circle line cruise to bear mountain

Bear Mountain Cruise

PIER 83, MIDTOWN

Cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park on New York's floating Oktoberfest! Enjoy live music, fall foliage and brews on a fun-filled day trip.

• German-themed food

Cruises starting Tuesday, April 16

New York City's #1 Floating Oktoberfest!

Fall in love with the Hudson on our Bear Mountain Cruise!

Take a fifty-mile cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park while enjoying autumnal sights and Oktoberfest-themed experience, including German food specials, Oktoberfest beers (available for purchase) and live music.

Our huge, outdoor decks are perfect for getting some fall sun, fresh air and 360-degree views.

The Hudson River Cruise goes under two of the most impressive bridges in New York State, the mighty George Washington Bridge and the modern Mario Cuomo Bridge, aka Tappan Zee Bridge. You'll pass Hook Mountain, which rises to nearly 800 feet straight up from the Hudson River with sheer cliffs, covered in bright autumn foliage, surrounded by ravens, hawks, ospreys and the occasional Bald Eagle before arriving at Bear Mountain. Once you're there you'll be able to get out, walk around paved trails for two hours, enjoying the main Bear Mountain facility, the lake, the zoo and the Merry Go Round.

Please note, that all mountain trails (including the trail to the top of the Mountain) are closed until further notice due to the damaging summer storms.

Live Music Schedule

With a mix of 2 different bands this year, traveling up the Hudson has never sounded better! You can expect Divining Rod to play both Americana and country rock, a heady mix of soulful originals and eclectic covers. Street Beats Brass Band adds an element of traditional Oktoberfest polka music plus a variety of classic hits and singalongs.

Weekend Schedule: Sep 30 + Oct 1 : Divining Rod Oct 7 - Oct 9 : Street Beats Brass Band Oct 14 - Oct 15 : Divining Rod Oct 21 - Oct 22 : Street Beats Brass Band Oct 28 - Oct 29 : Divining Rod Nov 4 - Nov 5 : Street Beats Brass Band Nov 11 - Nov 12 : Divining Rod

Premier Seating Package

The all-inclusive way to get the most out of our Bear Mountain Cruise! Premier guests will receive:

• Unlimited Soda, water, coffee & tea.
• Your Choice of 1 German-style food platter.
• In-seat Food Service- no waiting in lines, no missed views!
• Private Bar for Premier Guests only.
• Private Restrooms for Premier Guests only.
• Exclusive Seating Area on the highest deck!

The Amazing Beauty of the Hudson River

What You'll See

Bear Mountain Hudson River Cruise Route

Departing Pier 83, you'll pass under the George Washington Bridge, marvel at the majestic Palisades and the modern Cuomo Bridge, continuing up the Hudson to Bear Mt

Mario Cuomo Bridge

This dual-span twin bridge was completed in 2018 at a cost of nearly $4 billion connecting Westchester and Rockland counties.

Hudson River Palisades

The Palisades are a line of steep cliffs rising up from the Hudson River to about 540 feet.

This museum is in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan. Pieces were brought over from Europe and it was completed in 1939 .

The world’s busiest suspension bridge spans the Hudson River and carries over 103 million vehicles per year.

Peak Fall Foliage hits between September 30 - October 22nd!

Courtesy of Smoky Mountains National Park, the 2023 Fall Foliage Map is the ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progressive changing of the leaves. While no tool can be 100% accurate, this tool is meant to help travelers better time their trips to have the best opportunity of catching peak color each year.

Click here to check it out!

MIDTOWN ON THE HUDSON RIVER

Our Location

It's easy to find us wherever your travels take you in New York City. Our cruises currently depart only from our midtown location. Welcome aboard!

Things to Know Before You Go

• Boarding is at 8:30 AM for a 9:00 AM departure; the boat returns at approximately 5:00 PM, depending on tides and weather conditions.
• Walking at Bear Mountain State Park lasts from approximately 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Pay close attention to the Captain's announcement about the departure time from the Park. You don't want to be left behind!
• Please note: The walk begins with a steep walk up a hill that can be very difficult for some guests. Please wear appropriate foot wear suitable for a hike.
• No outside food or beverage allowed.
• Onboard amenities including outdoor deck space, heated/air conditioned indoor seating with large windows made for sightseeing, and restrooms.
• If we have to cancel a cruise due to foul weather, we'll provide you with a refund or the opportunity to re-book for another date.

Oktoberfest Food Menu

• Bavarian Pretzels with Cheese Sauce
• Traditional or Chicken Bratwursts
• Vegan Sausage with Mustard Gravy (Vegetarian)
• Smoked Pork Belly (Gluten Free)
• Pork Schnitzels with Mushroom Gravy
• German Potato Salad (Vegetarian)
• Beets Salad (Vegan)
• Red Cabbage

The Bear Mountain Dock

On rare occurrences, stormy weather and high tides submerge the dock at Bear Mountain which makes it inaccessible.

