AR and VR experiences: 5 Amazing Must-Try Picks in 2025

Exploring Digital Frontiers: The World of Immersive Technology

AR and VR experiences are changing how we interact with digital content by creating immersive, interactive environments that blend or replace our physical world. For those seeking to understand these technologies quickly:

Technology	What It Does	Common Applications	Required Hardware
Augmented Reality (AR)	Overlays digital content onto the real world	Product visualization, navigation, educational apps	Smartphone, tablet, or AR glasses
Virtual Reality (VR)	Creates fully immersive digital environments	Gaming, training simulations, virtual tours	VR headset (standalone or PC-connected)

AR improves our physical world with digital overlays, while VR transports us to entirely new digital fields. These technologies aren’t just reshaping entertainment—they’re revolutionizing education, healthcare, retail, and professional training.

The impact is substantial: VR learning environments can boost retention rates by 75% compared to traditional methods, while AR in retail can increase consumer confidence by up to 90% when visualizing products in their space. From exploring ancient cathedrals to trying on virtual clothing, these technologies are creating experiences that were impossible just years ago.

I’m Samir ElKamouny AV, a marketing expert who has helped numerous brands implement AR and VR experiences to transform customer engagement and drive business growth. My work with immersive technologies has shown me how they can create unforgettable connections between brands and their audiences.

Quick look at AR and VR experiences:
– Gamified Fandom Platforms
– digital community engagement

What Are AR and VR Experiences?

Ever wonder what it feels like to walk on Mars or see how that new sofa would look in your living room before buying it? This is the magic of AR and VR experiences – technologies that are changing how we interact with digital content in fascinating ways.

Augmented Reality (AR) improves what you’re already seeing by adding digital elements to your real-world view. Think of it as sprinkling digital fairy dust over reality. When you use your phone to see how a new paint color would look on your walls or chase virtual creatures around your neighborhood park, you’re experiencing AR’s practical magic.

Virtual Reality (VR), meanwhile, is like stepping through a portal into another world entirely. By putting on a VR headset, you leave your physical surroundings behind and immerse yourself in a completely digital environment – whether that’s exploring ancient Rome, practicing surgical techniques, or battling dragons.

Both technologies are part of “spatial computing,” where computers understand and respond to the physical space around you. It’s like giving computers spatial awareness – they know where walls are, how objects relate to each other, and where you are in that space.

Key Differences in AR and VR experiences

The main distinction between AR and VR experiences comes down to their relationship with reality:

With AR experiences, you keep one foot firmly planted in the real world. Digital information improves what you’re seeing rather than replacing it. This makes AR particularly brilliant for everyday applications – like seeing turn-by-turn directions overlaid on actual streets or instantly translating foreign language signs as you travel.

VR experiences take you on a complete departure from physical reality. By blocking out the real world, VR creates total immersion that’s perfect when you need deep focus or want to experience something impossible in real life. There’s something truly magical about feeling present in a completely different place – whether for gaming, therapy, or professional training.

Between these two sits Mixed Reality (MR), which doesn’t just place digital objects in your view but allows them to interact with your physical environment. As one developer told me, “It’s like the digital and physical worlds are having a conversation with each other.”

Core Components of AR and VR experiences

Behind the scenes, several key technologies work together to create compelling AR and VR experiences:

The sensors and tracking systems act like digital eyes and ears, following your movements and position. VR might use external “lighthouse” sensors to map your living room, while AR often relies on your smartphone’s camera to understand the space around you.

Display technology brings the visuals to life – either through the high-resolution screens in VR headsets or through transparent displays in AR glasses (or simply your phone screen).

Haptic feedback adds the sense of touch to the experience. That little vibration when your virtual sword hits a target or when you’ve successfully placed a virtual object makes the digital world feel more tangible.

Rendering engines are the digital artists working behind the scenes, creating visual elements in real-time that respond to your every move.

Spatial audio completes the illusion by making sounds appear to come from specific locations in the virtual or augmented space – like hearing footsteps approach from behind you or a virtual assistant speaking from the corner of the room.

