How to spend an interesting and eventful vacation in Moscow?

1. Kremlin

The Kremlin is the first place every tourist must visit in Moscow. The ancient Moscow Kremlin, located on the banks of the Moscow River, is the main attraction of the Russian capital and the most recognizable architectural symbol of Russia. Stone walls and powerful towers, erected back in the 14th century, not only reliably protected the city, but also served as its main decoration. Today it is difficult to imagine that for five centuries the Moscow Kremlin was white stone, and only at the end of the 19th century it acquired its usual red color. The most famous of the twenty towers of the Kremlin is the Spasskaya Tower with the main Kremlin gates and the famous chimes. On the territory of the Kremlin there are many ancient Orthodox churches, including three cathedrals: Assumption, Archangel and Annunciation. One of the most interesting museums in the Kremlin is the Armory Chamber with its rich collection of grand ducal and royal treasures.

Kart Racing Club

Get a lot of fun and drive by visiting an open karting club. You don't need to take lengthy driving courses or learn numerous rules. This is a place where you can simply enjoy driving. Karting provides all the necessary equipment and you do not need to buy anything. Come and ride. Experienced instructors will give you a brief briefing before your trip and introduce you to the basics of kart control. The club runs a karting school and offers discounts and promotions. This is a great place to go in the summer with family or friends. Summer will fly by, but pleasant impressions and a lot of drive will remain with you.

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St. Basil's Cathedral

During a tour of Moscow, you should definitely visit the main Orthodox attraction of the city - St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, which rightfully ranks among the most beautiful churches in Russia. This is a real masterpiece of Russian architecture, reminiscent of a bright fairy-tale decoration: each dome of the cathedral has a unique color, and its walls are lavishly decorated with skillful paintings, semicircular kokoshniks and other decorative elements. The cathedral was erected by order of Ivan the Terrible in the middle of the 16th century in memory of the capture of Kazan. The temple received its name in honor of St. Basil, who had the gift of clairvoyance and enjoyed special respect from Ivan the Terrible. Currently, the cathedral houses a museum exhibition dedicated to the history and architecture of the temple.

3. Arbat

The next place in Moscow where every tourist should go is Arbat. A walk along this famous pedestrian street in the center of the capital will allow you to fully experience the charm of old Moscow, as well as appreciate its modern attractions. The Golitsyns, Tolstoys, Sheremetevs and other noble noble families once lived in the ancient mansions of Arbat. Among the famous residents of Arbat was Alexander Pushkin, who lived here for several months with his wife Natalya Goncharova. In memory of this, there is a Pushkin house museum on Arbat, and opposite it there is a sculptural composition “Pushkin and Natalie”. The Vakhtangov Theater is rightfully considered one of the most famous buildings in Arbat, which is definitely worth a visit for connoisseurs of high art. In addition to historical places, on Arbat you can find many souvenir shops, shopping centers, cafes, restaurants and rather unusual entertainment venues. For example, here you can visit the Hard Rock Cafe, the Giant's House, the Museum of Optical Illusions and the Perfumery Museum. And talented artists and musicians who constantly stay on Arbat create a unique creative atmosphere here and give residents and guests of the capital a festive mood.

Hermitage Garden

The Hermitage Garden is the pearl of the capital, which always attracts not only tourists, but is also a favorite vacation spot for Muscovites. A cozy, quiet and small park on the site of an old manor allows you to spend time among nature in the center of the capital. Various festivals, master classes and other interesting events take place here. In the garden you can enjoy the silence and read a book among the fresh foliage. Stylish cafes, cozy elegant gazebos, and children's playgrounds allow you to relax with the whole family or be alone. This ancient Moscow entertainment place is within walking distance from the metro, so you can quickly get here from any area of ​​the capital.