Guest safety is our #1 priority, so our highly-trained Captain & Crew will make the right call closer to the docking area. If we cannot dock, the vessel will simply turn around and head back to Manhattan a few hours earlier than anticipated. But don't fret, the Oktoberfest onboard party will continue for the entire time!

If we're anticipating this to occur ahead of your cruise, we will notify you in advance.

Circle Line Cruise to Bear Mountain: My Review

Why you should visit bear mountain in the fall.

Add this and other places to your personal travel plan. We will then help you with further suitable suggestions: free of charge and straightaway!

Only a few are aware of this little secret: New York City has a lot more to offer than skyscrapers, shopping, and museums – beautiful mountains and gorgeous scenery can be found just a short distance from the city. If you would like to combine the discovery of the area outside the city with a cruise across the Hudson River, then the all-day boat tour to Bear Mountain is a perfect choice.

You'll also love this:

• The 5 Best Fall Foliage Cruises in NYC
• The Complete Guide to Fall Foliage in NYC
• The 27 Best Day Trips From New York

Given the 8 hour duration of the trip , this tour is best suited for travelers who are in New York for an extended period of time. This boat tour can be the icing on the cake of a perfect city vacation as it presents a nice change of pace after days in the concrete jungle.

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The ultimate Nature & City Cruise – Boat tour to Bear Mountain

It feels as though you are in the wilds of Canada, far removed from any civilization. Only a handful of tourist knows of its existence – making this tour the ultimate insider tip and way to escape from the masses.

Your destination of the boat tour is the  Bear Mountain State Park , a park 7m² in size, located on the west side of the Hudson River.

Video of the Bear Mountain Day Trip

A day of experiencing the Hudson and the natural beauty of New York

The Circle Line Boat leaves Manhattan from Pier 83 and heads towards Palisades Park and the George Washington Bridge . The last part of Manhattan, the Upper West Side, and Harlem will be visible on your right, after which you will then pass underneath the impressive George Washington Bridge – the only bridge that connects the state of New Jersey with the state of New York.

On the left of the boat, the Palisades Park in New Jersey will come into view which you can admire during your 3-hour boat ride to Bear Mountain. Cruising past gorgeous scenery the tour guide provides interesting information regarding the history of Bear Mountain and its surrounding area . There are breakfast and lunch on the Circle Line Boat as well as coffee, drinks and other beverages.

Discovering Bear Mountain State Park

Once you arrive at Bear Mountain, you have 3 hours to explore the state park as you wish. Your options include relaxing on the shore of Bear Mountain Lake, renting a boat to paddle across the river, or climbing the mountain via one of the numerous hiking trails. There are many overlooks that afford fantastic views and photo opportunities.

The park is a popular weekend destination for families who come here to grill out and enjoy the day in the shadow of the mountain. Bear Mountain Park also has several trailside interpretive sites and a zoo. Additional features include the Iona Island Nature and Bird Conservation Area, Perkins Tower, a carousel, and a beautiful pavilion. Also, make sure to stop by the restaurant 1915 at Bear Mountain for a quick bite and beverages. There’s a gift shop as well, where you can purchase great souvenirs to take home with you.

You won’t find many tourists here. The Circle Line Boat you took to get to the park is the only boat that makes the trip upriver. After your 3 hours of exploring Bear Mountain State Park , the boat takes you back to your departure point in Manhattan.

Tickets and prices for the all-day boat tour to Bear Mountain

The 5 Absolute Best Fall Foliage Cruises in New York City 2024

Fall Foliage in NYC – Our Complete Guide for 2024

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I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

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The Unique Day Cruise From NYC That Offers Spectacular Fall Views Along The Hudson River

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Get into the fall season with a trip up the Hudson River. Circle Line is celebrating the return of its annual Bear Mountain Cruise. Enjoy the sights of the autumn season during this Oktoberfest-themed experience with German food specials, Oktoberfest beers, live music, and unbeatable views of the fall foliage. 

“We are thrilled to announce the return of our Bear Mountain Cruises and invite passengers to experience New York from the water as the leaves start to change and the fall season begins,” said Craig Kanarick, CEO of New York Cruise Lines. “Offering hours of breathtaking views of New York’s stunning colorful foliage and a fun day-trip getaway from the city, this is one of our most anticipated cruises throughout the year.”

Bear Mountain Cruise

The 50-mile cruise up the Hudson River takes you to Bear Mountain State Park. During the 8-hour sail, you’ll get breathtaking views of sites like the 800-foot-tall Hook Mountain, Hudson River Palisades, the Cloisters, George Washington Bridge, Mario Cuomo Bridge, and more.

