travel town collection

Travel Town Beginner’s Guide: Tips, Tricks & Strategies to Complete More Levels and Rebuild the Entire City

By: Author Barbara Craig

Posted on Last updated: April 6, 2022

Travel Town is a match and merge puzzle game developed by Magmatic Games, and it’s currently available on iOS and Android platforms. On top of the beautiful sharp graphics and matching sounds, Travel Town comes with an addictive gameplay, that fans of the genre will certainly enjoy.

To get you started on the right foot, we have put together a comprehensive Travel Town beginner’s guide . We will start this guide with explaining the basic mechanics and continue with effective strategies to advance quickly in the game, rebuild the city and help your neighbours. Of course, without forgetting to enjoy the thrill of finding new and better objects as you go merging.

Travel Town is visually similar and has the same mechanics as Merge Mansion , a game that we have covered before here at Level Winner. So if you had the pleasure of playing that game, then you probably won’t have any major problems going through Travel Town.

The game takes place in Travel Town, a beautiful seaside that was ravaged away by a storm. Your main objective is to restore it and help your neighbours who were left with nothing. Meanwhile, you discover new objects. The mechanics of the game consists of mixing matching objects to get better and better objects. You can sell these objects to your neighbours who in exchange will give you smileys among other rewards. Smileys are the in-game currencies in Travel Town, and you will use them to rebuild the town. To start to play you need to use energy. At the beginning you have 100 units of energy in the form of lightning and you must use it wisely to advance levels. But be careful, in between you must pay attention to how you organize yourself. Here I will share with you several tips and strategies to be able to advance quickly in Travel Town.

1. Starting From Scratch And Cleaning Your Place

At first, you will start with little free space to merge. Not only that, but you will also find spaces blocked by objects covered in sand. Do not worry that this is momentary and here you will see how to proceed to optimize your space.

These grey objects that you find buried in the sand have to be removed with a matching item. To do this you must take objects out of the bucket and mix until you get the one you are looking for.

Now you may ask: How do I know what I need to mix to get what I’m looking for? Well, at first you will not have major difficulties. Keep looking, you’re on the right track. Once you achieve to unlock the space you will have a little bit more room and be more comfortable.

Pay attention not to miss the opportunity to unlock a space if you have the same item. As you advance in level, more spaces will be freed up to work and you will be able to have a greater variety of objects. You will also be able to see stars with numbers drawn on the sand, these numbers indicate at what level that space is unlocked. But you may have to dig up some grey object from that new place. When the neighbours see what you achieve on the beach, they will add you to the chat group.

There you can keep up-to-date with everything they would like to improve about the city, as well as read pretty funny things apart from the fact that they don’t stop talking in that group.

2. Stay Organized And Save Space

Maintaining order in Travel Town can be crucial and makes the difference between an average player and a pro player. Maintaining order in the first levels is not something very difficult to achieve, since you will only have a couple of objects on the playground. But what happens as you go forward? As you advance in the game you will have a greater variety of objects at your disposal.

Not only that, but you will also have to achieve more complex objects and you will have the board with half-jobs distributed everywhere. So how can you improve this situation?

A good option is to organize them by type , this way you will have more ease when searching for a particular object. For example, you can group the objects that come out of the bucket in one corner, the objects that come out of the picnic basket in another corner, and so on. You can also save space by gathering all the same items , so you will have more free places.

Another option is to keep rare items, that you are not going to use for the time being, in the inventory. What happens if you follow the previous steps and still fill the sandbox with things? Can’t you keep mixing? Okay, do not worry! In this case, you have two options, one is to sell the objects in exchange for smileys, touching the object you want to sell and then below the currency symbol you can make the sale in exchange for smileys.

Some lower-tier items you will not be able to sell but if you need the space urgently you can remove them. You select the object first and then down in the garbage can. Throwing out the items does not benefit you since the sale value is not as good as the value for which the neighbours pay, but it’s still something. That’s why you have to try not to get to this point.

The inventory will also be enabled, where you can initially store up to 7 objects. You can unlock more slots in exchange for diamonds.

3. Keep Your Neighbours Happy And Successfully Deliver Orders

The neighbours seem to love the items you manage to get from the sand. That’s why they will be constantly requesting new items. Before starting to create an order object, you should review all the orders you have.

This way, you avoid making a very complicated request when you have an object that’s almost ready on your board. Sometimes the commands are very simple, but other times they are a bit more difficult. There may be unique objects , which you will have to find out where or how to get them. It may also be that you order 2 or 3 objects together.

And you have to get them all, they don’t take half orders. This may seem difficult, but as the game progresses you will become a master at delivering double or triple commands. I recommend that you try to start with the most difficult of the 2 items. When you get this object it will turn green, this way it is very easy to identify them and you will know that you have to deliver it.

An ideal scenario is that you group the objects in green in some sectors of the board where you do not move the items much. This is so that you don’t keep mixing it with the same item and you lose the needed level. So you will leave it waiting until you get the others.

Why shouldn’t you overdo the level? If you build higher-level objects, you will spend more energy and later you will not be able to sell them and they will take up space. Also, you will have to start from scratch to build it again and deliver it, since you cannot go back. For example: if a neighbour asks you for a Nautilus shell but you continue mixing until you reach a starfish, then you will not be able to go back and you will have to wait for someone to ask you for that object.

Another thing that can happen is that you see some requests in grey: when you see this, if you try to open it, it will tell you that you have to go up to the next level to be able to take that order. So first you must level up completing other orders and then you will see what the order is about.

4. Start Little By Little To Buy Buildings And Reform Them

As we mentioned before, smileys are the in-game currencies. You can spend smileys on keys, so you can rebuild the buildings of Travel Town. You have several options to get smileys:

Fulfilling the requests of the neighbours: You will constantly have orders to deliver. Although, some objects will not give you many smileys in return. Some neighbours are willing to pay fortunes for rare objects. But yes, you have to know how to find them.

Mixing certain objects: There are some objects such as photos or jewels that, when merged, may reward you smileys. You’ll notice because they will fly on the board, so don’t forget to collect them!

Buying smileys in the store: Some days there are available smileys in the store for purchase. It’s a lazy option and you must pay with diamonds in exchange if you do not want to merge.

Selling objects: Another good option is to sell some items that you have left and that you think you will not need. Once you sell an item, you will see how many smileys you got for that item in return.

Hmm… did you regret selling it? After the sale, you can recover the item by going down where it says undo selling and select the circular arrow. But be careful, once you select something else on the screen, the option to have the object returned to you will disappear.

