Kid Friendly in St. Petersburg

Description:

The Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel is a grand hotel comprised of two renovated 19th century buildings, set on St. Petersburg's main boulevard, Nevsky Prospect. Guestrooms are decorated in soft neutral tones with sleek furnishings; all include Internet connections and minibars. Guests have access to the onsite Samoliov Museum, which explores the life and work of a Russian theatrical dynasty.

Our Local Expert Says:

People watching at its best! No visit to St. Petersburg is complete without a stroll down Nevsky Prospekt.

Description:

On a map of the city center, this grand-scale thoroughfare forms a spine with the many canals appearing as spindly but graceful ribs. On the ground "Nevskii" is the city's vital artery, heaving with people from well before dawn until well after dusk. The street's western end lies at The Admiralty, and from there it runs three miles all the way to the Alexander Nevskii Monastery. The street is a dizzying and sometimes exhausting mix of hectic traffic, street poverty, high fashion and eye-turning architecture.

Description:

L'vinyi Most (Lion Bridge) is a pedestrian suspension bridge 22.4 meters long and 2.2 meters wide crossing the Canal Griboedova near Teatral'naia Ploshchad'. It was built in 1826 by engineers G.M. Tretter and V.A. Khristianovich. Four proud cast-iron lions based on the models of sculptor Petr Pavlovich Sokolov reign are on the bridge's piers. Hidden inside the sculptures are chains vital to the bridge's suspension. The bridge's railings are of noteworthy design - a string of diamond shapes with rosettes joining them together.

Description:

Founded in 1832, this is one of the largest museums of natural history in the world. The exposition is rather impressive - you will see nearly 40,000 animals from all parts of the planet, inhabiting forests, deserts, the depths of the sea and the polar ice caps. The collection includes many rarities e.g. two famous "baby-mammoths" and the huge skeleton of the extinct southern elephant found on the Azov Sea. The main exhibition is on the ground floor. On the second floor you will find a large collection of insects including hundreds of fantastically colorful exotic butterflies.

Description:

The theatre was built at the behest of Catherine II in 1783, who wanted that it be the most beautiful of all European theatres. Performances of plays by Pushkin, Odoevskii and Griboedov took place along with masquerades and balls. Enthralled audiences filled the three tiers of seats to watch Italian opera, and Alexander I often visited performances with his family. On the 27th of November 1836, after rebuilding work had been completed by architect A Kavas, the premier of Glinka's opera Ivan Susanin was performed, and this date has become the birthday of Russian Classic Opera Art. The Italian Opera Troupe hired the theatre in 1843 to perform their operas to Russian audiences, who listened to famous Italian masters of opera. As happened with many theatres, the building was damaged by fire in 1890 and finally rebuilt in 1896. The opera studio became the first one to travel abroad. In 1928 in Salzburg, they performed Bastion and Bastiona on Mozart's anniversary. In 1994 the theatre was granted the state status contained in its current name. The arean itself is big, providing seating for an audience of over 1700.

Description:

Fast food style restaurant with delicious blinis, Teremok is a local favorite. Blinis are served fast and hot -- this is a great choice for a quick breakfast or lunch.

Description:

St. Petersburg's most-photographed church, this cathedral is a mountain of blindingly bright, beveled domes topped by glistening gold crosses. Its architects sought to revive medieval Russian architectural styles, but the cathedral's bold cheeriness lacks the brooding mysticism of similar churches in Moscow, instead reflecting the renewed nationalism and material prosperity of late-19th-century Russia. It was built on the site where Czar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881, prompting residents to come up with the Spilled Blood reference. Its official name is Church of the Resurrection of Christ. Alexander II was the forward-thinking czar who finally freed Russia's serfs in 1861, but he grew conservative in his later years and was targeted by a group of revolutionaries demanding more reform. The church's interior mosaics were created by Russia's top artists of the day, including Art Nouveau master Mikhail Vrubel.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Alexander Column has borne witness to many of Russia's most tumultuous historical events - from the rushing crowds of the October Revolution to the devastation of the starving masses during the Blockade of Leningrad. Today, the Column is a great place to witness youth culture in the City -- any given (snow-free) day, one will find groups of young skate boarders, rollerbladers and cyclists circling the column and the entire Palace Square.

Description:

This mighty Doric column, cut from a giant granite monolith with a bronze base, cap, bas-reliefs and a sculpture on top, was put on Palace Square in memory of victory in the war of 1812. The huge granite monolith weighs 704 metric tons. It took 2000 soldiers and 400 workers just one hour and 45 minutes to complete the construction of this monument. The column itself has a height of 25.58 meters. It is the highest triumphal column in the world.

