The Splendor of Moscow

Everyone is familiar with the Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral (although the feeling you get when you see them in person is something that no picture can convey). But Moscow has so much more to offer -- a beautiful downtown area, so many magnificent churches, shopping, dining, and an exciting nightlife. There is something in Moscow that will please almost everyone.

Quick Tips:

Although you can find many people in Moscow who speak at least a few words of English, it is still a good idea to learn at least a few words of Russian. At the very least, learn the Cyrillic alphabet -- it will make it MUCH easier to navigate your way through the Metro, to read a map of Moscow, etc. A Lonely Planet Russian Phrasebook can also be a big help.

There is so much to see in Moscow -- do plenty of research before you leave. There are many websites that will give you information on things to see and do in Moscow. Do a search on any Internet search engine to find them. I'd also recommend the Lonely Planet Moscow guidebook -- very up to date with excellent maps of the city and of the Metro system. The Rough Guide to Moscow can also be useful for researching the history of some of the attractions, but doesn't contain quite as much practical info as the LP guide.

Best Way To Get Around:

The Moscow Metro is world famous for its efficiency. It's the best (and cheapest!) way to get around to the various parts of the city. But it's also very important to simply get out and walk the streets of Moscow. You'll be surprised at the number of times you'll turn a corner and be stopped in your tracks by the beauty of some small church or other magnificent sight.

Every visitor to Moscow must go at least once to a McDonald's. The food is basically the same as you'll find in an American McDonald's. The prices are also about the same, although the $3 (converted to rubles, of course) that you will pay in Moscow is a much higher percentage of the average Russian's wages than of the American's. These restaurants are always EXTREMELY busy, so don't be surprised if you have to wait in order to find a place to sit.

McDonald's is also a good place to visit if your Russian is not very good because all you have to do is simply point to the menu board and hold up the appropriate number of fingers corresponding to the number of the "value meal" you wish to order.

This quaint Russian chain features budget-priced Russian cuisine served in a "homey" atmosphere. It specializes in simple and traditional food like borscht (a beet soup), shashlyk (skewered and grilled meat) and goluptsy (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat). The young waitstaff are all cutely costumed. A good choice for vegetarians. There is a large salad bar (about $5) that can easily be a meal in itself -- but pile it on high because you're only allowed one trip. Also try the kvas, a Russian soft drink made of fermented breadcrumbs and mors (a cranberry-juice soft drink). These restaurants are often crowded so there might be a slight wait for a table. Credit cards are not accepted. Locations at Klimentovsky Pereulok 14 and at Bolshaya Dorogomilovskaya 12 near the Kiev Station. There are also several Yolki-Palki-Po Restaurants which feature Mongolian cuisine. More information about these can be found at their website: Yolki-Palki po.

A very fun restaurant just a block from the Kremlin. It can get a bit crowded and noisy in the front room (especially on the weekends). There's also live music played here from time to time. But if you want some place a little more cozy and intimate, ask for a table in the back room. It can provide a good atmosphere for quiet dining and conversation. Being a native Texan, I was prepared to be a bit critical of the cuisine but the food here is surprisingly good . . . with one exception--

If anyone has an hour or two to spare in Moscow could you go by here and show these folks how to make nachos! Simply placing a few tortilla chips into a bowl of chili is NOT nachos (although it WAS still tasty)! The chili con carne was very good. My fiancee really liked the enchiladas . The menu is fairly extensive with plenty of items to please any taste, including a number of purely vegetarian dishes. You can get margaritas in a wide assortment of flavors -- Marina enjoyed the kiwi margarita and my traditional margarita certainly hit the spot (although I tend to prefer my margaritas a bit larger! ;-o ) Some of the other dishes offered here include fajitas, fish dinners, quesadillas and salads