20 reasons to go to Moscow

 

1.Ensemble Kuskovo
Ensemble Kuskovo, originally owned by the Sheremetev family, as a specimen of a typical 18^thcentury Moscow region residence. The estate was designed as a site for receptions, celebration and other festivities. More than 20 unique monuments of architecture with genuine interiors have been presented including a Dutch House, an Italian House, a Grotto, Greenhouses, others.

Another point of interest in Kuskovo Estate is the only regular French park to have survived in Moscow. There are ponds, canals and Russian and Italian sculptures in it.

 Address: Ulitsa Yunosti 2

2.Izmaylovsky Park Izmailovo Park and Izmailovo Kremlin, the former residence of the tsar Alexey Mikhailovich Romanov, its location puts Moscow travelers in an ideal setting for blending work and play, from where it takes just 10 minutes by metro to get to the very heart of Moscow – to the Red Square and the Kremlin. Izmaylovsky Park is one of the largest urban forests in the world. Park consists of two areas: Izmaylovsky forest and Izmaylovsky park for recreation.  No trip to Moscow is complete without haggling for a bust of Lenin or a set of matryoshka dolls, and the only place to do it properly is Izmailovsky Park. The market, set in a 16^th-century royal estate, is open every weekend and has a great variety of decent souvenirs. It is also known as a good place for  fairground rides, play areas, skate & bike rental.      
Address: Big Circle Alley, 7 / Partizanskaya metro station

3. The Stanislavsky Factory

The site has an extraordinary history and includes a theatre, built by the actor Konstantin Stanislavsky, son of the original owner, and famed as the inventor of the Method acting system.
The Stanislavsky Factory is the practice's first completed project in Moscow and has already won multiple awards, including the first RIBA Award ever given to a project in Russia. The scheme has attracted widespread acclaim and is recognized as setting a new benchmark for innovative, adaptive re-use of historic buildings in Moscow. 
Address: Ulitsa Stanislavskogo, 21c2


4. Botanical Garden of MSU “Aptekarsky Ogorod” 
The Botanical Garden of MSU “Aptekarsky Ogorod” is the oldest scientific and botanical establishment of Russia. It is founded by Peter the Great in 1706 as the “Aptekarsky Ogorod” (Pharmaceutical kitchen garden) for medical plants cultivation at the northern suburb of Moscow behind Sukharev Tower.
Address: Prospect Mira, 26 






5. Red Square

The Red Square is like the city of Moscow, ancient and vast, surrounded by styles of architecture of different periods. The Kremlin is on its western side, the State History Museum on its north, the beautiful GUM department store along its whole eastern side, and the world famous coloured domes of St. Basil's Cathedral on the south. These icons all represent Moscow as the political, historical, business and religious centre of Russia.
Address: Red Square.
6. Moscow Kremlin
Moscow Kremlin (territory + cathedral): the Sobornaya square is the central square of the Moscow Kremlin where all of its streets used to converge in the 15th century. Cathedral Square is famous as the site of solemn coronation and funeral processions of all the Russian tsars, patriarchs, and Grand Dukes of Moscow. Even today, the square is used in the inauguration ceremony of the President of Russia. You will see the Assumption Cathedral, Archangel’s Cathedral, Annunciation Cathedral, bell tower of Ivan the Great (also known as Ivan the Terrible) and you will see famous Tsar-Bell and Tsar-Cannon.



7. Main Botanical Garden of Tsitsin
When the question where to go for a walk on nature , the first thing that came to local folk mind is the Botanical Garden of Tsitcin. Due to the fact that it's so big, it is not felt to a large concentration of people, as in Gorky Park or in Tsaritsyno. Maybe it's because of the lack of entertainment. In any case, if you nature lover it’s a best option to enjoy of the forest and the peace.
Botanical Garden named after academic Tsitsin is a biggest garden in Europe. There are large collections of ornamental, food, medicinal, forage, industrial, and aromatic plants.
Address: Ulitsa Botanicheskaya 4 

8. Tsaritsino Park and Estate
The 18th-century architecture ensemble was built (though not finished) following the order of Catherine II in

 Neo-Gothic style, after projects of the Bazhenov and Kazakov, and it is the only 18th-century architectural ensemble of such dimensions in Russia.Around the palace, in the park there are a number of pavilions, pergolas, arbours, artificial grottos, decorative bridges (early 19th century, architect I. Yegotov), and a Russian Orthodox temple “Source of Life”. 
Address: Ulitsa Dolskaya 4

9.GUM
Not every enterprise has such a long and rich history, as Upper Trading Rows, the present GUM. Just several trading passages of Russia have right to be proud of the fact that they were created over a century ago and successfully operate till nowadays. GUM always was and remains the greatest country’s store.
Address: Red Square 3

10. Arkhangelskoye Estate
Arkhangelskoye (called after the Arkhangel Michael church)  is a historical estate located around 20 kilometers to the west from Moscow. 1703–1810 Arkhangelskoye belonged to the Galitzines, and from 1810–1917, to the Yusupov family. The estate is famous for its collection of fine art including paintings, sculptures, furnitures, ceramics and interior. For it’s beauty Arkhangelskoe named the Russian Versailles.
Nowadays Archangelskoye is divided into two parts. The first part has no entrance fee, It includes park, Gonsaga theatre and Apollo’s grove. The second one has an admission fee and includes the Palace. Since 1998 every summer Arkhangelskoye is hosting an open air music festival 'Usadba Jazz' where there one can experience a fantastic combination of aristocratic tasteful space and ear teasing and tuneful jazz themes. Address: Arkhangelskoe

11. Victory Park and Memorial Another beautiful park in Moscow, Located in a vast and beautiful park this is the main WWII memorial with Moscow's tallest obelisk. Highlights:  a lot of fountains, the five huge terraces, Central Museum of Great Patriotic War, the main obelisk, the monument to ally soldiers, the monument “Tragedy of Peoples”, the memorial synagogue with a museum of the Holocaust, the memorial orthodox church, the memorial mosque, an open-air exhibition of war-time armaments.