Description:

It takes some time for your eyes to get used to the Winter Palace, the outlandish and colorful former home of Tsars that dominates Palace Square on one side and the Neva waterfront on the other. The existing building is the fourth-generation version and was designed by Italian architect Rastrelli and completed in 1762. After the Revolution the existing museum inside the palace was extended, and the Hermitage is now one of the world's foremost art collections.

Our Local Expert Says:

Get a ticket to enter and climb to the cuppola of the cathedral for sparkling rooftop city views.

Description:

St. Isaac's mighty, somber facade rose only in the mid-19th century but has become an indelible part of St. Petersburg's skyline since then. Critics of the day called it "The Inkwell" because of its boxy shape topped by a single enormous gray dome, in contrast to the multilayered and multicolored domes and towers of most Orthodox churches. Its massive hall can accommodate 14,000 people, though it probably never has. More popular with tourists than believers, the church earned residents' respect during World War II, when it endured Nazi shelling and its grounds were planted with cabbage to help residents survive the 900-day Nazi blockade. Its interior is as awesome as its exterior, with columns made of single chunks of granite, malachite, and lazurite; floors of different-colored marble; and never-ending frescoes. If the viewing balcony around the dome is open, it's well worth a climb for the view of the city and of the cathedral from on high. However, ticket prices for this activity are rising at an alarming pace. Allow an hour, more if you visit the balcony.

Description:

While eyes are naturally drawn to the splendorous St Isaac's Cathedral across the square of the same name, the less noticeable Mariinskii Palace is nonetheless of some interest. Designed by a German in 1839-1844, the palace was ordered by Nicholas I as a wedding gift to his favorite daughter Maria. In post-revolutionary times the building was adopted for use as the Executive Committee of the City Council, and the five Soviet crests adorning the facade are a reminder of this role. Nowadays the building is the seat of the city legislature.

Our Local Expert Says:

A traditional wedding photo spot for many St. Petersburg newlyweds, this is a great place for bride-spotting!

Description:

The Bronze Horseman (Mednyi Vsadnik) is probably St. Petersburg's best known monument to Peter the Great. Rearing above a huge stone, the horse and its rider seem set to conquer the city. The dynamic sculpture was created in 1782 by E. Falconet. It rests on a roughly polished slab of stone eight meters high and weighs 1,638 tons. The monument is illuminated at night and is a popular meeting place for young lovers. Elegant and inspiring, the Bronze Horseman is one of the great symbols of St. Petersburg.

Description:

It was founded in 1865 by animal lovers Sophia and Julius Hebgardt. The zoo covers a territory of 7.5 hectares. The symbol of the Zoo is the Polar bear, as these rare arctic animals have been regularly breeding there since 1937. The zoo houses nearly 2,000 animals from 410 species, including some rare examples. Additionally, there are more than a few exhibitions devoted to various topics (primates, ornithological, herbivora). If you wish to take photos, you can purchase permission to shap shots; permission to use your video camera will cost you more.

Our Local Expert Says:

Great all you can eat business lunch.

Description:

Still one of the most popular venues for Italian cuisine. Friendly and hands-on management make it worthy of its excellent reputation, and although the menu is largely unoriginal, the food is as good as elsewhere and generously portioned. They also handle large groups well, gladly shifting tables around to accomodate birthday parties or other celebrations. In addition, you can find a second branch of Mama Roma at Moskovskii Prospekt, 192.

Description:

The Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel is a grand hotel comprised of two renovated 19th century buildings, set on St. Petersburg's main boulevard, Nevsky Prospect. Guestrooms are decorated in soft neutral tones with sleek furnishings; all include Internet connections and minibars. Guests have access to the onsite Samoliov Museum, which explores the life and work of a Russian theatrical dynasty.

Description:

The St. Petersburg Doll Museum on Vassilievsky Island, alongside the Smolenka river, is a cozy museum that holds a permanent as well as temporary exhibitions of dolls, puppets and children's toys. There is a small workshop where you can see art school students at work. Most of their produce goes to souvenir markets and art shops, but can also be checked out and bought for peanuts on the spot at the museum's store. You can buy a beautiful doll with a porcelain face and dressed in traditional costume for little money. Some of the exhibits are real masterpieces created by St. Petersburg's best artists. Just so you know, the infamous dual pricing system does not apply to this museum. All visitors, no matter whether they are foreign or local, pay the same.

Our Local Expert Says:

Visit this city island and green zone for upscale restaurants, a miniature zoo, bike trails and rollerblading St. Petersburgers!

Description:

Krestovsky Ostrov is one of St. Petersburg's most prestigious neighborhoods. This island is home to a growing number of urban beach restaurants and clubs, and its park is a very popular destination for recreational activities such as cycling, rollerblading and jogging. There is also a new amusement park for the young as well as adult adrenaline thrill seekers. Admission to the park is free and you pay only for the rides.

