trek planet relax

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That Which Survives

• Episode aired Jan 24, 1969

After the Enterprise landing party beams down to investigate a geologically interesting planet, their ship is hurled across the galaxy. Kirk and company find a deserted outpost guarded by th... Read all After the Enterprise landing party beams down to investigate a geologically interesting planet, their ship is hurled across the galaxy. Kirk and company find a deserted outpost guarded by the deadly image of a beautiful woman. After the Enterprise landing party beams down to investigate a geologically interesting planet, their ship is hurled across the galaxy. Kirk and company find a deserted outpost guarded by the deadly image of a beautiful woman.

• Herb Wallerstein
• Gene Roddenberry
• John Meredyth Lucas
• D.C. Fontana
• William Shatner
• Leonard Nimoy
• DeForest Kelley
• 37 User reviews
• 12 Critic reviews

• Captain James Tiberius 'Jim' Kirk

• Mister Spock

• D'Amato

• (as Naomi Pollack)

• Dr. M'Benga

• Lieutenant Hadley
• (uncredited)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

• Trivia Lt. Radha is both the first explicitly Hindu character (shown by the bright red dot on her forehead, known as a Bindi), and the first Enterprise helmswoman, to appear in Star Trek.
• Goofs When Sulu fires at the ground to stop Losira coming any closer there is a very loud explosion which fails to alert Kirk and McCoy who are asleep close by. Yet, when Sulu then calls out to them they awake and come to his rescue.

Mr. Spock : You have 8 minutes, 41 seconds.

Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott : I know what time it is. I don't need a bloomin' cuckoo clock.

• Alternate versions Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
• Connections Featured in Top 10 Star Trek Technobabbles (2008)
• Soundtracks Theme Music credited to Alexander Courage Sung by Loulie Jean Norman

User reviews 37

• Mar 24, 2019
• January 24, 1969 (United States)
• United States
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• Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
• Paramount Television
• Norway Corporation
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

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• Runtime 51 minutes

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Published Sep 20, 2022

The Lower Decks Connection: Rest and Relaxation

Running a starship is exhausting, after all.

StarTrek.com

Welcome back to The Lower Decks Connection, where we curate an episode list of legacy Star Trek shows based on the latest episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks ! Let’s face it, it’s rough running a starship. You’ve got the pressures of making a good First or Second Contact and navigating alien diplomacy all while dealing with anomalies, strange energies, and all manner of strange scientific phenomenon. No wonder Captain Freeman and the engineers needed a break. The U.S.S. Cerritos crew isn’t the first that needs some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Throughout Starfleet history, every crew has needed a break from exploring strange new worlds and boldly going. So, if you’re looking to unwind, here are a few episodes where the crew gets some much-needed down time (or at least tries to).

Star Trek: The Original Series - “Shore Leave”

This is cheating, in a way, as this episode was also included on last week’s list . James Kirk is a wonderful captain in many respects, but he is not good about taking shore leave. When the Enterprise ’s crew all need a break, Kirk visits a planet that translates whatever you’re thinking into reality. However, even though McCoy “dies” due to these fantasies come to life, it turns out that they can’t hurt you! Therefore, Kirk orders the entire crew to beam down for some much-needed time off.

Star Trek: The Next Generation - “Data’s Day”

While this episode isn’t relaxing for the crew — what with the O’Brien wedding, a crew member going into labor, and the usual intergalactic drama — it is one of the episodes that will relax the viewer. We follow Data through an average day in his life, which he records for Dr. Bruce Maddox . In one particularly wonderful scene, Dr. Crusher teaches Data how to dance, specifically, how to tap. When she discovers it’s for a dance with Keiko at her wedding, Crusher then teaches Data how to waltz. It’s a sweet scene that embodies the wonderful relationship between the crew of the Enterprise-D .

Star Trek: The Next Generation  - “Captain’s Holiday” 

Poor Captain Picard . It must be difficult leading Starfleet’s flagship, facing off against the Borg and Romulans , and finding time to occasionally engage in some reading. When pressured into taking a reprieve, Picard heads to Risa , a world known for being a tropical paradise on which many Starfleet officers vacation. While some use Risa as a way to get up to some fun that’s more than a little unsanctioned, Picard just wanted to catch up on his book. Still, he winds up meeting archaeologist Vash and getting roped into an adventure. I guess his book will have to wait.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - “In the Cards”

Rest and relaxation come in many forms. Sometimes, the best self-care is taking care of others. Jake Sisko and Nog , watching their friends and family grow weary due to the ongoing Dominion War, set out to purchase a vintage baseball card for Captain Sisko . Along the way, they wind up helping most of the crew as well, from writing a speech for Kira to delivering and rescuing Bashir ’s missing teddy bear, Kukalaka. Ultimately, Jake is able to gives his father the gift he needs to lift his spirits and, in doing so, lifts the spirits of the viewers as well.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine  - “Take Me Out to the Holosuite”

What’s the best way to distract from a quadrant-spanning conflict? A competitive game of baseball, of course! When Sisko’s Vulcan rival from the Academy comes calling, it’s time for the captain to get his team assembled and give the Vulcans the game of the century. This episode also served as a wonderful break for the viewers from the grim nature of the overarching storyline. While the Dominion War is still raging, the crew can take a moment to celebrate their family with a little game.

Star Trek: Voyager - “Fair Haven”

startrek.com

Being stuck in the Delta Quadrant is stressful. That’s why it’s important to take care of yourself. The Fair Haven program, written by Tom Paris , is designed for use by the Voyager crew to relax during a storm. As the crew finds themselves spending time in this holographic village, Janeway falls in love with a villager named Sullivan. She even rewrites the program to delete Sullivan’s wife so she can continue to romance him. This is one of the few times we see Janeway in a romantic relationship, and shows the humor of any good holodeck episode.

Star Trek: Voyager  - “Spirit Folk”

The Fair Haven story comes to an end in this episode following Janeway's order that it can run continuously. Now running 24/7, the people of Fair Haven come to realize that the crew are able to change the world at will, and accuse them of being spirit folk who’ve come to destroy their town. Ultimately, Janeway and her crew are able to convince the town that they have no hostile intentions, but it takes a few shenanigans — and Janeway’s former paramour Sullivan transporting to the Bridge — for things to settle down.

Star Trek: Enterprise - “Two Days and Two Nights”

What happens on Risa stays on Risa. The crew of the NX-01 arrive on the planet for some rest and relaxation, and proceed to have a variety of adventures. Archer ’s adventures doesn't end in romance, Trip and Reed wind up getting robbed and having to make a quick escape, and Hoshi Sato has the vacation of her life. Thus begins the storied history of Starfleet crews heading to Risa for their shore leaves. What is your favorite relaxing episode of Star Trek ? Let us know on social!

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Star Trek: Lower Decks streams exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. In Canada, it airs on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel. The series will also be available to stream on Paramount+ in the UK, Canada, Latin America, Australia, Italy, France, the Caribbean, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and South Korea.

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Room for Growth (episode)

• View history
• 1.2 Act One
• 1.3 Act Two
• 1.4 Act Three
• 2 Memorable quotes
• 3.2 Continuity
• 4.1 Starring
• 4.2 Guest cast
• 4.3 Background characters
• 4.4 References
• 4.5 Tamarian language references
• 4.6 External links

Summary [ ]

On the USS Cerritos , the lower decks crew bunks are abuzz with activity. Ensign D'Vana Tendi loses a small gelatinous creature she's named Goopy after another ensign knocks over a beaker she keeps it in. Ensigns Beckett Mariner , Brad Boimler , and Sam Rutherford comment on the crowded deck, but know that as the Cerritos is a workhorse, this state is normal. They also say that despite the cramped conditions, it is fun to be in the action. As they talk,  Captain Carol Freeman , who has been possessed by an ancient mask and refers to herself as Minooki , hovers through the hallway, transforming the ship's interior to resemble that of an ancient temple as she passes. Commander Jack Ransom and security chief Lieutenant Kayshon are chasing her, desperately trying to get her to stop. Mariner sarcastically agrees how fun it is to be in the middle of the action while Boimler laments his now transformed violin no longer being in tune.

Act One [ ]

Chief Engineer Andy Billups updates Freeman about the repairs as his overworked crew continue around them. Shaxs expresses concern, as Billups and his crew have been working nonstop for a week, and when Freeman confirms this with a medical report from Dr. T'Ana , highlighting their stress levels, Billups reacts angrily, further affirming their concerns. With more work in the future with the USS Carlsbad , Billups suffers a breakdown when Shaxs tells him it's okay to need a break. Freeman informs him that she's ordering a therapeutic getaway for his entire department and informs his crew about it, with their reaction being exhausted enthusiasm.

Rutherford is packing up for his getaway as Tendi wonders why he's bringing instruction manuals with him. As Freeman will be joining the getaway, the rest of the crew will be in standby with little to do, though they express some excitement for an upcoming lottery for a few vacant rooms on Deck One that have recently become available. As the rooms are penthouse suites, they promise to enter Rutherford into the lottery as he will miss it. As Rutherford leaves, he accidentally bumps into Tendi, resulting in her once again losing Goopy. She chases Goopy into the Jefferies tubes , and upon securing them, she overhears some crew members of delta shift planning to rig the lottery in their favor without getting caught.

Tendi returns to the bunks, and tells Mariner and Boimler about what she overheard, and confirms that since they've found a way to bypass detection through turbolift airgap terminals they will get the available rooms. Mariner refuses this outcome and says that they will beat them at their own game, hoping to access the terminals first. Unwilling to let them get the rooms so easily, they all agree to the task.

The Cerritos rendezvouses with a ship called the Dove , and Freeman takes the engineers over where they are greeted immediately by an Edosian named Toz , declaring her mission to be their relaxation. Having mastered the science behind relaxation, Toz gives them some lemonade and wristbands designed to monitor their tension levels, and they all glow yellow to indicate moderate stress. Toz then gives them a tour of the available facilities, which include a playpen of puppies , mud baths with mud from Tellar Prime , and wrecking rooms. Freeman is enthusiastic to try the many available stations, before discovering her engineers repairing a nearby door, much to her annoyance.

Back on the Cerritos , Boimler is reviewing delta shift's route to the terminals, and finds a more direct route that they can use to get to the terminal first, despite a few tight fits. They approach Holodeck 3 to start their shortcut, only to find it in use by T'Ana. Short on time, they enter, hoping to stay out of sight, and enter a bank . As they look upon the program, T'Ana fires a weapon in the air, scaring the holograms . T'Ana and Shaxs are in the midst of playing out a program as bank robbers reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde . They quickly come under fire by the law enforcement of the program and engage in a firefight while Mariner, Boimler, and Tendi try to sneak to the access panel they need to enter. In the midst of the shootout, T'Ana deactivates the safety protocols , and Shaxs pauses the program in concern. The two engage in a small argument as Shaxs expresses concern that T'Ana has never showed concern for his feelings in their relationship. Overhearing far more than they wish to hear, Mariner and Tendi quickly open the panel to get out. T'Ana then decides to share a secret with Shaxs that she never told anyone else; how she lost her tail , reinvigorating Shaxs' excitement. Tendi is intrigued and wishes to hear as she's wondered about it herself, but gets pulled away before anything more happens.

Act Two [ ]

Mariner, Boimler, and Tendi continue to crawl through the tubes towards the terminals. While the journey is a bit tedious, the three are excited at the prospect of finally having their own quarters, as well as seeing parts of the ship that are very rarely ever seen by other officers. They come upon a swamp , and Tendi notes that they're right under the hydroponics bay , and that it aids in biomedical research, and those who grow flowers . They stumble upon a Tamarian defrin root , which can grow without water as long as there are high levels of nitrous oxide . Boimler is concerned about how safe it is to be breathing in such an environment. Tendi notes how Orions are immune to the hallucinogenic properties, but before she can finish, both Mariner and Boimler begin to hallucinate as oxygen levels begin to lower. As a delirious Mariner and Boimler struggle, Tendi forcibly guides them both out of the swamp into the next tube, venting the nitrous oxide out with oxygen once it's shut and helping them snap out of their bad trip.