Opening chests: The majority of the chests have smileys as a reward, and you will be able to get many out of them. But of course, getting chests is not easy. You will have to fulfil orders, level up or rebuild buildings to get them. Once you get the necessary resources you can start upgrading the city. Keep in mind that in this case, you are going to need a pile of wood planks as well as smileys. Later in this guide, we will explain how to get the materials.

5. Squeeze The Juice Out Of Your Resources

The items that allow you to advance in the game faster are the following 3. Don’t forget to take care of your resources because they are the key to success in Travel Town.

Smileys: You need to get the maximum number of smileys to be able to pay for the key to the land that you are acquiring and also for the restorations. Doing this will give you experience points and you will advance in level.

That’s why every time a face item appears on the board, it is recommended not to sell it immediately and keep them in the inventory to mix them and reach the maximum level. This way, you can obtain greater benefits than selling them one by one.

For example: If you only have one smiley and you sell it, they will give you 1 in exchange, but if you have 2, they will give you 3, if you have 4 they will give you 7, if you mix 8 they will give you 15, and if you reach the maximum level of the item (level 5) which is 16 will give you 32 smileys. This is a lot of difference to make if you are patient and wait until you have the maximum level before selling it.

Energies: the energies will allow you to continue loading objects on the board, they renew themselves from time to time, but, indeed, they are also spent quickly when you need to deliver an object. That’s why every time an energy item appears, like the smileys, it is recommended to keep them in the inventory to mix them and reach the maximum level. This way you can get more benefit from it, for an energy item at the maximum level, you will get 100 units of energy.

A tip to get more energy is to take a good look at the sign that appears when you run out, since sometimes to the right of the option to pay with diamonds it gives you the option to see a commercial in exchange for 25 energy.

And because they are short commercials, I think it’s worth watching the commercial instead of spending diamonds on energy.

Diamonds: Diamonds are definitely the most precious and that’s why you have to avoid wasting them. In Travel Town, you can use it for almost everything. For example, you can skip the waiting time of some items with diamonds, but is it worth it? Perhaps, you can be patient with the wait and use the diamonds to exchange them for space in the inventory or get energy at good prices.

Check the offers daily, there are days that for a few diamonds you can get energy packages or chests. And just like energies and smileys, diamonds can be pooled together to make the most profit from selling them. Don’t forget that every time you discover a new item, it will appear in the collection book as a gift.

You must open it and inside it, you will find a diamond. So every day at the end of playing you can go to the book to continue completing the collections.

6. Permanent Objects

Permanent objects are those from which you can obtain objects in exchange for energy. These objects cannot be sold and you can take them to their maximum level. The higher its level, the better objects you will obtain from it. Keep in mind that of the objects that you can get from inside in exchange for energy, you will not be able to select them since it will give you a random object. Permanent items have a cooldown time that depends on the item.

As much as you have energy, you will not be able to remove objects infinitely. When the inside is finished, a clock will appear indicating how long you must wait until you can get objects again. There are times when you will be lucky and it will give you some higher-level item. Here are some permanent items that you will find in the first levels: Beach Bucket: This is the first permanent item that you get in the game. It is formed from buckets and you can take it to the maximum level, which is 9. From here you can obtain pebbles, stones, sandcastles and seashells, among others. When it is at its maximum level you will be able to obtain the mysterious letter from here but to be honest it will not be easy to obtain one.

With the objects that come out of the bucket, you can complete the Shells and the Sand Castles book collection. Picnic Basket: This basket, like the bucket, is one of the first permanent items that you obtain and that requires energy to deliver objects.

From here you can obtain spoons, olives among others. And you will be able to complete the Picnic Food series and the Cutlery Tools series. Jewellery display: When you take the jewellery display to level 4 you will have a jewellery box. It is a permanent item which means that it will remain on the board forever, not only will you be able to create beautiful jewels with what is inside it but it also has a particularity.

It is that this jewellery box does not use energy to generate objects! Which means that you will have endless items? Well, yes and no, because if it has a cooldown time. You can place the jewellery box in the middle of the board and you can see how the objects jump out.

In case you have a full workspace, I recommend that you keep the jewellery box surrounded by items. This way, neither of the will pop from inside, occupying the place you need on the board.

Once they stop coming out, you will have to wait for the recharge time to expire. If you need to make a jewel and you don’t want to wait for the recharge time, you can also use diamonds to skip the time. A trick for when they give you a reward jewellery box and you have one on the board: first you empty the one you have on the board until the clock mark appears indicating that you have to wait.

Next step, you lower the new jewel box to the board and empty it too. Once the 2 are with the cooldown clock, you merge them. This will not only give you a higher tier jewel box but also resets the time so you can empty it for the third time. 

7. Reward Items

Crates: Crates have 5 levels. Inside the crates, you can get smileys or  diamonds. When you get one, either for a level-up reward or for having completed a level. You can open it or you can also save it and wait till get one of the same level to be able to merge them.

Whichever option you choose, when you want to open it you have to select them and choose the option to open there will tell you how long you have to wait. The higher the level of the crate, the greater the rewards, but also the longer it will take to open.

Energy crate: The crates contain only energy inside so nothing that comes out of it can surprise you. They are usually achieved by levelling up or completing an order. These crates cannot be levelled up as they are at their maximum level when they appear. Toolbox: Toolboxes are boxes full of tools where you can find everything from screws and wood to cement and bricks for construction. They are crucial for building upgrades. Not only that, but they are quite difficult to get, usually given to you as a reward for hard-to-complete orders.

So I recommend that you keep everything that comes out of the toolbox well until you can get the maximum level of each item. So when you manage to build, for example, a brick wall or a concrete mixer, it will be kept in the inventory until you use it in some upgrade.

These tool items will be saved in the second tab of the inventory. So you should not worry about them taking up space. You can go check what materials you have stored at any time.

8. Special Items Are Difficult To Get

Joker: The jokers are rarer items than diamonds. And they have the peculiarity of being able to duplicate any common object you have in the playground. If you’re lucky enough to get one, I don’t recommend using it to combine with a pebble.

Save it or use it to combine with an object that has a very high tier level. This way you will save a lot of time. You also have the option to buy it in the store in exchange for diamonds. So it would be a good purchase. Bubbled items: Bubbled items are items that appear inside a bubble when you are creating an object. These objects are trapped and you will not be able to use them unless you pay their reward in diamonds. Its price varies depending on the difficulty of the item. It may be that you are not interested in taking out of the bubble in exchange for some diamonds. But as soon as an item that you need appears, this may be worth spending diamonds on.

