Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Basmanny
MUSEUM
SOVIET ARCADE GAMES MUSEUM
Growing up in 1980s USSR was a peculiar, but not necessarily entirely bleak experience.
Here is an example - a collection of about 40 mostly functional Soviet arcade machines. At
the entrance, visitors get a paper bag full of 15-
kopeck
Soviet coins, which fire up these re-
creational dinosaurs that would look at home in the oldest episodes of
Star Trek
. Most of the
games test your shooting or driving skills. Times and attitudes were different, so don't be
surprised by having to target fluffy squirrels and rabbits in Winter Hunt. You can also meas-
ure your force by pulling out a rather defiant turnip or try to beat your friend in table ice
hockey. If the effort makes you sweat, get some fruit-flavoured fizzy water from an authent-
ic machine - it's only three
kopecks
!
GARDEN
APTEKARSKY OGOROD
10am-10pm May-
Sep, 10am-5pm Oct-Apr; Prospekt Mira)
This lovely, thoroughly revamped gardens is Moscow's chief source of flower power and
that's a not a cultural metaphor. It really is full of flowers, as well as shade and dozens of in-
viting benches. Established in 1706, the garden was originally owned by the Moscow gener-
al hospital to grow herbs and other medicinal plants - hence the name, which translates as
Pharmacy Garden.
Visitors can wander along the trails, enjoy an exhibition of ornamental plants and explore
three greenhouses containing plants from various climate zones. There is a choice of res-
taurants with verandahs facing the garden to linger over a meal or a bottle wine. During
weekends, Aptekarsky Ogorod becomes a venue for concerts, fashion shows and craft fairs.
PARK
SOKOLNIKI
Changed beyond recognition in recent years, Sokolniki park is criss-crossed by cycling
paths, and blends into a proper forest bordering on
Losiny Ostrov National Park
(). The
area by the entrance, centred around a fountain, is full of cool eateries and welcoming
benches. Further away, to the left of the entrance, is a funfair with rides and carousels.
Another attraction is the
Rosarium
(), a manicured rose garden.