On the Dove , Freeman has just finished a relaxing mud bath, and is checking in on the engineers, who are in the midst of raking in a sand garden. Freeman is pleased to see them relaxing, before she realizes that the engineers have made a design schematic in the sand that they believe will improve the Cerritos ' engine efficiency. Even Ensign Meredith is sneaking in a project while getting a massage . Baffled by the behavior, Freeman leaves the room angrily wondering why her engineers (who are in a much better mood) simply won't relax.

Back on the Cerritos , Mariner, Boimler, and Tendi are a bit lost as recent retrofits have made their map a bit confusing and sections have been left unmarked as a result, but they come upon one such room where gravity is significantly lower. The three jump around and enjoy the low gravity environment, though they know they can't goof around too long if they hope to beat Delta shift.

On the bridge , Shaxs detects an asteroid cluster approaching the ship. Ransom orders for power to be rerouted to the deflector dish to protect the ship.

Mariner and Tendi exhausted after saving Boimler.

Back in the low-gravity room, a device powers on, and suddenly, gravity increases dramatically as the walls begin to spin rapidly. Boimler is caught in the gravity well , and Mariner and Tendi both narrowly escape getting caught themselves as Boimler screams for help. Thinking fast, Mariner and Tendi strip out of their uniforms and make a tether with them to anchor themselves. Securing themselves, Tendi manages to reach out and grab Boimler's hair, and Mariner pulls them both in.

On the Dove , Freeman and the engineers are all enjoying a pedicure which has seemingly finally helped in easing their stress levels. Freeman is pleased with what she sees, asking Rutherford if he's enjoying himself, to which he replies that he is. Toz tells him that he will love the upcoming manicure to which he nervously tries to decline. As he does, Toz discovers that the engineers have all slipped cucumber slices underneath their wristbands, blocking the sensors that monitor their stress. While they try to explain that they were concerned that their own stress was causing her further stress, Freeman is infuriated that they engineered such a workaround in violation of her orders. As she yells at them, her own wristband jumps from yellow, to red, and then to black. Alarmed at this, Toz realizes that they've been treating the wrong patient, and that Freeman is the one in need of the stress therapy and has her taken away for intensive treatment. Toz tells them that as Freeman has been repressing months' worth of stress, she will need to be sent to Earth for a full medical diagnostic if she doesn't respond well to treatment. Billups tries to object to taking Freeman away, but Toz tells him that all of this could have been avoided had the engineers simply accepted their stress treatments in the first place, before leaving angrily. Realizing that she's right, Billups tells his crew that they need to figure out a way they can relax more, and Rutherford comes up with an idea.

Back on the Cerritos , Mariner, Boimler, and Tendi have finally come upon a vent that will give them direct access to the terminal, but as the vent only opens once every hour for ten seconds, they have to wait for it to open. As they think about what they might say to invite others into their room, the members of Delta shift stumble into the room much to their surprise. As the two groups confront each other about their scheme, the two talk about all the troubling obstacles they had to encounter to get to where they are, and they begin to laugh at the various misadventures they all encountered. Time passes, and as the two groups continue to bond, they both realize that despite their previous rivalry, they are not that different, even finding it a shame that when the vent eventually opens, they will be back to being rivals. Mariner suggests that once the vent opens, they could all put their names into the lottery, as it would be an even split, and that no matter who wins, they would get new friends. However, as they discuss this, one of the Delta shift members gets the vent open, and they all rush out, laughing as they leave Mariner, Boimler, and Tendi behind.

Act Three [ ]

Freeman is in the puppy play den on the Dove , but despite the abundance of puppies and a couple rabbits around her, she is incredibly agitated. Out of ideas, Toz lights a cigarette , and decides to call Starfleet to have Freeman taken to Earth , but Rutherford and Billups rush in. Toz tries to object, but Billups claims that they found a way to let go of their stress, and they bring in a device they constructed with one of Toz's turbolifts. Freeman isn't thrilled that they continued to build, despite her orders, but Billups says that they get stress relief by engineering solutions to their problems and invites her into their machine. Rutherford claims that ten seconds alone in the machine will equate to an entire month spent on the Dove , and Freeman decides to try it. They shut her in and activate the machine for a few seconds, and when they open it again, she emerges feeling incredible. She claims the experience was better than a thousand massages, and that she feels like a new woman. Toz indeed confirms that her stress levels have returned to their baseline and notes that with one of these machines on every starship, there would no longer be a need for the Dove . Satisfied, Freeman takes the engineers back to the Cerritos . As they leave, Toz angrily demands her assistant get rid of the machine.

On the Cerritos , Mariner, Boimler, and Tendi are frustrated that delta shift cheated them out of the lottery, but Boimler quickly realizes that nearby water is actually draining out a vent. Boimler discovers a drain that might bypass the vent they were waiting on. Both Mariner and Tendi express some concern that he might be wrong, but Boimler decides to be bold, and jumps down the vent. Landing safely at the bottom, he calls for them to join him while they express that they need to do something about his new bold attitude. Mariner and Tendi join Boimler, and sure enough, they find themselves by a ladder that leads to the terminal. Having beaten delta shift, they intend to lock them out of the lottery, but after Boimler accesses the terminal, he discovers that it isn't four rooms available on Deck One, but one room on Deck Four instead. Distraught that only one of them can get the room, and unwilling to be split apart from one another, they decide to let delta shift go on with their plan, deciding that they deserve to be broken up instead.

Later on in the bar, the disgruntled group watches from a booth as the delta shifters celebrate their winning the lottery over at the bar and will host a party later in the evening, having learned that all four members who participated will be sharing the large suite room together and move four beds into it. Distraught that they didn't think of sharing the room themselves, the returned Rutherford criticizes Mariner, Boimler, and Tendi for not considering that the one room could have benefited all of them. He then tells them about the delta's private party and asks if they can crash it by inserting themselves onto the guest list, but the other three, tired from their misadventure immediately decline.

Over by one of the bar's two replicators , Ransom casually sidles up and quietly orders 35 hot churros in a brown paper bag, looking pleased once it fully materializes.

Memorable quotes [ ]

" Oh, boy. We got a... ancient mask situation here. " " A what now? " " This is, like, the third time it's happened. Stop touching masks! "

" Zenrox , tilling his fields in the spring! The spring! "

" Dr. T'Ana's raised some concerns, Lieutenant Commander. Her medical opinion is that you are 'a *bleep*ing pile of stress.' " " I'm fine! The doc just needs to stay in her lane because I don't go down to her sickbay and tell her how to hypo her sprays! "

" Ooh, I've always wanted to explore an ethical gray area. " " Yes! Let's go gray area the *bleep* out of delta shift! "

" The puppy play pen is one of our most popular offerings. For the more deviant among you, we also have kittens. No judgment! "

" Oh, I know what this is. I think this is what people used to use to store their money. It's called a... bonk? " " Oh, what a boring program. 'Oh yes, hello, I'd like to withdraw some paper with no intrinsic value.' Heh, money. "

" Everybody, down! This is a robbery! " " Hands up where I can see them! I didn't wake up planning on blowing anyone's brains out, but don't push me! "

" What are we doing? " " The usual! We off these feds, and once our blood's pumping, we'll do the nasty on the counter and make the hostages watch. "

" What kind of weirdo signs up for a job in outer space just to garden? "

" Ah, the path to Kamata in spring. Whoop! (chuckles) Gramble, his throat slit by his mistress. "

" Boimler, what is up with your head?! You look like a goddamn sea creature! " " My head? What about your arms?! "

" We have to get out of here! " " 'Oh, we have to get out of here!' Ha ha... " " How?! It's a maze! " " What?! What... what maze?! " " Okay, you guys stay here and feed the rabbits; I'm gonna find a way through this maaaze! "

" I'm not Boimler, I'm Antigrav Boy: protector of the lower decks! "

" Oh, engineers. All of them! All of them are all goddamned Geordi La Forges ! "

" At least you weren't in the holodeck for Shaxs' and T'Ana's foreplay fantasy. Ugh. " " Oh man, you ran into them too? We heard them going to town from behind stellar cartography . " " Aww, I knew they were making progress. " " Yeah, they were definitely making something . "

" It would mean being on a different deck, all by yourself. " " We wouldn't get to have days like this anymore. Even with all the peril, it was really fun just being together. " " Yeah, and you know we're only gonna be lower deckers for so long. I mean, in no time Tendi's gonna be a bridge officer, I'll probably get drummed out of Starfleet for calling Ransom a piece of *bleep* , and Boimler, you'll be dead because of the whole being bold thing. "

" Hey, hey relax, man. " " I am relaxed! I just got back from a spa! "

Background information [ ]

• The title was announced on 12 September 2022 by Paramount+ . [1]

Continuity [ ]

• Two additional background characters introduced during LD Season 1 are given names for the first time in this episode, Federov and Moxy .
• The opening scene where Captain Freeman is possessed by a mask and turns parts of the Cerritos into an ancient temple is a direct reference to the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode " Masks ".
• Toz , and another unidentified masseuse, are the third and fourth Edosians to appear in Star Trek , after Arex from Star Trek: The Animated Series , and the Division 14 medical specialist from the Lower Decks episode " Much Ado About Boimler ".
• A Galardonian , a member of Molmol's species , a member of Migleemo's species , and a member of Addix's species – all species first introduced in Lower Decks – appear aboard the Dove .
• It is confirmed in this episode that Dr. T'Ana at one point had a tail like other Caitians . Earlier in her Starfleet career, she lost it in an unspecified incident.
• One of the Doopler emissary's dooplercates skeletal remains can be seen when Mariner, Boimler and Tendi first enter the area under hydroponics, suggesting at least one dooplicate was unaccounted for.
• Although there is no official stardate within the episode itself, a log by Rutherford on the "Star Trek Logs" Instagram account dated the episode to Stardate 58312.6. [2]

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

• Tawny Newsome as Beckett Mariner
• Jack Quaid as Brad Boimler
• Noël Wells as D'Vana Tendi
• Eugene Cordero as Sam Rutherford
• Carol Freeman
• Minooki (possessing Freeman)
• Jerry O'Connell as Jack Ransom
• Fred Tatasciore as Shaxs
• Gillian Vigman as T'Ana

Guest cast [ ]

• Asif Ali as Asif
• Mary Holland as Toz
• Artemis Pebdani as Karavitus
• Paul Scheer as Andy Billups
• Carl Tart as Kayshon
• Fed (off-screen voiceover)
• Toz's assistant

Background characters [ ]

• Hans Federov
• Andorian ops ens 1
• Bank patrons
• Doopler emissary duplicate (skeletal remains)
• Addix's species attendant
• Bajoran attendant
• Edosian attendant
• Human attendant
• Human emergency attendants
• Human manicurist
• Human pedicurist
• Merp's species manicurist
• Migleemo's species pedicurist
• Alien visitor
• Andorian visitors 1 and 2
• Ariolo visitor
• Benzite visitor
• Bolian visitor
• Galardonian visitor
• Human visitors 1 , 2 , and 3
• Klingon visitor
• Molmol's species visitor
• Orion visitor
• Vulcan visitor

References [ ]