Festive foods include schnitzel and bratwurst feast plates, a Prop & Peller Uber Pretzel, and a quarter-pound hot dog with sauerkraut. It will also feature a wide selection of hot and cold beverages, including specialty fall-favorite beer offerings like Samuel Adams Octoberfest and German favorites like Warsteiner Premium German Pilsner.

On-board, you’ll have access to a huge outdoor deck space, heated/air-conditioned indoor seating, and large windows with 360-degree views perfect for sightseeing.

The round-trip excursion runs every weekend from September 17 through November 13. Boarding is at 8:30 a.m. and returns at approximately 5 p.m.

Bear Mountain State Park

There’s plenty to do when you arrive at Bear Mountain State Park . The 5,205-acre park is on the west bank of the Hudson River in Rockland and Orange Counties.

You’ll have a few hours to explore trailside museums, check out a local zoo, enjoy Bear Mountain Lake, and hike plenty of trails. The merry-go-round features hand-painted scenes of the park and 42 hand-carved seats of native animals including black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, Canada goose, fox, swan, bobcat, rabbit, and more. You’ll also discover natural landmarks of Bear Mountain with the vibrant colors of the newly turned fall leaves.

About Circle Line

Since opening in 1945, Circle Line has hosted over 80 million passengers on its cruises. It’s the only cruise company in New York Harbor exclusively dedicated to sightseeing with boats specifically designed to let you see as much as possible in any weather. It operates seven ships in the New York Harbor.

To learn about other places to experience fall foliage, check out:

• Where To See The Best Fall Foliage In The U.S.
• The Best Time To See Fall Foliage In The U.S. No Matter Where You Live (2022)
• 12 Fantastic Places To See Fall Foliage In The Midwest

Allison spent almost 20 years of her career as a TV news anchor. She’s covered everything from political conventions to Super Bowl LV to hurricanes and, most recently, the pandemic. She is a two-time Emmy award-winning journalist. She's been recognized for her work nationally and regionally by organizations including the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists.

Bear Mountain Cruise Tickets

About Bear Mountain Cruise

Take in the crisp autumn air and awesome views of the fall foliage as Circle Line cruises up the scenic Hudson River to historic Bear Mountain in upstate New York -- with an addition of an onboard Oktoberfest. Snack on German food and beer specials available for purchase while you cruise and listen to a live German Polka band playing festive tunes. At Bear Mountain, you'll have the opportunity to spend the next two hours exploring this beautiful area walking paved trails, foliage viewing, seeing the Bear Mountain Lake and more. Then, you'll enjoy another ride back down the river as dusk descends. It's a day of cruisin', leaf peepin', wurst eatin', polka dancin', and nature viewing fun! Cruises sail rain or shine. Outside food or beverages are not permitted on the boat. Schedule (subject to change due to tide conditions at time of cruise departure and return): Board: 8:30am at Pier 83 Cruise to Bear Mountain: 9:00am - 11:45am Time at Bear Mountain: 11:30am - 2:30pm Cruise from Bear Mountain to Pier 83: 2:30pm - 5:00pm

September 30th, 2023

November 12th, 2023

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.

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Circle Line: Bear Mountain Cruise - New York City - With Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Hotel pickup Available
• Instant Confirmation
• Lowest Price Guaranteed
• Duration: 8 Hrs
• Language: English
• Departure Time : 09:00 AM
• Return Details : ****Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure for boarding****
• Cancellation Policy : This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Take a fifty-mile cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park while enjoying autumnal sights and our onboard experience with music, German food specials and Oktoberfest beers (available for purchase). Our huge, outdoor decks are perfect for getting some fall sun, fresh air and 360-degree views. Cruise under two of the most impressive bridges in New York State, the mighty George Washington Bridge and the newly-constructed Mario Cuomo Bridge, aka Tappan Zee Bridge. Once you're there you'll be able to get out, hike around for two hours, enjoying the Bear Mountain lake and many trails.

Know More about this tour

Get off the boat and walk around, enjoying a beautiful mountain lake and easy to walk trails. This dual-span twin bridge was completed in 2018 at a cost of nearly $4 billion connecting Westchester and Rockland counties. The Palisades are a line of steep cliffs rising up from the Hudson River to about 540 feet. This museum is in Fort Tyron Park in northern Manhattan. Pieces were brought over from Europe and it was completed in 1939 . The worlds busiest suspension bridge spans the Hudson River and carries over 103 million vehicles per year. You'll pass under the George Washington Bridge This mountain rises 689 feet up from the Hudson River. It was known as Verdrietige Hook, "Tedious Point", to Dutch settlers.

