Interactive and Cozy Petersburg
Are you tired? Would you like to enjoy the new experience but to avoid boring and long excursions in St. Petersburg well-known museums and galleries? Then, let us embark on a journey through this city: a world of interactive, exciting and total relaxation!
Hollywood Auto Legend Vintage Car Museum ‘Route 66’
Location: Konyushennaya Square, 2
The cartoon ‘Cars’ has been popular since its release in 2006 but would you like to sit at the wheel of real Hudson Hornet generation car which is several meters long? If you are particularly into cars, then a visit to the ‘Route 66’ Museum is a must. Actually, the exposition is named after the longest highway in the USA. Here, the real retro cars are not only on display but also are available to get into. Turn the steering wheel, press clutch, brake and accelerator pedals and turn on the radio inside. The cars from famous movies such as ‘Indiana Jones’ and the already mentioned ‘Cars’ are waiting for you. Photographing is allowed, so don’t miss your chance to take awesome selfies!
Smile Park
Location:
- Bolshaya Morskaya Street, 5
- Nevsky Avenue, 3
- Nevsky Avenue, 5
The entertainment center ‘Smile Park’ has three locations in the heart of the city. In each of them, something can amaze you. The venue on Bolshaya Morskaya is the largest. There you can visit the ‘Movie Hero Museum’ to take photos with various MARVEL, DC and other iconic characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Darth Vader. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of your favorite movies!
The quest game ‘Prison Escape’ is always on a high demand so bring your friend to queue for you while finding your way through the ribbon or the glass maze 😊 A trip ‘inside a person’ can interest those who admire the mode everything works inside us. In the visual illusions part one can explore the world of dreams and then become a guest in the real house of a giant. However, that’s not all. There are special places for the very young visitors - a ball pool and a "Woo-Hoo" room. Finally, you can visit the quest game "Extraterrestrial Contact", which is based on solving logical and team tasks. Book in advance! The stuff in this building are kind and pleasant: a surprise may come from somewhere you have not expected. The author of the article, for example, quite surprisingly received a small souvenir as a gift for wearing Lionel Messi’s T-shirt – who appeared to be a favorite football player of one of the receptionists. J
Get rid of stress on Nevsky Avenue, 3, where you can throw and break plates around without fear of being punished or criticized, the act one would never dare to do at home. The mirror maze and the fear maze can be the next steps to a great thrill. However, if you are a faint-hearted person, think carefully before visiting the fear maze, because, although it is small, it can be quite daunting.
Finally, at the last venue on Nevsky Avenue, 5, get ready to experience the world around you in a completely different way - the house that is hanging upside down can attract visitors who prefer contemplation to performance and serenity to adventure.
Please, note that not all locations allow photo and video shooting. You will be informed about the rules of visiting at the entrances.
The Universe of Water
Location: Shpalernaya Street, 56
If you’ve ever been on Arsenalnaya or Smolnaya Embankment, you’ve probably noticed an unusual brick tower nearby. This tower is the Universe of Water exhibition center, which operates as part of the State Unitary Enterprise Vodokanal of St. Petersburg. The museum is quite large, so you can have a choice of three options in it.
- ‘The Underground world of St. Petersburg’ is an exhibition in the left extension of the Water Tower. A real journey underground, from the water intake through pipes to the apartments and back to the sewage treatment plants, is definitely bizarre to most of us. You can admire one of the largest models of the historical center of the city listening to the guide’s story about the importance of water supply security.
- ‘The water world of St. Petersburg’ is a historical exhibition in the Water Tower building. The history of water pipes from different nations and the history of water supply in St. Petersburg are told about with some amazing and even unbelievable facts. Wells and wooden pipes, copper washbasins, antique drawings and photographs are on display.
- ‘The Universe of Water’ is a multimedia exhibition in the former underground clean water tank of the Main Water Supply Station. Looking at water from different angles: water as the greatest mystery, as medicine, as a destroyer, as music, as a standard, can help everyone rethink the role of water in our lives and value it even more. Multimedia technologies and effects combined with exhibits are so moving that memories will flood back even after you leave. The space around the visitors is changeable, just as the water itself is changeable: sounds, video sequences and light moods transform.
On some of the excursions, you will find a part where you can test your knowledge related to water, as well as complete other interactive tasks. Each exhibition is fascinating in its own way, so all of them are recommended to visit.
