holiday world & splashin' safari photos map

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map and Brochure (1986 – 2023)

Location:  Santa Claus, Indiana

Years Active: 1946 – Active

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (known as Santa Claus Land prior to 1984) is a combination theme park and water park located near Interstate 64 and U.S. 231 in Santa Claus, Indiana, United States.

The theme park is divided into four sections celebrating:

• Thanksgiving
• Fourth of July

…with rides, live entertainment, games, and attractions.

Holiday World contains three wooden roller coasters: The Raven, The Legend, and The Voyage, as well as Thunderbird (a Bolliger & Mabillard launched Wing Coaster) and The Howler.

The safari-themed water park includes the world’s two longest water coasters, Wildebeest and Guinness World Record Holder Mammoth. It also contains a launched dueling water coaster named Cheetah Chase, numerous family raft rides and water slides, two wave pools, a junior-sized wave pool, two children’s-sized water slide areas, a lazy river, and one family “tipping bucket”.

If you are looking for amusement parks USA , Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is a great option. With its focus on holidays, roller coasters, water slides, and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

How tall do you have to be to ride the Legend at Holiday World?

To ride the Legend at Holiday World, guests must be a minimum of 48 inches (122 cm) tall. This wooden roller coaster offers an exhilarating experience with a track length of 3,000 feet and a maximum speed of 59 miles per hour. Riders must meet the height requirement to ensure their safety and enjoyment on this thrilling attraction.

What are the busiest days at Holiday World?

The busiest days at Holiday World typically occur during weekends in the peak summer season, especially Saturdays in June and July. Additionally, holidays such as Independence Day (July 4th) and other major celebrations can draw larger crowds. It’s advisable to plan your visit during weekdays or consider arriving early to beat the crowds during the busiest times.

What is the oldest ride at Holiday World?

The oldest ride at Holiday World is the “Scarecrow Scrambler.” This classic Scrambler ride has been entertaining guests since the park’s opening in 1946 when it was known as Santa Claus Land. Despite its age, it remains a popular attraction, providing a fun and timeless spinning experience for visitors of all ages.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2023

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2022

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Happy Halloween Weekends Map 2022

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2021

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Happy Halloween Weekends Map 2021

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2020

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2019

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Happy Halloween Weekends Map 2018

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2018

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2017

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2016

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Happy Halloween Weekends Map 2016

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2015

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2014

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2004

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Map 2002

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Brochure 2001

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Brochure 2000

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Brochure 1992

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Brochure 1988

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Brochure 1986

Frederick Luna, is a a world traveler who has spent many family vacations at many different theme parks. Some of his favorites includes Legoland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Dollywood. Always ready to share info about his favorite theme parks!

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Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN' SAFARI: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Sat - Sat 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• (0.58 km) Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph
• (4.44 km) Santa's Lakeside Cottages
• (5.78 km) Lincoln Pines Lakefront Resort
• (0.86 km) Santa's Lodge
• (10.74 km) Comfort Inn
• (0.52 km) Plymouth Rock Cafe
• (0.47 km) Casey's
• (0.76 km) Subway
• (0.98 km) Fat Santa's Pizza & More
• (2.50 km) Back 9 Grill
• (0.66 km) Santa Claus Museum & Village
• (0.58 km) Santa Claus Land of Lights
• (0.64 km) 1935 Santa Statue
• (0.82 km) Santa Claus Christmas Store
• (1.09 km) Santa's Candy Castle

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Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

452 E Christmas Blvd, Santa Claus , Indiana 47579 USA

• Independent
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Wheelchair Accessible

Learn more about this business on Yelp .

“Every day is a holiday!”

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (previously known as Santa Claus Land) is a family owned and operated combination theme park and water park, located near Interstate 64 and U.S. 231 in Santa Claus, Indiana, USA. The theme park is divided into four sections that celebrate Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July with rides, live entertainment, games, and attractions. Holiday World is known for its three wooden roller coasters: The Raven, The Legend, and The Voyage. The safari-themed water park includes the world's two longest water coasters: Wildebeest and Mammoth, numerous family raft slides and water slides, two wave pools, two lazy rivers, two family "tipping bucket" water-play attractions, plus dedicated children's slides and play areas. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari offers guests free unlimited soft drinks, free parking, free use of inner tubes and life jackets, free sunscreen, and free Wi-Fi hotspots. Admission to Holiday World also includes free admission to Splashin' Safari.