• Download the free Circle Line Sightseeing App to listen to a guided tour during the cruise. Please bring your own headsets or earbuds. Tour is available in English and Spanish
• 8-Hour Bear Mountain Cruise
• Free admission to Bear Mountain State Park
• Alcoholic Beverages

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adults lap

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Boarding is at 8:30 AM for a 9:00 AM departure; the boat returns at approximately 5 PM, depending on tides and weather conditions.

Onboard food and beverage options available for purchase include a special German menu, sandwiches, pizza, nachos, salads and snacks plus a full bar serving up hot and cold beverages, beer, wine and cocktails. No outside food or beverage allowed.

The hike begins with a steep walk up a hill that can be very difficult for some guests. The area between the dock and entrance to the park sometimes floods. Please wear appropriate foot wear - hiking shoes are recommended

For a guided tour, please download the Circle Line Sightseeing App. Please bring your own headsets or earbuds to listen to the tour

Onboard amenities including outdoor deck space, heated/air conditioned indoor seating with large windows made for sightseeing, and restrooms.

If you're experiencing any symptoms of COVID, or have been in contact with someone who has, we will be happy to refund your ticket if you cannot come due to COVID. Be safe and keep everyone else safe too!

If we have to cancel a cruise due to foul weather, we'll provide you with a refund or the opportunity to re-book for another date.

Food and drinks are NOT allowed to be brought on board

Note that due to damage from severe storms the upper hiking trails are not accessible and guests will not be able to hike to the top of Bear Mountain. Only paved paths, lake and zoo are accessible.

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Traveler Reviews

Overall good experience, spectacular vistas on a clear day, but can get very miserable in a rain. The Circle line boats are older and pretty basic, but crew is very helpful and friendly. Views of GW, Mario Cuomo and Bear Mountain bridges are amazing in good weather, there is plenty of time to explore Bear Mountain Park. Can hike up the mountain, walk around the lake or visit a small zoo and small trailside historic exhibits. Can even step on the Appalachian Trail. There is a lot of drinking on board, but on our cruise everyone was polite and did not feel too crowded. The lines for food snd drink get long. Coming back to evening skyline of the city is very nice. Good experience for groups and friends to do in the fall. If focused mostly on hiking, driving to the Bear Mountain Park may make more sense, but the cruise is a good and affordable option to spend an active day with friends.

Excellent trip! Attentive staff, fun music band, too. However, people should be allowed to bring food on board. Not everyone can afford the concession stand prices for a full day. And and too many drunk people on board. It would be wiser to stop selling beer for return trip. Some of those people couldn’t even walk.

The tour guide was amazing. He’s knowledgeable, friendly, & entertaining. Grateful for learning more about the history, people, culture of New York. Bear Mountain is a must see. Love the bits of information to read along the hiking trails, the animals, birds, flowers, etc. are beautiful. Listening to the Street Band on our way back to Pier 84 is a nice addition to the Bear Mountain Cruise I ♥️ New York

It such a wonderful trip, beautiful weather, great cruise! My friend and I enjoyed the views, the drinks and the fall foliage was stunning. The food and drinks are pricy but it is what you would expect in New York. Food is subpar.

It was a good day and experience Staff and crew were very friendly. The foliage was perfect and a nice sunny and cool day

Purchased premium tickets to get the better view on the top deck! The guide was fantastic and gave us some great history and commentary on the sights ! We had our own bar and bathroom ! So you never really had to wait to use the bathroom or get a drink/food! In General admission the wait lines looked long

This trip up the Hudson was great and the gentleman who talked about the area going up the Hudson was fantastic. I don't remember his name but we were so glad he was there giving us details about the history of the surrounding area.

The $39 refillable mug was the best thing a beer-lover could wish for. Drinking up mug after mug of beer or hot coco while watching the autumn leaves makes for a wonderful weekend experience.

Perfect guide, absolutely amazing band, good food and service! Beautiful and fun! Love it! Will go again with my friends

The beauty of the colors and scenery. The band Divining Rod on the way back was awesome!!!! We really enjoyed them

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This Hudson River Cruise Combines Fall Foliage and Oktoberfest Celebrations

Savor the season with a day trip that includes German beer and gorgeous fall foliage views.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

Listen up New Yorkers, you don't have to make your way to Munich or navigate complicated pandemic travel restrictions to have a memorable Oktoberfest . From now through Oct. 31, you'll be able to celebrate on board a boat while leaf-peeping along the Hudson River.

Circle Line's Bear Mountain Cruise leaves from Pier 83 in Manhattan, heading 50 miles up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park . Passengers on board the approximately eight-hour round-trip journey can feast on bratwursts, pork schnitzels, Bavarian pretzels, potato salad, and beer in celebration of Oktoberfest.