Addix's species ; air gapped ; Algonquin ; Andorian ; Andorian battle cruiser ( unnamed ); " Antigrav Boy "; aqueduct ; Ariolo ; asteroid cluster ; Bajoran ; bank (aka " bonk "); barf ; bat'leth ; beds ; Benzite ; beta shift ; beta shifter (aka " Beta "); " bigs "; black and white ; " Boims "; bold ; Bolian ; bullet ; cafeteria ; Caitian ; California -class ; California -class decks ; captain ; Carlsbad , USS ; caveman ; Cerritos , USS ; churro ; Churrolivia ; cinnamon ; commander ; computer ; cucumber ; D'Arsay ; D'Arsay archive ; deflector dish ; delta shift ; delta shifter (aka " Delta "); " Diane "; doctor (aka " doc "); dog (aka puppy ); Doopler ; Dove ; Dove -type ; dreams ; Earth ; Edosian ; ensign ; EV suit ; face ; feds ; flower ; Galardonian ; Goopy's species ; gun ; hallucination ; healing bogs ; holodeck ; holodeck safety protocols ; holoprogram ; " holy cow "; hostage ; Human ; hydroponics bay ; incinerator ; joy ; kitten ; Klingon ; LaForge, Geordi ; lemonade ; lieutenant ; lieutenant commander ; lieutenant junior grade ; lighter ; lottery ; " mani-pedi "; manicure (aka " mani "); Maquis ; mask ; massage ; maze ; mek'leth ; Merp's species ; Migleemo ; Migleemo's species ; Molmol's species ; money ; mud bath ; musical note ; navigational deflector ; nitrous oxide ; Orion ; oxygen ; palace ; paper ; paper bag ; pedicure (aka " pedi "); phaser ; possession ; quarters ; rabbit (aka bunny ); retrofits ; Riker, William T. ; robbery ; sacrificial altars ; sand ; sand garden ; sea creature ( sea urchin ); sensor ; shortcut ; skeleton ; smoking ; sounds ; spirit ; starfish ; Starfleet ; Starfleet Medical ; Starfleet uniform ; stress ; stress meter ; swamp ; tail ; Tamarian ; Tamarian defrin root ; Tamarian language ; taste ; Tellar Prime ; Tellarite ; temperature ; temple ; tether ; tuning ; turbolift ; viscosity ; Volis' species ; Vulcan ; water ; wristband

Tamarian language references [ ]

dawn ; field ; Gramble ; Jerna ; Kamata ; mistress ; path ; slit ; spring ; throat ; tilling ; Zenrox

External links [ ]

• " Room for Growth " at the Internet Movie Database
• " "Discovering Room for Growth" " at MissionLogPodcast.com , a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast
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15 Star Trek planets you need to visit this year (pictures)

Can't wait for the upcoming Star Trek flick? Maybe you should make plans for which planets you'll visit during your gap year after graduating from Starfleet.

"Star Trek Beyond," the next installment in the series of reboot films, sees the Enterprise crew trapped on a mysterious planet. The movie is set to be released July 22 in the US and UK and July 21 in Australia.

If that planet is anything like these classic Trek worlds, we absolutely cannot wait.

Let's start with Risa: tropical luxury resorts, miles of pristine beaches, steam pools and subterranean gardens, and more than 200 very, very accommodating Nuvian masseuses...

Risa: Yeah, there are beaches too

And no weapons allowed. Risa gets the nickname "The Pleasure Planet" for good reason. (Editors' note: The "Star Trek" TV series is a property of CBS, which also owns CNET.)

Depending on which timeline you're in, Vulcan may have been destroyed, or may be about to be destroyed. If at all possible, we recommend seeing it while you still can.

Vulcan: Get it while it's hot

Make sure to check out the lava pools, active volcanos, religious buildings, and the iconic Fire Plains. Oh, and pack light clothing: They don't say things are "hot as Vulcan" for nothing.

If you're feeling a little lonely, look no further than Trill, a planet where there are two beings for every one person. We're talking about some mighty welcoming symbiotes, but the pluses don't end there...

Trill: Look familiar?

Yes, the oceans are purple, but if you squint, it looks remarkably like Earth. (If you squint very hard, you may notice a passing resemblance to the Huntington gardens in Pasadena, California.) Plan a visit to the Caves of Mak'ala and a hike through the ice cliffs of Tenaran.

Ba'ku is a lush planet with rolling hills, sparkling lakes, and exciting local wildlife. But its most important feature is one that's not on the surface...

... Metaphasic rings that regenerate health and give inhabitants eternal life and inexplicable sexiness. The veins of kelbonite in the mountains make transporting off-world difficult, so be sure to snag a ticket for the ferry.

Architecture buffs will get a kick out of Pollux IV, where the Greek gods retreated after the people of Earth stopped worshipping them. Their species died out after an encounter with Captain Kirk, but they left their stunning buildings behind for tourists to enjoy.

Plan the timing of your visit to Meridian very, very carefully. Every 60 years, Meridian undergoes a quantum energy shift that transforms inhabitants from physical beings to incorporeal consciousnesses. You really don't want to be there when they're shifting back into energy...

Meridian: Fabulous food

However, visitors shouldn't miss the chance to participate in the "First Meal" and "Last Meal" celebrations the locals use to mark their return to corporeal forms.

Andoria is just a short trip from Vulcan. Unfortunately, you'll need to pack an entirely new wardrobe: It's an ice moon. If you visit in the summer, temperatures should hover around a pleasant -22 degrees Fahrenheit...

Andoria: True blue natives

Pack your skis for some unforgettable trips down the mountain on the surface, and cozy up with your first mate (or your favorite blue-skinned native) in some of the romantic underground caves that are popular with honeymooners.

The sacred Klingon planet is the location of the Boreth monastery, where according to Klingon tradition, the warrior Kahless (or just his " Next Generation " clone) would return to lead the people.

Boreth: Don't miss the temples

When you're done touring the temples, pay a visit to the lava caves.

Omicron Ceti III

On this planet, you'll find complete happiness and contentment, thanks to a native species of spore. The spores also protect inhabitants from Berthold rays, which once killed everyone and everything on the planet.

Omicron Ceti III: You'll never want to leave!

Make sure you have a friend who's willing to pull you out if you get a little too content.

Another tropical paradise floating through space, Eden is an incredibly peaceful planet. That's largely because it has no native animal species, including humans. The local trees, grasses, and other flora are stunning to look at, but be warned: Everything is acidic and causes severe burns. Look, don't touch, on this one.

Ceti Alpha VI

Not to be confused with Ceti Alpha V, Ceti Alpha VI is home to an important piece of Starfleet technological history. It is the Genesis Planet, where terraforming technology was deployed to make it inhabitable once again. Admittedly, that only happened after a minor incident with a man named...

Ceti Alpha VI: You've got one guy to thank

Argelius II

Sick leave is no joke in Starfleet. If you're lucky, you may get assigned to recover on Argelius II. Its government is based entirely on love, which has led to some bureaucratic inefficiencies, but makes it ideal for a relaxing trip. Don't miss the dancing girls in the local cafes. The local prefect assures us that the murderous incorporeal entity that once plagued the planet has definitely moved on!

Sigma Iotia II

Get your zoot suit dry cleaned and your tommy gun oiled: Sigma Iotia II is best known as the "gangster planet." The native Iotians, who are not yet warp-capable, accidentally got their hands on an Earth textbook called "Chicago Mobs of the Twenties." Today, the entire planet is a replica of Prohibition-era Chicago. Make sure to ask the locals to show you how to play Fizzbin.

Vaskan-Kyrian

If you happen to get your hands on a Bajoran time cube, be sure to pay a visit to the Vaskan-Kyrian homeworld 700 years from now. The planet is home to the Kyrian Heritage Museum, where you can retrace the steps of the original Voyager mission to broker peace between the Vaskans and Kyrians. Thanks to The Doctor's input, it has been updated to more accurately reflect the exact sequence of events.

A planet eternally plunged into darkness may not sound like a vacation hot spot, but Dakala is home to a wide variety of bioluminescent plants and animals. Pack your night-vision goggles and enjoy the hot gases that vent from the planet's core.

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The artist's depiction shows one possible vision of Kepler 452b, the closest thing to an Earth cousin seen by NASA's Kepler telescope.

How to See ‘Star Trek’ Worlds in the Night Sky

Boldly go outside and spot some of the real-life counterparts of the show’s habitable M-class planets.

In the Star Trek universe, habitable worlds abound, fueling the adventures of the intrepid crew of the starship Enterprise . In the latest movie, Star Trek Beyond , much of the action takes place on Altamid, a rugged wilderness world filled with exotic forests and perilous canyons and mountains.

Across the franchise, such Earth-like worlds are designated as M-class planets , a fictional classification derived from the Vulcan word Minshara .

Trek fans will know many examples of famous class M-class planets, such as Vulcan, Romulus, and Qo'noS, the home worlds of key alien species. While many of these worlds were conjured up by the show’s writers decades ago, today’s planet-hunting astronomers are finding scores of real-life counterparts outside our solar system. (Find out what else the fictional Star Trek universe got right about real-world science .)

Rocky planets like Earth are relatively puny compared to their host stars, making these worlds hard to see and even harder to characterize. But in the last two decades, astronomers have successfully developed indirect detection methods to find ever smaller, more Earth-like planets. Today the tally of confirmed alien worlds has reached nearly 3,000, with a handful that are considered rocky and potentially habitable.

And in a landmark moment for planetary science, scientists just announced the discovery of dense, compact atmospheres similar to those of Earth and Venus around the Earth-size planets TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c, located only 40 light-years away.

These small, rocky worlds orbit close enough to their dim, red host star that they might even be able to support liquid water on their surfaces, although astronomers have a lot more work to do before they can say whether either world is habitable.

In the meantime, Earth-bound stargazers can peer into the night sky and find these real-life counterparts to Star Trek ’s fictional M-class worlds.

FREE BONUS ISSUE

Kepler 452b.

Since its launch in 2009, NASA’s Kepler space telescope has discovered more than 2,000 verified planets—and thousands more candidate worlds await confirmation. Its haul includes one of the most Earth-like planets known, Kepler 452b.

About 1,400 light-years away, this planet orbiting a sunlike star is only slightly larger than Earth and has a year lasting 385 days, putting it in the right place to possibly host pools of liquid water. ( Read more about Kepler 452b. ) Future telescope technology could help us scan the atmospheres of this and other Kepler planets to look for the chemical fingerprints of potential life, including methane, oxygen, and even chlorophyll.

Kepler’s hunting ground is easy to find for sky-watchers in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer months. The spacecraft stares deep into the constellation Cygnus, the swan, to look for tiny dips in starlight caused by planets passing in front of their hosts.

Cygnus is visible with the naked eye even in light-polluted suburbs. The pattern is also known as the Northern Cross, with its distinctive cross-shaped display of six bright stars.

The fictional home world of the Vulcans is considered a fairly typical M-class planet that is slightly hotter and drier than Earth, sporting vast deserts, a thinner atmosphere, and stronger gravity. Vulcan’s deserts and craggy mountains feature prominently in the Star Trek: Enterprise TV show episode “The Forge” and the 2009 Star Trek movie—and they bear a strong resemblance to the ruddy planet Mars.

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While the real Mars is not home to an intelligent alien race, plenty of enthusiasts are hopeful for a human presence on the red planet in the near future. And in the Star Trek universe, Mars is home to thriving human colonies, while the starships Enterprise , Voyager , and Defiant were all built in the Utopia Planitia shipyards in Martian orbit.

For sky-watchers, the red planet is easy to find in the July evening sky. After darkness falls, look toward the southwest for a triangle pattern of three bright, naked-eye stars. The orange “star” marking the upper right corner of the celestial triangle is Mars.

The faint star Keid is the main candidate for hosting the fictional planet Vulcan, home of Mr. Spock.

For his part, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry endorsed 40 Eridani, a triple star system about 16 light-years away, as a possible candidate site for a real-world planet Vulcan .

One of the members of this system is the glowing corpse of a dead star, while another is a red dwarf that shoots out deadly x-ray flares. But while no planet has been found there yet, the third star, known as 40 Eridani A or Keid, has the right stuff to host a potentially habitable world.

This star is a bit redder and smaller than our sun, so to host liquid water on its surface a planet there would have to orbit much closer than Earth does to our sun. For any real-life Vulcans looking up at the sky, Keid would appear 30 percent larger than our sun, and it would be joined by the neighboring pair of fainter, white and red suns during the daytime.

Keid is easily visible to the unaided eye as a faint star that sits in the southern constellation Eridanus. Sky-watchers in more southern latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, including the southern United States, can hunt down Keid from their backyards thanks to its proximity to some of the brightest stars visible in the early evenings between January and April.

To find Keid, face the southern sky and look for the bright stars Saiph and Rigel, which mark the knees of the great Greek mythological hero Orion. Draw an imaginary arc through these brilliant stars toward their right until you hit the faint star Beid about 20 degrees away, equal to the width of two fists held side by side at arm’s length. Just below Beid lies the slightly fainter Keid.

