Where to go in Moscow on the weekend

In the capital, where cultural life boils no less than business, every weekend can be turned into a vivid adventure. Here are some useful ideas on where to go on a weekend in Moscow to spend the long-awaited Saturday or Sunday with benefits for body and soul.

A walk through parks and gardens

Moscow is famous for its green areas. Why not start the morning with a walk through one of the most beautiful parks in the city? Where to go? The simplest option is Gorky Park, VDNKh or Hermitage Garden. There is not only fresh air and beautiful landscapes, but also interactive open-air exhibitions, festivals and workshops. Zaryadye, Vorobyovy Gory and Kolomenskoye Museum Reserve come to life on Saturdays and Sundays thanks to numerous activities for vacationers. Concerts, workshops and tastings are often held here. Many events are absolutely free of charge. We recommend it as a weekend option.

Exhibitions

Art lovers should pay attention to the numerous museums and galleries in Moscow - the most famous are the Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Museum or the Multimedia Art Museum. For example, art lovers can visit the Vasnetsovs exhibition. The connection of generations. From the 19th to the 21st century", where the works of the famous dynasty of artists are presented. For those who are interested in folk crafts and crafts, it will be interesting to go to the fair "Firebird. Spring — 2024", where you can not only admire handmade products, but also buy cool products. Curious visitors interested in space and the history of its exploration will find a lot of new things at the Gagarin exhibition. The Road to space", dedicated to the first cosmonaut. Going to an exhibition is a good and easy way to enrich your leisure time with new knowledge and impressions.

Theaters

Moscow theaters are eternal classics. The Bolshoi Theatre, the Gorky Moscow Art Theater, the Vakhtangov Theater and many others offer a variety of productions — from classics to avant-garde performances. There are more than 200 theaters in Moscow, and dozens of performances are performed daily. Fans of classics can choose productions of "Dubrovsky", "Anna Karenina", "The Cherry Orchard", etc., and fans of modernity can appreciate innovative productions. Musicals, puppet theaters, as well as opera and ballet performances are also widely represented in the city. There is a rich selection of children's plays and entertainment shows for young viewers in Moscow. Modern theatrical art in the capital is accessible and interesting for all ages.

Closer to nature

We tell you where to go this weekend:

• The Moscow Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. Thousands of animal species are represented here, from small insects to large predators. Weekends are a great time for a family visit: you can watch the feeding of animals, take part in excursions and master classes conducted by experienced zoo staff. Playgrounds and contact pet shelters are available for children.
• The planetarium offers an exciting journey through the starry sky. Visitors will enjoy a show in the dome, where modern projectors create the effect of total immersion in outer space. You can also visit the astronomical observatory, an interactive museum that tells about the stars, planets and major astronomical phenomena.
• The Moskvarium Oceanography and Marine Biology Center is a large—scale complex where you can see marine life from all over the world. There are rare species of fish, marine mammals and even polar bears. Moskvarium regularly hosts educational programs, master classes and exciting shows with dolphins and seals that will not leave either children or adults indifferent.

Active leisure

Those who prefer a more active holiday on weekends can go to any of the Moscow sports complexes or ice rinks. In winter, go ice skating in Gorky Park or on Red Square, and in summer, go cycling along the embankments of the Moskva River. Do you want to be even more active? Come up with ideas where you can go next Saturday or Sunday:

• The Labyrinth Shooting Club is a unique experience for beginners and experienced shooters. Visitors can learn how to shoot various types of firearms under the guidance of professional instructors. The club is equipped with modern shooting galleries that ensure safety and comfort. If the week has been nervous and very busy, you can go to the shooting range and leave all the tension there. You will also improve skills such as accuracy and concentration.
• At the Aero Region Training Flight School, anyone can try their hand at flying a real airplane. Under the strict guidance of experienced instructor pilots, the program participants will get an unforgettable flight experience and master the basics of piloting. This choice of activity is a bright event for everyone.
• Studio "Volume" invites everyone to sculpture workshops, where everyone can try their hand at the art of clay modeling. Classes are held in a friendly and creative atmosphere, and qualified instructors will help you master the techniques of working with the material and create your own unique work of art.
• Losiny Ostrov National Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature while horseback riding. Professional instructors will select a horse according to the rider's skill level, and walking routes will diversify the experience of visiting one of the largest national parks in the capital. You can stay at the hotel for the whole weekend.
• "Moreon" is a huge water entertainment complex, enjoy swimming in the pools, speed slides, wave pool and other attractions. This is an ideal place to go on a weekend with the whole family - adults and children will find activities to their liking.
• Fans of speed and adrenaline can go to the Lonato Karting Center and spend time participating in races on a professional karting track. Modern maps and high-end equipment allow both beginners to recharge with adrenaline, speed and competitive spirit.

Music concerts

Famous world-renowned artists as well as young performers who are just starting their way in music perform in the city. Thanks to this variety, every resident or guest of the capital will find a place to go. The repertoire ranges from classical Russian pop and popular pop music to rap and indie, which is not widely understood. Enjoy the cultural diversity and new experiences. The concert at the Megasport Arena will definitely be an unforgettable end to the past week.

Quests and entertainment

For those who are looking for something more unusual, it's worth trying your hand at quests or going to an escape room, which abound in Moscow. This experience will allow you to have fun with friends and take a fresh look at problem solving and teamwork.

Locations and quest themes:

• Claustrophobia is one of the most famous quest networks in Moscow, offering games for every taste. From scary quests with actors to historical and detective stories. For example, the Witch quest immerses participants in the mystical atmosphere of the Middle Ages, where they will have to uncover an ancient secret.
• Phobia Escape – we recommend going on a weekend trip to anyone who appreciates high-tech quests. One of the most popular is "Sherlock", where players have to become real detectives and solve a complex criminal case using hints and logic.
• Escape Lab on Taganka – here you can try your hand at the Frankenstein's Laboratory quest, where participants will need to collect a monster before time runs out.
• Escape rooms are not only entertainment, but also a great way to develop team spirit and communication skills.
• LostRooms offers the Pyramid quest at VDNKh, where the team will unravel the mysteries of the ancient pharaohs, working together to find a way out of a confined space.
• ExitGames in the center of Moscow offers the quest "Space Odyssey", where participants become members of a space mission, whose task is to save the Earth from the threat of a collision with an asteroid.

Don't let the weekend go in vain! Moscow offers countless opportunities for recreation and new discoveries. Choose what you like and allow yourself to relax and enjoy life in one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world. And if you come to Moscow from a neighboring city for a weekend walk, stay in comfortable 3 and 4 star Maxim hotels.

The cover photo is by Alvesgaspar, published unchanged under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.