After all, what better way to ring in fall than with an Oktoberfest celebration that also includes a hike through some fall foliage in one of New York's most beautiful state parks ?

Bear Mountain State Park, where the cruise stops for about two hours, offers some of the best leaf-peeping within easy driving distance of New York City , and its 5,200-plus acres offer ample opportunities to hike, bike, and more.

Tickets for this Circle Line cruise start at $69, not including food and drinks. On board entertainment from a German polka band, however, is included.

Guests must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to board the cruise, which passes by the soaring the Palisades, cliffs that tower hundreds of feet above the Hudson River and become bright canvases of fall foliage around this time of year. (Don't be surprised if you spot a bald eagle among the colorful leaves.)

Guests are required to wear masks indoors while not eating or drinking, and cruises depart at 9 a.m.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a Travel + Leisure contributor who has visited 50 countries on six continents and 47 U.S. states. She loves historic plaques, wandering new streets, and walking on beaches. Find her on Facebook and Instagram .

Bear Mountain Cruise Tickets

About Bear Mountain Cruise

Take in the crisp autumn air and awesome views of the fall foliage as Circle Line cruises up the scenic Hudson River to historic Bear Mountain in upstate New York -- with an addition of an onboard Oktoberfest. Snack on German food and beer specials available for purchase while you cruise and listen to a live German Polka band playing festive tunes. At Bear Mountain, you'll have the opportunity to spend the next two hours exploring this beautiful area walking paved trails, foliage viewing, seeing the Bear Mountain Lake and more. Then, you'll enjoy another ride back down the river as dusk descends. It's a day of cruisin', leaf peepin', wurst eatin', polka dancin', and nature viewing fun! Cruises sail rain or shine. Outside food or beverages are not permitted on the boat. Schedule (subject to change due to tide conditions at time of cruise departure and return): Board: 8:30am at Pier 83 Cruise to Bear Mountain: 9:00am - 11:45am Time at Bear Mountain: 11:30am - 2:30pm Cruise from Bear Mountain to Pier 83: 2:30pm - 5:00pm

September 30th, 2023

November 12th, 2023

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

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Field Trip: Circle Line’s Bear Mountain Oktoberfest Cruise

October 12, 2021 • Field Trips

On occasion, I’ll publish a day trip idea, and I am counting on readers to send suggestions. This one is from Tribecan Gene Schafer, who used this trip to celebrate his birthday this past weekend (plus a visit to Puffy’s).

THE DESTINATION Bear Mountain State Park

THE JOURNEY Circle Line Bear Mountain Oktoberfest Cruise from Pier 83 The cruise is 50 miles and departs at 9a sharp and returns by 5p. Boarding starts at 8:30. Location: Pier 83 at 42nd Street

THE DETAILS “This is our second trip on this boat as a family. I like it because it’s relaxing, no traffic and I don’t have to drive! Just like most things in the world, it was a little more fun without the covid fallout, but it was still a really nice trip. The leaves have started to change and it will get prettier as the fall moves forward.”

• Because it’s Oktoberfest, there’s German food specials, beer on board and a Polka band. I am not kidding.
• The cruise takes you under the GW and Tappan Zee bridges, past the Cloisters and Hook Mountain.
• The boat arrives at Bear Mountain around 11:30 and you have till about 2:30 to enjoy the park.
• Tickets are $69 or $99 for premium seating. “There’s a VIP section, and you get your own bathroom and get to sit on the top deck of the ship. Bring/wear warm clothes.”

PRO TIPS The walk begins with a steep hill so wear appropriate shoes. There is light narration on the trip, so if that bugs you, reconsider. You don’t have to wear a mask on the deck but you do inside unless you are eating. The indoors is heated.

PIT STOPS Onboard food and beverage options include bratwurst, pork schnitzel, sandwiches, pizza, nachos, salads and snacks plus a full bar serving up hot and cold beverages, beer, wine and cocktails. No outside food or beverage allowed. “The German food was catered in and was pretty good!”

There is a café at the Bear Mountain Lodge. “There is usually also a nice restaurant, but it is closed due to covid at this time (and possibly the shortage of workers).”

TO DO “There is a carousel for the kids and you can wander around the grounds. We did the pedal boat, which was a good workout and fun!”

THE BACKGROUND I don’t have to tell folks that Circle Line is a city institution, but here’s a little background: Since first opening in 1945, the company has hosted more than 80 million passengers; they have been at Pier 83 since 1955. They are the only cruise company in New York Harbor exclusively dedicated to sightseeing.