Reviewed by Deanna W.

it's an awesome theme and water park and the workers are soooooooo nice and the rides is a big "W" Read more

Reviewed by Alexander E.

For a regional amusement park, Holiday World has a great variety of rides. There are some intense looking coasters for thrill seekers, but we steered clear of them. Our littles prefer milder... Read more

Reviewed by Tiffani K.

We visited Holiday World twice in 2023. The first time was Memorial Day and second time was Labor Day. Both times the park was clean, well maintained, and staff was friendly. Free parking, drinks,... Read more

View 279 reviews on

• Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Sat: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Splashin' Safari: A Great Water Park That's Free

At Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana

Splashin' Safari is one of the biggest and best water parks in the nation. And it's free.

Well, sort of free. It's included with admission to Holiday World , the holiday-themed park adjacent to Splashin' Safari. Since it is not a standalone water park, it makes the fact that is among the country’s largest and finest water parks all the more impressive. (If you are planning a visit, be sure to bring dry clothes to enjoy Holiday World's incredible coasters and other attractions; likewise, folks planning to visit Holiday World should remember to pack a bathing suit.) Splashin' Safari easily makes the list of the best water parks at theme parks .

The theme is African (that's the "Safari" part), hence the silly ride names. The schizophrenic park also has a California theme (that's the "Splashin' " part we guess) and plays Beach Boys and other surf tunes over the loudspeakers.

Splashin’ Safari’s Slides and Attractions

The park is so big it has not one, not two, but three water coasters . And not just any water coasters, but the world's longest.

When the approximately 1/3-mile-long Wildebeest opened in 2010, it captured the title. It uses linear induction motors to propel its rafts uphill. Wildebeest reaches a top speed of around 25 mph, includes two tunnels (a Holiday World staple on its dry coasters), and lasts two minutes and 30 seconds. In 2012,  Splashin' Safari opened Mammoth and broke its own record. The newer water coaster exceeds Wildebeest by about 50 feet in length. It, too, uses linear induction motors and offers a thrilling ride.

The towering 102-foot tall ZOOMbabwe, among the world's tallest enclosed water slides, is another one of the park's featured rides and is a real winner. Riders experience much of its ride in the dark. Other attractions included Bakuli, a bowl ride, the Jungle Racer mat racing slide, and the Zinga funnel ride .

In 2018, Splashin' Safari expanded with the addition of attractions designed for younger visitors. Tembo Falls is a water slide complex with eight slides geared to kiddos, including a mini-bowl ride, two racing slides, a helix, and twisters. The park also added Tembo Tides, a junior wave pool.

Tembo Tides increased the total number of wave pools to three. With two lazy rivers two interactive water play structures, and a slew of other things to do, the attractions can accommodate a lot of guests. With its enormous capacity, the park generally doesn't feel out-of-control crowded, even on busy, hot days.

What’s New at Splashin’ Safari?

In 2020, the water park introduced its third water coaster, Cheetah Chase. Holiday World is billing it as the “world’s first launched water coaster.” Since no water coasters include lift hills (that we know of) and use water jets, electromagnetic motors, or fast moving conveyor belts to accelerate their rafts, all of them are “launched.” What makes Cheetah Chase unique is that side-by-side rafts are launched along a flat section of the flume after which they race against one another. Passengers experience two "flying saucer” elements that generate strong G-forces and pivot the rafts around.

More Free Stuff

The family-owned park has an almost religious devotion to customer satisfaction. The grounds are spotless, the prices are reasonable, and the ride ops and other staff are unfailingly polite and cheerful.

While other parks seem intent on wringing every last cent out of their guests, get a load of what Splashin' Safari and Holiday World include at no extra charge: free parking, complimentary inner tubes, unlimited free beverages (including soft drinks, coffee, and tea), and free sunscreen. Now, that's what we call putting customers first.

What’s to Eat?

The food is decent at the park. Within Splashin' Safari, the choices include Wildebeestro, which features burgers and salads, Jungle Jake‘s, which offers wings and chicken tenders, Safari Pizza, and Sam’s BBQ. For sweets and snacks, there’s Safari Ice Cream and Bahari Snacks, which has funnel cakes and corn dog bites.

