A fading piece of Americana has found new popularity in Moscow. As automobile ownership continues to climb in Russia, the opening of a drive in is a logical extension. While the drive in movie in America is at best a novelty today, it may find new life in Russia.

At first glance, a drive-in theater is no different from an ordinary movie theater: same large white screen, film projector, sound system, rows of seats and a concession stand. The difference is that at a drive-in, the seat and sound system are located in your car, and the sky is your ceiling. Yes, it is just that simple: you drive into an area more suitable for a modest airport than a cinema, tune in your stereo to the appointed AM or FM frequency, recline in your chair as far back as you like, and enjoy the magic of the movies. And the fact that the shows start after dark gives the whole experience an even more attractive feel.

Technically, Moscow was first introduced to a drive-in theater back in 2003, when the Formula Kino multiplex chain launched an open-air movie theater just outside of the city. Unfortunately, not much thought was put into the project: there was no snack bar or other services, the choice of films was far from creative, and the location was not chosen wisely. Even though this theater still exists today, it is barely visited, and many people have already forgotten that drive-in theater ever entered Moscow.

The reinvention of the drive-in took place earlier this month with the opening of Kinoparking - a drive-in theater located not far from the city center and offering the same amount of functions that an ordinary drive-in is supposed to carry. (Moscow News)

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With all of the well known tourist destinations in Moscow, it’s easy to miss so many other places of interest. If you have any interested in paleontology, Moscow has one of the largest exhibits in the world.

For dinosaur fans, the Orlov Paleontology Institute, one of the largest Natural History Museums in the world, is a must-see. It was built in the 1970s, and its pterodactyl-pattern wrought-iron fences and mirrored murals of the pre-Cambrian era are as impressive as its huge collection of fossils and skeletons. What helps to make the museum special is its unique setting in a gem of a park in southern Moscow. This route explores this lovely wilderness, the Theotokos Church, the ornamental ponds and neoclassical mansion of the fascinating Uzkoe Estate before heading to the museum. (Moscow News)

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As the world’s most expensive city, new development in Moscow is progressing at breakneck speed, often with historic buildings falling casualty to progress.The Detsky Mir toy store is one landmark that has escaped the wrecking ball, but there is plenty of controversy surrounding its coming internal remodel/

The Art Deco flagship store, which covers an entire bloc of the city centre near the Kremlin, “was today closed for renovations,” said a spokesman for retail chain Detsky Mir, or Children’s World.

Local architects have campaigned against the plan to tear out the 1957 building’s ornate central atrium and remove its signature carousel as part of a bid to boost floor space by one-third.

Only 40 percent of the new store will be dedicated to children’s goods, developers said.

“I came to Detsky Mir today with a pain inside,” said Muscovite Marina Kryukova, who took her young daughter around the toy store on Monday to mourn its passing.

The final work of celebrated Moscow architect Alexei Dushkin, the building is regarded as marking a turning point between the grandiose construction of the Stalin era and the 1960s minimalist revolt that followed. (Google)

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There is now a less expensive alternative in getting from Sheremetyevo Airport (where all flights from the US arrive) and Moscow’s city center. Taxis from the airport tend to be overpriced, especially if you are a foreigner, and Moscow’s traffic can often make the trip by street long and unpredictable.

 At a gala ceremony of balloons, brass bands and red carpets Tuesday morning, ministers and railway officials rode the inaugural train to Sheremetyevo and opened the airport’s gleaming new rail terminal.

That means that when the service opens for paying customers Wednesday, air travelers can skip the jams and go from Savyolovsky Station, just off the Third Ring Road in north-central Moscow, direct to Sheremetyevo in 35 minutes, for a price of 250 rubles ($10.50).

Trains will leave from Savyolovsky 24 times per day, at times running a twice-hourly service. Passengers have the option of checking in their luggage at the station and paying 350 rubles for a first-class seat on the train. (Moscow Times)

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While most informed tourists are aware of Moscow’s elegant Soviet era Metro Stations, the is much more to see below its streets. As with most cities of some age, Moscow has abundant tunnels and structures under ground.