They have lots of other tours too — my friends who were visiting from Alabama did the full circle and loved it. But there’s a half-circle landmarks tour that just does downtown, heading south from Pier 83, down the Hudson and up the East River, doing a U-ey after the Williamsburg Bridge.

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CIRCLE LINE'S Annual Oktoberfest Cruise to Bear Mountain State Park Begins Weekends

CIRCLE LINE’S Annual Oktoberfest Cruise

Editor’s Note:  New Yorkers and guests of the city will like to know that Circle Line is ready to launch their exciting seasonal sightseeing excursion, the Bear Mountain Cruise that courses up the beautiful Hudson River on weekends from late September to early November.  Find a friend, gather your group or make it a family outing. This is the annual Circle Line trip that people love!

Circle Line , home of New York City's most iconic sightseeing cruises, is thrilled to announce the return of its annual  Bear Mountain Cruise , featuring Oktoberfest-themed food, drinks, and music. Encounter the beauty of fall on the captivating eight-hour, fifty-mile journey up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park. On weekends from September 30 to November 12, guests can embark on an unforgettable adventure with an itinerary filled with fun seasonal activities showcasing the ultimate New York fall and Oktoberfest experience.

On board, guests will enjoy the luxury of accessing outdoor decks, providing perfect panoramic 360 views from the Hudson River. Throughout the 50-mile journey, guests will pass by iconic landmarks such as the 800-foot-tall Hook Mountain, Hudson River Palisades, the Cloisters, George Washington Bridge, Mario Cuomo Bridge, and more. Additionally, the cruise will offer an Oktoberfest-themed extravaganza featuring German food specials such as Bavarian Pretzels with Cheese Sauce, Traditional or Chicken Bratwursts, Pork Schnitzels with Mushroom Gravy along with Oktoberfest beers and ciders such as Sam Adams Octoberfest, Angry Orchard, Bluepoint Pumpkin Ale, and more.  

Upon arrival at Bear Mountain State Park, between 11:30am and 2:30pm, guests will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of attractions, including trailside museums, a local zoo, fun kid-friendly rides like a carousel and Merry-Go-Round Pavilion and take in the stunning landscape transformed by the season, capturing the perfect Instagram worthy shots.  

"We are so happy to continue our annual fall cruise and provide our guests with the best and most beautiful views of New York and New Jersey," said Craig Kanarick, Chief Operating Officer of New York Cruise Lines. "The Bear Mountain Cruise caters to a diverse audience, sightseers, photography enthusiasts, beer aficionados, and even sports fans eager to catch the latest games on our streaming screens. This annual cruise always brings together people who love the fall and seek the perfect way to spend their weekend. " 

For this year's cruise, guests will be treated to an exceptional lineup of live music entertainment, with two returning bands who rocked the boat last year: Americana and country band  Divining Rod , and  Street Beat Brass Band  playing traditional Oktoberfest tunes, plus a variety of classic hits and sing-alongs.  

On sale now, tickets for the Bear Mountain Cruises start at $79 for standard seating, with an option for a premier seating package offering access to a private bar area, exclusive seating on the highest deck, complimentary soft drinks, and much more. Boarding begins at 8:30am with departures leaving from Pier 83 at West 42nd Street at 9:00am sharp. Depending on the tides and weather conditions, boats will return at approximately 5:00pm. 

Circle Line, America’s Favorite Boat Ride, is the premier provider of a variety of sightseeing boat tours in New York City, offering a one-of-a-kind way to experience the city's world-renowned landmarks from the water. For full details on Circle Line or to book a boat ride including their Annual Oktoberfest Cruise, please visit  https://www.circleline.com/.  

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Circle Line  

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10 Reasons to Take Circle Line’s Oktoberfest Bear Mountain Cruise

October 26, 2016

Whether you’re a fan of boating , leaf peeping , noshing on a bratwurst to the tunes of a live Oompa band, or simply escaping the city for some fresh air, the Circle Line’s Oktoberfest Bear Mountain Cruise is a family-friendly outing that is only a short distance north of Manhattan. Running weekends now through November 6, here's why you'll want to plan a quick getaway to see the fall foliage before it's gone.

1. Leaf peeping central

Sure, you can find gorgeous fall foliage right here in the Big Apple, but there’s nothing like cruising up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain to really take it all in. The views from the boat and while hiking around are absolutely breathtaking (especially toward the second half of October!), and the littlest adventurers will enjoy collecting leaves of every color.

2. Teach the kids to polka

Since Bear Mountain moved their on-site Oktoberfest several miles from the river (no longer practical for the cruisers to visit), Circle Line has gotten their very own Oompa Band to entertain guests right on the boat! You can expect lively traditional Polka, and feel free to make special requests—we hear they’re even up for challenges such as the Ghostbusters theme song and Hava Nagila . There’s plenty of space for young and old to dance it up, but you can escape to the second level of the boat for a bit more peace and quiet.