Clear skies!

Andrew Fazekas, the Night Sky Guy, is the author of Star Trek: The Official Guide to Our Universe . Follow him on Twitter , Facebook , and his website .

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M Marks the Spot: Star Trek's Planet Classifications, Explained

Star Trek's characters use a very specific system to classify the planets they encounter. Each letter and category has its own specific meaning.

The bright, optimistic future of Star Trek  entailed regular scientific exploration, which was part of Starfleet’s mantra. That included an entire lexicon of terms, to better sell the show’s setting and to provide the sheen of rigor to its various dramatic plots. Planets were grouped according to class – each one with different features and details – which became a part of the world-building and continued to be used in subsequent Star Trek series. The most enticing was Class M , which was a planet capable of sustaining humanoid life. That meant new alien beings, new cultures and civilizations, or even just a suitable spot to set up a colony.

But class M wasn’t the only type of planet in the Star Trek lexicon. Nine others were mentioned at one point or another during the series, each with a letter demarking their status. A list of all classifications follows, along with a brief description of their conditions.

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Class D: Barren Rock

Class D referred to a planet or planetoid completely devoid of atmosphere. The most prominent example in canon was Regula, the planetoid from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan . Spock described it as “a great rock in space,” composed of unremarkable elements and of little note beyond that.

Class H: Uninhabitable

The class H designation in Star Trek canon was vague, though largely uninhabitable by most humanoid species. One exception was the Sheliak, an “R-3” lifeform consisting of what appeared to be sentient blobs. They laid claim over several Class H worlds, which the Federation ceded to them as part of a treaty. However, a class H planet named Tau Cygna V was inhabited by human colonists, provoking a diplomatic incident with the Sheliak that the Enterprise-D resolved in Star Trek: the Next Generation Season 3, Episode 2, “The Ensigns of Command.”

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Class J: Gas Giant

Class J was designated a manner of gas giant, akin to Jupiter. They are uninhabitable by humanoid life forms though their varying layers of atmosphere could conceivably carry life of a non-humanoid sort. The most prominent onscreen appearance came in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 4, Episode 7, “Starship Down.” The Defiant engaged in a game of cat-and-mouse with the Jem’hadar in the atmosphere of a remote planet fitting the classification.

Class K: Habitable with Modifications

A class K planet was deemed habitable in many ways, but with surface conditions too harsh to support humanoid life. That could include anything from extreme temperatures to lack of a breathable atmosphere. People could live on such worlds with help from technological devices such as pressurized air domes or underground structures, but exposure to the surface without protective gear would be lethal. The Original Series Season 2, Episode 12, “I, Mudd” was set on a class K planet, beneath a dome controlled by androids where Harry Mudd set himself up as king.

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Class L: Marginally Habitable

Class L planets held all of the components suitable for human life, and could often support such life for extended periods of time. They are usually quite barren, though some contain arable land and others are able to support colonies of hundreds of thousands of people. Class L planets are mentioned regularly throughout the franchise, notably in multiple episodes of Star Trek: Voyager .

Class M: Habitable

The vast majority of Star Trek’s alien worlds are class M, featuring a sustainable oxygen atmosphere, viable ecology and other Earth-like qualities. That allows all manner of life to develop on them and provides a convenient location for franchise's stories. Most civilized worlds in the Star Trek universe are class M, including Earth, Vulcan, Qo’noS and Andoria -- though Andoria is technically a moon. The “M” stands for “Minshara,” a Vulcan term used in Star Trek: Enterprise , though none of the other planetary classes had in-canon designations beyond the letters.

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Classes N and R: Habitable With Unknown Modifiers

Both class N and class R planets are deemed habitable, though they differ from Class M planets in a manner that the Star Trek canon has yet to lay out. In both cases, their respective atmospheres are sensitive to specific types of explosives. Beyond that, their properties are unknown. Both were mentioned for the first time in The Next Generation Season 4, Episode 17, “Night Terrors.”

Class T: Gas Giant

A class T is a gas giant, similar to a class J. As with classes N and R, there is no current in-canon explanation for the differences between the two. Class T planets have thus far only been mentioned once in the franchise: Voyager Season 6, Episode 20, “Good Shepherd.” The Delta flyer encounters one bearing rings, though it’s unknown if those are the distinguishing factor for the class or not.

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Class Y: Demon Planet

Class Y planets were designated “demon planets” due to their overtly toxic and dangerous atmospheres, and for their often hellish surface appearance. That could include surface temperatures higher than 500 degrees Kelvin and radiation discharges that were actively harmful to humanoid life. Its most notable appearance came in Voyager Season 4, Episode 24, “Demon,” which used a class Y planet as its primary focus.

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17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

Written By: Linda Voltaire

Updated On: December 21, 2022

Visiting Russia? These are the top 17 things to do in Moscow to help you plan your trip.

If the western world has New York City , the first great metropolis on the eastern side of our planet is Moscow. A huge city with a complicated and impressive history, Moscow gets a bad rep over Russian politics – but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Capital to the largest country in the world, Moscow takes the grandeur of its standing very seriously.

This is a place where luxury is king and where opulence takes a front seat in every aspect of life. The buildings are grand and imposing, the parks are luscious and enormous, and even the subway stations look different in Moscow than anywhere else in the world.

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in Moscow, Russia

Walking around Moscow is also going through the tumultuous history of the 20th century, which had Russia as one of its main protagonists. There are fascinating remains of these times everywhere in the former Soviet capital, from the gorgeous Seven Sisters skyscrapers to the Orthodox cathedrals that were closed for the better part of a century.  Still, Moscow is also a completely modern city, with a vibrant social and party scene, incredible restaurants, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

After living in Russia’s capital as an ex-pat for four years, I got the privilege to experience not only the main attractions in Moscow but also the everyday life in this huge city and quickly found my sweat spots off the beaten tracks! So here is my list of my top 17 things to do in this exciting metropolis!

Attractions in Moscow

When visiting a famous city like this one, it’s a must to go through the most iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin & Surrounding Area

No place tells the story of Moscow’s power in the past century the way the Red Square does. This is where the biggest political meetings in the USSR occurred for many decades, and you can feel the power on each step.

Here, you’ll also find the historic museum at the entrance, showcasing the decades of history behind this iconic landmark. The Lenin Mausoleum, perhaps the most famous resting place in the world and home to the remains of the former communist leader, is also here.

On one side of the Red Square you’ll find the Kremlin, the fortified complex that now hosts the presidential residence. This is also home to the most iconic of all Moscovite landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, a 16th-century marvel of colors. This is the best spot to take a selfie and show the world you’ve reached the Russian capital!

• Get your Kremlin Skip the Line Tickets and Kremlin tour here.
• Free cancellation up to 24-hours in advance of the tour.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

You can easily spend a couple of days just exploring the Moscovite city centre, and the Bolshoi Theatre should be your second stop. Walk past the Red Square and then head to the nearby Bolshoi Theatre, one of the oldest and most renowned houses of opera and ballet on Earth.

Visit for the impressive early 19th-century architecture, but if you’re seeing a ballet performance, make sure you book between 3 and 6 months in advance! I can strongly recommend this as it is a truly unique experience!

• Book a private 2-hour tour of the legendary Bolshoi Theatre.
• See the presidential box reserved for tzars, watch a rehearsal and skip the lines through a separate entrance.
• Free Cancellation up to 24-hours in advance.

3. Luxury Shopping at GUM and TSUM

While many might think of Moscow as the sad place with the long bread queues from the USSR days, it’s been quite the capitalist haven for a while.

If you’re up for some shopping, you’ll find one of the biggest luxury malls in town, TSUM, right behind the Bolshoi and GUM, at the red square. GUM is the most famous department store in town, where you’ll find luxury everywhere and all high-end brand. 

All in an imposing late 19th-century building with lots of history, worth a visit just for the design, its bridges and the glass roof even though you are not up for shopping!

4. Christ the Savior Cathedral

A newer addition to the gorgeous Moscovite cathedrals and my grandeur neighbor during my years in the city Don’t let the young age of this building fool you. After the perestroika in the early 90s, the newly revived Russian Orthodox Church received permission to build a cathedral on this site. They did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church.

The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes as tall as the skies in bright gold and gorgeous paintings and decor! Bring a shawl to cover your hair to adjust to the local tradition.

Head to the back of the cathedral and you will find one of the most photographed bridges in Moscow, the Patriarshiy Most. This is the perfect spot to get a good view and photo of the cathedral but also to see the Kreml and Gorky Park from a distance. Or why not just enjoy a moment watching the river and its boats!  

• Get around Moscow with ease using the Hop On Hop Off boat and Bus ticket. 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets available.

5. Gorky Park

Cross the river and head to Gorky Park along the Moscow river. The most famous green area in town, similar to New York ’s Central Park and the weekend hangout for locals. There are many beautiful parks in the city, but if you’re only visiting for a few days, this is the unmissable one! 

With fair attractions to entertain children, beautiful artificial lakes and gardens, and lots of outdoor activities, it’s a lovely place to relax. A place of rest in the middle of the metropolis. The area in front of the New Tretyakov Gallery & the Muzeon Park of Arts is actually one of my favorite oasis as a bit more quiet and peaceful than Gorky itself.

Why not spend some time in the museum to get a great tour of Russia’s history through art or just enjoy the art exhibition outside where local artists spend their weekends. 

6. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow is from the Moscow River. There are many stops for the boats and one is just next to Gorky Park. See the city from another perspective – and turn the ride into a romantic one by taking the evening cruise. Moscow is magic during the night.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, take the Radisson Blu cruise – or the Erwin for a delicious seafood dinner. Both stop at Gorky or at the luxury Radisson Royal Hotel, set in one of the Seven Sister’s skyscrapers.

• We use Get Your Guide when booking city tours and they offer a River Sightseeing Cruise seeing all the main tourist attractions in Moscow

7. Metro Hopping

First inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow subway system is one of the oldest in the world, and certainly the most beautiful. Started under Stalinist times, each metro station is dedicated to grandeur and oozing personality.

Visiting the subway stops is an attraction in and of itself, and Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Kropotkinskaya are my favorites. Those surrounding the Red Square are also mesmerizing – in general, these are kind of like underground palaces.

Most of the signs at the Moscow Metro now have Latin letters, so it’s very easy to get around!Unfortunately, the trains are not as beautiful and pleasant as the stations but still, this is a true Moscow experience.  Take a guided tour of the 9 most beautiful Metro Stations including the award-winning art deco station. See more details here.

8. Arbatskaya & Artsy Moscow

Novy Arbat Street is one of the most touristy areas in the city, with lots of shops and cafés directed at visitors. When you walk a little beyond, you’ll find a different part of town, where the hip scene thrives because so many artists live in the area. Just follow the small streets with fewer tourists!

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings hosts the main building of the Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious colleges in Russia – and the one with the best view.

Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them.

10. Russian Market

If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world – the Izmailovsky. You can easily take the metro here and feel like you’ve been transported to another time.

This place was first built in the 16th century and retains the look of an old fairytale, with a lineup of colorful old castle. A lovely local experience beyond the confines of the bustling metropolis, where you can also try some delicious Russian barbecue.

Here, you’ll find beautiful souvenirs at great prices.

Off The Beaten Track Moscow

Once you’ve covered the most touristic spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer – and the places below will also be full of locals! Moscow is a city for hipsters, full of trendy and arty spots where you can literally feel the creativity oozing! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend my sweat spots below!

11. Patriarshiye Prudy

This is my favorite area in the entire city! While Moscow is generally a very noisy metropolis, Patriarch Ponds is far quieter, yet such a vibrant place. This is a very hip and trendy area making you think you are rather in Paris than in Moscow. Here the streets are narrow and full of chic eateries and clubs to see the local crowd.

A little bohemian and with an air of peace you won’t find anywhere in the city this is a great spot to spend an afternoon with your thoughts.