Be aware, you cannot doubt it for a long time since the bubble will disappear in a short time. Don’t worry if you decide not to pay with diamonds, the bubbles always leave you something in return, which can be a smiley, energy or even a diamond.

Mysterious letter: Just as its name says, this letter is mysterious, it is rumoured that it has a map inside and that it takes you to some hidden place in Travel Adventure, have you got it yet? Do not worry that as the levels progress they will come to your hands. As a suggestion, you should start by getting letters out of the bucket. Mysterious fossil: If there was something more mysterious than the mysterious letter, it is surely this fossil. It is much more difficult to get, but believe me, it has a very good reward.

9. Take Part In Special Events

Do not forget to complete the special events, they are a good opportunity to gather resources. Daily challenge: It is a daily event that will appear as an order on the top right and when you open it you will be able to see the tasks to complete. This order, unlike the others, has a time limit that you cannot exceed. You can see the time remaining from the order or when opening it as well.

You can also see the counter, for example, if it says 0/3, it means that you have 0 tasks performed out of 3. As you complete them, it will indicate 1/3, 2/3, and so on until it reaches 3/3. Completing it will give you the reward indicated in the order. Wildlife sanctuary: it is a special event to which you are going to be invited to travel to the jungle. Precisely to a sanctuary, where you can feed and rescue tigers, cut dry or fallen trees, and plant new and healthy ones.

During our stay in the sanctuary, you have to try to complete as many requests as possible. Here there are no smileys as a reward for orders. But in exchange for completing an order, they will give you a paw token.

As you collect the paws you will advance in level, each time you reach a new level you will need more tokens to complete it. Once the time of the stay finishes, they will give you a diploma with the maximum level you reached and with it the rewards. The levels that you can reach range from level 1 to 8.

In the sanctuary, you will have a different energy, which has the same functionality as in the rest of the game but it is blue. When you run out of energy, you can go out and wait for it to recharge or you can also buy it with diamonds.

You can also collect smileys that will appear from time to time when you mix some items, it may be that smileys appear and you can collect those, a tip to take advantage of here is that if you see that our time in the jungle is running out and they are going to be left items, the ideal is that you can sell them before leave. Because once the time is up you won’t be able to come back for anything from the place.

The mechanic is very similar to what you’ve been doing. Only that here your mission, apart from completing the orders, is to rescue the tigers that are in the jungle. To do this, the first thing you must do is get items from the worker’s hut in exchange for energy. From here you can get tools, seeds and feeding bottles.

How to rescue your first tiger? The tigers are lost in the middle of the jungle but to get to them you must first cut down the fallen trees. You do this by taking some items of tools to the maximum level until you get a chainsaw. With it, you can choose the place to weed. Note that there are two types of trees to cut, one is the dry one that you will have to cut 2 times, so you will need 2 chainsaws.

And the other one is the stump for which you’re going to have to cut only once. Both will give you lodges in return. Once you enter the jungle you will find items in grey covered by the undergrowth, to unlock it you must get a matching item. When you go into the jungle, you may find a baby tiger in grey and to rescue it you will need to have another one. To get one you have to take a feeding bottle to the maximum level, then you double-tap it and a baby tiger will appear.

Once you got the baby tiger now with it, you can rescue the one you found in the jungle.

How do you plant new and healthy trees? Once you were able to remove the dry trees, the idea of ​​the sanctuary is that you reforest it with healthy trees. To do this you must start by mixing the seeds until you bring them to their maximum level. When you manage to have a Sundari tree, it will provide you with seeds and flowers without having to spend energy in return.

As soon as you finish don’t forget to claim your reward.

10. Be Persistent And Be Patient

As you progress in the game, you can achieve more complex items. Or maybe you use up energy faster. But don’t get discouraged, you can close the game and come back when you have full energy. Some items will take a few days to form but in the meantime, you will always have some other easier items to deliver. And when you have a permanent item in cooldown, relax and do other things in Travel Town.

That was our last piece of advice, and with that we conclude our Travel Town beginner’s guide. Hopefully, the tips and tricks we shared in this article will help you to advance in the best way until you complete your collection of objects and restore the city. If you have discovered any other tips or tricks during your gameplay, we would be happy to hear from you! Feel free to drop us a line in the comments below!

Karen Lancaster

Tuesday 26th of March 2024

How do I get the sand mmmm sand castle out of bucket rather than the shells ?

Deborah Leigh

Tuesday 13th of February 2024

What is an auto producer I keep hearing them mentioned. What do I do with the items? What items should I keep on the board?

Saturday 25th of November 2023

My favorite simple trick is this: try to keep 3 jewelry boxes on the playing board. Never combine them, and they will generate free jewelry three times as fast. Same with ice cream generators. Have fun Y'all.

Tuesday 21st of November 2023

Hi can someone tell me how to make the Goddess sculpture. I believe you use the are supplies for and I'm getting paintbrushes and notebooks which gave me pipes and make a colorful palette and pieces of concrete. But I don't know what to do with them. Thank you for any advice I could get

Sunday 6th of August 2023

What do the pearls do in the beach game?

How to Get Merge Items in Travel Town? (FAQs Guide)

There are hundreds of merge items in Travel Town game. In game, some objects or items need more effort to get them.

This guide is about those items and how to get them – How you can get guppy , goldfish , fish , picture book , monkeys , medals , pocket square , gift soap , decorated cup and more items in Travel Town.

How to get Guppy and Goldfish in Travel Town?

You can get Guppy and Goldfish from the Sculpted Fountain in Travel Town. Here is a complete merge guide to create Guppy and Goldfish from Sculpted Fountain.

• Create Seeds and Water from Arabian Queen Gazebo.
• Merge Droplets to create Small Splash.
• Merge Small Splashes to create Big Splash.
• Merge Big Splashes to create a Simple Pool.
• Merge Simple Pools to create a Sunken Pool.
• Merge Sunken Pools to create a Raised Pool.
• Merge Raised Pools to create a Tiered Fountain.
• Merge Tiered Fountains to create an Ornate Fountain.
• Merge Ornate Fountains to create a Sculpted Fountain.
• Sculpted Fountain created Guppy and Goldfishes for you.

