polk county haunted jail tour 2022

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Polk sheriff's 2022 haunted jail tour to take place 2 weekends, this year's theme is "doomsday," and instead of one tour, there will be two paths to scare visitors as they tour the jail..

D'Ann Lawrence White , Patch Staff

BARTOW, FL — What’s scarier than getting pulled over by a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy?

How about a Polk County Sheriff’s Office Haunted Jail Tour hosted by Sheriff Grady Judd?

Back by popular demand, the Polk County Sheriff's Office's annual Haunted Jail Tour at 455 N Broadway in Bartow (the Lawrence W. Crow Jr. Building) will take place two weekends — Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21 and 22, and Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. each night.

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This year’s theme is "Doomsday," and instead of one tour, there will be two paths to scare visitors as they tour the jail.

The fee is a $12 donation to the United Way of Central Florida or $20 for two tours. The cost for children under 10 years old is $5. Or there will be volunteers available to watch kids in a safe place while parents and older kids tour the jail.

This is a family-friendly, kid-oriented event. Church Street will be closed for a street carnival, with arts and crafts booths, games and contests, a cake walk, bounce houses and Dunk the Deputy, featuring school resource officers.

Newman BBQ Catering & Events will provide food along with Poco Loco Fruta, and D'Lites Ice Cream.

The tickets for the tour will be sold in person at the event until the 10 p.m. cutoff. There are some high schools that will presell the Dunk the Deputy tank tickets at their schools. The dunk tank tickets are $5 for five throws.

The Haunted Jail Tour tickets, the kid’s carnival games, the bounce house, the Dunk the Deputy tank and refreshments can be purchased with cash or credit card.

For details, click here.

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Haunted tour takes over old Polk County jail for frightful thrills, good cause

B ARTOW, Fla. (WFLA) — Long before animatronics and skeletons lined the walls, detention deputies suspected the old county jail in Bartow was haunted.

“In the cameras that were sitting up on the walls, you would see somebody walking in the halls and it’s like 2 in the morning, and so we’d have to go into emergency head counts all the time,” said Lt. Kimbra Wiegert with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Wiegert said the elevators would be called on their own and one hallway was haunted by an inmate named Calvin.

“It was always creepy because you always felt like somebody was right behind you, you know, you had that feeling every time you were in that hallway,” she said.

The jail, which opened in 1962, stopped functioning as a jail in 2000.

In 2010, Wiegert had the idea to transform it into a haunted house for, at first, sheriff’s office employees and their families, to eventually, the general public.

“It was originally though just because I enjoyed watching those paranormal shows. Which is funny because I’m terrified of coming up here by myself. I do not come up here by myself,” she said.

In the 13 years since, it has taken teamwork throughout the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to bring the jump scares and frightful scenes to life.

“I think this house is probably the best it’s ever looked,” said Lt. Jonathan Bowman, who is at the helm of the project this year.

The 15-minute walk through experience changes paths every year.

It includes plenty of gore and dozens of volunteer scare actors.

“For the $15 price point, you’re not going to get a better value for that,” Bowman said.

Each $15 ticket goes to the United Way of Central Florida, which conducted a United Community Needs Assessment last year.

“That assessment brought to our attention that end hunger, financial stability and so many of the things that we’re already providing services for in our community are at a higher need,” said Ileana Kniss with United Way of Central Florida.

The organization disperses $5.5 million a year to 79 partner agencies in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.

United Way of Central Florida expects there to be a $750,000 increase in requests this year.

Bowman said this could be the last time the haunted jail tour is held at this location, as the building is set to be demolished.

“While this building is still standing and we’re able to create these memories, allow these parents to come in and create these memories with these families, and for a cheap cost, I think it’s an excellent idea,” he said.

The tour is open Friday and Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the old county jail at 455 North Broadway in Bartow.

There will be sheriff’s office members available to watch children while their parents take the tour.

There will also be a street carnival with arts & crafts booths, a dunk tank, bounce houses, and fun for the entire family.

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Polk Sheriff Resumes the Popular Haunted Jail Tours

BARTOW — Being sent to jail can be an intimidating, even scary experience, something most law-abiding citizens work hard to avoid. But would you be more willing to go to jail if you knew it was … haunted ?