12. ArtPlay

Barely 15 minutes away from the city center you’ll find the artsiest Moscow district: ArtPlay. For decades, this block was a factory, but it was renovated to become a hub for the arts not too long ago.

Now, you’ll find it’s full of exhibitions, showrooms and art schools – and some of the most creative people in town. Writers, painters, and young hip people use ArtPlay as a rendezvous, and you can feel the creative energy here. The industrial design with modern interior decoration is also a feast for the eyes!

13. Shopping Local Designs

If you’re into design, both international and local, you’ll find lots of cute things at Patriarshiye Prudy. Department store Podium Market is also a great spot for shopping, as a department store everywhere in town, with lots of local and international brands. There’s one in the Four Seasons Hotel next to Red Square. My favorite Moscow mall is Tsvetnoy Central Market, a cool spot with great brands, lots of inspo, and even a cute café!

14. Moscow City

Like many other great capitals of the world, for the past few decades, Moscow has hosted a super modern area full of modern skyscrapers – Moscow City. With a completely different vibe than the rest of town, it’s like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressively tall glass buildings. Here, you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, such as Ruski and Sixty they are perfect spots for dining or enjoying a glass of wine with a view. There are also a relatively new shopping mall with lots of international brands called Affimall!

Wine, Dine, and Party in Moscow

Gone are the gloomy Moscow days – cold as it might be in the winter, Russia’s capital is a place for the senses. Great food and drinks abound – and the clubs are hot, too!

15. Where to Eat in Moscow

Moscow is a great metropolis where people love to dine out, and there are endless options for delicious food. The flavors are as diverse as you’d expect from a big city, with options of fine dining and little hipster eateries. 

• For traditional Russian flavors, I can’t recommend Café Pushkin, Dr. Zhivago, and Turnadot enough.
• When looking for international cuisines, Italian is always the way to go, and my local favorite is Probka.
• Fine dining is best done among the clouds at White Rabbit, with European flavors.
• As for the hip spots, you can spend a full day just eating around trendy places, from burgers to Asian fusion.

More Dining Options

• Patriarshiye Prudy offers a lot of small and classy spots with cool concepts, like breakfast restaurants I Love Cake and Fresh.
• For dinner, I love the NYC experience of Saxon & Parole, and the wonderful trendy Pins, with its delicious food and drinks.
• For delicious Asian food head to CutFish. 
• Lastly, there’s a recent revival of food markets in Moscow, offering lots of great choices of international flavors at affordable places.
• Don’t miss out the Vietnamese food stand at the Danilovsky market, and everything at Usachevsky!

16. Rooftopping

Big cities deserve to be seen from above, having a cocktail among the clouds. These are my recommendations for rooftop bars in Moscow.

• As I mentioned in the Moscow City section, Sixty & Ruski are two of my favorites, overlooking the newest part of town. 
• White Rabbit and its fine dining is also a lovely place for a fun dinner looking down on Moscow.
• O2, in the city center, has an advantage above all others: amazing views of the Red Square.
• Buono, above the Radisson Royal Hotel, might be the most romantic rooftop hotel in town, with its candlelit setting.
• Also on the Radisson stands the Mercedes. It’s a luxurious and posh experience with delicious cocktails.
• The Sky Lounge offers a peculiar experience, mixing an old Soviet building with futuristic additions.

17. Moscow by Night

Party the night away! The city is full of bars everywhere, but there are some areas where you’ll find more than others.

• Patriarshiye Prudy has lots of hip and small clubs and great bars, including the super fun private club Clava, which has a great vibe and people from all walks of life.
• For more hipster style bars, Red October is the place to go.
• Streak is a summer favorite, with a lovely terrace to catch a beautiful sunset – plus, their mozzarella bar is delicious.
• At night, Red October lights up with clubs everywhere, including the cool rooftop one Gipsy.
• Jagger is also a great spot during summer with a more relaxed vibe in garden setting. 
• For the traditional Russian luxury experience, go to SohoRooms, a whole other world including all-night go-go dancers.

There are so many things to do in Moscow at night and during the day, you definitely need several days to explore this exciting destination.

Moscow is a must-see city, a city like no other ! I hope you will enjoy this Russian metropolis as much as I did!

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10 thoughts on “17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow”

These places look so awesome! Moscow is truly a beautiful city

Very good article, you have explained so nicely. Russia has always been a part of history and its good to know about much more about architecture and other things, wish i could see the inside of façade

Thanks for sharing such a nice article.You have very beautifully explained everything that one need for a trip to Moscow.

Nice article. Love the hidden gems and graffiti art, would love to visit Artplay. Thanks for a comprehensive guide to Moscow!

Moscow is a city where the past and the future live side by side. Here we can find everything from medieval fortresses and Soviet monoliths to glass skyscrapers and innovation centers.

Your article is good and meaningful .

Thanks for sharing about ArtPlay district, we didn’t know about it and it looks amazing 🙂 Hopefully there’ll be a second time in Moscow, we visited last May and really liked the city!

Wonderful stuff! I’ve been to Moscow, but not properly – it’s a long story lol!

Anyhoo, my next thing is to fly from Berlin to Moscow and then travel from there to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian / Trans-Siberian train. Now, if only I could just find the time …!

I hear Moscow is very beautiful at night. I hope to get out there one day. A friend of mine went to St. Petersburg and had a great experience. Despite all the tension we see on the news with Russia and other Countries like the U.S. I wonder what the sentiment is with Russians and foreigners visiting their country for tourism. Especially Americans.

that looks like quite a beautiful place. 🙂

The Comprehensive Guide to Moscow Nightlife

• Posted on April 14, 2018 July 26, 2018
• by Kings of Russia
• 8 minute read

Moscow’s nightlife scene is thriving, and arguably one of the best the world has to offer – top-notch Russian women, coupled with a never-ending list of venues, Moscow has a little bit of something for everyone’s taste. Moscow nightlife is not for the faint of heart – and if you’re coming, you better be ready to go Friday and Saturday night into the early morning.

This comprehensive guide to Moscow nightlife will run you through the nuts and bolts of all you need to know about Moscow’s nightclubs and give you a solid blueprint to operate with during your time in Moscow.

What you need to know before hitting Moscow nightclubs

Prices in moscow nightlife.

Before you head out and start gaming all the sexy Moscow girls , we have to talk money first. Bring plenty because in Moscow you can never bring a big enough bankroll. Remember, you’re the man so making a fuzz of not paying a drink here or there will not go down well.

Luckily most Moscow clubs don’t do cover fees. Some electro clubs will charge 15-20$, depending on their lineup. There’s the odd club with a minimum spend of 20-30$, which you’ll drop on drinks easily. By and large, you can scope out the venues for free, which is a big plus.

Bottle service is a great deal in Moscow. At top-tier clubs, it starts at 1,000$. That’ll go a long way with premium vodka at 250$, especially if you have three or four guys chipping in. Not to mention that it’s a massive status boost for getting girls, especially at high-end clubs.

Without bottle service, you should estimate a budget of 100-150$ per night. That is if you drink a lot and hit the top clubs with the hottest girls. Scale down for less alcohol and more basic places.

Dress code & Face control

Door policy in Moscow is called “face control” and it’s always the guy behind the two gorillas that gives the green light if you’re in or out.

In Moscow nightlife there’s only one rule when it comes to dress codes:

You can never be underdressed.

People dress A LOT sharper than, say, in the US and that goes for both sexes. For high-end clubs, you definitely want to roll with a sharp blazer and a pocket square, not to mention dress shoes in tip-top condition. Those are the minimum requirements to level the playing field vis a vis with other sharply dressed guys that have a lot more money than you do. Unless you plan to hit explicit electro or underground clubs, which have their own dress code, you are always on the money with that style.

Getting in a Moscow club isn’t as hard as it seems: dress sharp, speak English at the door and look like you’re in the mood to spend all that money that you supposedly have (even if you don’t). That will open almost any door in Moscow’s nightlife for you.

Types of Moscow Nightclubs

In Moscow there are four types of clubs with the accompanying female clientele:

High-end clubs:

These are often crossovers between restaurants and clubs with lots of tables and very little space to dance. Heavy accent on bottle service most of the time but you can work the room from the bar as well. The hottest and most expensive girls in Moscow go there. Bring deep pockets and lots of self-confidence and you have a shot at swooping them.

Regular Mid-level clubs:

They probably resemble more what you’re used to in a nightclub: big dancefloors, stages and more space to roam around. Bottle service will make you stand out more but you can also do well without. You can find all types of girls but most will be in the 6-8 range. Your targets should always be the girls drinking and ideally in pairs. It’s impossible not to swoop if your game is at least half-decent.

Basic clubs/dive bars:

Usually spots with very cheap booze and lax face control. If you’re dressed too sharp and speak no Russian, you might attract the wrong type of attention so be vigilant. If you know the local scene you can swoop 6s and 7s almost at will. Usually students and girls from the suburbs.

Electro/underground clubs:

Home of the hipsters and creatives. Parties there don’t mean meeting girls and getting drunk but doing pills and spacing out to the music. Lots of attractive hipster girls if that is your niche. That is its own scene with a different dress code as well.

What time to go out in Moscow

Moscow nightlife starts late. Don’t show up at bars and preparty spots before 11pm because you’ll feel fairly alone. Peak time is between 1am and 3am. That is also the time of Moscow nightlife’s biggest nuisance: concerts by artists you won’t know and who only distract your girls from drinking and being gamed. From 4am to 6am the regular clubs are emptying out but plenty of people, women included, still hit up one of the many afterparty clubs. Those last till well past 10am.

As far as days go: Fridays and Saturdays are peak days. Thursday is an OK day, all other days are fairly weak and you have to know the right venues.

The Ultimate Moscow Nightclub List

Short disclaimer: I didn’t add basic and electro clubs since you’re coming for the girls, not for the music. This list will give you more options than you’ll be able to handle on a weekend.

Preparty – start here at 11PM

Classic restaurant club with lots of tables and a smallish bar and dancefloor. Come here between 11pm and 12am when the concert is over and they start with the actual party. Even early in the night tons of sexy women here, who lean slightly older (25 and up).

The second floor of the Ugolek restaurant is an extra bar with dim lights and house music tunes. Very small and cozy with a slight hipster vibe but generally draws plenty of attractive women too. A bit slower vibe than Valenok.

Very cool, spread-out venue that has a modern library theme. Not always full with people but when it is, it’s brimming with top-tier women. Slow vibe here and better for grabbing contacts and moving on.

High-end: err on the side of being too early rather than too late because of face control.

Secret Room

Probably the top venue at the moment in Moscow . Very small but wildly popular club, which is crammed with tables but always packed. They do parties on Thursdays and Sundays as well. This club has a hip-hop/high-end theme, meaning most girls are gold diggers, IG models, and tattooed hip hop chicks. Very unfavorable logistics because there is almost no room no move inside the club but the party vibe makes it worth it. Strict face control.

Close to Secret Room and with a much more favorable and spacious three-part layout. This place attracts very hot women but also lots of ball busters and fakes that will leave you blue-balled. Come early because after 4am it starts getting empty fast. Electronic music.

A slightly kitsch restaurant club that plays Russian pop and is full of gold diggers, semi-pros, and men from the Caucasus republics. Thursday is the strongest night but that dynamic might be changing since Secret Room opened its doors. You can swoop here but it will be a struggle.

Mid-level: your sweet spot in terms of ease and attractiveness of girls for an average budget.

Started going downwards in 2018 due to lax face control and this might get even worse with the World Cup. In terms of layout one of the best Moscow nightclubs because it’s very big and bottle service gives you a good edge here. Still attracts lots of cute girls with loose morals but plenty of provincial girls (and guys) as well. Swooping is fairly easy here.

I haven’t been at this place in over a year, ever since it started becoming ground zero for drunken teenagers. Similar clientele to Icon but less chic, younger and drunker. Decent mainstream music that attracts plenty of tourists. Girls are easy here as well.

Sort of a Coyote Ugly (the real one in Moscow sucks) with party music and lots of drunken people licking each others’ faces. Very entertaining with the right amount of alcohol and very easy to pull in there. Don’t think about staying sober in here, you’ll hate it.