The merge sequence to get Guppy and Goldfish is Droplets, Small Splashe, Big Splashe, Simple Pool, Sunken Pool, Raised Pool, Tiered Fountain, Ornate Fountain and Sculpted Fountain.

How to get Fish in Travel Town?

In Travel Town you can create Fish by merging Soldier Crabs . To get fish create Driving Gear from Boat, merge them to create Full Oxygen Tank and get Sea Plant from it. Continue Sea Plant merge until Soldier Crabs and get Fish by merging them.

The merge sequence from Boat Driving Gear to Fish is following,

Boat creates Driving Gear and Bottled Messages, Driving Goggles, Driving Snorkel, Flippers, Oxygen Sensor, Empty Oxygen Tank, 1/3 Filled Oxygen Tank, 2/3 Filled Oxygen Tank, Full Oxygen Tank(creates Fish), Sea Plant, Shrimp, Lobster, Soldier Crabs and Fish.

How to get a picture book in Travel Town? (Pop Up book, 3D book)

Here is the answer to get a Pop Up and 3D picture book in Travel Town.

To get picture books (Pop Up book, 3D book) first create Notepads and Pens from Chubby Pencil Case, upgrade them to max level Fountain Pen and First Draft. This First Draft creates a picture book collection.

How to get Flexible Monkey in Travel Town?

Big Fishing Net generally creates Seaweed, Marine Minerals and Star Boxes. But, sometimes it creates Undersea Gold. This Undersea Gold creates Yogi Monkeys and Gold Watches. You can merge Zen Monkey and so on to reach max Flexible Monkey. 

How to get Medals in Travel Town?

To get Bronze, Silver, Gold and more medals in Travel Town, first get a Dog Mansion , which is a max level dog house. Next, create dog agility testing equipment using Dog Mansion. Now, get the max level Agility Test and click it for medals.

How to get Pocket Square in Travel Town?

To get Pocket Square in Travel Town, create Sewing Accessories from Sewing Side Table and Merge to reach max level for Sewing Station and Sewing Machine . Now, Create Cloth & Thread from Sewing Station and click Sewing Machine to get Pocket Square.

How to get gift soap and a decorated cup in Travel Town?

To get Gift Soap and a Decorated cup, here are the merge steps,

• Herb store – gives you herbs.
• Jars – Merge herbs to make jars.
• Full Jar – Merge Jars to make a full jar.
• Tea Cups – Full jar creates essential oils and tea cups.
• Decorated cup – Merge tea cups to make a decorated cup.
• Essential Oils – Full jar creates essential oils and tea cups.
• Oil Dropper – Merge essential oils to make an oil dropper.
• Scented Satchel – Merge oil droppers to make scented satchel.
• Gift Soap – Merge scented satchels to make gift soap.

Hope you find this – How to get items in the Travel Town guide helpful. We will try to add more items in the Guide based on your queries. So, keep in touch.

Travel Town related posts

• Travel Town Free Energy Links and More Ways
• How to Get Diamonds in Travel Town?
• How Do You Get Mysterious Fossil in Travel Town?
• How to Get Merge Items in Travel Town?
• Travel Town Splitter Guide
• How to Sell Items in Travel Town?
• Joker in Travel Town – What Is It and How to Get
• Where to Store Producers in Travel Town?
• Trade Cards in Travel Town
• Travel Town Automatic Orders List
• Travel Town Invite Friends Guide

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Guide To Travel Town Museum

By: Author Wendy Kennar

Posted on Last updated: April 17, 2024

MomsLA is your source for Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids

Families visiting Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park will find so much to do and explore including a collection of locomotives and passenger cars dating back to the 1800s. Our Guide to Travel Town has all the information you need to have a fun visit.

Travel Town Museum 5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA

Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday     10:00 am to 5:00 pm Travel Town is open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas Day)

Description:

Travel Town Museum is “an outdoor museum which preserves and celebrates the railroad heritage of the western United States — its history and its artifacts.” Travel Town is the place to visit if you have train-lovers in your family. Travel Town was developed in the 1950s and features an impressive collection of locomotives, freight cars, cabooses, and passenger cars. On the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm,, docent-guided tours are offered as well. Visitors have the chance to see inside the sleeping car, lounge car, and dining car to get an up-close look at what rail travel was like in the 1940s.

Related: Explore SoCal with Metrolink

Special Activities:

While admission to Travel Town is free, for a nominal fee ($2.75 each) families can take a ride on a miniature train. The ride travels around the museum twice. Be sure to also   visit during the holiday season to take advantage of the Holiday Light Festival Train Ride , when the Museum is festively decorated and tens of thousands of lights transform the area into a magical wonderland.

Related: The Best Museums for Kids in Los Angeles

While you’re at Travel Town, be sure to take advantage of the “loaner” wooden engines that children can play with — for free. There are special play areas in the gift shop as well as hands-on play areas in other areas of the museum.

You can also plan a family and/or group picnic at Travel Town by reserving a picnic area complete with 3 tables and 6 benches which can seat up to 30 people.

Travel Town also serves as a unique, only-in-L.A. birthday party venue . Your train-loving kids can have a fantastic birthday party onboard a real train! Check the website for details.

There is no admission fee, though donations are gratefully accepted.

However, there are still opportunities for families to become members of the Travel Town Museum. Membership comes with special benefits including a discount in the Travel Town Gift Shop, subscription to the Museum’s newsletter, invitations to special members-only events, and more. They even offer a Junior Enginee r Membership level — a perfect gift for the train-loving child in your life.

Parking is free.

While there is no on-site restaurant, you will find picnic tables and grassy areas perfect for a family picnic. You can truly make a visit to Travel Town budget friendly (free admission, free parking) by bringing a lunch from home to enjoy.

Nearby Attractions:

Because Travel Town is located within Griffith Park , you won’t run out of things to do nearby. If your kids like horses, you might want to take a short drive over to the Griffith Park Pony Rides . Kids can ride a slow, medium, or fast pony; or go for a wagon ride. Families can also go for a spin on the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round , a Griffith Park family favorite since 1937. And a short drive away from Travel Town, you’ll find both the Autry Museum and the Los Angeles Zoo .

MOMSLA IS YOUR SOURCE FOR THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES WITH KIDS.

Disclaimer:  MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third-party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.

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Travel Town Museum

Travel Town Museum is a railroad museum located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. It was established in 1952 with the donation of SP 0-6-0 3025 as its first locomotive. It features a collection of historic steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars.