Mark your calendar in October for a visit to the Polk County city of Bartow , because the old historic jail in the city’s downtown at 455 N. Broadway Ave. (the Lawrence W. Crow Jr. building) is once again opening its doors for the annual Haunted Jail Tour, one of the most popular spooky events of the Halloween season in Central Florida. This year, it’s back by popular demand.

What is the annual Haunted Jail Tour in Bartow?

Sponsored by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office , the Haunted Jail Tour will run 4 nights: Friday & Saturday, Oct. 21-22, and Friday & Saturday, Oct. 28-29.

Carrie Horstman, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, noted that this year’s spooky theme is Doomsday. “And instead of just one tour, we will have two different paths to scare you through the jail,” she noted. “You won’t want to miss it!”

This popular attraction is sponsored for a good cause. While raising plenty of scares, the sheriff’s office is also raising money to benefit The United Way of Central Florida . For a $12 donation to United Way, you can take the haunted tour, or for $20 you can go on both tours. The cost for children under 10 is $5 per tour.

“But if you think the tour will be too scary for your little ones, don’t worry – we will have PCSO members there volunteering to watch your kids in a safe place while you tour,” Horstman noted, while also pointing out that “This is a family friendly kid-oriented event! We’re shutting down Church Street for a street carnival, with arts & crafts booths, games & contests, a cake walk, bounce houses, and our favorite – Dunk The Deputy!” Their school resource deputies have volunteered to sit in a dunk tank.

In addition, Newman BBQ Catering & Events will be on hand, along with Poco Loco Fruta, and D’Lites Ice Cream. 

What Happens During the Haunted Jail Tours?

Each year, the Haunted Jail Tours have different themes — the most recent one was “The Ghost of Calvin,” the legendary story of an inmate who committed suicide and still haunts the property, and before that it was “Asylum.”

Tickets for the tour are not pre-sold, but rather sold in-person at the event until the 10 p.m. cutoff. Some Polk County high schools will pre-sell the Dunk The Deputy dunk tank tickets at their schools. The Dunk Tank tickets are $5 for 5 throws.  Tickets for the Haunted Jail Tour and carnival games can be purchased through cash or credit/debit cards.

There will be signs available leading the way to the parking area. The Haunted Jail Tour typically lasts about 15 minutes.  

Is The Polk County Jail Haunted?

But is the jail truly haunted? That definitely seems to be the consensus, considering that over the decades there were inmates who stayed there on their way to execution and others who committed suicide in their cell. Over the years, both inmates and sheriff’s deputies have reported eerie sightings and happenings there.

In an article titled “Haunted Polk: A Brief History of Local Haunts,” author James Colter writes that the old jail is definitely on the list of haunted Polk County sites.

“Inmates have seen people walking the hallways before deputies were supposed to pass by, and officers have seen people in cells that were not supposed to be occupied. One ghost that has been seen many times is Calvin, an inmate that killed himself in the six-block area …. While one deputy was searching files, the back of a shelf flew off from across the room and nearly hit her in the head. Another deputy in a first floor holding cell felt her hair being tugged when no one else was there. While making their rounds, deputies have seen shadowy figures in the hallways that disappear once the lights turn on. One deputy claimed to have heard someone clicking a counter as if performing head count when officers no longer use such methods.”

What Else Is There To See in Downtown Bartow?

If you do decide to check out the Haunted Jail Tour, make a full night of it. It wouldn’t hurt to go a little early and check out Bartow’s historic downtown, which includes one other haunted hotspot.

Bartow itself is a very historic city, founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, then renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow, the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War.

The old Polk County Courthouse Museum is at 100 E. Main St. in Bartow, directly across from the new courthouse. It was built in 1883 and has been a museum since 1997.

The courtrooms, now used for ceremonial events, have their own ghostly legends, including a Lady in White who haunts the building.

The basement, which can only be accessed by elevator, is also a special place, one where visitors and employees have heard agonizing screams – possibly from the victims of an explosion in the boiler room.

Happy haunting!

Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright and author of the terrifying book “Bloody Rabbit” . Contact him at [email protected]. .

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Tampa Free Press

Annual Polk County Sheriff’s Office Haunted Jail Tour Set For Two Weekends In October

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Back by popular demand is the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Haunted Jail Tour, located at 455 North Broadway in Bartow (the Lawrence W. Crow, Jr. building).

The Haunted Jail Tour will run 4 nights – Friday & Saturday, October 21st and 22nd, and Friday & Saturday, October 28th and 29th.