3. Feast on festive German food

No outside food or beverages are allowed on the boat, but have no fear, they have plenty of options to choose from. You’ll find a hot selection of German meals to choose from, such as Schnitzel, Bratwurst, and German Pretzels. They also have traditional snack bar items, sandwiches, hot dogs, and even picnic lunches you can pre-order.

4. Beer, beer, and more beer

What’s Oktoberfest without beer? The boat has full bars that open at noon, and a couple of fun options from Warsteiner: a $35 all-you-can-drink mug, or a $35 bucket of five mix-and-match bottles. Whether or not you will be imbibing, it’s good to keep in mind there might be some rather inebriated folks, not to mention you are on a boat, so just keep a close eye on your kids.

5. Learn fascinating facts about NYC

The first and last half hour of the cruise features light narration from a very witty and informative guide. You’ll learn things about the city that even natives might not know!

6. Traditional brunch in a rustic inn

One of the lunchtime options while on Bear Mountain can be found a quick hike away at the Bear Mountain Inn for a traditional brunch (available on Sundays only; reservations required). There's nothing like a mid-day nosh on delicious country eats, all located in a gorgeous rustic setting. They even have highchairs and changing tables available for young eaters high in the mountains. (Adults $34, children ages 5-12 $16, free for ages four and under.)

7. Be the king (or queen) of the world

Depending on the weather and amount of spray coming off of the river, the bow and/or stern will be open to guests during most of the cruise. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the beautiful breezy view.

8. Take a hike

There are upwards of 50 hiking trails on Bear Mountain! Be sure to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails while you're visiting the mountains for some real off-road adventures. Just remember not all paths are paved, and some have rather steep parts, so choose your footwear carefully and consider leaving the stroller at home or on the boat. 

9. Visit a zoo

The Trailside Museums & Zoo can be found a short hike from the pier, and is a great stop with kids. Admission is a mere suggested donation of $1 per person and you’ll spot animals native to New York, such as black bears, coyotes, bald eagles, and wild turkeys.

10. Picnic by the lake

Hessian Lake serves as a beautiful backdrop for a relaxing family picnic, so pack a lunch (or order one from Circle Line) and let the kids explore the great outdoors. There’s a large picnic area just before Bear Mountain Inn, featuring tons of wooden tables and open space for blankets as well.

Tips for your visit:

• There are no elevators on the boat, so plan for steps and carrying things when packing for the trip.

• Boarding begins at 8:30am and the boat ships off at 9am promptly from Pier 83 in Manhattan, so plan to arrive in time. 

• Hiking trails aren't exactly stroller-friendly, so plan to wear baby if possible, and footwear that is comfortable and can get dirty for all members of the family.

• There are restrooms and heated indoor areas aboard the ship in case it gets chilly in the fall weather.

• Most cruises sell out, so we recommend grabbing your tickets online in advance .

Hours and Location

Location : Pier 83 in Manhattan; 42nd Street at Twelfth Avenue

Dates : Weekends through early November; the last cruise is November 6.

Hours : Boarding begins at 8:30am, departs at 9am and returns to Pier 83 at about 6pm.

Tickets : Adults $65, children (ages 3-12) $52, children under three are free. 

Photo credits: Circle Line Cruise (2), Heather Tomoyasu (2), Circle Line Cruise, Heather Tomoyasu, Circle Line Cruise, Heather Tomoyasu (3).

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The Moscow Metro – MCC – MCD – everything about capital’s subway

Moscow Metro map and journey planner app called Yandex.Metro is available for iOS and Android for free.

We have a great Moscow Metro & Stalin Skyscrapers Private Tour across all famous metro stations, available for you every day.

1. Famous Moscow metro stations

Kievskaya (circle line).

The station was opened on March 14, 1954. It was named after the nearby Kievsky Railway Station. Decorating of station is devoted to friendship of Russian and Ukrainian people. Rich mosaic decoration is made from smalt and valuable stones by project of Ukrainian architects, chosen from seventy-three works presented on competition.

Kievskaya (Dark-blue line)

It was opened on April 5, 1953. Design of the station is devoted to the Soviet Ukraine and reunion of Ukraine and Russia. The station is decorated with a large number of the picturesque cloths executed in style of socialist realism in fresco technique. The fresco «Holiday in Kiev», made in 1953 was practically destroyed in 2010, due to an accident during nearby constructing works. While the fresco recovery, restorers revived its original appearance that had gone through many changes since its creation.