At Avanti3, we’re fascinated by how these technologies are creating new possibilities for brands to connect with their audiences. The line between digital and physical experiences continues to blur, opening doors to engagement that wasn’t possible even a few years ago.

1. Time-Traveling Heritage Tours

One of the most powerful applications of AR and VR experiences is the ability to transport us across time and space to explore cultural heritage sites that might otherwise remain out of reach—whether they’re inaccessible, damaged, or completely lost to history.

Eternal Notre-Dame: Rebuilding a Monument Virtually

When flames engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019, the world collectively held its breath. This architectural treasure, standing proudly for over 850 years, would now be closed for years during reconstruction. But thanks to “Eternal Notre-Dame,” we don’t have to wait to walk its hallowed halls again.

This remarkable VR journey, created through a collaboration between Orange, Amaclio Productions, and Emissive, does something truly special—it welcomes up to 50 visitors simultaneously to explore the cathedral throughout its entire history. As one awestruck visitor put it, “It’s an incredible technological achievement that allows us to relive the history of the Cathedral.”

What I love about this experience is its commitment to historical accuracy. Every arch, every stained glass window, every stone was carefully recreated with guidance from historical experts. Available in three languages (French, English, and Spanish), it makes this cultural treasure accessible to visitors from around the world.

Even better? When you purchase a ticket, 30% of what you spend goes directly toward the actual restoration efforts. It’s a beautiful example of how virtual experiences can support physical preservation.

Chauvet Cave: The Dawn of Human Creativity

Some places are simply too fragile for us to visit in person. The Chauvet Cave in France houses breathtaking 36,000-year-old cave paintings that are so delicate the site remains permanently closed to protect them. This is where AR and VR experiences truly shine, making the impossible possible.

The “Dawn of Art” project brings these ancient masterpieces to life in multiple ways. You can take a VR tour narrated by Daisy Ridley that guides you through the shadowy chambers, place a miniature version of the cave right in your living room using AR, or examine detailed 3D models of the artwork from angles that would be impossible even for on-site archaeologists.

“VR allows us to see details in the cave paintings that would be difficult to observe even in person due to lighting conditions and physical constraints,” explained one researcher working on the project. Technology isn’t just preserving access—it’s enhancing it.

The Virtual Mayflower: Sailing Through History

Imagine standing on the deck of the Mayflower in September 1620, feeling the sea breeze as you take one last look at England before sailing toward an uncertain future in the New World. The Virtual Mayflower Project makes this possible, showcasing how VR experiences can breathe life into pivotal historical moments.

This labor of love, developed over six years by dedicated volunteers, combines cutting-edge VR headsets with motion capture technology to create historically accurate, emotionally resonant experiences. The attention to detail—from the ship’s construction to the clothing worn by passengers—creates a powerful connection to this watershed moment in history.

These heritage tours represent just the beginning of what’s possible when we apply immersive technology to cultural preservation. At Avanti3, we’re particularly excited about integrating blockchain with these experiences, creating verifiable digital artifacts that deepen the connection between users and historical narratives.

The preservation of our shared cultural heritage has never been more important—or more innovative. Through Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), we’re not just documenting the past; we’re making it come alive in ways previous generations could only dream about.

2. Story-Driven AR Performances

The intersection of storytelling and AR experiences is creating entirely new art forms, blending traditional narrative with cutting-edge technology to deliver performances that transcend conventional boundaries.

Iago: The Green Eyed Monster – Shakespeare Reimagined

When Shakespeare wrote Othello, he couldn’t have imagined his villain Iago would one day appear as a hologram in people’s living rooms. Yet that’s exactly what “Iago: The Green Eyed Monster” delivers—a groundbreaking musical AR experience that brings the Bard’s work into the 21st century.

Executive produced by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, this innovative rock-opera reimagines Shakespeare’s villain through a contemporary lens. The creative minds behind it, Mary Chieffo and Josh Nelson Youssef, have done something truly special by recasting Iago as a woman, offering fresh perspectives on jealousy and toxic masculinity.

What makes this performance so captivating is how it uses AR technology to visualize internal struggles. As you watch, holographic elements appear around you, representing the microaggressions experienced by the protagonist. One viewer described the experience as “like having Shakespeare’s thoughts materialize in your living room—it’s intimate and revealing in ways traditional theater simply can’t be.”

