Ivan the Terrible himself, looking around Moscow with his gloomy gaze, said: “What beauty, beauty!” We don’t know whether Moscow admired the real tsar back in the 16th century, but in Gaidai’s film “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession,” this is exactly the impression Moscow made on the ruler in the 1970s.
Today Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, which is worth visiting at least once in your life. The capital of Russia combines echoes of Soviet architecture and modern skyscrapers. Life in Moscow is in full swing and attracts more and more tourists from all over the world.
Not a weekend, not a week, or perhaps even a month is enough to get to know the most progressive and colorful city in Russia. After all, not even every Muscovite knows all the sights of their hometown.
However, if you only have a couple of free days left, then this will be enough to immerse yourself in the metropolitan atmosphere and get acquainted with the outstanding sights of the country. The main thing is to create a convenient route that will help you feel the spirit of Moscow.
We have prepared a review of the legendary places of Moscow and have put together a whole program for several days so that your weekend in the capital will be filled with enthusiastic emotions.
Park of Light: swings and magical forest
In 2021, a light park appeared in the Bibirevo district on the site of an ordinary square. Its territory was divided into several spaces: a workout zone, two playgrounds and a dog walking area with an obstacle course.
A special feature of the park is its unusual lighting elements. For example, children and adults can ride on a large luminous swing, walk through a “magic forest” with bright lamps, and also under light arches. At the entrance to the park, guests are greeted by a sculpture depicting a family of beavers - a symbol of the Bibirevo district.
Where to go in Moscow with children for free
In Moscow there is a program “Museums for Children”. Thanks to it, schoolchildren who have a Moskvenok card can visit about a hundred museums, galleries and art halls for free. But we will not talk about education, but about free entertainment for children (and for preschoolers too).
Magic country in Kuzminki
“Trail of Fairy Tales” in Kuzminki Park / photo by A. Patrikeeva
In the fall of 2021, the “Trail of Fairy Tales” .
In total, 65 fairy-tale characters settled in the park. It’s fun to walk around with children and guess which fairy tales the characters are from. There is the rabbit from “Alice in Wonderland”, and the heroes of “The Nutcracker”, and the 12 month-old brothers, and the team of “The Wizard of Oz”. You are allowed to climb into the pumpkin carriage from Cinderella and feel like a fairy-tale princess.
Look for a magical children's country at the Estate of Father Frost.
Address: Volgogradsky prospect, 168D.
Izmailovo Kremlin
The Kremlin in Izmailovo
The Izmailovo Kremlin seems to have been copied from cartoons: colorful, rainbow, joyful.
Children will love it here: “toy” houses, a small pond (you can say that a goldfish lives there) and a funny Baba Yaga. You can walk around the cartoonish Kremlin for free as much as you want. The fairgrounds are full of wonderful antique toys: wooden whistles, firecrackers, patchwork cats.
Museums in the Kremlin are paid, as are master classes. But in mid-September there is a Crafts Fair with free activities, artists perform, and game quizzes are held.
Address: Izmailovskoe highway, 73Zh.
Beekeeping Center
The bees here are gigantic—meters tall, but they are not real and will not bite children. Environmental education is a free interactive space.
At first you will feel as if you are inside a buzzing beehive. Then you will see animators in bee costumes. Multimedia panels play films about beekeeping. Children's favorite thing is to try on 3D glasses and find themselves in a honey-bearing meadow, seeing in all the details how the bees work.
Real bees fly here too. They are in a huge transparent hive. In winter it stands in the center of the pavilion, and in summer the bees are released.
- Sign up for the tour by phone: +7(495) 966-09-22. Held daily from 11:00 to 16:00, except Mondays.
- Address: VDNKh, pavilion No. 28 “Beekeeping”.
Air eco-trail
Walking along the air path at VDNKh is absolutely safe for children. It is not extreme, it rises to a maximum height of 6.5 meters (there are continuous protective railings all around). Children enjoy running along the path because sometimes the path splits into two. Nets are attached at the bifurcation points so that fidgets who decide to go down without permission do not fall. Under the attraction there are wooden children's playgrounds, and in the evenings the hares glow.
Address: VDNKh, Sheremetyevskaya oakbrava.