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Diamond fund

One of the most interesting attractions in Moscow for tourists is the Diamond Fund, the exhibition of which is located on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin and is one of the largest and most famous collections of precious stones in the whole world. The exhibition of the Diamond Fund presents imperial regalia, masterpieces of jewelry, rare precious stones and large diamonds. Among the particularly significant exhibits are the Great Imperial Crown, the imperial scepter with the Orlov diamond, the imperial orb with a diamond belt and a large sapphire, a giant emerald and the Mephistopheles gold nugget. Getting acquainted with the collection of the Diamond Fund will not leave even the most discerning visitors indifferent.

Summer events in Moscow

In the summer, hundreds of events take place in Moscow - fairs, gastronomic markets, music and dance concerts. For example, coming to the capital in June, you can visit the historical festival “Times and Epochs” or the ballet program “World Ballet Vacations” at VDNKh.

In July, fans of popular music are welcome at the Lastochka festival , and those who prefer theatrical performances and installations will enjoy the international festival Inspiration .

August is the time for the International Army Games . Dozens of countries take part in military competitions. Tank biathlon, competitions in shooting and passing difficult obstacles will not leave anyone indifferent.

Do you like fireworks? Then welcome to the Rostec fireworks festival , which has been held in Moscow since 2015. This colorful pyrotechnic show will delight children and leave a lot of pleasant memories.

Festivals, holidays, shows in Moscow

International Army Games Photo: © Sonic_off

Grand Theatre

Every lover of opera and ballet should definitely go to the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, which deservedly enjoys the reputation of the main theater of the capital and is widely known not only in Russia, but throughout the world. Its history began in the second half of the 18th century, during the reign of Catherine II. And the modern building of the Bolshoi Theater, depicted on the hundred-ruble banknote, was built in the middle of the 19th century. Over the years, Galina Vishnevskaya, Elena Obraztsova, Maris Liepa, Maya Plisetskaya, Nikolai Tsiskaridze and other world-famous opera and ballet stars performed on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. A few years ago, a grandiose reconstruction was completed at the Bolshoi Theater: now the interior of the building has been recreated in the spirit of the pre-revolutionary era with its inherent imperial luxury. Bolshoi Theater productions are extremely popular, so it is better to purchase tickets 2-3 months before the performance.

Historical Museum in Moscow

The State Historical Museum is a popular tourist place in Moscow, which will be interesting not only for history buffs. The landmark is located on Red Square and has a unique collection of exhibits demonstrating the development of the history and culture of Russia from ancient times to the present day. The museum was founded by order of Emperor Alexander II, who dreamed that every resident of the Russian state would know their history and be proud of it. The collection of valuables of the Moscow Historical Museum is so large that if you stop at each display case with exhibits, by the end of the tour you will have traveled about 3.5 kilometers. The collection includes primitive tools, jewelry, ancient coins, ancient Russian chronicles, military armor and many other artifacts. Among the most memorable exhibits are a huge boat made of solid oak from the Stone Age, Novgorod birch bark letters of the boy Onfim, the first printed book “Apostle”, the royal throne of Ivan the Terrible, a huge globe of Peter I, a letter on a walrus tusk and the luxurious saber of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Where to go in Moscow in summer

There are places in Moscow that are especially popular. Of course, this is the center of the capital with its museums, monuments and temples. Famous sights will tell about the victories and tragedies of Russia, its culture and traditions. When coming to Moscow in the summer, get ready for crowds of people in squares and streets. It is worth allowing more time for visiting museums, because the queues can be so long that they sometimes take more than an hour.

Walk through the historical center

Most tourists associate a trip to Moscow with a walk along Red Square and exploring the monuments of the Moscow Kremlin . This is no coincidence, because the most important milestones in the history of the country are associated with these places; its heart is located here.

Towers of the Moscow Kremlin Photo: © Maksim Starostin

You can easily spend several hours on Red Square. Fans of expositions and exhibitions can visit the State Historical Museum (GIM) or the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 . GUM shopping complex will delight you with delicious ice cream and beautiful interiors in a pseudo-Russian style. True, shopping here is not accessible to everyone; the country's main department store features exclusively expensive boutiques.

From GUM, go to Lobnoye Mesto and St. Basil's Cathedral (Pokrovsky Cathedral) , and from there to the fortress wall of the Kremlin: admire the towers, look into the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin and study the memorial plaques of the Necropolis .