Visitors to Travel Town can explore the museum's collection of trains and related exhibits, take a ride on a miniature train that circles the museum grounds, and learn about the history of railroading in California and the United States. The museum also offers educational programs and special events throughout the year, such as guided tours, holiday train rides, and steam locomotive demonstrations.

Travel Town is open to the public free of charge, although donations are accepted to support the museum's ongoing preservation and educational efforts. The museum is a popular destination for families with young children, train enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the history of transportation in the United States.

For more information, please visit the official Travel Town Museum web site .

Steam Locomotives on Display

AT&SF 2-8-0 #664

AT&SF 2-8-0 #664 was a steam locomotive operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) in the United States. Originally numbered 891, this was part of the 664 class of steam locomotives, which were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the early 1898.

The 2-8-0 wheel arrangement, also known as a Consolidation type, was a common freight locomotive design in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The "2-8-0" designation refers to the arrangement of the locomotive's wheels, with two leading wheels, eight driving wheels, and no trailing wheels.

AT&SF 2-8-0 #664 served the AT&SF for over five decades on Santa Fe's Northern, Southern, Panhandle, Plains, and Gulf Divisions. The engine's appearance changed very little during its 55-year career, and the locomotive was in active service when the Santa Fe Railroad donated it to Travel Town.

Conrock 0-6-0ST #1

#1 was built in 1925 by Alco (Cooke Works) for Reliance Rock in Azusa, CA. Consolidated Rock Products (Conrock) acquired the locomotive in January, 1929. #1 was a tank-type locomotive and weighed 65 tons. Specifically, it was a saddle-tank locomotive where the water tank, in the shape of a saddle, was draped over the boiler of the locomotive. With fuel carried in a bunker behind the cab, there was no need for a tender, making this type of locomotive very suitable for yard switching duties.

Conrock #1 was donated to the museum in 1958 by Consolidated Rock Products.

Camino-Placerville & Lake Tahoe 3-Truck Shay #2

This 3-Truck Shay was built in 1922 by Lima Locomotive Works for the Little River Redwood Company in Crannell, CA as their #4. Little River Redwood merged into Hammond & Little River Redwood in 1931. In 1935 the engine was sold to the Camino, Placerville & Lake Tahoe as their #2. In 1936 it was sold to Michigan-California Lumber Company. It was donated to the museum in 1955 by Michigan-California.

Los Angeles Harbor Department 0-4-0ST #31

#31 was built in 1921 by the Davenport Locomotive Works. 31 was used to haul rock in the Catalina Island quarry. The rock was used in the construction of the Los Angeles Harbor and breakwater.

Destined to be scrapped, 31 was rescued from a scrapyard and donated to the museum in 1952 by the City of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Harbor Department 0-4-0ST #32

#32 was built in 1914 by Alco (Rogers Works). 32 was used to haul rock in the Catalina Island quarry. The rock was used in the construction of the Los Angeles Harbor and breakwater.

Destined to be scrapped, 32 was rescued from a scrapyard and donated to the museum in 1952 by the City of Los Angeles.

Pickering Lumber 3-Truck Heisler #2

#2 was built by Heisler in 1918 for the Hetch Hetchy Railroad. It was used during the construction of the O'Shaughnessy Dam which was to provide a water source for San Francisco and surrounding areas. After the completion of the dam, it was sold in 1923 to the Standard Lumber Company (Pickering Lumber). It was donated to the museum in 1957 by the Pickering Lumber Corporation.

Sharp & Fellows 2-6-2 #7

#7 was built as a 2-6-0 in 1902 by Alco (Dickson Works) for the Minnesota Land and Construction Company. It was sold to the Dulutn, Virginia & Rainy Lake Railway in 1903. In 1909 it was sold to C. H. Sharp Construction Company who added a two-wheel trailing truck. It was then used in the construction of the Santa Fe Railway system from Kansas to California. During WWI, #7 served at Camp Kearney, San Diego. It was donated to the museum in 1955 by the Sharp & Fellows Contracting Company.

Santa Maria Valley 2-8-2 #1000

This 2-8-2 was built in 1920 by Alco (Schenectady Works) for the Hetch Hetchy Railroad as their #4. It was used during the construction of the O'Shaughnessy Dam which was to provide a water source for San Francisco and surrounding areas. After the completion of the dam, it was sold to the Newaukum Valley Railroad in Washington and renumbered 1000. In 1944 it was sold to the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. It was donated to the museum in 1953 by the Santa Maria Valley Railroad.

Southern Pacific 0-6-0 #1273

SP 1273 was built in 1921 by the Southern Pacific (Sacramento Shops). It was donated to the museum in 1957 by the Southern Pacific.

Southern Pacific 0-4-0 #20

#20 was built as an 0-4-2T in 1880 by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Market Street, Park & Cliff Railroad in San Francisco. Because it was used on a "Street Railroad", it was constructed with a wooden shell representing a street car. Supposedly, this was to prevent it from frightening horses. Locomotives like this were sometimes called "Steam Motors" or "Steam Dummies". This locomotive changed hands and was renumbered many times. In 1905 it was converted to an 0-4-0T before being used as a shop switcher by the Southern Pacific. It has been on permanent loan since 1954 by the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Southern California Chapter.

Southern Pacific 4-4-2 #3025

3025 was built in 1904 by Alco (Schenectady Works). It was built with very tall drivers (81 inches) for passenger service on the California coast and possibly used on the Daylight, Starlight, and Lark trains. It was donated to the museum in 1952 by the Southern Pacific.

Stockton Terminal & Eastern 4-4-0 #1

This 4-4-0 was built in 1864 by Norris-Lancaster. This was one of 10 locomotives used to construct a railroad line between Sacramento and San Jose. Those 10 locomotives were lettered "A" through "J". This locomotive was letter "G" and named "Mariposa". It was then acquired by the Central Pacific and became their second #31, replacing a previous #31 which has suffered an explosion. It was sold to the Stockton, Terminal and Eastern in 1914. It was donated to the museum in 1953 by the Stockton Terminal & Eastern Railroad.

Union Pacific 0-6-0 #4439

4439 was built by Baldwin in 1918 for the Union Pacific. 4439 was one of many 0-6-0s that worked in switching yards. 4439 worked for many years in Cheyenne, WY and then on the Loas Angeles Harbor Belt line. It was retired in 1957 due to an order by the Air Pollution Control Board. It was donated to the museum in 1957 by the Union Pacific.

