Interactive | American Wanderlust Box

Check out online interactive experiences related to your box!

We all know travel is expensive and hikes are strenuous. Sometimes life gives you limitations, and that’s OK. We’ve found some resources to help you explore and experience American travel from home (along with your Wanderlust Box of course!)

Maryland

VisitMaryland: Virtual Experiences in History & Heritage
- Virtual exhibits/tours from places like Fort McHenry, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Baltimore Heritage’s “Five-Minute Histories,” and the Fire Museum of Maryland.
Calvert Marine Museum – Virtual Exhibits
- Explore exhibits about maritime history, pirate/privateer activity, and oystering.
Maryland Center for History & Culture – Virtual Field Trips
- Live/interactive virtual field trips for learners, plus video content about Maryland history.
Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park – Virtual Exhibits
- Stories of maritime industries in Annapolis, Eastport, oral histories, and exhibits about local watermen and waterfront heritage.
Chesapeake Conservancy – Virtual Tours
- High-res virtual tours (similar to Google Street View) of rivers & waterways along the Chesapeake Bay, especially tied to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
Historic Ships in Baltimore – Virtual Tours
- Virtual exploration of ships such as the USS Constellation and USS Torsk; move through interior spaces and view ship-history online.
Maryland State Archives Exhibits
- Online exhibits about Maryland history: things like Frederick Douglass, exhibits of documents, maps, and photos.

Alabama

Mobile Carnival Museum
- Provides a virtual museum tour chronicling over 300 years of Mobile’s Mardi Gras and Carnival traditions.
Alabama Historical Commission’s Landmark Map
- An interactive, searchable GIS map of historic sites across Alabama. Includes street-view photos, descriptions, and updated documentation.
History Museum of Mobile
- While a detailed virtual tour isn't embedded, the site provides a virtual tour interface for exploring exhibits—great for Mobile’s historical context.
Old Depot Museum (Selma)
- Offers a virtual walkthrough of the Selma/Dallas County Museum of History and Archives. You can click interactive icons for navigation and fullscreen exploration.
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
- Explore the WWII-era USS Alabama in immersive 360° detail, including interior decks. Built using LiDAR and narration, this virtual tour preserves history and opens access to those unable to visit in person.
USS Drum Submarine Museum
- A similarly high-quality virtual experience of the WWII USS Drum submarine, using VR tech to showcase maritime history tied to Mobile, Alabama.
Moundville Archaeological Park (University of Alabama)
- “Portals to the Past” virtual tours include a guided tour of the Jones Archaeological Museum, a Tree Tour through the park's woods, and a cultural highlight on cedar trees and their significance to Southeastern Native Americans.
Gorgas House Museum (Tuscaloosa)
- Offers a narrated virtual tour plus educational videos on colonial-era activities like butter churning, wax seal making, and pomander crafting.

Oregon

1. Crater Lake National Park - Take a virtual tour of the deepest lake in the United States. Explore crater views, volcanic geology, and guided hikes through immersive videos, 360° images, and ranger-led digital programs.

2. Portland Japanese Garden - Enjoy a tranquil video tour through authentic Japanese landscapes. Learn about seasonal plantings, design philosophy, and Japanese culture from one of the most celebrated gardens in North America.

3. Oregon Caves National Monument - Journey underground through interactive photo tours and educational videos. Learn about marble cave formations and the biodiversity of the Siskiyou Mountains.

4. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Travel back in time with a virtual walk through the Painted Hills and ancient fossil sites. Explore colorful landscapes and view fossil specimens with interactive maps and learning modules.

5. Pittock Mansion in Portland - Step inside a Portland icon from your home. This virtual tour highlights the historic mansion’s architecture, personal artifacts, and stories of early Portland pioneers.

Vermont

Vermont History Museum – Virtual Field Trips
🌐 Take a 360° tour through exhibits highlighting Vermont’s rich past. Includes interactive programs like artifact mysteries and Civil War letters.
🔗 Visit the Vermont History Museum virtually
Vermont State House – 360° Virtual Tour
🌐 Stroll through the historic Vermont State House via a Google-powered self-guided tour. Explore legislative chambers and ornate architecture.
🔗 Tour the Vermont State House online
The Long Trail – Interactive Hiking Resources
- 🗺️ Web-Based Interactive Map
  Plan or virtually explore the Long Trail with this online tool—featuring route overlays, shelters, and elevation profiles.
  🔗 View the Long Trail interactive map
- 🎥 Thru-Hiking Video Experience
  Watch a full documentary of a recent Long Trail thru-hike. Perfect for inspiration or armchair adventuring.
  🔗 Watch the Long Trail Thru-Hike (2025)
Spruce Mountain Fire Tower – Winter Hike & Lookout View
Experience Vermont’s rugged beauty with a winter hike to the Spruce Mountain fire tower. This video offers sweeping views and a glimpse of fire watch history.
🔗 Watch the Spruce Mountain Fire Tower video
Skiing at Stowe Mountain – Powder Day Adventure
Ride along on a perfect Vermont powder day at Stowe Mountain Resort. This high-energy ski video captures the thrill and scenery of one of Vermont’s premier slopes.
🔗 Watch the Stowe Mountain skiing video