If you wanted to spend spring break on the beach, you might be out of luck, but there’s hope for the rest of us, if we keep the jar closed. I, for example, wanted to marathon books and spend the rest of my time in the Met, and those options are still available, in a sense.

Overdrive 

Do you like free books? Do you have a library card? (jk, if you read Bookstr, you’ve probably had a library card since you were four.) They have TWO reading apps. I stan the original, but I won’t judge you if you love Libby. But I like audio books, you say! Oh, they have audio books. It depends on your library system, of course, but search before you despair.

If your local library doesn’t use OverDrive, they still probably have digital and audio books you can check out. Always worth a look. Books will get us through this!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

Spend your weekend at the museum (from you couch). I always have bold goals when it comes to weekly museum trips, but don’t make it nearly that often. Hopefully all of this will teach me a lesson, but for now, the met has pretty spectacular virtual tours. Put on one of those ambiance playlists for better immersion, and wander your favorite halls. Sure, the statues and the Jackson Pollocks are a little less impressive at this size, but the photo detail is pretty impressive, and you won’t be buffeted by tourists.

The American Museum of Natural History 

Explore the natural history, again, unimpeded. I don’t know the last time I saw a dinosaur skeleton without wading through a sea of schoolchildren. But don’t worry, small scientists will still be served, with a range of classes and games for young nerds. There are classes for all ages, so if you get bored of just (remotely) wandering around, take a class on earthquakes or stem cells. I live here now.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History 

The Smithsonian may not be as hip to the times as some, but they still have some virtual tours, if you dig (or click the link). Anyway, we’re not mad, and even a limited view of such a massive museum is a lot, and who’s trying to go to DC? Don’t talk to me about the cherry blossoms. I was gonna get it together and do that this year. But don’t despair!

National Mall Bloom Cam

Image via the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Yes, america’s best blossoms are at their peak, and though you may not be able to walk among them, regardless of geography, you can now watch them live. Might be a little more impressive if it wasn’t overcast in the entire north east. Keep your eyes on the blooms!

Also available is a sunny day tour of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden‘s cherry walk. And yes, there’s an ambiance stream for this too. Very peaceful. And maybe open a window, weather permitting?

THe Museum of Modern Art 

MoMA (or as my artist grandmother says, the MODERN) is ready to school us all with a huge range of art classes. The times may be trying, but at least you’re gonna crush art history. Plus, explore the MoMA magazine from wherever you are.

The San Diego Zoo

Sure, the baboon cam is a little disconcerting, but who doesn’t want to be watching a panda at all times? With that and the DC bloom cam in the corner of my screen, I feel like I’m working in some sort of garden paradise. There are even penguins and polar bears for that beachy (?) vibe. Put on your cutest bathing suit, lay something down on your roof so you don’t get covered in tar, and watch them swim. It’s what I’ll be doing.

National Aquarium 

Want more water? And predators? Take a bath with blacktip sharks or luminous blue blubber jellies. Even leave them on as you sleep. I once spent the night in an aquarium on a field trip, and it’s a mystical experience. If you have a projector, I can highly recommend a dimly illuminated shark wall. Or do the pandas. If you’re, you know, sensible.

Expect more national tours in this vein. I can’t hit everything, but why stick to local museums? We may not be able to go outside, but we can also kind of go anywhere, so why not?