Western Pacific 2-8-0 #26

26 was built in 1909 by Alco (Schenectady Words) for the Western Pacific. It spent time working in Utah and Nevada. It was donated to the museum in 1954 by the Western Pacific Railroad.

1st Generation Diesels

(and Electrics)

California Western RS-12 #56

56 was built in 1955 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works as the McCloud River 33. A total of 50 RS-12s were built by Baldwin. This model had 1200 hp with AAR a type B-B wheel arrangement. In 1969 it was sold to the Chrome Crankshaft Company and then in 1970 sold to the California Western Railroad in Fort Bragg. There is was renumbered as their 56.

56 came to Travel Town with the intention of operating on Travel Town's own proposed railroad through Griffith Park to the Los Angeles Zoo.

• Side view (2022 Wes Barris photo)

American Locomotive Crane #1887

This crane was built in 1943 by the American Hoist & Derrick Company. Its lifting capacity is 40 tons (50 tons with outriggers). It was donated to the museum in 1999 by the Boeing Corporation.

Pacific Electric #1544

1544 was built in 1902 by the North Shore Railroad. It is a one-of-a-kind electric locomotive constructed from two steam locomotive slope-back tenders. It reportedly drew such large amounts of current that other electric cars on the line would slow to a crawl, and therefore, was not considered a success. It was purchased in 1917 by Pacific Electric and used on various construction projects in Los Angeles until being retired in 1952. It was donated to the museum in 1953 by the Pacific Electric Company.

Travel Town #52

"Charley Atkins" was built in 1941 by EMD for the US Navy and served at the Torpedo Station on Goat Island, RI. It later served at the Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego. In 1962 it was transferred to the McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Torrance, CA. It was donated to the museum in 1988 by the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation and became the first display locomotive at the museum to move under its own power since 1961.

Travel Town Museum Foundation

Travel Town History

The text below is from a City press release that was sent out shortly after Travel Town’s founding in 1952. Seven decades after Bill Frederickson’s wonderful idea, Travel Town is still open daily at 10:00 AM, free of charge!  The Japanese “Zero” fighter plane has gone off to an air museum, but kids are still climbing in the cab of the majestic Southern Pacific 3025! The Museum continues to thrive as a popular family destination and is still “ visited each week by hundreds of youngsters and adults who are interested in the development of transportation.”

CITY OF LOS ANGELES PRESS RELEASE – 1952

Travel Town, the Los Angeles City Recreation and Park Department’s unique display of vehicles representing many modes and eras of conveyances, is visited each week by hundreds of youngsters and adults who are interested in the development of transportation. Located on a 9-acre site at 5200 Hollingsworth Drive in Griffith Park, Travel Town is open to the public daily from 10a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge. Displaying everything from a 104-ton locomotive to a one-horse shay, Travel Town offers its visitors what for most of them is the only opportunity they ever have to see and examine at close hand many different types of vehicles.

 Credit for the idea which evolved into Travel Town goes to William Frederickson Jr., the city’s superintendent of recreation. It was Frederickson who, way back in 1947, was struck with the realization that thousands of youngsters had never been close enough to climb into an airplane and get a look at the pilot’s cockpit and its myriad of controls and gauges. This was at a time when the federal government was disposing of large amounts of surplus war material, so Frederickson resolved to see if it would be possible to obtain a surplus plane to be exhibited at one of Los Angeles’ municipal playgrounds. George Hjelte, general manager of the City Recreation and Park Department, and the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners thought the idea was a good one and allocated the sum of $700 for the purchase of seven planes which were stored in the Middle West. But by the time the necessary purchase orders had been properly channeled, the aircraft were unavailable. Although officially the project was dormant for several years, Frederickson continually mulled the idea of establishing an exhibit where youngsters could actually climb aboard various vehicles.

Just a few months ago, in late September of 1952, Frederickson was able to start the project—his dream—toward reality. Enlisting the aid of Orin Wennersten, the Recreation and Park Department’s supervisor of maintenance, he set about the work of obtaining Travel Town’s first Exhibit. Wennersten assigned a member of his staff, Charles Atkins, the task of writing a letter to D.J. Russell, president of the Southern Pacific Company, in which the suggestion was made that the railroad company might be willing to donate an obsolete locomotive to the display. Russell heartily approved the donation and directed his staff to have Engine “3025” prepared for its emergence from “retirement” and its appearance as an honored exhibit at Travel Town.

The giant locomotive and its 25 1/2 ton tender, which in their heyday pulled several “presidential specials” during campaign sweeps across the nation, now stands on a strip of track at Travel Town, and visitors may enter the engine’s cab, examine the controls, and tug the cord which clangs its big brass bell.

News about Travel town spread like wildfire, and almost immediately the display was receiving new vehicles and other exhibits in rapid, one after the other sequence. By the first of December, Travel Town had on exhibit a 44-passenger street car given by the Los Angeles Transit Lines; an historic 76-year old dray, presented by Paul J. Smith, president of the republic Van and Storage Company, a 50-year-old kerosene tank wagon, donated by Standard Oil Company of California; a colorful old circus wagon, given by the Beverly Amusement Company; Caboose No 2117, a veteran “home on wheels” for nomadic trainmen, given by the Union Pacific Railroad Company; and a one-horse shay, the gift of Knott’s Berry Farm.

To add still more charm to the transportation array, the Pacific Electric Company donated its old Sierra Vista “waiting station,” which had sheltered “big red car” commuters over a period of several decades. With that impressive slate of exhibits cleaned and polished for the occasion, Travel Town was officially dedicated on Sunday, December 14. (1952)

Since then, several new vehicles have been added to the display, including an obsolescent Japanese “zero” fighter plane which was captured on a South Pacific island during World War II; and an ancient petroleum field fire truck, which was donated by the Shell Oil Company. And still more exhibits are being planned and will take their places of honor at Travel town in the near future, according to Frederickson, whose “pet project” has blossomed into a popular attraction for Southlanders and tourists of all ages. The unique facility is particularly a “Mecca” for transportation hobbyists.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

Written By: Linda Voltaire

Updated On: December 21, 2022

Visiting Russia? These are the top 17 things to do in Moscow to help you plan your trip.

If the western world has New York City , the first great metropolis on the eastern side of our planet is Moscow. A huge city with a complicated and impressive history, Moscow gets a bad rep over Russian politics – but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Capital to the largest country in the world, Moscow takes the grandeur of its standing very seriously.