The technical wizardry behind the scenes is equally impressive. The team used XSENS motion capture suits to create fluid, realistic movements, while Unity’s real-time rendering brings the characters to life right before your eyes. Perhaps most immersive is the spatial audio design—the characters’ voices and music seem to surround you from all directions, creating a truly three-dimensional storytelling experience.

“This is a glimpse into a metaverse future if artists were in charge,” noted one reviewer after the experience premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. That reception, along with a prestigious Webby Award, signals growing recognition of AR experiences as legitimate artistic platforms. You can access this cutting-edge performance using a 5G-capable smartphone or tablet (iPhone 12/Android 11 or higher)—no special glasses required.

The Future of Performative AR

We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with story-driven AR experiences. The technology is evolving rapidly, opening doors to experiences that were previously confined to science fiction.

Imagine attending a performance where multiple friends, regardless of location, experience the same AR narrative together—each seeing the same characters move through their individual spaces but able to discuss and react together. Or picture location-based stories that unfold differently depending on where you physically stand, turning your neighborhood into a stage for digital performances.

What excites us at Avanti3 is how these technologies are democratizing access to performance art. No longer limited by physical venues or geographic location, AR storytelling can reach audiences anywhere. We’re particularly interested in helping creators monetize these experiences through blockchain technology, establishing new economic models where digital performances can have the same scarcity and value as traditional art forms.

The combination of AR experiences with storytelling fundamentals creates something entirely new—not simply theater with digital elements, but a native digital art form with its own rules, aesthetics, and possibilities. As more creators accept these tools, we’ll see a renaissance in how stories are told and experienced.

For brands and creators looking to explore the possibilities of immersive storytelling, our team at Avanti3 specializes in developing custom AR VR Immersive Experiences that captivate audiences and create meaningful connections.

3. Virtual Shopping & Try-Ons

The retail world has acceptd AR and VR experiences with open arms, and for good reason. These technologies solve real problems shoppers face every day while creating magical moments that turn browsing into an trip.

AR Product Visualization: Try Before You Buy

Remember the last time you bought something online only to find it looked nothing like you imagined in your space? AR experiences are eliminating that disappointment by letting you see products in your actual environment before clicking “buy now.”

This simple yet capability is changing online shopping in remarkable ways. When shoppers can visualize that coffee table in their actual living room or see how a lipstick shade looks on their own face, their confidence soars. In fact, consumer confidence jumps by up to 90% when people use AR visualization before purchasing.

“AR transforms the guesswork of online shopping into a confident decision-making process,” as one retail executive perfectly put it. And the benefits extend to retailers too—virtual try-ons drive sales up by 17% while cutting return rates by a quarter.

What started with furniture retailers letting customers place virtual sofas in their homes has expanded into nearly every retail category. Now you can try on makeup with your smartphone camera, see how glasses frames look on your face, visualize how clothing fits your unique body, and even preview how paint colors transform your walls—all before making a purchase.

VR Showrooms: The Future of Retail Spaces

While AR brings products into your home, VR experiences transport you to immersive virtual stores that exist purely in digital space. These virtual showrooms shine brightest when showcasing:

Luxury products that deserve special presentation beyond a simple product photo

Vehicles that benefit from virtual test drives (where customer engagement times quadruple!)

Real estate not yet built, allowing potential buyers to “walk through” homes still on the drawing board

Extensive product lines that would require massive physical stores to display in full

The magic of VR retail spaces isn’t just about convenience—it’s about creating impossible experiences. Imagine shopping for hiking gear while standing on a virtual mountain summit, feeling the vastness around you as you consider that new backpack. These emotional connections matter, driving a 17% increase in sales conversions for brands using VR storefronts.

At Avanti3, we’re taking this a step further by connecting these AR and VR experiences with blockchain technology. When you purchase a physical product, you might open up exclusive virtual content, creating a seamless bridge between physical and digital ownership. This approach to Augmented Reality Marketing creates deeper connections between brands and customers.

