Getting Cultured from the Couch: Virtual Museum Tours, Broadway Shows, and Opera

Missing some culture while you’re home and social distancing? Now you don’t even need to put pants on to watch the world’s greatest theater, dance performances, and painted masterpieces. The world’s leading art institutions may be closed for now, but they’ve opened their doors in a new way — online. Free, accessible, and available for all. 

Quarantined with your partner? Plan a date night to the Met. 

Need a different kind of family time? Watch a Broadway show together. 

Always wanted to visit the Van Gogh Museum but never made it to Amsterdam? Go on a virtual tour. 

Enjoy, stay safe, and happy exploring. 

Museum Tours

Museums around the world are shuttered, but Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 2,500 museums and galleries around the world to bring us virtual tours and online exhibits. From the British Museum in London to the Guggenheim in New York City, roam the great halls housing history’s most celebrated art from the comfort of your couch. 

Opera

The Met is empty, but it’s committed to riding this out with us. According to the site, “Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming on the Met website, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.”

Broadway

The lights may temporarily be out on Broadway, but BroadwayHD is now offering a free 7-day trial for their streaming services. Whether you frequent shows or not, now you can get a front row seat to world-famous shows and musicals, no matter your budget. Their library of over 300 shows is bound to have something you, and maybe even the kids, will enjoy. 

Dance

From The Met to the Paris Opera Ballet, dance companies have taken their shows digital as well. Here’s a list of some companies streaming full performances, behind the scenes takes, and bloopers.