This is a place where luxury is king and where opulence takes a front seat in every aspect of life. The buildings are grand and imposing, the parks are luscious and enormous, and even the subway stations look different in Moscow than anywhere else in the world.

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in Moscow, Russia

Walking around Moscow is also going through the tumultuous history of the 20th century, which had Russia as one of its main protagonists. There are fascinating remains of these times everywhere in the former Soviet capital, from the gorgeous Seven Sisters skyscrapers to the Orthodox cathedrals that were closed for the better part of a century.  Still, Moscow is also a completely modern city, with a vibrant social and party scene, incredible restaurants, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

After living in Russia’s capital as an ex-pat for four years, I got the privilege to experience not only the main attractions in Moscow but also the everyday life in this huge city and quickly found my sweat spots off the beaten tracks! So here is my list of my top 17 things to do in this exciting metropolis!

Attractions in Moscow

When visiting a famous city like this one, it’s a must to go through the most iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin & Surrounding Area

No place tells the story of Moscow’s power in the past century the way the Red Square does. This is where the biggest political meetings in the USSR occurred for many decades, and you can feel the power on each step.

Here, you’ll also find the historic museum at the entrance, showcasing the decades of history behind this iconic landmark. The Lenin Mausoleum, perhaps the most famous resting place in the world and home to the remains of the former communist leader, is also here.

On one side of the Red Square you’ll find the Kremlin, the fortified complex that now hosts the presidential residence. This is also home to the most iconic of all Moscovite landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, a 16th-century marvel of colors. This is the best spot to take a selfie and show the world you’ve reached the Russian capital!

• Get your Kremlin Skip the Line Tickets and Kremlin tour here.
• Free cancellation up to 24-hours in advance of the tour.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

You can easily spend a couple of days just exploring the Moscovite city centre, and the Bolshoi Theatre should be your second stop. Walk past the Red Square and then head to the nearby Bolshoi Theatre, one of the oldest and most renowned houses of opera and ballet on Earth.

Visit for the impressive early 19th-century architecture, but if you’re seeing a ballet performance, make sure you book between 3 and 6 months in advance! I can strongly recommend this as it is a truly unique experience!

• Book a private 2-hour tour of the legendary Bolshoi Theatre.
• See the presidential box reserved for tzars, watch a rehearsal and skip the lines through a separate entrance.
• Free Cancellation up to 24-hours in advance.

3. Luxury Shopping at GUM and TSUM

While many might think of Moscow as the sad place with the long bread queues from the USSR days, it’s been quite the capitalist haven for a while.

If you’re up for some shopping, you’ll find one of the biggest luxury malls in town, TSUM, right behind the Bolshoi and GUM, at the red square. GUM is the most famous department store in town, where you’ll find luxury everywhere and all high-end brand. 

All in an imposing late 19th-century building with lots of history, worth a visit just for the design, its bridges and the glass roof even though you are not up for shopping!

4. Christ the Savior Cathedral

A newer addition to the gorgeous Moscovite cathedrals and my grandeur neighbor during my years in the city Don’t let the young age of this building fool you. After the perestroika in the early 90s, the newly revived Russian Orthodox Church received permission to build a cathedral on this site. They did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church.

The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes as tall as the skies in bright gold and gorgeous paintings and decor! Bring a shawl to cover your hair to adjust to the local tradition.

Head to the back of the cathedral and you will find one of the most photographed bridges in Moscow, the Patriarshiy Most. This is the perfect spot to get a good view and photo of the cathedral but also to see the Kreml and Gorky Park from a distance. Or why not just enjoy a moment watching the river and its boats!  

• Get around Moscow with ease using the Hop On Hop Off boat and Bus ticket. 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets available.

5. Gorky Park

Cross the river and head to Gorky Park along the Moscow river. The most famous green area in town, similar to New York ’s Central Park and the weekend hangout for locals. There are many beautiful parks in the city, but if you’re only visiting for a few days, this is the unmissable one! 

With fair attractions to entertain children, beautiful artificial lakes and gardens, and lots of outdoor activities, it’s a lovely place to relax. A place of rest in the middle of the metropolis. The area in front of the New Tretyakov Gallery & the Muzeon Park of Arts is actually one of my favorite oasis as a bit more quiet and peaceful than Gorky itself.

Why not spend some time in the museum to get a great tour of Russia’s history through art or just enjoy the art exhibition outside where local artists spend their weekends. 

6. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow is from the Moscow River. There are many stops for the boats and one is just next to Gorky Park. See the city from another perspective – and turn the ride into a romantic one by taking the evening cruise. Moscow is magic during the night.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, take the Radisson Blu cruise – or the Erwin for a delicious seafood dinner. Both stop at Gorky or at the luxury Radisson Royal Hotel, set in one of the Seven Sister’s skyscrapers.

• We use Get Your Guide when booking city tours and they offer a River Sightseeing Cruise seeing all the main tourist attractions in Moscow

7. Metro Hopping

First inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow subway system is one of the oldest in the world, and certainly the most beautiful. Started under Stalinist times, each metro station is dedicated to grandeur and oozing personality.

Visiting the subway stops is an attraction in and of itself, and Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Kropotkinskaya are my favorites. Those surrounding the Red Square are also mesmerizing – in general, these are kind of like underground palaces.

Most of the signs at the Moscow Metro now have Latin letters, so it’s very easy to get around!Unfortunately, the trains are not as beautiful and pleasant as the stations but still, this is a true Moscow experience.  Take a guided tour of the 9 most beautiful Metro Stations including the award-winning art deco station. See more details here.

8. Arbatskaya & Artsy Moscow

Novy Arbat Street is one of the most touristy areas in the city, with lots of shops and cafés directed at visitors. When you walk a little beyond, you’ll find a different part of town, where the hip scene thrives because so many artists live in the area. Just follow the small streets with fewer tourists!

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings hosts the main building of the Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious colleges in Russia – and the one with the best view.

Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them.

10. Russian Market

If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world – the Izmailovsky. You can easily take the metro here and feel like you’ve been transported to another time.

This place was first built in the 16th century and retains the look of an old fairytale, with a lineup of colorful old castle. A lovely local experience beyond the confines of the bustling metropolis, where you can also try some delicious Russian barbecue.

Here, you’ll find beautiful souvenirs at great prices.

Off The Beaten Track Moscow

Once you’ve covered the most touristic spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer – and the places below will also be full of locals! Moscow is a city for hipsters, full of trendy and arty spots where you can literally feel the creativity oozing! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend my sweat spots below!

