Novosibirsk: Destinations
Novosibirsk Zoo
The Zoo in Novosibirsk is one of the largest in Russia and one of the main city sights. It history started in 1933, when a small activity center for children was organized, where kids were suppose to learn about animals and to take care of them. In 1950 it was turned to the zoo. It was home to 82 species of animals and was well visited, though its general condition was rather poor. The cages were small and uncomfortable and visitors had difficulties moving around. Everyone understood that the new premises was urgently required, but the construction did not start until 1983. The huge territory is located amidst the pine forest ensuring nature-similar conditions for the residents. In 2005 all the animals and the administrative staff relocated and overnight the zoo became one of the most visited places in the city where everyone can easily spend the whole day under green trees looking at animals and birds.
The Monument of Glory.
Memorial Ensemble devoted to heroic deeds of Siberians in the Great Patriotic War.
The Monument of Glory is one of the most impressive sights in Novosibirsk, but it is hardly ever included into the standard guided tours. One of the reasons is that it is situated on the left side of the Ob River far from all other attractions, but many guides and locals also suppose that heroic deeds of Russians during the War just can’t be interesting for foreign visitors. However, I try to bring people there every time, and nearly always we spend long minutes walking along the shady alleys speaking about war and peace. In my opinion, this park is one of the most ‘philosophic’ destinations in the city, as it reflects the most dramatic periods in history of our country.
The Brainiest Street in the World
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the smartest street in the world is in Novosibirsk Academgorodok.
Pervomaisky Park – a green oasis in the city center
Pervomaisky Park is located in the downtown, next to the Nature and History Museum occupying one of the oldest and the most beautiful buildings in the city, opposite the city hall and the so-called Lenin’s House, where a small concert hall is situated today. It is one of the most popular recreation spots in the city mainly because it is easily accessible by metro, good for office workers to have a walk during the lunch break, nice to have some fresh air before going to the Opera and Ballet Theatre. It is one of the oldest parks, too.
Borvikha Hotel and SPA
If you want to relax your body and relieve your soul from worries and stress of the world, Borvikha Hotel and Spa is one of the best opportunities. Only two hours there and you will feel like a new man!
Novosibirsk Planetarium – not only watching the sky
If you plan a longer stay in Novosibirsk, and if you are a fan of the sky and stars (and I think everyone is), you have to plan a visit to the Novosibirsk planetarium. You can be sure you will enjoy it immensely.
Several hours between the flights in Novosibirsk. What can I do?
Recently I’ve received a question from people who have only a couple of hours in Novosibirsk, 3.5 to be more exact, on the way from somewhere to somewhere, between the flights. They asked me what they can do in the city and it took me a while to answer the question.
Historical and architectural open-air museum
This museum is an open-air department of the Museum of Archeology and Ethnography, located 4 km away from Academgorodok, in a beautiful place surrounded by hills. Its floor area is 46.5 hectares. The museum is accessible by car, bus or bicycle. Normally a visit should be booked and is only possible in a group, but we visited it without a booking, while we were riding bicycles there.
Central Siberian Geological Museum
The museum of geology is another exciting museum, which attracts hundreds of tourists from Russia and many different countries. If you are planning a visit to Academgorodok, be sure not to forget about this museum, it will make your impressions of our research center complete.
A fountain that has never worked
There is a fountain not far from where I live, which I have never seen working. It is nicely shaped, though somewhat heavy, and does not look like any other fountain in the city. It looks as if it was created about a century ago or more somewhere in Europe. When I was walking by I often wondered why no one had ever tried to repair the fountain. But several months ago I bought a book called ‘Mythosibirsk’ (the word is a mixture of two words — ‘myth’ and ‘sibirsk’, which is a part of Novosibirsk), and I had answers to all my questions.