For a good pick beyond the water park, consider Plymouth Rock Cafe. The indoor dining spot has roast turkey, beef brisket, roasted chicken and other entrees on the menu, as well as fixing such as sweet potato casserole, cinnamon apples, and mac & cheese. Another good place is Santa’s Merry Marketplace, which offers pizza, burgers, deli sandwiches, and desserts such as Blueberry Flapjack Cake.

Admission Policy, Operating Schedule, Hotel Info, and Location:

Splashin' Safari is included with general admission to Holiday World. The combined parks offer reduced prices for children (under 54") and seniors (60+). Ages 2 and under are free. Multi-day passes and next-day passes are available. Season passes and group rates are available. Special promotions and discounted tickets may be available online at the park's Web site . Parking is free. Private cabanas are available to rent.

Weather permitting, Splashin' Safari is open mid-May through mid-September. Holiday World is open early May through late October. (Oddly, the Christmas-themed park does not remain open through the holiday season.)

Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort is located next to Holiday World and operated by the same family. There are other lodging options nearby.

Splashin' Safari and Holiday World is located at 452 E. Christmas Blvd. in Santa Claus, Indiana. (Yes, that is the real name of the town.) From I-64: Take Exit 63. Go south on Highway 162 for 7 miles, until 162 comes to a "T." Turn right and head up the hill to the park.

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The Ultimate Guide to Holiday World and Splashin Safari

Believe it or not, Santa Claus, Indiana is a real place. Not only is it a real place, it’s home to one of the coolest theme parks around, Holiday World. If you’ve never visited Holiday World, consider planning a trip. It’s a little off the beaten path, but it’s one of the cleanest, friendliest theme parks I’ve ever been to. Check out more in this ultimate guide to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Ultimate Guide to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana

In 2017, my family was invited to the small town of Santa Claus, Indiana to experience their main attraction, Holiday World . While they covered a majority of our expenses on our trip in 2017, I plan on sharing my honest opinions with you about our time there. I’ll share with you what to ride, what to eat, and where to say in this ultimate Guide to Holiday World.

The History of Holiday World

Back in the 1940s, Holiday World was known as Santa Claus Land. It consisted of a toy shop, toy displays, a restaurant, themed children’s rides, and, of course, meet and greets with Santa. In the 1980s, it began to expand and include other holidays, like Halloween and the 4th of July, and changed its name to Holiday World.

1993 saw the addition of Splashin Safari water park, and the Thanksgiving area was added to Holiday World in 2006. In 2016, Holiday World celebrated its 70th birthday. Today, it encompasses four themed areas, two full theme parks, and over 125 acres of land.

How to Get to Holiday World

First, you’ll need to know how to get to Holiday World. A good old fashioned road trip is the best bet for getting to Santa Claus, Indiana. It’s five to six hours north of Birmingham, two and a half from Nashville, and about three hours south of Indianapolis. It’s not near any major airport, so you’ll need to factor in some driving time at some point.

Where to Stay in Santa Claus

Next, you’ll need to know where to stay. Several hotels are within a 20 mile radius of Holiday World , but I would highly recommend staying at the Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort. Our stay there was included in our trip, but it cannot be beat for convenience and proximity to the theme park.

We stayed in one of their brand new Holiday Cottages that sleeps 5-7, has a fully furnished kitchen, AC/Heat, a full bathroom, Wifi, 2 flat screen TVs with cable, and a screened in porch! Our cottage was a fantastic place to come back to at the end of a long day at the parks.

Sarah’s Tip: Staying at Lake Rudolph has perks like a free shuttle to and from Holiday World, mini golf, and other fun activities. 

Fun for Kids in Holiday World

After securing your lodging, plan to research what’s fun for kids . My girls’ favorite section was Christmas. Rides in Santa Claus Land have a maximum height of 54″. My girls loved being tall enough to ride without mom and dad!

Their second favorite area was 4th of July. There is a small splash pad, kiddie coaster, and other rides for small children. Caroline probably rode the kiddie coaster four times! Other favorite attractions included Gobbler Getaway (Thanksgiving), Turkey Twirl (Thanksgiving), and Scarecrow Scramble (Halloween).

Grown Up Fun in Holiday World

Adults can also have fun in Holiday World. If you are a coaster fan, do not miss Thunderbird. It’s quite a hike from the front of the park back to this ride, but it is SO worth it. It’s the only steel coaster in the park, and the ride is exhilarating from start to finish.