GUM on Red Square Photo: © Igor Butyrskii

Look for entrances to the Kremlin territory from the Alexander Garden . From Red Square it is better to go to it from the Historical Museum.

If you want to see the temples and buildings of the Kremlin Cathedral Square , then enter through the Kutafya Tower . to the Armory Chamber with the Diamond Fund - through the Borovitsky Gate .

Armory Chamber Photo: © vladkonst

You can continue your independent walk around Moscow in the summer along Nikolskaya Street , where many historical and architectural monuments await tourists. It leads directly to Lubyanka Square , where the Central Children's Store (CDM) .

For the further route, there are two options: go down the New and Old Squares to the embankment to Zaryadye Park , or turn from the Central House of Music onto Teatralny Proezd, proceed to Manezhnaya Square and go explore Tverskaya Street .

Manezhnaya Square Photo: © Yaroslav Glukhov

Each path is interesting in its own way. In the first case, you will get acquainted with the Museum Park and the Solovetsky Stone monument , walk through Ilyinsky Square , see the Kitai-Gorod Wall , temples and modern buildings of Zaryadye Park, and take great photos on the Floating Bridge . The second route also includes many interesting places: Bolshoi Theater , Ermolova Theater , Savvinskoe Compound , Central Telegraph , monument to Yuri Dolgoruky on Tverskaya Square , Pushkin Square , etc.

Zaryadye Park Photo: © Yuri Kim-Serebryakov

Travelers are offered dozens of routes in guidebooks and reference books. In addition to those already mentioned, two more are popular:

• from the Kutafya Tower go out to Sapozhkovskaya Square (behind the Manege ) and along Vozdvizhenka move towards Arbat Gate Square . Two streets begin from here - New Arbat and the completely pedestrian Old Arbat - both are full of attractions, although there are many more on Old Arbat. The Arbats lead to the Smolenskaya Embankment , from where you can see the skyscrapers of Moscow City , the grandiose building of the Ukraine Hotel and the Government House of the Russian Federation .
• the next option is suitable for those who set out to visit the main museums of Moscow. From the Alexander Garden, exit through Borovitskaya Square onto Volkhonka Street. Here you will find the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the Ilya Glazunov Gallery . Then Volkhonka will lead to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Patriarchal Bridge , leading to the Yakimanka district, where the buildings of the Tretyakov Gallery .

What to see in Moscow on your own: in 1 day in 2 days in 3 days

Moscow City Photo: © Nina Nina

Moscow in summer for children

Summer is the time for school holidays. Parents planning a vacation are faced with the question of where to go in Moscow with their child. Fortunately, the capital has a large selection of places designed for young travelers.

One of them is the Izmailovo Kremlin . The antique-style complex hosts creative workshops, fairs, and interesting museums with master classes and theatrical excursions.

Izmailovo Kremlin Photo: © bazell

In February 2021, Dream Island . This is an indoor complex with a landscaped park, shopping galleries and attractions. The territory of the park is divided into thematic zones, designed based on famous cartoons and fairy tales - Smurf Village, Hello Kitty, Snow Queen's Castle, etc.

Communication with animals will also be beneficial. When coming to Moscow with children, include in your plans a trip to the Moscow Zoo or go to a performance at the Great Moscow Circus or the Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard .

Moscow Zoo Photo: © Lyudmila_Klyopova

If your child is bored in an art or history museum, take him to the children's science anti-museum "InnoPark" or to the museum of entertaining sciences "Experimentanium" . These interactive platforms with master classes and entertaining experiments will introduce you to the basics of chemistry and physics.

