videos that include depth, or VR180 videos that fill your front view with a 3D scene.

There are first-person perspective views of skydiving, racing, roller coasters, and all sorts of thrilling action camera captures. You can watch immersive concerts, visit travel destinations, preview VR games, watch 3D movie trailers, and more.

If you use Steam, you can simply open youtube.com in a browser and choose VR mode. That also works on the new Meta Quest 3 , but the YouTube VR app is probably best for the less powerful Quest 2. The app is compatible with every Meta Quest headset.

When you look up at the night sky and gaze into the vastness of the universe, marveling at the infinite nothing and everything of creation, time, and space, you’re probably wondering…did someone make a VR app for this? You’re in luck because they did!

Titans of Space is an immersive journey through the planets and moons of our solar system. It is a highly educational app, but don’t let that deter or bore you. Flying through the cosmos on your VR headset is as exciting as it is informative. You’ll be taken through guided educational activities but are also free to drift through the stars performing your own EVA (Extravehicular Activity). Bet you didn’t think learning about Saturn’s 82 moons could be fun. Well, it is.

Take a journey with your “Flying Professor” tour guide as you experiment with the gravitational pull of different planets. You’ll analyze each planet with radar, topographic maps, and more. Explore the wonders of our solar system from the comfort of your living room.

Steam Oculus Rift Meta Quest

Nanome helps make complex and important topics like chemistry and biology much easier to understand by blowing up 3D molecules to room-filling size. This lets you, a coworker, or a teacher get right down to the atomic level to see how a molecule is constructed.

You can examine DNA, explore mutation and advanced selection, visualize bacteria and antibodies, and see how proteins fit together. By holding these molecules in your hands, rotating and scaling them, you can get a better understanding of the structure and atomic bonds that hold things together in microscopic detail.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The Quest 3 may undergo a significant pricing change
• 9 best laptops of 2024: tested and reviewed
• The Vive Focus Vision is a premium VR headset that’s actually made for gamers
• 12 best graphics cards of 2024: the GPUs I’d recommend for any gaming PC
• The best photo printers you can buy in 2024
• Virtual Reality

Newly leaked images of Meta's upcoming Quest 3S have surfaced online, including one found in an official Meta app. That leaves no room for doubt when it comes to how the upcoming Quest 3S will look.

If you have the Meta Quest Link app installed, you can see the image for yourself by searching for “oculus-link-hero-panther.png” in your computer’s program files. The image appeared online in a Reddit post by Gary_the_mememachine and was covered by UploadVR.

Peak performance, upgradability, and solid pricing are all hallmarks of the best gaming desktops, and only a select few PCs meet that bar. We review dozens of desktops each year, and we've settled on a list of 10 that are worth your time, and more importantly, your money.

For most gamers, we still recommend the Alienware Aurora R16. Although it lacks legs in terms of upgradability, Alienware's balance of design, performance, and pricing is a winning combination. If you want a deeper look into why we chose the R16, or any of the desktops on this list, make sure to read our article on how we test desktops.

There are hundreds of desktop PCs you can buy from brands like HP, Dell, Apple, and Lenovo, but only a select few make it on our list of the best desktops. We've reviewed dozens of desktop PCs across both Windows and macOS, and these 12 stand out from the pack.

The Dell XPS Desktop 8960 remains the best desktop PC you can buy in 2024. However, we have several other options depending on your budget and needs, including desktops for gaming, remote work, and more. We'll provide a quick overview here, but make sure to read our write-up on how we review desktops for a deeper look at our evaluation process.

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.

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 .

Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now

Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.

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 .

• Mufsin Mahbub

Playing with fire: How VR is being used to train the next generation of firefighters

New display tech paves the way for 'most realistic' holograms in regular eyeglasses

'We have changed the view of our galaxy forever': Astronomers capture most detailed ever infrared map of the Milky Way

Most Popular

• 2 'The secret to living to 110 was, don't register your death': Ig Nobel winner Saul Justin Newman on the flawed data on extreme aging
• 3 New self-swab HPV test is an alternative to Pap smears. Here's how it works.
• 4 Nuking an asteroid could save Earth from destruction, researchers show in 1st-of-its-kind X-ray experiment
• 5 Experts predicted way more hurricanes this year — here's the weird reason we're 'missing' storms