Moscow Zoo
At the Moscow Zoo / photo by A. Patrikeeva
For children under 17 years of age, admission to the Moscow Zoo is free, which is why it is on the list. But of course, children will not be allowed in without adults. There is an exception for parents with many children - they and their daughters and sons can always go without paying. The zoo has almost 8,000 animals of all kinds: bears, giraffes, monkeys, penguins, pandas, crocodiles, manulas, foxes. The most interesting thing is to see how the animals are fed.
Address: st. Krasnaya Presnya, 4A.
Lianozovsky Promenade: the light of dachas in Art Nouveau style
The design of the pedestrian zone on Uglichskaya Street is connected with the history of Lianozov. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a holiday village of entrepreneurs with houses in the Art Nouveau style. It has not survived to this day.
And after landscaping in 2021 under the “My District” program, snow-white light arches appeared here, symbolizing the roofs of old Lianozov dachas, gazebos with tables for relaxing and playing chess, as well as swings for children and adults. The walking area has become one of the favorite recreational spots for area residents.
Stories, routes and tourist tips
Before your trip, read the stories of tourists who have visited Moscow. Their reviews will help you create your own route, taking into account useful tips. The articles from experienced travelers presented below may become a ready-made guide for you:
- Lovely streets of Old Moscow - from Marianna;
- Portals of Moscow - from Kirill Kudryashov;
- Walk from Tretyakovskaya to Kitay-Gorod - from Lyudmila.
All reviews about holidays in Moscow on Turister.Ru
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building against the backdrop of Moscow City Photo: © Stanislav Kaznov
Zaryadye Park: glass bark and floating bridge
In the center of the capital, after sunset, it’s worth checking out Zaryadye Park. In the evenings, a glass bark made of panels receiving energy from solar panels is lit here. The facades of nearby houses, lawns, a landscaped pond and paths received their own lighting. The atmosphere is added by the lights of the floating bridge and a 140-meter panoramic walking area overlooking the Moscow River, St. Basil's Cathedral and one of Stalin's high-rise buildings.
Beautiful places for walks in evening Moscow
To feel all the charm of your weekend in the capital, feel the romantic atmosphere, and sometimes even plunge into magic, take a walk around evening Moscow.
Chistye Prudy
In the 17th century, Chistye Prudy was called Poganykh.
They were renamed by order of Prince Alexander Danilovich Menshikov to clean the pond and strictly ensure that no more sewage was dumped into it. Just imagine: a cozy square by the pond, evening lights, loving couples strolling sweetly past, pleasant music flowing from the nearest restaurant by the water - this is what awaits you in the evening on Chistye Prudy.
Bolotnaya embankment
Bolotnaya Embankment is known for its abundance of bars and nightclubs where you can continue your evening and have great fun.
Kolomenskoye Park
The first mention of the village of Kolomenskoye dates back to 1336.
Take an evening tour of the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve. This is a place that will envelop you in the romance of ancient Moscow in the rays of the setting sun.
Patriarch's Ponds
There were three Patriarchal Ponds; at the beginning of the 19th century they were combined into one decorative Patriarchal Pond and a park was built around it.
This place is familiar even to those who have never been to Moscow, thanks to Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita.” Many people say that when you find yourself on the Patriarch's Pond in the evening, you begin to feel the unreality of everything that is happening, the shadows come to life, the wind carries snatches of conversations of passers-by, forcing you to listen to every rustle. Feel the atmosphere of mystery, take a walk in the evening park near the Patriarch's Ponds.
Moscow City Square: light and music among skyscrapers
Delovoy is not only one of the central business areas of the capital, but also a popular holiday destination. From here you have a beautiful view of the skyscrapers of the office center and Presnenskaya embankment, there are many shops, cafes and restaurants.
And recently another public space was created here - a square with an amphitheater in the form of a hill-tribune, pergolas and multi-level walking areas. In its center they built a dynamic light fountain with a cascade and a concert hall with a huge clock on the roof. Light and sound shows will be held here in the evenings all year round. For this purpose, strobes and lamps will be installed on the façade of the concert hall.
Moscow autumn
For some reason, verses from a popular song by Alexander Ivanov immediately come to mind:
Autumn has come to Moscow, the rain has crushed the foliage.
The tower pierces the cloud and washes Ostankino.
People rush to the subway, I wade through puddles,
To the bar, where the bartender pours wine into a thin glass.