Museum of Art and Facts
Location: Embankment of the Obvodny Canal, 118C
Once this place was called the Museum of Incredible Records and Facts "Titicaca" and was located on Kazanskaya Street, but now the exhibition has moved, changed its name and expanded. Interestingly, this is the first museum in Russia created with the participation of the Artificial Intelligence. The museum’s collection is based on an amazing mosaic of stories and incredible facts from around the world. Information from various fields of science — from biology to technology — comes to life in the museum in the form of modern art objects, inspiring reflection and creative presentations. There is something to find out here: for example, amazing facts, most of which are included in the Guinness Book of Records. One of the smallest cars in the world (no, not a miniature or a toy one, but one in which you can sit down and drive) is presented here, as well as crazy historical artifacts and natural size shark jaws or a model of a whale heart. If you want to learn and adore a lot of new things, then Museum of Art and Facts is for you!
Warning, TRAP: Chocolate Museum (no...)
Location:
- Zhukovsky Street, 18
- Embankment of the Obvodny Canal, 118AU
Don’t wait for either the history of chocolate or a guided tour of the confectionery factory. The secret is that the name ‘Chocolate Museum’ itself is a mistake. This is the name of an officially registered trademark. In general, the chocolate museum is just a store of quite expensive gifts and souvenirs in the form of chocolate works of art. However, if you want to please someone close to you and buy something more original than an ordinary bar of chocolate, then you can visit this pastry shop.
Bonus: not museums and entertainment centers, but just pleasant places
If you love animals, reading books or just enjoy spending time in cozy cafes and green areas, then the St. Petersburg places described below can be of your interest!
The Tauride Greenhouse
Location: Shpalernaya Street, 43
A great option is to come there before or after visiting the Museum of the Universe of Water, because these two buildings are located on the same street just a few hundred meters from each other. Entrance fees are quite low and the greenhouse is not as big as the famous Botanical Garden. However, despite its size, it hides 700 plants, 100 of their species, a fountain and cozy places to relax. There are even guided tours available, because florists have a lot to tell you about the beautiful flowers of the greenhouse. There is also a small flower shop where you can buy a bouquet to please yourself.
Cats’ Republic
Location:
- Yakubovich Street, 10
- Liteyny Avenue, 60
Cats’ Republic at Yakubovich Street has been Russia’s first cat cafe since 2011. It is a branch of Russia’s first Cat Museum. To get there, you need to pre-register. You will find a company of 25 cats of 17 breeds, including the famous Hermitage cats who guard the museum catching mice and rats. At the café, petting cats, playing with them and taking pictures are welcome. There is also a showcase for stray cats, a kind of alternative to the usual forms of shelters and a platform for attracting public attention to the problems of stray animals.
Cats’ Republic on Liteyny is the largest cat cafe in Europe, where up to 40 cats can live at the same time. Each of them is looking for a new home. In general, this is a shelter from which you can adopt any cat you like. All of them are looking for an owner and a new home. The visit time is one hour, registration is required. The interiors feature the St. Petersburg courtyard, a roof with cats, and an interactive elevator (which can be painted by guests). The design uses famous cats, the subjects of paintings by Vladimir Rumyantsev. There is also a place for seminars, workshops and events of various formats in the company of cats. And, of course, a large souvenir shop.
Podpisnie Izdaniya
Location: Liteyny Avenue, 57
Perhaps one of the largest bookstores in the city, which is located next to one of the cafes of the Cats’ Republic. Admission is free. The store has a huge selection of books and stationery, there is a small cozy cafe with a view of Liteyny Avenue, and you can also stay in a comfortable coworking space. Sometimes various creative events are held in the building. A great option for book-lovers and for those who enjoy atmospheric places.
Each organization described has its own official website. For your convenience, you can find all the links to the sources below. Enjoy your visits and escape from a busy reality for a weekend!
References:
- Museum ‘Route 66’ - http://museumroute66.ru/
- Smile Park - https://smile-park.ru/
- The Universe of Water - https://www.vodokanal-museum.ru/booking2/
- Museum of Art and Facts - https://maf.museum/
- Chocolate Museum - https://muzeyshokolada.spb.ru/
- The Tauride Greenhouse - https://tavr-orangery.ru/
- Cats’ Republic - https://www.catsrepublic.ru/
- Podpisnie Izdaniya - https://www.podpisnie.ru/
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