11. Patriarshiye Prudy

This is my favorite area in the entire city! While Moscow is generally a very noisy metropolis, Patriarch Ponds is far quieter, yet such a vibrant place. This is a very hip and trendy area making you think you are rather in Paris than in Moscow. Here the streets are narrow and full of chic eateries and clubs to see the local crowd.

A little bohemian and with an air of peace you won’t find anywhere in the city this is a great spot to spend an afternoon with your thoughts.

12. ArtPlay

Barely 15 minutes away from the city center you’ll find the artsiest Moscow district: ArtPlay. For decades, this block was a factory, but it was renovated to become a hub for the arts not too long ago.

Now, you’ll find it’s full of exhibitions, showrooms and art schools – and some of the most creative people in town. Writers, painters, and young hip people use ArtPlay as a rendezvous, and you can feel the creative energy here. The industrial design with modern interior decoration is also a feast for the eyes!

13. Shopping Local Designs

If you’re into design, both international and local, you’ll find lots of cute things at Patriarshiye Prudy. Department store Podium Market is also a great spot for shopping, as a department store everywhere in town, with lots of local and international brands. There’s one in the Four Seasons Hotel next to Red Square. My favorite Moscow mall is Tsvetnoy Central Market, a cool spot with great brands, lots of inspo, and even a cute café!

14. Moscow City

Like many other great capitals of the world, for the past few decades, Moscow has hosted a super modern area full of modern skyscrapers – Moscow City. With a completely different vibe than the rest of town, it’s like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressively tall glass buildings. Here, you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, such as Ruski and Sixty they are perfect spots for dining or enjoying a glass of wine with a view. There are also a relatively new shopping mall with lots of international brands called Affimall!

Wine, Dine, and Party in Moscow

Gone are the gloomy Moscow days – cold as it might be in the winter, Russia’s capital is a place for the senses. Great food and drinks abound – and the clubs are hot, too!

15. Where to Eat in Moscow

Moscow is a great metropolis where people love to dine out, and there are endless options for delicious food. The flavors are as diverse as you’d expect from a big city, with options of fine dining and little hipster eateries. 

• For traditional Russian flavors, I can’t recommend Café Pushkin, Dr. Zhivago, and Turnadot enough.
• When looking for international cuisines, Italian is always the way to go, and my local favorite is Probka.
• Fine dining is best done among the clouds at White Rabbit, with European flavors.
• As for the hip spots, you can spend a full day just eating around trendy places, from burgers to Asian fusion.

More Dining Options

• Patriarshiye Prudy offers a lot of small and classy spots with cool concepts, like breakfast restaurants I Love Cake and Fresh.
• For dinner, I love the NYC experience of Saxon & Parole, and the wonderful trendy Pins, with its delicious food and drinks.
• For delicious Asian food head to CutFish. 
• Lastly, there’s a recent revival of food markets in Moscow, offering lots of great choices of international flavors at affordable places.
• Don’t miss out the Vietnamese food stand at the Danilovsky market, and everything at Usachevsky!

16. Rooftopping

Big cities deserve to be seen from above, having a cocktail among the clouds. These are my recommendations for rooftop bars in Moscow.

• As I mentioned in the Moscow City section, Sixty & Ruski are two of my favorites, overlooking the newest part of town. 
• White Rabbit and its fine dining is also a lovely place for a fun dinner looking down on Moscow.
• O2, in the city center, has an advantage above all others: amazing views of the Red Square.
• Buono, above the Radisson Royal Hotel, might be the most romantic rooftop hotel in town, with its candlelit setting.
• Also on the Radisson stands the Mercedes. It’s a luxurious and posh experience with delicious cocktails.
• The Sky Lounge offers a peculiar experience, mixing an old Soviet building with futuristic additions.

17. Moscow by Night

Party the night away! The city is full of bars everywhere, but there are some areas where you’ll find more than others.

• Patriarshiye Prudy has lots of hip and small clubs and great bars, including the super fun private club Clava, which has a great vibe and people from all walks of life.
• For more hipster style bars, Red October is the place to go.
• Streak is a summer favorite, with a lovely terrace to catch a beautiful sunset – plus, their mozzarella bar is delicious.
• At night, Red October lights up with clubs everywhere, including the cool rooftop one Gipsy.
• Jagger is also a great spot during summer with a more relaxed vibe in garden setting. 
• For the traditional Russian luxury experience, go to SohoRooms, a whole other world including all-night go-go dancers.

There are so many things to do in Moscow at night and during the day, you definitely need several days to explore this exciting destination.

Moscow is a must-see city, a city like no other ! I hope you will enjoy this Russian metropolis as much as I did!

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10 thoughts on “17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow”

These places look so awesome! Moscow is truly a beautiful city

Very good article, you have explained so nicely. Russia has always been a part of history and its good to know about much more about architecture and other things, wish i could see the inside of façade

Thanks for sharing such a nice article.You have very beautifully explained everything that one need for a trip to Moscow.

Nice article. Love the hidden gems and graffiti art, would love to visit Artplay. Thanks for a comprehensive guide to Moscow!

Moscow is a city where the past and the future live side by side. Here we can find everything from medieval fortresses and Soviet monoliths to glass skyscrapers and innovation centers.

Your article is good and meaningful .

Thanks for sharing about ArtPlay district, we didn’t know about it and it looks amazing 🙂 Hopefully there’ll be a second time in Moscow, we visited last May and really liked the city!

Wonderful stuff! I’ve been to Moscow, but not properly – it’s a long story lol!

Anyhoo, my next thing is to fly from Berlin to Moscow and then travel from there to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian / Trans-Siberian train. Now, if only I could just find the time …!

I hear Moscow is very beautiful at night. I hope to get out there one day. A friend of mine went to St. Petersburg and had a great experience. Despite all the tension we see on the news with Russia and other Countries like the U.S. I wonder what the sentiment is with Russians and foreigners visiting their country for tourism. Especially Americans.

that looks like quite a beautiful place. 🙂

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

• Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
• Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
• Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

• Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
• Cost: USD $15.00
• Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

• Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
• Cost: USD $8.00
• Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

• Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
• Cost: Free to enter
• Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

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These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

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Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

• Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

• Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
• Cost: Free! 
• Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

• Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
• Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

• Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
• Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

• Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
• Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
• Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

• Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

• Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
• This museum is fun for both adults and children!
• Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

• A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
• Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
• The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

• Television and radio tower in Moscow
• Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
• Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

• The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
• Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
• Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

• Closed on Mondays
• Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
• The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

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Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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