This year’s spooky theme is DOOMSDAY. And instead of just one tour, we will have TWO DIFFERENT PATHS to scare you through the jail. You won’t want to miss it!

You can take the haunted tour for a $12.00 donation to the United Way of Central Florida, or for $20.00 you can go on TWO tours. For children under ten years old, it costs just $5.00 per tour.

But if you think the tour will be too scary for your little ones, don’t worry – we will have PCSO members there volunteering to watch your kids in a safe place while you tour.

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This is a family-friendly kid-oriented event!

“We’re shutting down Church Street for a street carnival, with arts & crafts booths, games & contests, a cake walk, bounce houses, and our favorite – DUNK THE DEPUTY! Our school resource deputies have volunteered to sit in a dunk tank,” said Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

If being scared makes you hungry or thirsty – no problem! Newman BBQ Catering & Events will be there, along with Poco Loco Fruta, and D’Lites Ice Cream. Special thanks to Sunbelt Rentals of Lakeland for lighting it all up for us.

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Scary Attractions and Halloween Haunted Houses in Polk County + Central Florida

If you like to SCREAM when it is time for Halloween, we’ve got a list of places to find all things scary in Lakeland, Polk County and Central Florida including haunted houses, zombies, ghost tours, haunted trails, haunted hayrides, and gory Halloween attractions. Plus the best scary attractions and theme park events in Tampa and Orlando for 2023.

Looking for a drive-thru haunted house or haunted corn maze? We’ve included those too. If you’re on the hunt for the scariest haunted house in Florida, you just might find it here in Central Florida.

Don’t miss our  Ultimate Guide to Fall & Halloween Activities  for a full list of fun things to do this fall in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Polk County, and Central Florida including pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted houses, Halloween events, trunk or treats, drive-thru Halloween attractions, trick or treat details, and more.

We STRONGLY encourage you to ask around and find out more about each of these attractions before taking children. They are all legitimately SCARY , and only you can judge what age is appropriate for your own kids!

Please check directly with event organizers for specific dates, discounts, current ticket prices, advance registration, and any last-minute changes. While we do our best to provide accurate information, we include an outside link so you can verify the details for all events and activities.

Scary Attractions + Haunted Houses Near You in Polk County

Polk county sheriff’s office haunted jail tour.

This Haunted House in Bartow is located in a jail. What could be spookier?? The HAUNTED JAIL TOUR hosted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office features never-before-seen areas of the old booking facility.

For a $15 donation per adult (or $5 for kids under 10), you can scream to your heart’s delight on any of these four nights at the PCSO Haunted Jail Tour. PCSO will have agency members on-hand to watch the little ones whose parents want to tour but maybe don’t want their children tagging along. They will also have a bounce house, a “dunk your deputy” dunk tank, and food trucks selling food and drinks – fun for the entire family!

Proceeds benefit the United Way of Central Florida. Tickets are sold in person only. Cash and credit will be accepted.

Dates & Times:  FOUR NIGHTS ONLY – October 20, 21, 27, 28, 2023 Admission Price: $15 for Adults / $5 for Children. All proceeds benefit United Way. First come, first served – pay at the door. Food and drinks will also be for sale. Location:  PCSO Old Jail in Bartow – 455 N. Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL

Wonder House Halloween Tours – Bartow

Something spooky this way comes… the historic Wonder House in Bartow offers Halloween tours during the month of October. Both daytime and night tours are available inside this historic home decorated for Halloween.

The house will be decorated for Halloween with many personal oddity collections on display. This is a family friendly tour and does not have any jump scares, zombies or monsters.

Location: 1075 E Mann Rd, Bartow, Florida 33830 More info: Website | Facebook Dates: 2023 Dates TBA. Check the website or Facebook for updates. Tours sell out quickly!

Halloween Movies + Scare Zones at Silvermoon Drive-In

Silvermoon Drive-In will show a variety of Halloween movies and scary movies in October, including Howl at the Moon movie marathon nights in October. Scare actors in dedicated scare zones will be at some of the movies. Check the Silvermoon website or Facebook page for details.

Location: Silvermoon Drive-In – 4100 New Tampa Hwy, Lakeland, FL 33815 Dates & Times: Select nights in October Cost: Check with Silvermoon for special event pricing. Special events may have a separate admission price. A Howl at the Moon 3 event pass is available for all the October Howl at the Moon Events.

