Virtual Travel: 6 Websites for Google Street View Exploration

Virtual Exploration with Google Street View and Beyond

The advent of platforms such as Google Earth, Google Maps, and a multitude of panorama-based websites has proven invaluable for those who enjoy exploring from the comfort of their homes. These tools allow users to virtually visit locations that would traditionally require the expense of travel.

Google Street View, integrated into both Google Maps and Google Earth, provides immersive, panoramic 360-degree perspectives from a vast array of global locations.

Initially launched in the United States, its coverage has expanded to encompass every continent, including Antarctica.

Navigating with Pegman

Users can initiate a Street View experience by utilizing the “Pegman” icon on Google Maps. Dragging Pegman across the map reveals street-level imagery for locations where it is available.

This feature facilitates preliminary exploration and assists in planning potential travel destinations.

Beyond Google: A Collection of Useful Sites & Apps

The capabilities of Google Street View have spurred the development of a diverse range of websites and applications, varying from entertainment-focused to highly practical.

Below is an examination of six notable examples.

• These platforms offer unique ways to interact with and experience the world through panoramic imagery.
• The range of applications demonstrates the versatility of the underlying technology.

MapCrunch

MapCrunch is a unique mashup leveraging Google Street View technology.

This platform allows users to be virtually 'teleported' to random locations across the globe, presenting a diverse array of street-level views.

How it Works

While users have the option to select specific destinations, the primary appeal lies in the element of chance and discovery.

The service offers a compelling way to assess and enhance one's understanding of global geography.

• Users can conceal the location information, creating a challenging exploration experience.
• A full-screen mode is available for immersive viewing.

Additional Features

A gallery of Street View photographs is readily accessible for quick browsing.

These images can be viewed as a slideshow, and a built-in timer provides a degree of control over the display duration.

MapCrunch provides a fun and engaging method for virtual globetrotting.

Show My Street

Show My Street is a useful tool for locating addresses, leveraging the capabilities of Google Street View.

The application functions by accepting an address input, which is then pinpointed on a Google Map.

How it Works

If the specified location is included within the application’s database, Google Street View imagery is integrated.

This integration provides users with a visually authentic perspective, allowing for a virtual walkthrough of the surrounding streets.

The map interface is fully functional, mirroring the experience of using a standard Google Map.

Sharing Capabilities

Users are able to easily share discovered locations via popular social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Sharing options also include direct email distribution, facilitating convenient location dissemination.

Essentially, the service offers a straightforward method for address lookup combined with the immersive experience of Google Street View when available.

Streetviewr

Streetviewr functions in a manner closely resembling MapCrunch, presenting users with randomized Google Street View locations.

Navigation is achieved through repeated clicks on a "next" button. Alternatively, users can refine their explorations.

Filtering Options

• Country: Locations can be specifically selected by country.
• Tag: Street View snaps are categorized using tags for focused browsing.
• Recommended: A curated selection of interesting locations is readily available.

The platform allows for both serendipitous discovery and targeted searches within the Google Street View database.

Google Sightseeing

Google Sightseeing offers a virtual travel experience, leveraging the capabilities of Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Street View.

Essentially a blog, it curates interesting locations discovered through these Google services and presents them in an organized manner.

Organization and Content

Blog posts are systematically categorized by countries and specific categories, facilitating easy navigation.

A dedicated section compiles and showcases noteworthy discoveries made using Street View.

Important Note

It’s important to note that the site operates independently and has no official connection or affiliation with Google.

The platform serves as a curated collection of global sights, accessible through Google’s mapping technologies.

HistoryPin [No Longer Available]

HistoryPin represented an innovative integration of Google Maps, Google Street View, and archival photographic resources.

The platform functioned as a collaborative website, enabling users to geographically locate and ‘pin’ historical photographs onto a map interface.

Comparing Past and Present

By utilizing Google Street View, visitors could directly compare historical imagery with the contemporary appearance of the same locations, provided Street View data existed for that area.

A timeline feature allowed users to explore photographs of a specific location across different periods in history.

A particularly compelling aspect of the site was the potential for each photograph to be accompanied by a narrative, offering context and insight.

A Global Collaborative Project

HistoryPin operated as a worldwide initiative, developed in collaboration with Google.

This application, alongside others, was previously highlighted in a discussion of three exceptional Google Maps mashups with a historical focus.

Related Mashup

Another resource to explore is a mashup combining images from Flickr Commons with corresponding Google Street View locations.

This allows for a visual comparison of historical photographs with their present-day counterparts.

StreetView Fun: A Collection of Humorous Sightings

Google Street View has occasionally faced criticism regarding privacy concerns and potential intrusiveness. However, the website Street View Fun presents a lighthearted perspective on the platform.

This site is dedicated to compiling amusing and often unexpected scenes captured by Google’s Street View cameras. It aims to evoke a chuckle or, at the very least, a smile from its visitors.

Exploring the Content

Visitors can begin their exploration by reviewing the “Top 100” list, which showcases some of the most entertaining discoveries made through Street View.

The platform offers a curated selection of images that highlight peculiar, funny, or simply interesting moments encountered during the mapping process.

Similar Resources

For those seeking additional humorous content, Street View Funny provides a comparable experience.

It features a similar collection of amusing Street View sightings, offering further opportunities for lighthearted entertainment.

Both websites demonstrate the unexpected and often comical side of Google’s extensive street-level imagery.

An Unusual Game Experience is Available...

For a truly distinctive blend of technology and entertainment, consider playing the StreetView Zombie Apocalypse experimental game. This game utilizes a specific address as its starting point and challenges players to evade zombies. Navigation is achieved through the familiar interface of Google Street View, adding a unique layer to the gameplay.

A time limit further intensifies the experience, demanding quick thinking and strategic movement.

Simple Yet Engaging Applications

These applications represent straightforward integrations, but offer a surprising degree of enjoyment when fully explored. Immerse yourself in the possibilities and discover further ideas for virtual travel with the 4 Tips While Using Google Earth Street View.

We are interested in learning how you utilize Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Street View in your own explorations.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons