Explore VDNH: Highlights and Activities

The legendary open-air museum and park keeps getting better

The Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy — or VDNH — is a vast project dedicated to the USSR’s greatest accomplishments in agriculture, culture, and science. Today, it’s considered one of the top attractions in Moscow and a key highlight in many Moscow city guides. First opened in 1939, the Exhibition has only grown over the decades, constantly welcoming new projects. Today, it is the largest museum complex of its kind in the world, complete with green spaces, fountains, and a wide range of attractions and activities. For those planning their Moscow sightseeing, VDNH offers a unique mix of history, architecture, and leisure all in one place.

VDNH is the world's only 20th-century palace-and-park ensemble. Covering 325 hectares, it is home to 49 cultural heritage sites, including historic pavilions, several ornate fountains, a pond system, flower gardens, sculptures, and landscape features. It’s also frequently featured in Moscow parks and gardens guides and recommended for travelers looking for outdoor activities and scenic views. Seeing it all in one day is impossible — you’d need at least a week to explore every section of the Exhibition. To help you catch the most exciting sights, we’ve put together a list of some of VDNH’s top attractions.

Cosmonautics and Aviation Centre

Fancy a trip to the stars? The Cosmonautics and Aviation Centre showcases an impressive collection of aircraft from different eras, space capsules, satellites, rare documents, and archival photos and videos. It’s one of the most distinctive Moscow museums and a highlight for those exploring Moscow cultural attractions focused on science and innovation. Visitors can take part in guided tours, workshops, and festivals, all dedicated to flight — both within our atmosphere and far beyond it. For travelers planning their Moscow sightseeing or looking for unusual things to do in Moscow, this centre offers an immersive, educational experience unlike the city’s more traditional historic sites.

ATOM Museum at VDNH

ATOM is one of the youngest science and technology museums in Russia (and the world) dedicated to the nuclear industry and its future. It’s already gaining attention in Moscow travel guides as one of the most innovative Moscow cultural attractions. Its building is an underground skyscraper. The museum captivates visitors with its exceptional architecture and exhibitions it hosts. Here, the nuclear industry and science are revealed in the most understandable and exciting way for both children and adults. This makes it a strong addition to Moscow family travel plans, as well as for anyone looking for unusual things to do in Moscow. This unique exhibition facility gives an opportunity to experience the Atomic Symphony, to overcome aging and to desalinate water to salvage humanity, journey inside the atom and witness the birth of the universe and also become the protagonist in this immersive experience. Various events are regularly held in the pavilion — exhibitions, lectures, master classes, movie screenings and much more. The roof of the exhibition centre has the only observation deck at VDNH, which is open to visitors during the warm season.

Ferris wheel "Moscow Sun"

The "Moscow Sun" is widely featured in Moscow city guides and lists of top attractions in Moscow for its scale and modern appeal. Standing 140 meters tall, it’s the highest Ferris wheel in Europe that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. For those planning their Moscow sightseeing, it’s one of the best spots to take in Moscow skyline views from above. It’s located right next to the south entrance to VDNH — so if you’re planning a visit, don’t miss the chance to take a ride.

From your cabin, you can spot over 30 iconic sights: Ostankino Park, VDNH, Stalinist skyscrapers, the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin, the Moscow-City business center, and many more.

A full rotation takes exactly 18 minutes and 40 seconds — just enough time to take in the views, snap some photos, and enjoy the moment. But your visit doesn’t have to end there: on site, you’ll find family-friendly performances, interactive shows, creative workshops, cafés for a quick bite, and even restaurants for a relaxed evening out. Thanks to its mix of entertainment and views, it’s often included in Moscow family travel plans and recommendations for unusual things to do in Moscow.

Cable Car Ride

Take to the skies in VDNH’s Air Tram and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the exhibition. The spherical cabins, which resemble futuristic flying pods, can hold up to eight passengers each. There are 18 cabins in total, and the ride is 769 meters long. For visitors looking for Moscow scenic views and fresh perspectives, this short journey offers a unique angle over the architecture and green spaces. It’s also a great addition to Moscow summer activities, combining light adventure with panoramic views in a relaxed format.

Horse Museum and Equestrian Theatre

Pavilion No. 42 houses the Centre for National Equestrian Traditions, a one-of-a-kind venue offering costume shows, international equestrian tournaments, and fascinating facts about horses. It’s one of the more unusual Moscow cultural attractions, often highlighted for those looking beyond classic museums. The Equestrian Theatre hosts spectacular performances by riders from the Kremlin Equestrian School. Also, the interactive exhibition of the Horse Museum gives visitors an in-depth look at the history of equestrian sports, showcasing artworks, equine biology exhibits, and the enduring bond between humans and horses. This makes it a great stop for Moscow family travel, as well as for anyone searching for unique and educational things to do in Moscow.

National Pavilions of VDNH

At VDNH, national pavilions invite visitors to experience the rich cultural diversity of the former Soviet Union — all within Moscow. The atmospheric journey into the culture of various nations available at this venue allows everyone to find something new: for travelers following a Moscow food guide or looking for local experiences, this is also a chance to sample regional cuisines without leaving the city.

Popular national pavilions:

Pavilion No. 4

Exhibition and Trade Centre of the Kyrgyz Republic

Pavilion No. 11

Exhibition and Trade Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Pavilion No. 14

Exhibition and Trade Centre of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Pavilion No. 18

The Exhibition and Trade Centre of the Republic of Belarus

Pavilion No. 68

Exhibition and Trade Centre of the Republic of Armenia

Robostation

Located in Pavilion No. 2, Robostation is Russia’s first large-scale interactive exhibition of robots — and one of the most popular attractions at VDNH. It’s often featured in Moscow museums guides and lists of top attractions in Moscow for its interactive format. You can chat with a robot fortune teller, watch the Robot Dancers performance, pet a robotic dog, and meet the humanoid robot. You can even take part in a public workshop and craft your own invention. This makes it especially appealing for Moscow family travel, combining entertainment with creativity and learning.

Museum of the Special Purpose Garage

The museum houses a remarkable collection of vehicles used by leaders of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and modern Russia — from Delaunay-Bellevilles to sleek Aurus models. There’s also a striking display of over 40 different models of motorcycles, which shows how they have evolved over the years. It’s a strong addition to any Moscow sightseeing route, especially for those looking to explore niche and lesser-known collections.

Moscow Transport Museum

Moscow is now considered a global leader in transport infrastructure. In the past 100 years, the city has introduced electric buses, eco-friendly riverboats, and metro lines that stretch far beyond the capital’s borders. The Moscow Transport Museum charts this evolution and reveals how the city stays connected while on the move.

The museum is located at VDNH, in Pavilion No. 26, a historic building originally designed to showcase Soviet transport achievements. Visitors can explore a rich collection of vintage vehicles, including early electric models, iconic Soviet cars, and even futuristic transport prototypes. For those planning their Moscow sightseeing, it’s one of the more engaging Moscow museums, especially for visitors interested in technology and urban development. The museum also offers multimedia exhibits and interactive displays that explain the technological and cultural impact of Moscow’s transport systems.

Beyond the exhibitions, the museum hosts educational programs, workshops, and special events aimed at raising awareness about sustainable urban mobility and innovations shaping the future of transportation in Moscow and worldwide.

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For families

Orion Themed Amusement Park

Orion is a family-friendly amusement park located at VDNH. It’s often featured in Moscow family travel guides as one of the top attractions in Moscow for visitors with kids. With rides, a food court, entertainment events, and relaxation areas, it’s a hit with children of all ages. Little ones will love the giant spinning teacups, the Air Taxi ride, the Fairytale Theatre, and the Rescue School. Teens might enjoy the Haunted House or the AstroDome simulator, while grown-ups might just be tempted by the Aviator swing or the Lunar Express roller coaster.

Moskvarium

One of the largest aquariums in Europe not located by the sea, Moskvarium is one of VDNH’s star attractions for both children and adults. It’s widely featured in Moscow family travel guides and ranked among the top attractions in Moscow for its scale and immersive experience. With 80 aquariums and over 12 thousand species of marine and freshwater life — from sharks and octopuses to rays, eels, jellyfish, and piranhas — it offers a mesmerising close-up view of the underwater world. For those planning their Moscow sightseeing, it’s also one of the most engaging Moscow cultural attractions with a focus on nature and education. The five-story complex not only showcases the underwater world but also hosts shows, exhibitions, guided tours, and lectures. And the best part? You don’t have to wait for a beach holiday to soak up summertime vibes — it’s open year-round! That makes it a perfect addition to Moscow winter activities as well as a reliable option for unusual things to do in Moscow in any season.

Soyuzmultpark

This is VDNH’s top destination for children — a lively interactive park devoted to the iconic animated films of Soviet and Russian studio, including modern works by Soyuzmultfilm. It’s often highlighted in Moscow family travel guides as one of the best things to do in Moscow with kids. The park features 18 high-tech attractions, immersive 3D zones, and photo-friendly areas based on beloved cartoon worlds. Group tours are available on weekdays; on weekends, families can explore the park on their own.

The VDNH Landscape Park

This is a unique area of VDNH, neighbouring Ostankino Park and the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences Named After N.V. Tsitsin. The focal point of this territory is the Golden Spike fountain, a majestic structure 16 meters high. The area is thoughtfully landscaped for comfortable leisure, with convenient pedestrian paths, recreation zones featuring sun loungers by the Kamensky Ponds, modern benches and swivel chairs with canopies, elegant bridges perfect for photo sessions, and evening lighting highlighted by beautiful lanterns on the water. With its blend of nature and design, it’s also a popular choice for Moscow photography spots and scenic views.

The Mobius Strip

A unique walking route unfolds around the Kamensky Ponds and leads to the historic pavilions of VDNH. Designed in the shape of an infinity loop, this elevated pathway offers a seamless stroll through the landscape and connects directly to the Garden of the Five Senses, creating a unified space for exploration and relaxation.

Gastronomy

The House of Russian Cuisine is a modern food space at VDNH that brings together culinary traditions from across the country, featuring 15 food corners offering dishes from Kaliningrad in the west to Kamchatka in the east. It’s often highlighted in Moscow food guides as a place to experience regional gastronomy without leaving the city and take part in cooking master classes. Here, visitors can sample authentic regional dishes and discover new flavors from across the country.

Souvenir Shop at the Info Centre

Right near the Main Entrance Arch, the official Info Centre is home to a well-stocked souvenir shop. Pick up a guidebook, a book about the history of VDNH, branded clothes, notebooks, pens, magnets, and other charming keepsakes to remember your day out.