Theme parks tell visitors amazing stories, transporting them to fairy-tale worlds populated by familiar and not so familiar characters. Guests find themselves in a medieval city, a mysterious forest or an ethnic village, where not a single object reminds of real life. In Russia they are just trying to develop the theme park format. Those that have already been built, of course, are inferior in scale to Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood, but each of them has a unique flavor. After all, mind-blowing rides are not necessary, the main thing is to create an atmosphere with the help of details and decoration. It’s very interesting to visit them and support the new format!
“Kudykina Mountain” (Lipetsk region)
Photo: Anna Barash/shutterstock.com
In the natural park of wonders, the organizers recreated a fortress with galleries and towers based on ancient drawings, and hid an exciting quest for children inside the fort. Whoever dares to go beyond the wooden walls will find animated sculptures of fairy-tale and mythical characters, interactive installations, a petting zoo, a camel breeder, equipped beaches and walking trails along the Don River. The main feature of the project is the giant sculpture of the Serpent Gorynych, which roars and spews flames on weekends and holidays. Show start times vary depending on the season, check the website so you don’t miss out.
Cossack village “Ataman” (Krasnodar region)
Photo: elladoro/shutterstock.com
One of the most visited theme parks in Russia offers a fascinating interactive experience – turn into a resident of a Cossack village and share the joys and concerns of other villagers. Together you can forge horseshoes, make pots and candles, pickle vegetables, and make hay. 48 Cossack farmsteads introduce visitors to the free spirit, life, crafts and traditions of Kuban.
The village on the Taman Peninsula between the Black and Azov Seas took two and a half months to build across the entire Krasnodar Territory. The whitewashed huts and reed fences copy historical originals in detail, but were built using modern technologies. Authentic interior details and photographs are responsible for the atmosphere. Operating hours: seasonal.
Loga Park (Rostov region)
A fairyland appeared on the site of a garbage dump. Thanks to the Rostov businessman, instead of waste, bright flowers grew in the ravine, rivers and waterfalls began to gurgle, birds began to sing, deer, peacocks, raccoons and other amazing inhabitants took up residence. And on a high hill they built strong walls and high towers of a medieval castle. In the large forest kingdom, even the lanterns, urns and benches are fantasy characters.
A lot of forged and wooden elements, green gazebos, a looking glass, a rock garden – all together create a unique atmosphere of happiness. By the way, entrance to the park is always free. The operating mode can be found at the link.
«Dinopark» (Belgorod)
Photo: SHELIAKIN MAKSIM/shutterstock.com
The place where dinosaurs live, or rather, their copies. But while walking through the park you can forget about it. The space is divided into zones that imitate the natural habitat of giant lizards. For example, a pine forest, a bog or a lake.
Photo: SHELIAKIN MAKSIM/shutterstock.com
To enhance the effect, some models move and make sounds. Even the sandbox in the park is not easy: this is an archaeological excavation site where every child can dig up a dinosaur skeleton. In addition to the walking area, there is a cinema and a paleontological museum.
Photo: N-sky/shutterstock.com
The operating mode can be found at the link.
Residence of Father Frost in Veliky Ustyug (Vologda region)
Photo: cad_wizard/shutterstock.com
The main Russian wizard, Father Frost, lives in a mansion, and his assistants live in a village nearby. All children’s letters with requests for gifts come here. On the territory there is a “Trail of Fairy Tales”, a small zoo, a glacier, a winter garden, a forge, and Baba Yaga’s house. Of course, the main events here are held during the New Year holidays. And there are so many people interested that hotels and tickets for this period must be booked several months before the trip. The operating mode can be found at the link.
National Equestrian Park “Rus” (Moscow region)
Photo: Julia Shepeleva /shutterstock.com
The main local entertainment is horseback riding and photo sessions. The stables have such unusual and spectacular breeds of horses that you rarely see in other places. Children will be interested in meeting familiar characters on the Fairy Tale Trail or visiting a glass-blowing workshop. The park area is decorated with equestrian sculptures. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, not all activities are available, so it is better to sign up for walks in advance and find out the schedule on the website.
Cinema City at Mosfilm (Moscow)
The Museum of the Mosfilm Film Concern is a very interesting place, because here you can see a collection of vintage cars, props and costumes from your favorite films. But the main attraction is the scenery. On one of the filming sites, the large-scale buildings of the ancient city with several streets and squares have been preserved. It looks like the buildings are made of stone, but the inside is made of boards and plywood. You have definitely seen this town more than once in many domestic films. You must register for the excursion in advance.
Village “Tygydym” (Yaroslavl region)
A folklore character lives in this village – the Tygydym horse. Visitors can look into craft huts, listen to stories, legends and superstitions of the Yaroslavl land, and also see how life was lived in the 19th century. The ethno-village even has a porto-wash, a hayloft, and, of course, a stable. The creators say that the advantage of the park is the large number of master classes. The park takes a break in November and will reopen for the New Year holidays. Follow the schedule.
Kostromskaya Sloboda(Kostroma region)
Classical open-air architectural museum, where numerous monuments of Russian wooden architecture are collected. You can go into the houses and see antique interiors and household items.
The space imitates a real village, so the settlement has more than once turned into a film set for historical films. Operating mode
Ethnographic Museum of the Peoples of Transbaikalia (Republic of Buryatia)
Photo: saiko3p/shutterstock.com
More than 40 architectural monuments brought from different parts of Transbaikalia are collected on 37 hectares. The park hosts national festivals and thematic exhibitions; visitors can try their hand at the entertainment of bygone eras or listen to animated excursions. Recently, the residence of the White Elder Sagaan Ubgen, the national analogue of Father Frost, opened here. The operating mode can be found at the link.
Art Park “Nikola-Lenivets” (Kaluga region)
The park of modern architectural forms, which has no analogues in Russia, usually attracts creative people. The works of artists and innovative architects immerse visitors in an interweaving of whimsical imaginations and simple materials. Searching for art objects made of wood and iron across a vast territory can turn into a journey to your own self. The park is closed during major festivals, so check the schedule.
Bonus: Fairytale town “Andersengrad” (Leningrad region)
A tiny kingdom in a residential area of the city of Sosnovy Bor can more likely be called a playground than a full-fledged theme park. However, the houses, castles, sculptures and other objects on the territory of the complex are based on the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. In the summer, character animators work on the site. The town, built back in 1980, is the first theme park in Russia, has its own website and is today protected by the state as an architectural monument.
When traveling, OneTwoTrip will help you find a hotel nearby.