Buckingham Terror Haunted House in Lakeland (at Camp Fire)

Buckingham Terror is on hiatus as of 2021, no announcements have been made for 2023. Facebook

Zombie Farm Paintball Hayride (at Cornfusion Lakeland)

Zombie Farm Paintball at Smith Family Ranch closed in 2019. Website

Shallow Grave – Winter Haven Haunted House

The Shallow Grave in Winter Haven was a favorite local haunt, it closed in 2018. Stay tuned for updates on a possible new location.  Website  |  Facebook

If you know of any other Haunted Houses in Lakeland FL or Polk County, contact us and we will add them to our list.

Scary Attractions + Haunted Houses Near You in Tampa

Sir henry’s haunted trail and ominous descent.

Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is an outdoor haunted trail experience located in Plant City, between Tampa and Orlando. Sir Henry’s offers several different experiences for guests to satisfy their Halloween haunted house cravings, including four haunted trails, escape rooms, and ax throwing.

Location : 2837 S Frontage Rd, Plant City, FL 33566 More info :  Website  |   Facebook   Dates & Times : Open weekends September 29 – November 4, 2023. Visit website for dates and hours.  Cost : Ranges from $25-35 per person. Advance ticket purchase is required. DISCLAIMER:  The trails are designed to be frightening. Some material and scenes might not be appropriate for children under 12 years of age.

Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City

Just looking at their website makes me scared! This Halloween horror park includes multiple haunting attractions including various themed haunted houses, and Zombie Paintball (extra). Be sure to check out their FAQ page if visiting for the first time.

Location: 27839 Saint Joe Rd, Dade City, FL 33525 More Info: Website | Facebook Dates & Times: Select Nights from September 8 – November 4, 2023 Cost: Varies by date from $27.95 – $52.95 per person, save $5 when you purchase online DISCLAIMER: SCREAM-A-GEDDON is recommended for adults and teens. Parental discretion is advised.

Howl-O-Scream at Bush Gardens

Fear returns to its most immersive form with the return of iconic horror-filled haunted houses to terrify guests at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream, Tampa Bay’s BIGGEST haunt event. Park guests will find nowhere to hide as zombies, deranged clowns, werewolves and new surprises stalk their prey throughout eight scare zones, and unpredictable roaming hordes lurk in the darkness. Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event.

Location: Busch Gardens Tampa More info: Howl-O-Scream Website Dates & Times: Select Nights from September 8 to October 31, 2023 Cost: Prices start at $34.99. Buy early, capacity is limited, and there are often sales if you purchase early. Click here to buy Howl-O-Scream Tickets . DISCLAIMER: Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore, and blood. No costumes are allowed.

Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa (Family Friendly)

One of the best family Halloween events in Tampa, Creatures of the Night is a mostly outdoor event with spooky scares and unforgettable eerie frights for ghouls & goblins of all ages. This family-friendly event is themed around campfire tales and features several new outdoor Halloween experiences and spooky characters.

Location: 1101 W. Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604 More info: ZooTampa Website Dates: Select nights from September 29 – October 29, 2023

Haunted Attractions Near You in Orlando

Howl ‘o scream orlando – sea world.

Howl-O-Scream resurfaces for 28 nights SeaWorld Orlando on select nights with nowhere to hide! You’ll experience 5 haunted houses, 7 scare zones, 3 terrifying live shows, roaming hoards, and pulse-pounding coasters in the dark, and an ocean of scares.

Location: Sea World Orlando More info: Howl-O-Scream Website Dates & Times: Select Nights from September 8 to October 31, 2023 Cost: Prices start at $37.99. Buy early, capacity is limited, and tickets are discounted when you purchase in August/September. Click here to buy Howl-O-Scream Tickets . DISCLAIMER: Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore, and blood. No costumes are allowed.

Mortem Manor – Year Round Haunted House in Orlando

Journey through Mortem Manor, two floors of an old victorian themed haunted attraction filled with scares, thrills and fun. Featuring live actors, animatronics and state-of-the-art special effects. Not just for the Halloween season, Mortem Manor real haunted house is open year round.

Location: 5770 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL, 34746 More info: Website | Facebook Dates : Year round! Cost : Tickets start at $18 per person DISCLAIMER: Some scenes may be too intense for younger audiences or for any person with a medical condition that may be affected by fear, surprise, horror, terror or a rise in heart rate or blood pressure. Not recommended for anyone under 13.

Scream-n-Stream Drive Thru Haunt

Load up the car with family and friends this Halloween. Drive through seven haunted roads in Orlando plus a walk through Haunted House. Scream-n-Stream is the ultimate way to experience a Halloween adventure in your car, without crowds or walking. Pay one price per vehicle, not per person.

Location : 1700 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, Oviedo, FL 32765 More info: Website | Facebook Dates: Check website DISCLAIMER: Scream-n-Stream features Loud and sudden noises, Fog / sparks, Scary monsters, Fake blood and gore, Sudden appearances of characters. Parental discretion is advised. Proof of Drivers license and Car insurance is required for driver.

The Haunted Road in Orlando – Drive Thru Halloween experience

Drive through this contactless Halloween event in Orlando if you dare . Twisted creatures. Immersive theatrical storytelling. Bloodcurdling encounters. The nighttime experience is estimated to take 40 minutes once you enter The Haunted Road. {How it works – you’ll drive from scene to scene, park, and then watch as scary scenes come to life right outside your vehicle. There will not be any scares while your car is moving other than the occasional ghost sighting.} Also includes a walk-through haunted house and afterlife party. If you make it that far…

Location: 15239 Lake Pickett Rd, Orlando, FL 32820 More info: Website | Facebook Dates & Times: Check website Cost: $20 – 32 per person depending on the date DISCLAIMER: All times are approximate. Parental discretion is advised, see website for a full description of the event.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, now in its 30th year, brings together terrifying haunted houses, sinister scare zones, outrageous live entertainment, jump scares, and some of the park’s most exhilarating attractions. Jack the Clown will be back as well, lunging from the shadows where you least expect. Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event.

More info: Website Dates: Select nights September 1 – November 4, 2023

Haunted Corn Mazes Near You

Orlando corn maze – long & scott farm.

In addition to their weekend Fall Festivals where you can visit the corn maze + pumpkin patch, Long & Scott Corn Maze and Farm is having a special  NIGHT MAZE  on Saturday nights in October. On these dates the maze is also open from 6pm until 10pm. (This is not a haunted maze with scare actors, it is an adventure through the corn maze at night).

Location : 26216 County Road 448A, Mount Dora, Florida 32757 ( MAP IT )  More info :  Website   |   Facebook Dates & Times : Night Mazes are 4 nights only. The Fall Festival and Corn Maze at this family farm is open weekends from September 30 – November 26, 2023 Saturdays 10am – 5pm | Sundays 12pm – 5pm | Night Maze Dates Open 6pm – 10pm Cost : Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. $15-17 per person, ages 4 and up. Ages 0-3 are free.

Haunted Halloween Maze near Orlando – Lake Catherine Blueberries

In addition to farm activities, a pumpkin patch, and daytime corn maze, Lake Catherine’s Blueberries also has a Haunted Corn Maze and Dark Forest Trail of Terror plus Catherine’s Escape Room. If you plan on entering the mazes or outdoor haunted trail after dark, bring a flashlight to help guide your way.

Location : 5849 Lake Catherine Rd, Groveland, FL 34736 ( MAP IT ) More info :  Website  |  Facebook | Maze Tickets Dates : September 29 – October 28, 2023 Cost : $17 – $24

Night Corn Maze near Tampa – HarvestMoon Fun Farm Haunted Nights

When the sun goes down, this corn maze near Tampa has Haunted Nights & Flash Light Night Admission  – Come after dark and try to find your way through this 5 acre corn maze at night! Then check out the haunted trail and the haunted barn, you never know what might be hiding there!! (DON’T FORGET YOUR FLASHLIGHTS)

Location : 15990 Stur Street, Masaryktown, FL 34604 ( MAP IT ) More info :  Website  |  Facebook Dates & Times : Select Friday + Saturday Nights in October Cost : Approx. $25 for Haunted Nights ages 3+

**Each of these farms is also listed in our list of Corn Mazes Near You in Central Florida for daytime farm activities and non-scary corn maze fun!**

We don’t know of any haunted hayrides near you in central Florida – let us know if you find one!

Map of Haunted Houses Near You in Florida

Haunted House Near You | Drive Thru Haunted House Near You | Halloween Scares Near You | Haunted Trail Near You

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The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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