Gorky Park at night is exactly what you are looking for if you want to relax and unwind in Moscow. This park is quite far from popular landmarks such as the Kremlin and Red Square, keeping it away from the tourist crowds and offering a more authentic evening experience of Russia. 📍 Gorky Park was originally designed as a leisure hub for locals, ideal for sunbathing, jogging in a beautiful and safe area, or dining at one of the restaurants inside. Entry to the park is free.
In general, Gorky Park closes at 11 PM, and facilities inside, such as the museum, mini amusement park, and restaurants, operate until 10 PM or 11 PM. We recommend planning a relaxing evening in Gorky Park at night, with the main agenda being dining at one of the restaurants around the Golitsynsky Garden and Pond, followed by a walk along the Moskva River in the Parterre, one of the park’s main areas. Here’s the full guide!
Exploring the Entrance Area
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Entering Gorky Park, you’ll be welcomed by the greenery of trees and colorful flowers placed as highlights in the center of each area. Many parts of this garden used to serve different purposes, and you can learn more about their history from the museum inside the park. The pedestrian areas are overwhelmingly spacious, with only a few people riding rental bikes around.
You might need a little snack for energy to explore other parts of Gorky Park. It’s a good idea to start with a coffee or smoothie from Crop., and a meat wrap from Shavarma. These places are located just around the main entrance. Poyuschiy Fontan is the heart of the entrance area, featuring a spacious pond and plenty of benches around it. In this area, you can also find several cafes where you can enjoy coffee or tea if you are interested.
Museums & Movie in Gorky Park at Night
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There are some other fun activities you can do in Gorky Park at night, such as visiting museums. While the entrance to the park is free, you need to purchase an admission ticket to enter the museums. Both the museum at the entrance and the Garage museum operate until 10 PM.
The Main Entrance of Gorky Park: The most recognizable monument in Gorky Park is its entrance gate, restored in 2014, which stands 24 meters high. On the left side of the entrance door, you will find a small museum about the park’s history. An entrance fee of 300 rubles is required. Inside, you’ll be able to see a replica of Gorky Park’s main attraction from the 1930s—the Parachute Tower, where people once jumped from with parachutes. In addition, through the museum, you can go up to the roof of the majestic entrance gate to enjoy fabulous views of the park.
Garage Museum of Contemporary Art: In the central part of Gorky Park, you will find this interesting museum of modern art. This is where most art-related events in Moscow are usually held. The entrance fee is 500 rubles. Not only is modern art displayed here, but there is also a restaurant and a cinema inside. You will need to buy a separate ticket if you want to watch a movie. Unlike commercial cinemas, Garage Screen mainly plays its own curated selection of international films, mostly cult classics or some foreign gems.
Explore Rosary Garden, Golitsynsky Pond, and Dine
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This would be our favorite part of Gorky Park. There is an area near the Golitsynsky Garden called the Rosary Garden. This is where they have set up a beautiful flower garden. It’s one of the hidden gems in the park, perfect for taking pictures.
Then, of course, there’s the Golitsynsky Garden and Pond, which are quite large. Some people enjoy the pond by renting a boat, while others, like us, prefer having dinner at Cafe Ostrovok, thanks to its perfect location for enjoying the pond view. However, there are many other restaurants, cafes, and bars you can find in Gorky Park. Most places close at 10 PM, but some bars stay open until 11 PM.
Walking Through The Parterre in Gorky Park at Night
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Our venture in Gorky Park at night would end at The Parterre, a beautiful and iconic pedestrian area in the park with a magnificent view of Andrew’s Footbridge. You can enjoy a night walk along the Moskva River.
On another occasion, this part would be perfect for sunbathing, especially during summer. In the area under the bridge, there are some restaurants with outdoor seating right by the river. All of these activities are actually just a glimpse of what you can do in Gorky Park. There are many more things to experience here, and every season offers a different charm.
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In summer, the park becomes a hub of lively activities, while in winter, it transforms into a Winter Wonderland with an ice rink near the entrance. There are also more areas still considered part of Gorky Park, like Vorobyovy Gory, which is more suitable for a daylight adventure. Right across from Gorky Park is Muzeon Park of Arts, a garden and open-air museum filled with statues.