Scientific research backs up what we’re seeing firsthand—these technologies aren’t just flashy gimmicks but powerful tools reshaping retail at its core. As PCMag reports in their analysis of retail AR applications, the technology significantly reduces purchase uncertainty while increasing customer satisfaction.

The virtual fitting room is open, and the future of shopping has never looked more exciting—or more real.

4. Training & Education Simulations

Perhaps the most transformative applications of AR and VR experiences lie in how they’re revolutionizing learning and skill development across industries.

Medical Training: Risk-Free Practice

The healthcare field has acceptd immersive technology with open arms, and for good reason. VR experiences now offer doctors and nurses a chance to perfect their skills in virtual operating rooms where mistakes have zero consequences for real patients.

Think about it – surgeons can now practice complex procedures repeatedly until they’ve mastered every movement. Medical students can explore the human body from the inside out, gaining a deeper understanding of anatomy than textbooks could ever provide. The results speak for themselves: AR-guided surgeries show up to 90% improvement in accuracy, while students using VR simulations consistently demonstrate better retention of critical medical knowledge.

“VR creates this magical space where students can make mistakes and actually learn from them,” explains Dr. Maya Richardson, a medical education specialist. “In traditional training, mistakes can be devastating. In VR, they become valuable learning moments – and no one gets hurt.”

One particularly clever application is an AR system that reveals hidden veins beneath the skin, making blood draws less painful and more successful on the first attempt. Imagine the relief for both patients and healthcare providers!

Industrial Training and Maintenance

Walk onto a modern factory floor, and you might spot workers wearing what look like high-tech glasses. These AR headsets are changing how people learn complex industrial tasks by overlaying digital instructions directly onto the equipment they’re working with.

The impact has been remarkable. Assembly line workers guided by AR experiences make up to 90% fewer errors compared to those using traditional paper manuals. For maintenance technicians facing a puzzling repair job, AR can highlight exactly which components need attention and display step-by-step instructions that seem to float in mid-air above the machinery.

James Chen, a factory supervisor at an automotive plant, shared his experience: “Before AR, training new staff took weeks. Now, even someone on their first day can perform complex assemblies correctly. The digital guidance is like having your most experienced mentor standing beside you at all times.”

Perhaps most exciting is how these technologies connect remote experts with field workers. When a technician encounters an unfamiliar problem, they can share their view through AR glasses with a specialist thousands of miles away, who then guides them through the solution in real-time. This capability has dramatically reduced downtime and travel costs for companies with distributed operations.

Digital Twins: Virtual Replicas for Real Learning

Imagine having a perfect virtual copy of a complex system – from a jet engine to an entire power plant – that you can explore, manipulate, and even “break” safely. That’s the promise of digital twins, and they’re revolutionizing how we learn about complicated systems.

These detailed virtual replicas allow students and professionals to explore the inner workings of systems that would be dangerous, expensive, or impossible to access physically. A chemical engineering student can visualize reactions at the molecular level, while a power plant operator can safely practice emergency procedures without risking a real-world disaster.

“What makes digital twins so powerful is that they respond exactly like their physical counterparts,” explains Tasha Williams, an industrial training specialist. “When you adjust a parameter in the virtual world, you see the same consequences you’d experience in reality – just without any real-world risk.”

At Avanti3, we’re exploring how to combine these digital twins with blockchain technology to create verifiable credentials. Imagine completing a complex virtual training scenario and receiving a tamper-proof digital certificate that proves your competency – all backed by immutable blockchain records that employers can trust.

The effectiveness of these immersive learning approaches is striking. Studies consistently show that VR experiences can boost retention rates by a remarkable 75% compared to traditional learning methods. When information is experienced rather than simply read or heard, it sticks with us in a fundamentally different way.

As these technologies become more affordable and accessible through our Virtual Reality Experiences platform, we’re witnessing a profound shift in how skills are taught, practiced, and mastered across industries – making complex training both safer and more effective than ever before.

5. Mixed-Reality Events & Concerts

The events industry is experiencing a remarkable change through AR and VR experiences, creating exciting hybrid gatherings that blend physical and digital elements in ways that were once just science fiction.