The park and memorial are situated on Kutuzovsky prospekt, nearest metro “Park Pobedy” (Victory park).

12.Moscow City
Take your advantage of the ‘Moscow never sleeps’ night tour and see the City and the famous buildings wonderfully lit under a night sky. Moscow International Business Center (Moscow-City) is composed of about 25 skyscrapers, including the Nordstar Tower, the City Hall and City Duma, OKO - South Tower, the Mercury City Tower and not forgetting the Tour of Russia and the Central Core.

13. Kolomenskoe Park
Whatever time of year you come to Moscow, Kolomenskoe should definitely be on your itinerary. Arriving at Kolomenskoe along a street of drab Soviet tower blocks, you are first confronted by a rather gaudy collection of "medieval" sideshows and souvenir booths, and part of the magic of the experience is the way that this display of touristy tackiness fades from your memory the further you get into the tranquil, rugged beauty of the park proper.
The main entrance to the park is about 10 minutes' walk from Kolomenskaya Metro Station.
Address: Pospect Andropova, 39

14. Old Arbat (Старый Арбат)

Arbat Street, or Ulitsa Arbat, is also known as the Old Arbat (to differentiate it from New Arbat Street). Arbat Street once served as a main Moscow artery and is one of the oldest original streets in the Russian capital. The Arbat District, through which Arbat Street runs, was once a location where craftsmen set up shop, and the Arbat's side streets show evidence of their past with names that describe various trades or products, like Carpenters, Bread, or Silver. Arbat Street is within walking distance of the Kremlin, so it's possible to visit this free Moscow attraction when you visit the heart of ancient Moscow.Address: Arbat Street

15. Moscow Hermitage Garden
While not the largest of Moscow's gardens, the Hermitage is a delightful green space in the city's centre.  19th-century park & gardens hosting summer exhibitions & events, plus ice-skating in winter. In the centre of the Garden a great bell-decorated heart is mounted. It is a good tradition for couples in love to walk through the heart: it suggests that no severities can ruin their love.   Well cared for, there are several charming seating areas and beautiful cherry blossoms in the Spring.  It is walking distance from Kremlin and Red Square.
Address:  ul. Karetnyy Ryad, д. 3

 16. Novodevichy Monastery    Novodevichy Monastery,  also known as Bogoroditse- Smolensky Monastery  is  located in the southwestern  part of Moscow on bank of    the Moscow River. The Novodevichy Monastery was  founded in 1524 by grand prince Vasily (Basil) III. It was  build as a fortress at a curve of Moscow river  and become  an    important part of    souther defenses of the capital.      Unlike other Moscow  monasteries, it has remained            virtually intact since the seventeenth century.
 Address:  Novodevichy proezd., 1

17. Pushkin Bridge
When you explore historic city center you have to walk on bridges across Moscow river especially as iconic Pushkin Bridge where you can enjoy beautiful views of river through the  glass walking bridge. The bridge in walking distance from Gorky Park and Neskuchny Garden.
Address; Frunzenskaya Ebankment









18. Gorky Central Park of Culture and LeisurePark with 1700s garden, boules cafe, open-air movie theater, contemporary art & winter ice rink.Recenly renovated with flowers, beatiful fountains, also it offer the outstanding view across Moscow River. The Gorky park is definetely one of the favorite places in Moscow for locals and tourists. Come to see. You will love it.Krimsky Val, 9, Moscow, 119049

19. Zamoskvorechye 

Previously the whole of the area "beyond the River Moskva" was known as Zamoskvorechye. During the excursion you will walk along the ancient Moscow streets, get acquainted with original Moscow architecture and the history of the area that dates back to the XIV century. You are sure to be amazed by Russian Orthodox churches of the XVII - XIX centuries. Among the famous are Marfo-Mariinskaya Cloister, St Nicholas' Church at Pyzhy  and many others. There are many attractions including well-known theatres and museums such as a branch of the Maly Theatre, The A. Ostrovsky House-Museum, The Esenin Museum, Tretyakov Gallery etc.

20. Sparrow Hills (Vorbiev Gory)Vorbiev Gory is a hill on the right bank of the Moskva River . The observation platform, which gives a good panoramic view of the city, is on a steep bank 85 m (279 ft) above the river, or 200 m (660 ft) above sea level. The main landmarks of the hills are the Moscow State University (at one time the tallest building in Europe) and the Trinity Church. Not far from the observation platform is the Luzhniki Metro Bridge. The two-level Metro-Bridge traverses the river to link Komsomolsky Prospekt with Vernadsky Prospekt. It serves two urban transport systems: motor vehicles and the Moscow Metro subway. The glass-walled subway station Vorobyovy Gory is at the lower level of the bridge.1 more extra reason especially if you  like to walk.

One More Reason

    21. National Park «Elk Island»
    Elk Island national park (Losiny ostrov) with forests,           wetlands, grasslands & ponds known for thriving moose     population. It’s a great place to walk. This hike takes           you through several forests and fields in north-east             Moscow, passing churches, mansions and monuments.

Do you have more places in mind that weren’t mentioned on my list please write it down into comment field?