Where to go with a child in Moscow on weekends or holidays

Gostiny Dvor

The Old Gostiny Dvor, located in close proximity to Red Square, is a large trade and exhibition center and the oldest Gostiny Dvor in Moscow. Since the 16th century, the wooden building of Gostiny Dvor housed merchant shops and warehouses. During the time of Catherine II, Gostiny Dvor became the most fashionable place in Moscow: the city's aristocracy bought clothes, jewelry and interior items here. Today, the spacious premises of Gostiny Dvor serve as a venue for charity events, grand shows, fashion shows and thematic exhibitions.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Among the interesting places in Moscow that are worth visiting, temples and shrines occupy an important place. One of the most famous is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior , which was built over 44 years and was erected in memory of the Russian soldiers who died in the Patriotic War of 1812. During Stalin's times it was completely destroyed, and only in the 90s of the last century was it restored.

Near the temple there is one of the most beautiful bridges in the capital - the Patriarchal , which offers wonderful views of the city and the Moscow River. The Kremlin towers and the monument to Peter I are clearly visible, and on the other side of the river stands the building of the famous Red October confectionery factory.

How to get to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior?

You can take the metro to the Kropotkinskaya station, then go to Volkhonka Street. Or take a walk through the Alexander Garden from Red Square along Mokhovaya Street.

Armouries

The Armory Chamber, located on the territory of the Kremlin, rightfully belongs to one of the most interesting museums and most visited attractions in Moscow. Within its walls is stored a unique collection of valuable objects and historical relics that belonged to Russian rulers and patriarchs, thanks to which the Armory Chamber is called the “treasury of Russia.” The exhibition is based on the grand ducal state regalia, ceremonial royal clothing, military armor, a collection of gold and silver items and a luxurious collection of antique carriages. Particularly noteworthy are the amazingly beautiful Faberge eggs, the double throne for Peter I and his brother Ivan V, as well as the famous symbol of the Russian state - the Monomakh Cap.

Entertainment for money

Excursion to the Armory Chamber (Moscow Kremlin)

Here you can see the main symbol of autocracy in Rus', the Monomakh Cap; a collection of ceremonial royal clothes, starting from the era of Peter I and ending with the reign of the last emperor Nicholas II; silver throne of princes Peter and Ivan Alekseevich of the 17th century; Easter eggs of Carl Faberge, ceremonial weapons of the 15th–19th centuries and other exhibits. Adult ticket price: 2090 rubles

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Tretyakov Gallery (Lavrushinsky Lane, 10)

A museum complex where masterpieces of Russian art from the 11th to early 20th centuries are exhibited, temporary exhibitions, educational and cultural programs are held. An adult ticket to permanent exhibitions will cost 300 rubles.

Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard is one of the oldest circuses in Russia

The building was built in 1880. The general director and artistic director of the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard from 1982 to 1997 was Yuri Nikulin.

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Moscow Zoo

This is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. It was opened in 1864 and was then called a zoo. Now there are more than 8,000 animals belonging to more than a thousand species of the world's fauna. Some species were bred by zoo specialists for the first time in the world.

Ticket price for adults: on weekdays 600 rubles, on weekends and holidays 800 rubles.

Estate "Arkhangelskoye"

The estate has been known from written sources since the time of Ivan the Terrible. For three centuries, its owners were the princes Odoevsky, Golitsyn, and Yusupov.

Zaryadye Park

The park opened in 2021 for recreation, entertainment and learning. The concept of the park was developed by architects and landscape designers from New York and urbanists from Moscow. In 2021, Zaryadye was included in the 100 best places in the world, according to Time magazine.

Ice cave – 270 rubles. Virtual tour “Flying over Moscow” – 690/850 rubles (weekdays/weekends).

Going to the theater.

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The Bolshoi Theater (Teatralnaya Square, 1, Teatralnaya metro station) is the largest and most famous of Moscow theaters.

The Maly Theater (Teatralny pr-d, 1, Teatralnaya metro station) is the oldest theater in Russia.

Moscow Academic Art Theater named after Chekhov, or simply MKhAT (Kamergersky lane, 3, Teatralnaya metro station)

Lenkom (Malaya Dmitrovka St., 6, metro Pushkinskaya, Chekhovskaya) is one of the best and most popular theaters.

You can buy a ticket to almost all theaters for 4,000, and we will take them into account.

