7 things to do at VDNKh, the legendary Soviet park (PHOTOS)
The ‘Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy’ park opened in Moscow in 1939. This giant Soviet-era park, now filled with modern museums, rides and entertainment, is a place where you can easily spend an entire day.
1. See masterpieces of Soviet architecture
Leading architects of the USSR built pavilions in an eclectic style for the 1939 exhibition, dedicated both to economic sectors (eg. ‘beekeeping’, ‘Space’, ‘Rabbit Breeding’) and to the Union republics (eg. ‘Belarus’, ‘Armenia’, ‘Kyrgyzstan’). Most have been restored and continue to host a wide variety of exhibitions. The park also features several monumental fountains with sculptural groups (notably, the ‘Friendship of Peoples’ fountain with young women in national costumes is a sight to behold!).
2. Try dishes from different regions of Russia
Today, you can learn all about the diversity of Russia’s national cuisines without leaving Moscow. In the ‘House of Russian Cuisine’ pavilion, you’ll find Buryat ‘buuzy’ (dumplings), Kamchatka crabs, fish pies from Plyos and many other unique dishes. Near the South Entrance, you'll find restaurants serving burgers and steaks, coffee shops and creative cuisine. Some pavilions have restaurants serving national cuisine: For example, ‘draniki’ (potato pancakes) at the ‘Belarus’ pavilion and ‘beshbarmak’ at the ‘Kazakhstan’ pavilion.
3. Take a ride on the futuristic aerial tram
This is the longest cable car line in Moscow – 769 meters (~2,523 ft.). The journey at a height of 32 meters (~105 ft.) takes about 10 minutes, but the experience will stay with you a long time! Below you, the park's alleys and pavilions will fly by, offering picturesque views.
4. Discover the secrets of space
The ‘Cosmos’ pavilion is one of the most impressive in the park. Inside is the ‘Cosmonautics and Aviation’ center, where you can explore the history and present of Russia's space industry. Over 120 unique examples of aircraft and space technology are on display. Among the main exhibits are a full-scale model of the ‘Mir’ orbital station, the actual descent module of the ‘Soyuz’ TMA-10M spacecraft and a model of the ‘Lunokhod-2’ lunar rover. Guided tours, lectures and meetings with real cosmonauts and scientists are held regularly.
5. See the largest aquarium in Russia
Meanwhile, at the ‘Moskvarium’ pavilion, you can see over 12,000 marine and freshwater inhabitants from all corners of the world. Capybaras, seals, otters, sharks, dolphins, starfish and moray eels – literally hundreds of species of animals!
6. Have fun on the amusement rides
There is also the ‘Orion’ amusement park with thrilling rides near the South Entrance. And, if you love seeing the city from above (especially after the cable car ride!), you'll also enjoy the ‘Sun of Moscow’ Ferris wheel, standing 140 meters (~459 ft.) tall – the highest in Europe!
7. Attend a performance
VDNKh is one of Moscow's main cultural venues. The Green Theater, an open-air stage, and the Greenhouse regularly host concerts with classical and contemporary music, as well as theatrical performances. And, if you love horses, we recommend checking out a performance by the Equestrian Theater of the Kremlin Riding School.