These lines do not describe the classic metropolitan autumn. Apparently the author wrote the text in November, when there is a lot of precipitation.
Usually autumn brings warm weather. After all, in Russia everything is special. There are even two summers here – one seasonal and the other “Indian”. The second comes into force from mid-September. The weather is dry and sunny – it’s time for walks in numerous parks and squares. It’s not as hot here as in summer, but it’s incredibly beautiful. The riot of autumn colors will bring truly aesthetic pleasure. And photographs of colorful foliage will take pride of place in the family album.
September
This is the warmest and driest autumn month. The average daily temperature usually does not drop below 15 degrees. But it all depends on the season. For example, for 2021, weather forecasters promise a summer September, with air temperatures around 25 degrees. Warm clothes will only be needed for evening walks or when exploring the nightlife of the capital. Autumn nights are always cool. Gradually, the “Indian summer” fades away, the days become shorter and cooler.
September is the best month to get acquainted with the beauties of the capital.
October
Starting from the second week of the month, residents and guests of the city begin to feel the arrival of real autumn. It's getting rainy and cool. Every year autumn is different. It happens that frosts begin as early as mid-October. Usually the night temperature does not fall below 5-7 degrees plus. During the day it is about 8-12 degrees Celsius. The same goes for precipitation. The weather is unpredictable. This year they promise a warm and dry October, but what will happen next is unknown.
In any case, an umbrella or raincoat should be a mandatory companion for city guests. Waterproof shoes and warm clothing will not hurt.
November
In November you can admire the snow-covered streets of Moscow. The first snow may fall as early as the second week of the month. Autumn gives way to winter. The days become short and chilly. You don’t really want to leave a cozy cafe or restaurant onto a slushy street. November is not the best time to visit Moscow.
Victory Park in Zelenograd: fountains and bridge
Victory Park in Zelenograd has also been improved. The multi-stage “Cascade” fountain was restored here, and now has multi-colored architectural and artistic lighting. And in the Big City Pond, three floating fountains appeared - each has 17 jets up to eight meters high, and the pattern of water movement has 13 variations. You can admire the fountains up close from the new pedestrian bridge with decking and floor lighting, which makes the bridge look like a lunar path at night.
Pedestrian area along Samora Machel Street: moon-shaped swings and patterns on the paths
In the space between residential buildings on Samory Machel Street in the Obruchevsky district of the capital, there is another walking area created under the “My District” program. Here you can swing on a swing in the shape of a suspended moon and admire the colorful light patterns on the paths. The multi-level space also houses several children's playgrounds where it is safe to walk in the evenings.
Garden of Astronomers and Alley of Arches in Sokolniki Park
One of the most striking objects of Sokolniki Park is an alley of arches with round lamps in retro style. You can walk along the light corridor both during the day and in the evening.
You can take a walk in the park and explore space objects. Here is the Astronomers' Garden, a glowing model of the solar system. In 2021, planet models were replaced with more realistic ones, so viewing them is now even more interesting.
Boulevard Ring: evening rainbow
If you don’t want to go far from the center, you can walk along the boulevards. Projectors were installed on carved cast-iron lanterns, drawing intricate patterns on the paths. There is also multi-colored lighting of the trees. It can be seen, for example, on Sretensky, Strastnoy, Petrovsky, Pokrovsky and Tverskoy boulevards. The latter, by the way, is ideal for long walks - its length is 872 meters.
Tretyakov Gallery
Another symbol of the cultural life of Moscow is the Tretyakov Gallery. Today, the largest collection of fine art in our country is collected here. The Tretyakov exhibition is admired by art connoisseurs both in our country and abroad.
At the moment, the permanent exhibition of the gallery includes more than 100 thousand paintings, sculptures and objects of decorative and applied art. The Tretyakov Gallery often hosts exhibitions of paintings by famous artists or brings exhibits from famous world museums. Works by Andrei Rublev, Feofan the Greek, V.A. Serov, I.E. Repina, V.D. Polenova, I.I. Shishkina, A.K. Savrasova, V.M. Vasnetsov and other famous artists can be seen in the halls of the Tretyakov Gallery today.
The price of a ticket to the Tretyakov Gallery for adults is 400 rubles, for preferential categories - 150 rubles (without guide services).
Address: st. metro station "Tretyakovskaya", Lavrushinsky lane, 10