TOTAL: 22,220 rubles

Gorky Park

While on vacation in Moscow, you should definitely go to Gorky Park. Without exaggeration, it is the main park in Moscow and the first world-class park in Russia. This is not only one of the hottest entertainment spots in the capital, but also an excellent place for sports, recreation with children and cultural pastime. For lovers of active recreation, the park has sports grounds, a tennis court, a mini-football field, a skate area and a dance area. Connoisseurs of intellectual relaxation will be interested in visiting the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and attending fascinating classes on history, literature and foreign languages ​​in the Lecture Hall. Children's playgrounds, the Green School young naturalists club, and the largest sandbox in Moscow are open for the park's youngest guests. And after dark, popular events in Gorky Park include observing the stars and planets at the observatory and film shows at the Pioneer summer open-air cinema.

“Air Wanderer”: sail through the air over the Moscow region

Distance from Moscow: 51 km

Why go: for the ease of life

Everyone wants to fly in a hot air balloon: for some it’s a childhood dream, for others it’s an ideal romantic date, and for others it’s just a great way to clear their heads and take beautiful photos from above. In addition, science has not yet known people who would regret that they met the dawn or saw off the sunset in the skies.

To become captains of an airship, you don’t have to fly to Cappadocia: in the Istra club “Air Wanderer” near Moscow, they will not only organize an impeccable flight for you, but will also initiate you into the worldwide brotherhood of aeronautics, assign you the title of count and treat you to champagne. After the air tour, you can look into the Museum of Wooden Architecture and the picturesque New Jerusalem Monastery - a copy of the Holy Land, and if you have time, go to the Istra Reservoir.

Official website: airstrannik.ru

Where to stay: You can make an already wonderful holiday in the Moscow region even better by renting a room at the Yakhonty Avantel Istra park hotel. In addition to the swimming pool and tennis court, you will be offered spa services.

Tretyakov Gallery

The Tretyakov Gallery is the most famous art gallery in Moscow, possessing one of the world's largest collections of Russian fine art. This cultural site is rightfully included in the list of the most visited attractions in Moscow. The gallery was founded in the mid-19th century by entrepreneur and philanthropist Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov, who had impeccable taste. The historical gallery building on Lavrushinsky Lane displays works from the times of Ancient Rus' to the beginning of the 20th century, and an exhibition dedicated to the art of the 20th century is housed in the building on Krymsky Val. The general collection of the museum includes more than a hundred thousand paintings. Particularly noteworthy are such masterpieces as “Trinity” by Andrei Rublev, “The Appearance of Christ to the People” by Alexander Ivanov, “Bogatyrs” by Viktor Vasnetsov, “Apotheosis of War” by Vasily Vereshchagin and “Morning in a Pine Forest” by Ivan Shishkin.

Oceanarium "Moskvarium"

If you have a lot of free time, then do not forget to go to the main aquarium of Russia in Moscow - “Moskvarium” at VDNKh. Through the glass of huge aquariums here you can watch killer whales, giant Asian fish, moray eels, octopuses and stingrays at arm's length. Children enjoy spending time at the Dolphin Swimming Center: in special pools you can swim with friendly sea creatures, accompanied by experienced trainers. Moskvarium guests will be given a lot of pleasant impressions by fascinating seminars about the underwater world, an interactive “Round the World Trip” and spectacular water shows with the participation of dolphins, walruses and sea lions.

Three more places for a great weekend near Moscow, albeit outside the Moscow region

“Ethnomir”, Kaluga region, 90 km from Moscow: travel halfway around the world, visiting one place

This huge interactive park-museum in the Kaluga region with exhibition halls, zoos, nurseries, copies of world-famous architectural structures, restaurants, souvenir shops, themed farmsteads and hotels is our “ethnic everything”.

In the colorful Peace Street complex, you will visit 43 countries at once, each of which has its own cozy pavilion. In addition to the ethno-corners, in the park there is a forest labyrinth called “Wilds”, which at first seems deceptively simple, and workshops where you can learn pottery, soap making and candle making. For children - and for adults too, what can you say! — you will enjoy a walk through the Dinosaur Park. At Ethnomir you can also take a steam bath and relax in a cedar barrel or salt cave, ride a dog sled and swim on a boat.