I am not a huge fan of wooden coasters, but Neil rode The Raven and I rode The Legend, and, while we both agreed that we are getting too old for those, they are great, classic coasters. Fans of other classic rides will enjoy the Halloswings, Rough Riders (bumper cars), and the Liberty Launch.

What to Do in Splashin’ Safari

What about the water park? Y our a dmission to Holiday World includes admission to   Splashin’ Safari . It has so many activities for families to do as well. We rode rides, swam in the wave pool, climbed the play areas, and relaxed in the lazy river. My biggest tip for this area is to rent a locker for the day. Lockers are $15 for all day rentals and can be opened and closed them as many times as needed.

Sarah’s Tip: No-Ad SPF 4 5 Sunscreen is offered freely throughout Splashin’ Safari and Holiday World. Lather up because there isn’t a ton of shade in Splashin’ Safari!

What to Eat in Holiday World

Lastly, let’s discuss food. W ith a few exceptions for special needs and infants, food and drinks are not allowed in Holiday World . However, we found the food to be just fine, and our drinks were free! All soft drinks, including lemonade and Gatorade products, are free with paid admission. This was a huge perk for us. On our first day, we ate at The Alamo (Mexican style food, obviously).

It was one of the better theme park meals I’ve had. The rest of our dining included standard fare like hamburgers, pizza, and chicken nuggets. Furthermore, there are allergy friendly and gluten free options in different areas of the park. Check the guide map to plan for your family’s dietary needs.

Overall Value

To sum it up, Holiday World was a great experience for us. The park was clean and the staff was friendly.

Sarah’s Tip: Purchase your tickets online ahead of time. You’ll save your family $20 before you even hit the road! In addition, Holiday World offers free parking and free Wifi in their parks. I would highly recommend Holiday World as a long weekend trip for your family.

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Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

perfect for a family day trip! activities available for all ages. very clean park and polite staff

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  Welcome to Lincoln  Pines  

Just minutes from holiday world & splashin' safari.

We are happy to be the recipients of the Travelers Choice Award for the fourth year in a row!

Nestled on a small rise, two miles from the charming town of Santa Claus, just minutes from Holiday World, our resort offers a balance of relaxation and enjoyment for our guests to make their stay truly special.

Lincoln Pines Lakefront Resort is an idyllic vacation retreat. We've received high honors from Trip Advisor, ranking us among the best places to stay near Holiday World, and we're honored to be tied for the top position.

Our pool will Open on Friday, May 17th, and close on Monday, September 9th.

For a complete list of all available one-night stays click here or check the specials page .

1 Bedroom 1.5 Bath Sleeps 6

1 bedroom-2 bed loft/2 bath sleeps 9, 2 bedroom  2 bath sleeps 10.

You'll find homey accommodations and a wide range of activities to keep you entertained during your stay including fishing, volleyball, an arcade room and two playgrounds perfect for families. We also have a swimming pool and splash pad, frisbee golf, basketball court,  and shuffleboard. We strive to make your stay with us an unforgettable experience.

We’re just outside of Santa Claus, and 1/4 mile from Lincoln Boyhood Memorial and Lincoln State Park with an outdoor amphitheater. Christmas Lake Golf Course is 2 miles away.

We look forward to meeting you!  

Escape the busy pace of daily life with our fully furnished lakefront cabins that provide a perfect retreat for relaxation. They're well equipped with a full kitchen and outdoor dining furniture. Enjoy peaceful surroundings from the back porch overlooking our scenic lake and fountain.  

Each cabin also features a fire pit and grill, perfect for hotdogs and making s'mores. We provide a cozy atmosphere for your family to make memories they will treasure forever. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or a family vacation, our resort provides the perfect escape.

Kitchen Refrigerator Stove Microwave Toaster Drip Coffee Maker

Dishes/Utensils

Televisions Free WIFI

Pillows/Blankets

Hair Dryers

Grilling Utensils

Charcoal Grill

Outdoor Porch Swing

Outdoor Dining Set

Air Conditioner/Heater

The Lin Family "This has by far been our best trip to Holiday World! This cabin helped to make what can normally be a stressful and exhausting trip fun and relaxing. We really enjoyed our family time and can't wait to visit again next year." 7/1

Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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