Reimagining Live Music and Performances

Remember when attending a concert meant you had to be physically present? Those days are quickly fading into history. Today’s performances are breaking through physical boundaries with mixed reality innovations that improve both in-person and remote experiences.

Picture this: you’re at a live concert where the artist suddenly appears to be surrounded by digital flames visible through your smartphone or AR glasses. Meanwhile, your friend who couldn’t get tickets is experiencing the same show in VR from their living room, feeling almost as if they’re standing right beside you.

“The energy of a hybrid event is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” shares one event producer. “We’re seeing physical attendees interact with virtual participants in real-time, creating this beautiful bridge between worlds.”

What’s particularly exciting is how these technologies are democratizing access to events. A performance in New York can now be experienced by fans in Tokyo, Lagos, and Buenos Aires simultaneously, with each person feeling genuinely present. The AR theme park market reflects this enthusiasm, with projections showing it will reach an impressive $3.2 billion by 2027.

Virtual Trade Show Booths and Networking

Business events have acceptd these technologies with equal enthusiasm. Imagine walking through a trade show where each booth offers interactive 3D product models you can manipulate with hand gestures, or planning an event by taking a virtual tour of venues from your office.

The networking aspects are perhaps even more revolutionary. In traditional events, meaningful connections often happen by chance. In VR environments, however, attendees create personalized avatars and join discussion lounges based on specific interests or industries.

“I connected with more relevant people in two hours of virtual networking than I typically do during a three-day conference,” one business attendee told us. “The platform matched us based on our profiles and interests, making every conversation worthwhile.”

Event planners are finding these tools particularly valuable for international gatherings where travel costs might otherwise limit participation. By creating hybrid experiences, they’re seeing attendance numbers surge while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint.

Gamified Event Experiences

Adding game elements to events through AR experiences has proven to be more than just fun—it’s changing how people engage with content and each other. AR scavenger hunts guide attendees through venues, encouraging exploration of areas they might otherwise miss. Virtual collectibles create excitement as participants gather digital items at different locations, while friendly competition emerges through challenge leaderboards.

At Avanti3, we’re taking this concept further by connecting these gamified experiences to blockchain technology. Imagine collecting a limited-edition digital memento from your favorite artist’s performance—one that’s verifiably unique and permanently yours. These blockchain-backed collectibles create lasting value and help build communities that extend far beyond the event itself.

One particularly clever implementation combines AR guidance with VR previews. Attendees use AR navigation to find their way around physical venues while accessing immersive VR previews of upcoming sessions. This thoughtful integration plays to the strengths of both technologies, creating a seamless experience that feels both magical and practical.

The future of events isn’t just physical or digital—it’s a carefully orchestrated blend that takes the best elements of both worlds. Through Augmented Reality Concerts and other innovative approaches, we’re helping create gatherings that are more accessible, engaging, and memorable than ever before.

Frequently Asked Questions about AR and VR experiences

How much do AR and VR experiences cost?

When people ask me about the cost of AR and VR experiences, I always say “it depends” – because it truly does! The price range is as vast as the experiences themselves.

For everyday consumers, you can dip your toes into AR without spending a dime, since many engaging AR apps run on the smartphone already in your pocket. If you’re curious about VR, entry-level headsets like the Meta Quest start around $300-500 – about the price of a gaming console. For the tech enthusiasts who want the full, high-fidelity experience, PC-connected VR systems will run $1,000 or more when you factor in the computer needed to power them.

If you’d rather try before you buy, location-based experiences like the Eternal Notre-Dame tour typically cost about what you’d spend on a nice dinner out – around $20-50 per session. It’s a wonderful way to experience premium VR without the hardware investment.

For businesses looking to develop their own immersive experiences, the investment scales with ambition. A straightforward AR application might start at $10,000, while comprehensive VR training simulations can range from $50,000 to $250,000 depending on complexity. For enterprise-grade solutions with custom hardware and software? That might exceed $1 million.

At Avanti3, we help our partners find the sweet spot where investment meets return. The good news? The impressive engagement and conversion rates often make these technologies well worth exploring.

Will I get motion sickness?

“Will this make me sick?” is probably the most common question I hear about VR. The honest answer is: it affects some people but not others.