Artel Bessonitsa/Shakti Terrace

Electronic music club that is sort of a high-end place with an underground clientele and located between the teenager clubs Icon and Gipsy. Very good music but a bit all over the place with their vibe and their branding. You can swoop almost any type of girl here from high-heeled beauty to coked-up hipsters, provided they’re not too sober.

Afterparty: if by 5AM  you haven’t pulled, it’s time to move here.

Best afterparty spot in terms of trying to get girls. Pretty much no one is sober in there and savage gorilla game goes a long way. Lots of very hot and slutty-looking girls but it can be hard to tell apart who is looking for dick and who is just on drugs but not interested. If by 9-10am you haven’t pulled, it is probably better to surrender.

The hipster alternative for afterparties, where even more drugs are in play. Plenty of attractive girls there but you have to know how to work this type of club. A nicer atmosphere and better music but if you’re desperate to pull, you’ll probably go to Miks.

Weekday jokers: if you’re on the hunt for some sexy Russian girls during the week, here are two tips to make your life easier.

Chesterfield

Ladies night on Wednesdays means this place gets pretty packed with smashed teenagers and 6s and 7s. Don’t pull out the three-piece suit in here because it’s a “simpler” crowd. Definitely your best shot on Wednesdays.

If you haven’t pulled at Chesterfield, you can throw a Hail Mary and hit up Garage’s Black Music Wednesdays. Fills up really late but there are some cute Black Music groupies in here. Very small club. Thursday through Saturday they do afterparties and you have an excellent shot and swooping girls that are probably high.

Shishas Sferum

This is pretty much your only shot on Mondays and Tuesdays because they offer free or almost free drinks for women. A fairly low-class club where you should watch your drinks. As always the case in Moscow, there will be cute girls here on any day of the week but it’s nowhere near as good as on the weekend.

In a nutshell, that is all you need to know about where to meet Moscow girls in nightlife. There are tons of options, and it all depends on what best fits your style, based on the type of girls that you’re looking for.

Related Topics

• moscow girls
• moscow nightlife

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Home » Europe » Moscow

5 AMAZING Neighborhoods and Areas in Moscow (2024)

Russia’s capital Moscow is known for a number of things; history, culture, nightlife, and crazy architecture.

But with over 100 distinct neighborhoods spread amongst 12 main districts, figuring out where to stay in Moscow can be a bit tricky. While Moscow does have an extensive public transport system, it’s best to stay in an area of Moscow that suits your interests.

This guide will break down the five best neighbourhoods to stay in Moscow, as well as the top things to do in each. That way, you’ll be able to find somewhere that suits your travel style and budget.

Top 3 Recommendations for Where to Stay in Moscow

Moscow neighborhood guide – places to stay in moscow, 5 best neighborhoods to stay in moscow, faq about finding a place to stay in moscow, what to pack for moscow, don’t forget travel insurance for moscow, final thoughts on where to stay in moscow.

Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Moscow.

For more information on hostels, check out our post:  best hostels in Moscow .

Loft 3 Vokzala | Best Airbnb in Moscow

This stunning Airbnb in Moscow is ideal for groups or families. The apartment has been recently renovated and is bright contemporary. Guests can enjoy a full kitchen and internet access, and free parking and a gym are available on-site. The bedroom is a bit cosy, but you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Loft Hotel H11 | Best Hotel in Moscow

Loft Hotel H11 is the coolest hotel in Moscow. Conveniently located on the borders of Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod, this hotel is a short walk Moscow’s major attractions as well as several metro stations.

Godzillas Hostel | Best Hostel in Moscow

Godzillas is Moscow’s largest and most famous hostel. In the heart of Tverskoy, this three-story hostel is a short walk from the city’s major sights and attractions. With comfortable beds and modern amenities, you won’t find a better hostel in the city.

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Kitay-Gorod

Kitay-Gorod is the neighbourhood at the heart of Moscow. Home to the city’s most famous attractions, Kitay-Gorod is the place to stay on your first visit to Moscow.

Travelling on a budget is difficult, but not impossible in Moscow. The best place to stay to get the most value for your money in the Presnensky neighbourhood.

North of Kitay-Gorod is the hip, trendy and lively neighbourhood of Trverskoy. This centrally located neighbourhood is not only home to a number of amazing attractions, but it is within walking distance to the city’s main landmarks.

Arbat/Khamovniki

The neighbouring districts of Arbat and Khamovniki are one of the best places to stay in Moscow for trendiness. Home to luxury shops, unique boutiques, and outstanding museums, Arbat/Khamovniki are where bohemian flare and modern creativity meet.

If you’re travelling with children, Basmanny is the best place to stay in Moscow. A calm oasis in the heart of the city, Basmanny is a neighbourhood known for its relaxed atmosphere, clean streets, and lush surrounding scenery.

Moscow is an impressive city, to say the least. Covering more than 2,500 square kilometres, Moscow is the home to nearly 12 million people.

Thanks to its rich and complex history, thousands of travellers flock to Moscow each year. From iconic sights and unique Russian fare to its vivid nightlife or cultural attractions, there’s so much to see and do in Russia’s capital.

The oldest section outside of the Kremlin, Kitay-Gorod is located at the heart of the city. Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral are located within walking distance of this neighborhood. It’s one of the best places to stay for getting to know the area, making it our top pick for first-time visitors.

If you’re traveling on a budget , Presnensky is an affordable and convenient location to stay in. Close to Moscow Zoo and within walking distance to other attractions, accommodation here is generally cheaper than other areas.

Tverskoy is home to Moscow’s best nightlife scene. It’s a luxurious and trendy neighborhood, home to clubs, bars, and world-class restaurants.

Arbat is a very hip district, and one of the coolest places to stay in Moscow. The area attracts many young professionals, and is full of trendy cafes and rustic restaurants.

Basmanny sits in the east of the city. With its laidback atmosphere, Basmanny is a great place to experience the slower side of Moscow life. It’s our top pick for families visiting Moscow, as it’s a peaceful base from which to explore the city.

Still not sure where to stay in Moscow? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Read on for a more detailed breakdown of each area.

Each of Moscow’s neighborhoods offers something special to visitors. Whether you’re looking for an all-night party or to immerse yourself in the city’s dynamic history, there’s a neighborhood that will cater to you.

1. Kitay-Gorod – Where to Stay in Moscow for your First Time

Kitay-Gorod lies at the heart of Moscow. Home to the city’s most famous attractions, staying here is the best way to discover the city. It’s walking distance from many major attractions, including Red Square, the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Church.

The area is also home to impressive architectural masterpieces, an exotic restaurant scene, and fascinating museums. Whether you’re interested in the arts, architecture, or seeing the sights, there’s something for everyone in Kitay-Gorod.

Entire Flat in Kitay-Gorod | Best Airbnb in Kitay-Gorod

This modern flat in a central location is ideal for couples visiting Moscow for the first time. Guests can enjoy the full kitchen, laundry facilities and free Wifi. The location is ideal, as the Airbnb is within walking distance of shops, cafes, and cultural attractions.

Kremlin Lights | Best Hostel in Kitay-Gorod

Despite sitting in the heart of Moscow, dorm rooms in this hostel are pretty affordable. The hostel comes with a fully equipped kitchen, and is within walking distance of shops and restaurants. The location is also hard to beat, as the Kremlin is less than 200 metres away.

Hotel Maroseyka 2/15 | Best Hotel in Kitay-Gorod

This three-star hotel is one of the best places to stay in Moscow for the first time, thanks to its central location and affordable rates. While it’s not as cheap as a hostel, the hotel offers an airport shuttle, laundry facilities, Wifi, ensuite bathrooms and a TV. The Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral are within walking distance, and shops and restaurants are right next door.

Top Things to do in Kitay-Gorod:

• Walk through the iconic, impressive and imposing Red Square.
• Explore Moscow’s Kremlin, the epicentre of Russia’s political power and fortified complex in the centre of the city.
• Marvel at a myriad of Russian treasures, imperial arms, jewellery and more at the Armoury.
• See the iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral, with its colourful spires and patterned façade.
• Line up at the western corner of Red Square to enter Lenin’s Mausoleum, where you can see the embalmed body of Soviet Russia’s infamous leader.
• Visit Grand Kremlin Palace, the official residence of the Russian president.
• Climb 137-steps to the top of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, and take in one of a kind views of Moscow.
• Visit the Moscow GUM Department Store, a lively shopping mall with hundreds of shops and restaurants.

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2. Presnensky – Where to Stay in Moscow on a Budget

Budget travel can be difficult, but definitely isn’t impossible in Moscow. Located on the north side of Boulevard Ring, Presnensky (or Presnya) is home to numerous attractions, restaurants and top literary sites.

With affordable hotels, hip nightlife and impressive architecture, Presnensky has a lot to do for even the tightest of budgets.

Bright and Cosy Studio | Best Airbnb in Presnensky

This modern studio sleeps two guests, and is perfect for couples or solo travelers visiting Moscow on a budget. You’ll have all the comforts of home including a full kitchen and Wifi. The studio is steps away from the famous 1905 Street, and there are numerous bars and restaurants in the area. If you want to travel further afield, the metro is within easy walking distance.

Boutique Hotel on Mukomolniy | Best Hotel in Presnensky

Rooms in this boutique hotel can sleep up to three guests and come with free Wifi. The hotel also provides a very affordable breakfast each morning, so you can eat well without breaking the budget. Public transport is a short-walk away, so you can make the most of the city at a fraction of the price of other hotels.

High Level Moscow | Best Hostel in Presnensky

High Level is the first hostel in Moscow to be set in a skyscraper! Sitting 171m above ground level, you’ll be sure to get incredible views of the city from every window. The building is set in the commercial district, so you’ll have plenty of shops nearby. It’s also close to public transport, so the best things in Moscow are within easy reach.

High Level Moscow is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Top Things to do in Presnensky:

• Enjoy a traditional Russian meal of blinchiki, caviar, and vodka at the iconic Café Pushkin.
• Spend an afternoon learning about space, the stars and beyond at the Moscow Planetarium, one of the city’s most popular museums.
• Sit back and relax in Patriarch’s Pond, a favourite haunt of Moscovites of all-ages.
• See the stunning works of Russia’s impressionist artists at the city’s newest museum, the Museum of Russian impressionism, located in a former Bolshevik chocolate factory sugar silo.
• Explore the remarkable Gorky’s House (Ryabushinsky Mansion, the art nouveau mansion of famed writer Maxim Gorky.
• Marvel at the immense Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic Church in Russia.

3. Tverskoy – Where to Stay in Moscow for Nightlife

North of Kitay-Gorod is the hip, trendy and lively neighborhood of Trverskoy. This centrally located neighborhood is not only home to a number of amazing attractions, but it is also within walking distance to the city’s main landmarks.

Home to luxury boutique and upscale restaurants, Tverskoy is a neighborhood where history and elegance mesh seamlessly with modern amenities and opulence. If hitting the town is a key aspect of your Moscow itinerary, then Tverskoy is the place to be.

Studio Apartment Mayakovskaya | Best Airbnb in Tverskoy

This apartment can accommodate up to four guests, and sits close to shops and restaurants. The Airbnb comes with a full kitchen and all the comforts of home including Wifi, a TV, and laundry facilities. It’s right by the metro, so all of Moscow’s best bars and nightlife are within easy reach.

ARIUM Hotel | Best Hotel in Tverskoy

ARIUM Hotel is a great choice for travellers interested in culture and fun. The hotel is central to Moscow’s nightlife scene, located just minutes away from all of the city’s hottest clubs.

Godzillas Hostel | Best Hostel in Tverskoy

Godzillas is the largest and best hostel in Moscow , and for good reason. Situated in the heart of Tverskoy, this three-story hostel is a short walk from the city’s major sights and attractions. With comfortable beds and modern amenities, you’ll have everything you need for an awesome stay.