Official website: ethnomir.ru

“Forest and Sea”, Tver region, 170 km from Moscow: relax in a tent on the island

Eco-hotel “Forest and Sea: Less is more” on the picturesque Volga island in the Tver region is an excellent option for those who want to spend a weekend in nature, but are not eager to lose comfort. Nine cozy tents offer heated beds and hot showers, hammocks are hung from pine trees, and the camp also has a dining room with a lounge area and an open-air cinema.

Camping “Forest and Sea” has a capacity of 20 people; it’s a great place to organize friendly gatherings and celebrate birthdays and weddings. If there is no reason to rent the entire camp, keep an eye on glamping social networks: several times a season open races and themed parties are held here, when you can book one or more tents. To make sure you get a seat, you can buy a certificate with open dates: it will give you an advantage when booking.

Hint: Camp “Forest and Sea” runs from May to September.

Official website: lesimore.com

“Nikola-Lenivets”, Kaluga region, 170 km from Moscow: feel the unity of nature and the human mind

The Nikola-Lenivets art park, located on the banks of the Ugra River, is a special place. The words that with the growing flow of visitors and the holding of all kinds of art festivals it has lost a piece of its originality and has become “popular” will lose meaning for anyone who comes here on their own. You need to walk through these forests, lie in these fields, and see these incredible art objects with your own eyes. Only in this way will you understand that “Nikola-Lenivets” is rightly called “a place of power.”

Be sure to climb the symbol of the park - the legendary “Lighthouse on the Ugra”: it offers a beautiful view of the forest, fields and river. Having outlined an approximate route, go down - and go ahead, get impressions! For convenience, you can take a map with all the art objects, or you can trust your intuition and see only what the universe has decided to show you.

Hint: in the Nikola-Lenivets park there is where to have a snack - the summer cafe "Ugra" - and where to stay for the night: houses "Clover", "Villa PO-2", "DoubleDom", skater house "Stab", a mobile home “Kibitka”, “Saray Saraev” house, “Florensky House in Koltsovo” and the “Art-Kazarma” hostel. You can also rent a bicycle or ride a horse in the park.

Official website: nikola-lenivets.ru

Weekend in the Moscow region: questions and answers

When is the best time to travel around the Moscow region? The most pleasant time to travel is in the warm season - from May to September. However, even in winter the Moscow region is full of entertainment: ski resorts and all kinds of amusement parks operate.

What is the average cost of hotels in the Moscow region? A room in a three-star hotel costs from 2,500 rubles per night, in a four-star hotel - from 3,800 rubles. If you want special comfort and excellent service, choose five-star hotels - from 8,600 rubles per night.

What are the most popular holiday destinations in the Moscow region? Among the most famous estates in the Moscow region are Abramtsevo, Shakhmatovo and Arkhangelskoye. Holy places include the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius and the New Jerusalem Monastery. Some of the most popular museums in the Moscow region are the pastila museum in Kolomna and the Melikhovo museum-reserve. The most famous ski resorts are Yakhroma, Sorochany and Volen.

Where to go in the Moscow region: 13 ideas for a weekend near Moscow

Ostankino Tower

The tallest building in Europe, the Ostankino TV Tower, rightfully belongs to the main symbols of the Russian capital. The height of the Ostankino Tower exceeds half a kilometer, so it is not surprising that its powerful television signal covers the entire vast territory of Moscow and the Moscow region. To visit the Ostankino TV tower, tickets must be purchased in advance. During the tour, you will learn interesting facts about the history of construction and architectural features of the tower, and also take a high-speed elevator to a closed observation deck located at an altitude of 337 meters (for comparison, this is the level of the 112th floor). It offers a magnificent bird's eye view, making the Ostankino TV Tower one of the most attractive places to visit in Moscow.