Motion sickness in VR (sometimes called “cybersickness”) varies widely based on several factors. Some people are naturally more sensitive to motion discrepancies – if you get carsick easily, you might be more prone to VR discomfort. The quality of the experience matters tremendously too. Well-designed VR applications maintain stable frame rates and minimize artificial movement, while higher-end systems with better tracking and higher refresh rates generally cause fewer issues.

I always recommend these simple practices to minimize discomfort:

• Start with short sessions (15-20 minutes) and gradually increase your VR time
• Make sure your headset fits properly and is adjusted correctly
• Begin with stationary or seated experiences before trying more active content
• Most importantly, listen to your body and take a break if you feel uncomfortable

The good news about AR experiences is they typically cause fewer issues since you maintain your connection to the real world. That said, extended use of AR glasses can cause eye strain for some users, so the same “listen to your body” advice applies.

What hardware do I need for premium AR and VR experiences?

Getting started with premium AR and VR experiences doesn’t necessarily require a massive investment, but knowing what you need helps set proper expectations.

For AR trips, your gateway device is probably already in your pocket. Modern smartphones (iPhone 12 or newer, or equivalent Android devices) can run most mobile AR applications beautifully. If you’re looking for hands-free AR, specialized glasses like Microsoft HoloLens 2 or Magic Leap 2 offer incredible capabilities, but they come with a steeper price tag of $2,000-3,500. Some cutting-edge experiences like “Iago: The Green Eyed Monster” specifically recommend 5G-capable devices to handle the intense data requirements.

The VR landscape offers options for different budgets and interests. Standalone headsets like Meta Quest 3 strike a nice balance between quality and convenience – no extra computer required. For the absolute highest fidelity experiences, PC-connected systems like Valve Index deliver stunning visuals but require a powerful gaming computer to run them. Depending on the experience, you might also want specific controllers or tracking systems for the most immersive interaction.

At Avanti3, we design experiences that adapt to different hardware capabilities, ensuring more people can access the content while still offering improved features for those with premium equipment. This approach helps brands reach broader audiences while still delivering those jaw-dropping moments that make immersive technology so special.

Conclusion

The world of AR and VR experiences is evolving faster than we could have imagined even a few years ago. These aren’t just fun tech toys anymore—they’ve become powerful tools reshaping education, retail, cultural preservation, and human connection in meaningful ways.

As we look toward the future of immersive technology, several exciting developments are taking shape:

The rise of sophisticated haptic feedback is adding a crucial sensory dimension to virtual experiences. Imagine running your fingers across virtual fabric while shopping online and actually feeling the texture, or experiencing the subtle resistance of tissue during a virtual surgical training. These tactile elements make digital experiences dramatically more convincing and effective.

We’re also witnessing important strides in accessibility. As hardware prices continue to drop and interfaces become more intuitive, immersive technology is reaching people who previously couldn’t access or afford it. This democratization opens up new possibilities for education, remote work, and entertainment for diverse audiences worldwide.

With greater integration comes greater responsibility. Ethical considerations around privacy and data collection have moved to the forefront of development conversations. When technologies can track your eye movements, physical responses, and spatial behavior, questions about consent and data protection become critically important. At Avanti3, we believe powerful technology demands thoughtful implementation.

Perhaps most exciting is the integration with Web3 technologies creating entirely new economic models for digital experiences. Blockchain verification allows creators to establish genuine scarcity and value in the digital field, potentially revolutionizing how we think about creative content and digital ownership.

At Avanti3, we’re passionate about pushing boundaries while keeping human connection at the center of everything we do. We integrate immersive technologies with Web3 frameworks to create experiences that don’t just captivate—they empower both creators and audiences in lasting ways.

Whether you’re a brand looking for innovative customer engagement, an event organizer hoping to expand your reach, or simply curious about what’s possible with immersive technology, AR and VR offer unprecedented opportunities to create meaningful digital experiences.

Ready to explore how immersive experiences might transform your brand’s engagement strategy? Learn more about our community-building software and find how Avanti3 can help you create deeper connections in today’s digital landscape.

The future isn’t just immersive—it’s already here, unfolding all around us. Let’s explore it together.