Top Things to do Tverskoy:

• Enjoy cheap beer, table games, and Russian techno tunes at Gogol, one of Moscow’s oldest and most popular clubs.
• Night Flight is a world renowned venue. It’s expensive af, however if you can afford to head on over then it’s absolutely worth it.
• Spend an evening enjoying the ballet or an opera at the Bolshoi Theatre : the heart and soul of Moscow’s arts and culture scene.
• Enjoy art, festivals, food and fun at Hermitage Park, a charming garden and one of the most popular and trendiest places in the city.
• Visit VDNKh, a Stalinesque theme park featuring gilded statues, grandiose pavilions, and thrilling rides.
• See an impressive collection of 20th-century paintings, sculptures and other works of art by famous Russian and foreign artists at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art.
• Enjoy luxury boutiques and upscale restaurants as you walk along the lively and grand Tverskaya Street.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

4. Arbat- The Coolest Place to Stay in Moscow

Home to luxury shops, unique boutiques, and outstanding museums, Arbat is where bohemian flare and modern creativity meet.

Moscow’s former warehouse and factory district, Arbat now attracts numerous Moscow elites. From advertising to tech execs, young professionals flock to Arbat to enjoy its world-class restaurants, stylish bars and irresistible cafes.

Perfect City View Apartment | Best Airbnb in Arbat

Stylish, spacious, modern and conveniently located, there’s no better Airbnb in Arbat. Close to a myriad of restaurants and the Moscow metro, you’ll feel at home in this apartment in the heart of Arbat.

Hotel Grafskiy | Best Hotel in Arbat/Khamovniki

Modern amenities and an unbeatable location make Hotel Grafskiy the best hotel in Arbat. A 10-minute walk to the city centre, Hotel Grafskiy is close to restaurants, bars and attractions. You’re guaranteed a comfortable and relaxing stay at Hotel Grafskiy.

Jedi Hostel | Best Hostel in Arbat/Khamovniki

With incredible views and an amazing location, Jedi Hostel is the best place to stay in Arbat. Enjoy comfortable and private capsule-like rooms at this clean and safe hostel. The hotel is less than 20-minutes away from the city centre, and is close to metro stations and grocery stores.

Jedi Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Top Things to do in Arbat:

• See priceless works of art at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Art, Moscow’s premier foreign-art museum.
• Enjoy some of the best seafood in the city at Rico one of Arbat’s best-kept secrets.
• Be amazed by the magnitude and magnificence of the historic and ostentatious Cathedral of Christ the Saviour .
• Immerse yourself in history at Park Pobedy, a green space filled with fountains, monuments and statues commemorating the sacrifices and triumphs of war.
• Sample retro Russian fare at Varenichnaya No 1, an old-school style restaurant with delicious food and amazing prices.
• Climb to the top of the Sparrow Hills lookout and enjoy amazing views of the surrounding city and scenery.
• Take a stroll down Arbat Street, a 1-kilometre long pedestrian boulevard and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of this lively neighborhood.

5. Basmanny – Where to Stay in Moscow for Families

If you’re travelling with children, Basmanny is the best place to stay in Moscow. A calm oasis in the heart of the city, Basmanny is known for its relaxed atmosphere, clean streets, and lush surrounding scenery.

Well situated to the east of the city-centre, Basmanny is a short walk or subway ride to Moscow’s main attractions. Within this charming neighborhood, there’s plenty of activities for travelers of any age.

Loft Hotel H11 | Best Hotel in Basmanny

Conveniently located just over a mile from the city center, this hotel is a short walk Moscow’s major attractions and several metro stations. Enjoy a continental breakfast each morning, before heading out to enjoy all awesome things that Moscow has to offer.

Good News Hostel | Best Hostel in Basmanny

Comfortable beds, free wifi and a decent location, this hostel has it all! Good News Hostel is close to a myriad of cafes, bars, and noteworthy attractions. It even offers bike hire if you’d prefer to skip the metro and explore the city on two wheels.

Good News Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Top Things to do in Basmanny:

• Rent paddleboats in the summer or ice skates in the winter and enjoy Chistye Prudy, a clean, quiet and quaint pond in that runs along the Boulevard Ring.
• Step back in time and see Lubyanka, headquarters of the infamous Russian KGB.
• Hop on a bike and enjoy the crisscrossing paths through Sokolniki park, home to a manicured rose garden, cool places to eat, and an open-air swimming pool.
• Enjoy Russia’s biggest toy store, Central Children’s Store, located just west of the Basmanny neighborhood.
• Head 60m underground and explore Bunker-42 Cold War Museum, a 700 square meter museum housed in a defunct Cold War communications centre.
• Slow down and smell the roses and ornamental flowers at Aptekarsky Ogorod, Moscow’s pleasant and pretty botanical garden.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of Moscow and where to stay.

What is the best neighborhood to stay in Moscow?

Kitay-Gorod is our pick for the best neighborhood in Moscow – especially if it is your first time here. It is centrally located and full of quirky hostels like Kremlin Lights .

Which places to stay in Moscow are good for families?

Basmanny is known as an oasis within the bustling Moscow city. This makes it great for families! There are family-friendly hotels too like, Loft Hotel H11 .

Where should I stay in Moscow for nightlife?

Tverskoy is where you want to be to party! It’s full of lively bars and clubs, as well as cool hostels full of other adventurers to meet.

What are some good airbnbs in Moscow?

There are lots of cool airbnbs to stay in Moscow, but two of our favourites are this modern loft and this cosy apartment .

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Moscow is full to the brim with awesome neighborhoods and places to visit. It’s simple to travel across the city, but staying in a neighborhood that suits your travel style is the best way to make the most out of your trip.

If you’re still undecided, we recommend Godzillas Hostel for their top location and modern amenities. If you’re after a private room, check out  Loft Hotel H11 . Located centrally, you’re sure to have a comfortable stay.

• Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in Moscow .
• Planning out an itinerary for Moscow is a great way to maximise your time.
• Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
• Our in-depth Eastern Europe backpacking guide will help you plan the rest of your adventure.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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Is the recommended hotel Loft Hotel H11 close enough to the center?

Good tips, this is one of those cities where you want to be as close to the center as possible, even if it isn’t the cheapest option.

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Screen Rant

Star trek: discovery season 5, episode 1 ending & tng treasure explained.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere dropped a bombshell that ties all the way back to Star Trek: The Next Generation. We break it down.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 1 - "Red Directive"

• Star Trek: Discovery season 5 reveals a bombshell treasure hunt that ties back to Star Trek: TNG "The Chase."
• Mysterious villains Moll and L'ak create chaos, leaving behind a trail of destruction on Kumal.
• Captain Saru to become a Federation Ambassador, leading to the first Kelpien-Vulcan wedding in Star Trek history.

The ending of Star Trek: Discovery 's exhilarating season 5 premiere dropped a jaw-dropping bombshell that the treasure Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) is hunting for comes from Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 20, "The Chase." Written by Discovery showrunner Michelle Paradise and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, Discovery 's season 5 premiere, "Red Directive," introduces three new major characters, the villains Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis), and Starfleet Captain Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie), and sets up Discovery season 5 as a sequel to the classic TNG episode about who created humanoid life in the galaxy - and how .

Moll and L'ak escaped the clutches of Captain Burnham, Captain Rayner, and Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) on the desert world of Q'Mau. After a synthetic merchant named Fred (J. Adam Brown) opened a Romulan puzzle box Moll and L'ak stole from an 800-year-old Romulan starship , Fred double-crossed Moll and L'ak and was killed by the renegade lovers. L'ak and Moll then detonated an explosive in the mountains, creating an avalanche. The combined shields of the USS Discovery and the USS Antares protected the people of Kumal, but Moll and L'ak escaped with the Romulans' journal. However, Captain Burnham knows more than the rogues do about the treasure thanks to Discovery's crew. And, as Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) said, the answers are wild.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 - Everything We Know

Star trek: discovery season 5's treasure & progenitors explained, who were the progenitors in star trek: tng's "the chase".

"The greatest treasure in the known galaxy" in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is the technology Ancient Humanoids used to create sentient humanoid life. A hologram of an Ancient Humanoid (Salome Jens) was encountered by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), members of the USS Enterprise-D crew, as well as a group of Romulans, Klingons, and Cardassians in Star Trek: The Next Generation 's "The Chase". The Ancient Humanoid revealed that her long-dead race seeded the galaxy billions of years ago to create humanoid life forms in their image, and that the humanoid species in Star Trek 's galaxy share a common ancestry.

"The Chase" was Star Trek: The Next Generation 's attempt to explain why so many aliens in Star Trek are essentially humans with bumpy foreheads and physical variations.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere reveals that the United Federation of Planets and Dr. Kovich (David Cronenberg) dubbed the Ancient Humanoids "The Progenitors". 800 years ago, a Romulan scientist named Dr. Vellek (Michael Copeman) found and hid the Progenitors' technology, which can literally create life and would be catastrophic if it fell into the wrong hands . However, Moll and L'ak (and, logically, whoever hired them) learned about the Progenitors' technology. The ability to create, and possibly destroy, humanoid species is an existential threat to the galaxy, which is why the Federation needs Captain Burnham to find it first.

In Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere, President T'Rina (Tara Rosling) said the Tholian Republic and the Breen Imperium are rising, and they could be looking for the Progenitors' technology.

Moll & L'ak Keep Escaping, But Who Are They?

Star trek: discovery's new villains are a mystery..

Star Trek: Discovery season 5's version of Bonnie and Clyde, the villainous Moll and L'ak are mysterious former couriers who have had several past encounters with Captain Rayner of the USS Antares. Moll is human but L'ak is an unknown species with no known information in the Federation database. They are also hired guns, so they must have an employer yet to be revealed.

While little is revealed about Moll and L'ak, what is clear is they are lovers with deep affection for each other. Cleveland Booker doesn't know Moll and L'ak from his years as a courier, but he could tell by the way they escaped from the USS Discovery and USS Antares that L'ak and Moll are in love and are having fun together. In a way, Moll and L'ak are an echo of what Book and Michael Burnham were like when they were couriers traveling the galaxy together in the year before the USS Discovery arrived in the 32nd century.

Saru Will Become A Federation Ambassador & Marry T'Rina

Wedding bells are coming to star trek: discovery..

Captain Saru accepts Federation President Laira Rillak's (Chelah Horsdal) offer to become a Federation Ambassador. Saru has been serving as First Officer of the USS Discovery despite his higher rank since Star Trek: Discovery season 4, but being Captain Burnham's Number One is not really a role that utilizes the Kelpien's skills and potential. Saru also chose to leave Discovery and become an Ambassador to be closer to his love, President T'Rina.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 will soon have the first Kelpien-Vulcan wedding and the first wedding between 2 major Star Trek characters in 22 years.

Originally, T'Rina told Saru not to factor her into his decision to take the Ambassador position, but she actually wanted Saru to leave Discovery, which would allow them to spend more time together. And T'rina went a step further and proposed to Saru in a very Vulcan-like fashion, suggesting they "codify our mutual agreement in a more official capacity". Saru seemed to say yes, which means Star Trek: Discovery season 5 will soon have the first Kelpien-Vulcan wedding and the first wedding between 2 major Star Trek characters in 22 years since Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) married Deanna Tro i (Marina Sirtis) in Star Trek: Nemesis.

Burnham & Book Are Still Broken Up

They should have called each other..

Star Trek: Discovery 's top love story, Michael Burnham and Cleveland Booker , didn't quite heat up in season 5's premiere. Burnham and Book have been separated (but with no hard feelings) ever since Book commenced his penance for the Federation after breaking multiple laws to destroy the Dark Matter Anomaly in Star Trek: Discovery season 4. Burnham turned to Book for his courier expertise to help her catch Moll and L'ak , and if she's honest, because she wanted to see Book again.

Michael and Book agreed not to restart their relationship.

Book remains penitent and is committed to righting his wrongs with the Federation and with Michael, but there is now an understandable awkwardness between them. Book has a role to play on the USS Discovery as long as Moll and L'ak are at large , but on Kumal, Michael and Book agreed not to restart their relationship. However, this isn't the end of Burnham and Booker's love story, and it's hard to imagine they won't get back together at some point in Star Trek: Discovery season 5.

