Moscow Favorite Tips by Canadienne Top 5 Page for this destination

Architecture ~ Polytechnical Museum Monuments & Buildings Review

Favorite thing: A stunning example of Russian Revivalist architecture, the Polytechnical Museum was built in 1877.

Although the museum is open (displays on science and technology), we didn't enter. We were far more interested in admiring the exterior decoration.

Fondest memory: The variety of architecture in Moscow ~ old and new ~ was fascinating. Add good weather and good walking shoes to this. . .suddenly you have the prime ingredients of my ideal vacation (and my mom's, too).

Please see my Architectural Treasures travelogue, for some photos of buildings (other than the ones in the tips) that caught our attention.

Moscow in May General impressions Review

Favorite thing: Weather is such a fickle, unpredictable thing. . .and yet, having good weather can raise a setting to new heights. Our visit to Moscow in mid- to late-May was perfectly timed. . .the weather was gorgeous (22-26 every day), the flowers were in bloom, and all the locals were out enjoying the start of summer.

Fondest memory: A number of our fondest memories of Moscow centre around the parks, squares and gatherings of people. There was a light and friendly atmosphere. . perhaps partly the result of coming out of a long winter.

Manezhnaya Ploshchad General impressions Review

Favorite thing: The dome pictured here, found in front of the Hotel Moskva, caps a piece of ceiling art found in the Okhotnyy Ryad mall (three levels underground).

If you do go inside the mall for a peek, which I recommend doing, at least briefly, for the mall's luxurious decor, be sure to take a look upwards at the stained-glass map of the world.

Fondest memory: It was nice to have this gathering spot so close to our hotel. We sat here a few times in the morning, to check our map and plan our next move. The opportunities for people-watching were excellent and we also made sure to take advantage of that.

Teatralnaya Ploshchad General impressions Review

Favorite thing: The present form of this square, in front of the Bolshoi Theatre, took shape in the 1820s. It originally served as a military parade ground.

Although the Bolshoi is the best-known of its theatres, the square is also bordered by the Malyy (Small) Theatre and the Russian Academic Youth Theatre to the west. The Operetta Theatre is also nearby.

Fondest memory: Teatralnaya Ploshchad was yet another of the lovely public spaces that we came to adore. We enjoyed taking a couple of breaks here, with ice cream or a pop, during our lengthy walks.

Alexander Gardens General impressions Review

Favorite thing: This view of Alexander Gardens and its bordering Kremlin Wall also gives a peek at a section called the grotto, which was added as a decorative touch in 1821. The Obelisk to the right of the grotto was erected in 1913, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty.

In 1918, Lenin "updated" the obelisk by erasing the coats of arms and tsars' names, then replacing them with the Soviet hammer and sickle, as well as the names of socialist thinkers and revolutionaries.

Fondest memory: What we loved most about this area was how pretty and green it was ~ filled with locals and tourists alike. It was certainly a contrast to the dark & dreary image of the Kremlin that my mother held in mind.

The Manege General impressions Review

Favorite thing: The building at the end of this square is the Manege, the namesake of the square itself. It was built in 1817 for the Tsar's riding school. The design was very unusual as it did not include any internal columns to support the roof of wooden beams, just the four walls. After the 1917 Revolution, it was used as the Kremlin garage.

Fondest memory: The Manege is found at the southern end of the Manezhnaya Ploshchad, capping off the social area of the square. This area was busy with people throughout the day and night. It always felt safe, lively and friendly. We spent our final hour of a few nights seated on a nearby patio, or on the steps here, just people watching and enjoying the incredible early Spring.