Freezone Park: innovative technologies for outdoor activities

Freezone Park offers a truly unique holiday experience. On its territory there is the largest wind tunnel, in which everyone has the opportunity to experience free flight, learn to control their own body and simply get an unforgettable experience. You can start flying from the age of four, which makes this a family vacation and allows all parents to have an extraordinary weekend. Flights for two are also possible, which will become an unforgettable part of a romantic date. Among all the available entertainment, flying is the most unusual, which is why it attracts so many people every day.

If you want to visit the Frizon park, it is more practical to sign up for flights in advance, choosing the optimal time. You can find out the tariffs by following the link. You can also make an appointment online for a convenient time. After the flights in the park, you can continue to have fun. Guests will be treated to virtual reality, created using the best equipment in the capital. Participants are completely immersed in what is happening and have the opportunity to influence the course of events. In the Freezone entertainment complex, no one will have time to get bored, and the cafe and restaurant located on its territory will help you refresh yourself and replenish your strength. There is even a hotel on the territory of the park, which allows you to come to it for several days to get the most out of the entertainment.

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Moscow Planetarium

The Moscow Planetarium, one of the largest planetariums in the world, is deservedly considered the real pride of the capital. Its visitors will be able to feel the boundlessness of the Universe, feel the charm of the mysterious starry sky and take a virtual space journey to distant planets. The main hall of the planetarium is the Great Star Hall. Inside its giant dome, it creates the effect of a night sky dotted with bright constellations. You can witness the flight of a comet, a lunar eclipse and other astronomical phenomena. In the Urania Museum you will see a collection of meteorites, relief globes of the Earth, Venus and Mars, as well as a grandiose model of the Solar System. From May to September, there is a Large Observatory on the roof of the planetarium, where with the help of a powerful telescope you can see the neighboring galaxy, distant planets and globular star clusters.

Planetarium

The restored planetarium is of great interest to both adults and children. Anyone will find something to do here. There is a stereo cinema, as well as a small star hall with dynamic seating. The planetarium boasts the largest screen dome in Europe, which displays pictures of the starry sky. There are 2 halls

Lunarium, where you can learn in a playful way about the refraction of light, gravity, the creation of black holes, craters, etc. Everything can be turned, twisted, rocked, touched. At the Astro Site they will tell you a lot of interesting things about the moon, the starry sky, and time zones.

The planetarium is located on the street. Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya in building 5, building 1. Walking distance from Krasnopresnenskaya or Barrikadnaya metro stations. Opening hours: 9–21 (on weekends until 22).

A ticket costs from 80 to 600 rubles.

More about the Moscow Planetarium

Bunker-42 on Taganka

Bunker 42 on Taganka, which goes more than 60 meters deep into the earth, was once a classified facility of the Soviet Union, and today has become a popular attraction in Moscow. In this secret bunker, which has about 20 underground floors, the Soviet leadership planned to hide from an atomic explosion at the height of the Cold War. The construction of the bomb shelter was entrusted to the designers of the Moscow metro, who coped with the task perfectly. The strong walls of the bunker reliably protected against ground attacks, secret technical facilities could, if necessary, deliver a retaliatory nuclear strike, and food supplies stored in underground pantries could last for several months. The bunker building hosts many thematic excursions, which will certainly be of interest to history buffs of the Soviet period.

Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard

The most famous circus in Russia was founded in Moscow in the second half of the 19th century by the hereditary circus artist Albert Salamonsky. During the Soviet Union, the stars of the circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard were Oleg Popov, Mikhail Rumyantsev (known under the pseudonym “Pencil”) and the famous Soviet actor Yuri Nikulin, whose name the circus bears to this day. The show programs of the Nikulin Circus are always interesting and varied: acrobats, tightrope walkers, aerialists, illusionists, jugglers and, of course, domestic and exotic animals perform in its arena, demonstrating real miracles of dexterity and intelligence. This is one of the best places in Moscow where you can go with the whole family.