Captain Rayner Is No Fan Of Burnham

What is rayner's problem.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 introduced Callum Keith Rennie's Captain Rayner of the USS Antares as a new series regular character, and he brings a new dynamic to the show. Gruff, impatient, and no-nonsense, Rayner evokes previous hardliner Star Trek Captains like Captain Edward Jellico (Ronny Cox) in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Rayner is also resentful of Captain Burnham for some reason , and he finds humor in mocking Michael, asserting his command authority, and countermanding her orders.

Rayner seems jealous of the USS Discovery's spore drive, and he mentions his displeasure that he doesn't have a Pathway Drive on the USS Antares.

Although it wasn't mentioned or factored into Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere, Captain Rayner is a Kellerun , a species first introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2's "Armageddon Game". Rayner's interest in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is fulfilling his Red Directive mission objective, which is retrieving the treasure, as well as capturing Moll and L'ak, whom he has tangled with before. There is plenty more to learn about Captain Rayner in Star Trek: Discovery season 5.

Star Trek: Discovery Now Has Their Own Data

Fred could be good for commander paul stamets..

Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere introduced Fred, a Soong-type synthetic who is a merchant and fence on the planet Q'Mau. Fred obviously evokes the most famous Soong android, Data (Brent Spiner), which is another link between Star Trek: Discovery season 5 and Star Trek: The Next Generation , L'ak and Moll killed Fred after he double-crossed them, but after Fred's body was beamed onto the USS Discovery's medical bay, Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) determined from his serial number, AS-7502Y, that Fred was built from the design of Dr. Altan Inigo Soong (Brent Spiner) from Star Trek: Picard .

In Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere, Stamets lamented the Federation's scuttling the spore drive program in favor of the Pathway Drive . Although Fred was "killed", it's possible Stamets and his husband, Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz), can reactivate Fred. The 600-plus-year-old android may contain other secrets and answer many questions about events between Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery 's era. There are intriguing possibilities for Fred in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 , and it would be odd if Fred really is dead after his lone appearance.

The USS Discovery is now "one of a kind" since it has the only working spore drive in existence.

The Next Clue In Discovery's Treasure Hunt

Discovery is going to a planet with twin moons..

The USS Discovery's next stop on the treasure hunt in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 2, "Under the Twin Moons," is Lyrek, a planet in the Vileen system, on the outer sector of the Beta Quadrant, that has 3 moons, 2 of which move in perfect sync. Captain Burnham figured this out after seeing images of Dr. Vellek's Romulan diary pages retrieved from Fred's database. One of the pages had a circular image which could be a literal treasure map, and the clues point to the Vileen system and the planet with twin moons . What Burnham will find on Lyrek remains to be seen in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 2, but the chase is on to answer one of the biggest questions left behind by Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is streaming on Paramount+

Star Trek’s Pleasure Planet Risa Explained

• Risa, known as a "pleasure planet," catered to every whim of its 1.3 billion annual visitors, embodying a paradise with a generous spirit.
• With its Earth-like conditions and sex-positive culture, Risa combined all-inclusive resort joys with a hedonistic reputation among the United Federation of Planets.
• Star Trek captains and their ships frequently visited Risa for shore leave, as it offered hospitality services, natural attractions, and a celebration of sensuality.

In Star Trek , the planet Risa was a popular tourist destination, commonly referred to as a "pleasure planet." With an overall temperate to tropical climate and at least 2 moons that orbited a binary star system, Risa was known as a paradise that catered to every whim of its 1.3 billion annual visitors. Thanks to the Risian's pursuit of pleasure, not just for themselves but also for their guests, the planet's native populace had a generous spirit that embraced travelers both figuratively and literally, with the motto, "All that is ours is yours."

As a Class M planet with Earth-like conditions , Risa combined the peaceful joys of a planet-wide all-inclusive resort with its people's anything-goes, sex-positive attitude. This gave Risa a decidedly hedonistic reputation among its fellow members in the United Federation of Planets. Its culture was represented by the horga'hn , a vaguely humanoid-shaped statuette with an elongated head and diamond-shaped base. Displaying this fertility symbol indicated one was seeking jamaharon , a state of enlightenment implied to be achieved through Risian sexual rituals, and which its people were well-versed in, as Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) accidentally found out on his first visit there.

Pleasure comes in many forms on Risa, so it became well-known throughout the Federation for its hospitality services and celebration of sensuality. Points of interest on this Federation member world included exciting nightclubs, peaceful resorts, and many natural attractions. Risa boasted gorgeous beaches, bioluminescent subterranean gardens, steam pools, and mud baths, in addition to named locations like Galartha Cliff, which changed pitch for its climbers; the rain-free Temtibi Lagoon; and Suraya Bay, host to a moon festival called lohlunat . Risa also developed points of interest specifically for Vulcans, as noted by T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) in Star Trek: Enterprise .

Risa's definition of pleasure extended beyond merely sensual delights, with its pursuit serving as inspiration for the development of its primary technologies. Most notably, Risa's history as a cold, rainy jungle subject to frequent earthquakes prompted Risians to create a planet-wide artificial weather grid and seismic regulators, which transformed Risa into a lush, tropical paradise that was pleasant for most humanoid species. The development of industrial replicators allowed Risians to cater to their guests' every material need. The use of weapons was banned on Risa, but a pleasurably addictive Risian headset game could be considered one, if its users weren't careful.

Which Star Trek Captains & Ships Visited Risa

Star Trek captains and their ships visited Risa, usually so their crews could enjoy shore leave on the pleasure planet. In Risa's first appearance Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3, episode 19, "Captain's Holiday", Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) suggested Risa as a destination for Captain Jean-Luc Picard , where he met love interest Vash (Jennifer Hetrick). Lt. Commanders Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) and Worf (Michael Dorn), among others, vacationed on Risa in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 5, episode 7 "Let He Who Is Without Sin..." It was implied that Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) also visited Risa, albeit at another time.

Risa was also a destination for series set outside the 24th century. The NX-01 Enterprise led by Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) became the first human-crewed starship to visit Risa in Star Trek: Enterprise season 1, episode 25, "Two Days, Two Nights". Archer was joined on his visit by Ensigns Hoshi Sato (Linda Park), Travis Mayweather (Anthony Montgomery), Lt. Malcolm Reed (Dominic Keating), and Commander Charles "Trip" Tucker (Connor Trinneer). Star Trek: Discovery didn't visit, but mentioned Risa, and 32nd-century mad scientist Dr. Ruon Tarka (Shawn Doyle), an important character in Discovery season 4, was Risian.

Since its first appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation , Risa became a planet synonymous with paradise. It was mentioned on nearly every Star Trek series as a tropical getaway, with its reputation for pleasure well-known among most characters. Risa's beautiful environment and particularly friendly culture made it the go-to destination for Starfleet officers and their companions seeking relaxation and respite from their responsibilities ... and maybe a little jamaharon .

See how the eclipse transformed America, city by city

For weeks, if not months, those who have seen one repeated to anyone who would listen: There’s nothing like experiencing the totality of a solar eclipse.

For some of them, this was a second time in six and a half years experiencing the eerie calm when the moon passes in front of the sun, at least for a few minutes. And yet, they were just as awestruck.

For others, it was a likely last opportunity to witness such a celestial phenomenon for two decades. It inspired gasps and smiles, solemnity and excitement.

Here is how it looked as the moon’s shadow crossed three countries and 13 U.S. states, with the time of totality in Eastern time.

El Salto, MX

2:10 — 2:14 p.m.

Uvalde, tex., 2:29 — 2:33 p.m., russellville, ark., 2:50 — 2:54 p.m., carbondale, ill., 2:59 — 3:03 p.m., bloomington, ind., 3:04 — 3:08 p.m., tiffin, ohio, 3:11 — 3:15 p.m., littleton, maine, 3:32 — 3:35 p.m..

Time of totality

El salto, mexico.

A group of professors and students traveled from the United States to El Salto to conduct the most thorough experiment ever using an eclipse to test Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. Einstein’s idea held that the massive sun would bend the light of surrounding stars more than previously estimated, proving that matter can pull and warp space and time.

The researchers used five telescopes to measure that effect more closely than ever, measuring stars that appear so close to the sun’s edge they can only be viewed during an eclipse.

After a countdown in Spanish, the sun darkened, and the data collection began. “TOTALITY,” yelled Sam Jeffe, a third-year physics major at Willamette University as it appeared in the telescopes’ lenses. “And it’s clear!”

Researchers will feed the data into the computer program, which will analyze the position of the stars and determine how the sun bent the light around them. But, for now, more than half the battle was done.

2:27 — 2:31 p.m.

Eagle pass, tex..

On U.S. soil, totality first came into view in the border city of Eagle Pass, Tex., where a crowd gathered at a football field erupted into cheers as the skies darkened above them.

A singer crooned, “I’m walking on sunshine!” People put on protective glasses and craned their necks toward the sky. Many began to clap.

Vita Garza Flores, 76, traveled from Northern California to see the eclipse in the city where she was born. She brought her daughter and brother along with her.

She grabbed her eclipse glasses, positioning them across her sunglasses: “Wow!”

Students from Uvalde High School were also among the citizen scientists using the eclipse to learn more about the sun and its effects on Earth.

They joined Southwest Texas Junior College’s STEM club in participating in a program known as the Citizen Continental-America Telescope Eclipse. Called Citizen CATE, it will combine short videos of the eclipse taken via telescope into an hour-long movie that NASA says will detail magnetic structure within the sun’s corona and reveal its density. That will help scientists to measure the strength of the solar wind — charged particles that can disrupt electricity grids and produce auroras when they reach Earth.

In Russellville, NASA gathered scientists and broadcast the eclipse’s progress live online. Tourists gathered there, too, wearing T-shirts that declared, “I got mooned at the eclipse.”

A jazz band from Arkansas Tech University played. NASA hosted workshops and Q&A sessions with scientists, at least one of whom has been to space: Among the visitors were Mike Massimino, a veteran of NASA space flight missions to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope in 2002 and 2009.

Carbondale, Ill., earned the title of “eclipse crossroads of America,” having fallen in the path of totality for a 2017 solar eclipse as well as the event on Monday. This time, at least, the skies were clear for totality, and a full stadium of eclipse fans burst into collective screams when the moment came.

“This is so much better than 2017,” a one commentator on NASA’s live broadcast noted. “It’s so much darker than 2017.”

To many of those who experienced it, the eclipse was a spiritual event. In Bloomington, Buddhist monks marked it with a puja ceremony, a “ritual honoring and promoting inner and planetary healing,” according to the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center.

Eclipse watchers flocked to Yellowwood Lake where they could experience the eclipse in nature.

When the last pulses of the sun’s rays make their way to Earth before an eclipse enters totality, they appear like a brilliant diamond set on a golden ring. In Tiffin, that meant a chance for some “unforgettable” weddings at an event called “Elope at the Eclipse.”

3:18 — 3:21 p.m.

Niagara falls, n.y..

Crowds flocked to landmarks across the path of totality for a memorable view. At Niagara Falls, despite a thick blanket of clouds, people gathered on the banks of the Niagara River and trained their phone cameras toward the sky. Streetlights turned on, if only briefly, when darkness descended.

The moon’s shadow reached North America at the beaches of Mazatlan, Mexico, just after 2:07 p.m. Eastern time. Just about 90 minutes later, it crossed the wilderness of northern Maine, on its way toward Canada, and then, the North Atlantic.

A total solar eclipse will next dim communities in the contiguous United States in 2044, but only in parts of Montana and the Dakotas. The country will have to wait one more year for the next coast-to-coast phenomenon, a total eclipse that will stretch from California to Florida on Aug. 12, 2045. It will be a Saturday.

About this story

Design and development by Stephanie Hays. Photo editing by Olivier Laurent. Design editing by Chloe Meister and Matt Callahan. Text editing by Katie Zezima. Graphics by Emily Eng. Video editing by John Farrell and Josh Carroll. Text by Scott Dance, Kasha Patel, Arelis R. Hernández and Joel Achenbach.