Description:

Crocodile has been on Galernaia Ulitsa next to the Bronze Horseman for a while now - it lies just by the Senat bar and a brisk five minutes before Le Francais, both of which are more upmarket efforts than Crocodile itself. It's popular with foreigners and fashionable Russians, both of whom are attracted by a stylish interior - the light fittings are in the shape of minimalist and slightly distorted crocodiles, and the wooden furnishings and shrubbery attempt a 'jungle cabin' effect. The food is a little more conventional than the surroundings, and includes European (principally Italian - spaghetti stands out) as well as standard Russian dishes. The baked vegetables with mozarella cheese and the Caesar salad are the best among the starters. The second section through the back is good for group bookings.

Description:

The Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel is a grand hotel comprised of two renovated 19th century buildings, set on St. Petersburg's main boulevard, Nevsky Prospect. Guestrooms are decorated in soft neutral tones with sleek furnishings; all include Internet connections and minibars. Guests have access to the onsite Samoliov Museum, which explores the life and work of a Russian theatrical dynasty.

Description:

The history of the cruiser Aurora is firmly intertwined with the 20th Century story of St. Petersburg. During the Communist period it was proudly revered as the ship that (allegedly) fired the shot that (allegedly) signaled the start of the October Revolution. The 7600-ton ship has been a museum since 1956, moored before the Nakhimov Naval Academy on a tributary just to the north of the Neva itself. Inside there is a reasonably interesting selection of photos, maps and uniforms as well as information about the ship's history. Admission is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

This central city park has been lovingly restored with canals, gardens and playing fields. It is a great place to sit and watch locals relax on the weekends.

Description:

The most striking sight as you enter this park these days is some blood red graffiti demanding "Bring Lenin back!". This has been written behind the podium where his statue used to stand. The rest of the park is a source of recreation for residents of the Chernishevskaia area, including strolling couples and their dogs, and a multitude of children chasing after their footballs and playing. You may also discover groups of older men stooped over chessboards looking very analytical. Entry is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

All seasons of the year, Petersburgers line up in their skivvies against the outer wall of the fortress to catch the sun's rays.

Description:

This is the historic heart of the city. Tsar Peter I built the fortress in just six months in 1703. Situated on the Zaiachii (Rabbit) island, the fortress faces the Winter Palace and is one of the city's symbols. The fortress houses an assembly of interesting monuments such as the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Trubetskii prison, Peter's Boathouse and the The Mint. Peter and other Russian Tsars are buried at the cathedral.

Our Local Expert Says:

Royalists and tourists alike come here to pay their respects at this burial site for Russia's czars. Women should remember to bring a scarf to cover their head when inside the cathedral.

Description:

This cathedral's monumental belfry, with its spire topped by an angel bearing a cross, is one of St. Petersburg's most distinctive landmarks. It stands at a height of 122.5 meters. The first wooden church in the Peter and Paul Fortress was built in 1703. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in June of 1712 and the cathedral was completed in 1732 and inaugurated on June 29, 1733. There is also beautiful iconostasis, showcasing the finest traditions of Russian woodcarving.

Our Local Expert Says:

Come here on a weekend morning in the summer for free concerts by local musicians, military bands and chamber orchestras.

Description:

This is the place to rest on a bench after a day of visiting museums, or to escape from the crush of city sidewalks -- or to imagine how Peter the Great spent his summer afternoons. The lush greenery (at least for a few months of the year) almost makes you forget that these gardens were entirely planned, designed for Peter's pleasure walks and adhering to the city's rules of classicism. Peter brought in marble Renaissance-era statues from Italy to give the park a more European feel. He and his successors threw grand receptions here with dancing, drinking, and fireworks under the endless sun of the White Nights. The statues and fountains serve as landmarks in case you get disoriented. The shrubbery was once carefully trimmed but now its groomers allow trees to take on more abundant forms. The Summer Palace is open to visitors, its rooms re-created as they would have been in Peter's time. The small two-story building was not heated, so it was a summer treat. Glance inside the Coffee House and the Tea House, too. The park closes for a few weeks in spring, usually in April, for a "drying out" period as the slush melts.

Description:

Slightly classier and more Italian than the likes of Pizza Hut, but less pricy than the city's other Italian restaurants, this medium-priced pizeria occupies one of the most central and convenient locations of any restaurant in the city. A few steps from Nevskii Prospekt metro, the positioning also makes it one of the city's busiest eateries. Their advertising makes much of the "wood-oven" used to cook the pizza. A large portion of the clientele are tourists.

Description:

The Corinthia Nevskij Palace Hotel is a grand hotel comprised of two renovated 19th century buildings, set on St. Petersburg's main boulevard, Nevsky Prospect. Guestrooms are decorated in soft neutral tones with sleek furnishings; all include Internet connections and minibars. Guests have access to the onsite Samoliov Museum, which explores the life and work of a Russian theatrical dynasty.