Exploration of the underground zones created by humans is as much dangerous as going into the natural caves. However, this extreme hobby has faithful followers – diggers, real professionals of the underground walks. Diggers can deservedly be considered extreme tourists. For individual underground campaigns it is needed to have special equipment, good physical condition, and being aware of all the possible dangers. Some companies offer a unique chance to go underground together with diggers. Tourists normally get the needed equipment and clothes, and also have preliminary trainings.

Nevertheless, underground Moscow is available to any adventures seeker as there are some unusual museums under Moscow that everyone can visit. For instance, not so long time ago there opened a museum showing to visitors the hidden city with its tunnels and underpasses. It is the GO-42 construction, a secret underground area of the Cold War period, able to function in conditions of nuclear intervention. (Russia IC)

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If you’ve experienced Moscow by car, you already know that the driving conditions are treacherous there even in good weather. In spite of this, motorcycles have never been more popular, and the popularity is growing rapidly. Even more surprising is the large numbers of the new riders are women.

Last weekend saw the fourth Moscow International Motorbike Sa­lon, at the Krasna Presnya Inter­national Exhibition Center. It kick started the biking season, which starts at the beginning of April and is described by the organizers as “a much needed specialized event for the booming Russian two-wheel market.”

The MIMS is enthusiastic about motorbikes’ advantages. The show offers encouragement on its website:?”First, it is a very practical method of transportation, especially in big cities where traffic jams are becoming a usual everyday scenario. Second, the motorbike is that ‘thing’ that allows you to… meet more people and make new friends. Third… just have fun riding alone through the countryside enjoying nature, taking in the views and fresh air, away from the everyday stresses of life.”

Two wheelers are finding more and more converts. “The amount of motorbikes in Moscow is at least 10 times bigger than when I started, it is getting so popular. At least half the motorbikes you see are new models, so at least half of them are in their first season”, says Zateyeva.

“My family and friends were pretty excited at first, when I got my first bike,” she says. “I got my license eight years ago and there were not many girls who rode bikes then.” Her first bike was a Russian Java, which her friends gave her to drive in the countryside. She has since graduated to bigger and better models and rides in town a fair deal. (Moscow News)

Here’s a video sales pitch from the US Distributor of the Russian Ural motorcycle. This is one home grown product that is commonly owned by Russians.

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Stalin was responsible for commissioning many grand scale buildings during his reign as dictator. One of the most elaborate is the apartment complex that literally comprised a small city to house the communist party elite.

In the late 20s Moscow was packed with communist activists arrived from all over the USSR and abroad. The city was in full swing with lots of activity and people piled up in communes, guest houses or any habitable place. Soviet elite didn’t escape from such overpopulation and also lived stacked in apartments, hotels or even the Kremlin, where about 1,300 people lived.

As a result of this situation, in 1927 was decided to build an apartment block to shelter in good conditions the main figures of the soviet regime: from party leaders to military commanders, as well as writers, engineers, and so on. The location chosen was the islet situated in front of the Kremlin. The place was functional, as it was close to all official buildings, and privileged, because of its excellent location in the Moskva river.

The architect appointed to carry out the works was Boris Iofan, who may be considered Stalin’s architect, as he was chosen under his personal command to be in charge of the Palace of Soviets construction, the emblematic building of the huge metropolis dreamed by the dictator. (from Soviet Russia)

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A very well done photo documentary article on the tower under construction as the centerpiece of the Moscow City project can be found at the Real Russia Project.

Moscow’s futuristic Federation Tower and the Moscow City complex become popular symbols of the New Russia. In both Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Federation Tower is featured on billboards for the Russian Ministry of Defense’s Zvezda (Star) TV channel. The Moscow City complex was also featured in the Russian dark comedy film 20 Cigarettes.

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6 minute video of the Tchaikvosky house museum

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A short promotional video for the Moscow International Business Center

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