Sergiev Posad: visit the Golden Ring city closest to Moscow

Distance from Moscow: 70 km

Why go: for peace

It’s best to start getting acquainted with Sergiev Posad from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra: this is one of the brightest places in the Moscow region and all of Russia. There is always sublime beauty here and, despite the crowds of tourists and pilgrims, it is somehow calm: especially under the melodious ringing of the Lavra bells. In the city itself, it’s great to take a walk to the Pancake Mountain observation deck, which offers a beautiful view of the entire ensemble of the Lavra.

Going down Red Army Avenue, on the shore of the Kelarsky Pond, you will find a nice red-brick mansion - the Toy Museum. The famous Bogorodsk articulated toys and the very first Russian nesting doll are kept here - if you are looking for good souvenirs from Sergiev Posad, this is the place for you.

It’s nice to end a perfect day in Sergiev Posad with dinner at the unusual Landau cafe, named after the famous physicist Lev Landau. The theme of science is reflected both in the interior and in the dishes: for example, they serve steaming currant juice in a cone.

Advice: if you come to Sergiev Posad for the whole weekend, devote one day to a trip to the Abramtsevo estate, where famous Russian writers, artists and sculptors lived and visited. The house is surrounded by a shady park, where it is great to take a walk on a fine day. By the way, in one of the rooms of the estate Serov wrote the famous “Girl with Peaches”.

Where to stay: Take a closer look at the Uyut Hotel. Travelers leave entirely positive reviews about it - both about the location and the quality of service.

Moscow Zoo

Another great attraction in Moscow for a family holiday is the Moscow Zoo, which is known as one of the oldest zoos in Europe and is famous for its rich, long-standing traditions. For more than a century and a half, the Moscow Zoo has been delighting its visitors with a variety of exotic animals living outside its walls. The territory of the zoo is divided into many thematic exhibitions: “Cats of the Tropics”, “Spectacled Bears and Sloth Bears”, “Giraffe House”, “Birds of Prey Rock”, “Elephant House”, “Birds and Butterflies” and many others. Little guests of the zoo have a great time watching mischievous capuchins cheerfully jumping from branch to branch, and watching funny penguins, one by one, sliding down an icy mountain into the water.

Sparrow Hills

The legendary Sparrow Hills are one of the best places in Moscow for walking. Happy newlyweds come here on their wedding day, artists look here for subjects for their future paintings, and the great Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov said that everyone who wants to know Russia should see Moscow from here. You can start a walk through the picturesque territory of the Sparrow Hills from the famous high-rise building of Moscow State University, then go to the observation deck and enjoy the wonderful panorama of the capital. In summer, on the territory of the Vorobyovy Gory there are ecological trails perfect for leisurely walks, and in winter, lovers of active recreation and skiing gather on the snow-covered slope.

The equator of our stay in Moscow

Third day – 08/17/2015

New this year is Moskvarium. 1800 rub. for three tickets. Money was not a pity! But an exhibition of all kinds of fish is not for everyone.

Of course there was a lot of excitement, there were a lot of people.

But we really liked VDNKh itself, we enjoyed its beauty more. And we decided that we would come back here again!

Mosfilm charmed us all.

At the entrance we saw Glafira Tarkhanova herself. I was so confused that I couldn’t get her autograph. And you won't see a photo of me with her here.

But look at my other photos from Mosfilm.

In the evening we usually went to a large supermarket, nearby, for example, “Perekrestok”, and bought whatever food we wanted for the hotel.

Also a very affordable way to eat in Moscow.

The Kremlin and the Armory Chamber of Moscow

Day four – 08/18/2015

Armouries. Kremlin. Tsar Cannon. The Tsar Bell. Nothing to add here. Just look at our photos.

On this day we had the worst lunch ever, because... We ate at Auchan.

We couldn’t find a more or less suitable place where we could have a good meal.

We ate in one of the cafes of this hypermarket. Check it out if you want to go to Moscow.

Of course, we didn’t bypass Red Square.

Very beautiful, unforgettable places!

Nikolskaya Street, like Arbat, was also made pedestrian. We also took advantage of this landmark of the capital.