Ploshad Revolutsii

The station was opened on March 13, 1938. The most interesting feature of the station is 76 bronze figures, situated in niches of 18 arches. This peculiar gallery of images of Soviet people, aimed to personify force and power of the country, its glorious past and bright future. One of the bronze sculptures — a dog that accompanies a frontier guard — is believed to bring good luck if you touch its nose.

Prospekt Mira

Prospect Mira station of the Circle line was opened on January 30, 1952. It used to be called Botanical Garden up to June 20, 1966. The station’s decoration is devoted to development of agriculture in the USSR. Light marble and bas-reliefs by sculptor G. I. Motovilov decorate poles of the station. Famous smalt panel «Mothers of the World» by A. N. Kuznetsov is situated in the lobby.

Komsomolskaya

Komsomolskaya station was opened on January 30, 1952. The station has rich decoration devoted to a fight of USSR against overseas aggressors and victory in the Great Patriotic War. Mosaic panels from smalt and valuable stones, created according to sketches of the Lenin Award winner Pavel Corin, represent famous Russian commanders and weapons of different eras.

Novokuznetskaya

The station was opened on November 20, 1943. Its name was originally written through a hyphen: ‘Novo-Kuznetskaya’. The interior of the station is rich with decorating elements. The idea of creative force and power of Soviet people, its remarkable victories in the Great Patriotic War found realization in architectural design of station. The perimeter of the escalator arch is decorated with bronze sculptures by the sculptor N.V.Tomsky.

Novoslobodskaya

Novoslobodskaya station was opened on January 30, 1952. It was called after Novoslobodskaya street, where the station is situated. 32 original stained-glass windows from multi-colored glass, framed with steel and gilded brass and the famous mosaic panel «World peace», situated at the face wall the station, are made by sketches of Pavel Dmitriyevich Corin.

Dostoyevskaya

Dostoevskaya is comparatively new station, opened on June 19, 2010. It is situated at Suvorovskaya Square. Russian writer Fedor Dostoyevsky was born and lived in this district of Moscow. Therefore, the station bears his name and features scenes from his works «Crime and Punishment», «The Idiot», «Demons», «The Brothers Karamazov». Artist Ivan Nikolaev, the author of the decoration, said that depicting scenes of violence shows depth and tragedy of Dostoevsky’s work.

2. General information about Moscow metro

Metro working hours, navigation, wi-fi.

The Moscow Metro is open from about 5:30 am until 1:00 am. The precise opening time varies at different stations according to the arrival of the first train, but all stations simultaneously close their entrances and transitions to other lines at 01:00 am for maintenance. The minimum interval between trains is 90 seconds during the morning and evening rush hours. Each line is identified according to an alphanumeric index (usually consisting of a number), a name and a color. Voice announcements in Russian refer to the lines by name and by numbers in English. A male voice announces the next station when traveling towards the center of the city or the clockwise direction on the circle line, and a female voice – when going away from the center or the counter-clockwise direction at the circle. The lines are also assigned specific colors for maps and signs.

Free Wi-Fi is called MT_FREE and available on all 14 lines (inside the trains).

Using Metro services is frequently the fastest and the most efficient way to get from one part of the city to another. But during daytime Moscow Metro stations are usually overcrowded so if you want to just enjoy the beauty of the underground, it’s better to visit it late in the evening.

MCC and MCD

Since 2016 The Moscow Metro is connected to two new types of rail transport. The first one is MCC – Moscow Central Circle. It has 31 stations around the city with changes to metro stations (most of them require to walk a few minutes via the street). The second one is MCD, Moscow Central Diameters, a system of city train services on existing commuter rail lines in Moscow and Moscow Oblast. MCD has several lines, they’re being marked as D1, D2 etc. Changing to both MCC and MCD from the Metro is free when your journey is within the city. Both MCC and MCD lines exist on all of the Moscow Metro maps.

Interesting facts about Moscow metro

213 people were born in the metro during the World War II, when it was used as a bomb shelter.

There are 76 bronze sculptures of workers, peasants, soldiers, sailors, etc. at Ploshchad Revolyutsii station. There is legend connected with this station. To pass any examination successfully, a student should touch the bronze dog’s nose («the Frontier Guard with a Dog» sculpture). You can easily understand high popularity of this legend by looking at the polished nose of the dog.

It is said that some of the magnificent mosaics at several central stations, for example the «World Peace» mosaic at Novoslobodskaya, were made with the pieces of enamel and smalt, taken from the famous Christ the Savior Cathedral, before it’s destruction.

As any other dungeon the Moscow metro, has its own ghosts. The most famous one is the old lineman. He is not dangerous and usually hides into the wall, when people appear. The ghostly metro train is much more dangerous. It appears after midnight at the Circle Line and consists of old-time carriages. It sometimes stops at the stations and opens its doors, and then goes back into the darkness. It is said that the souls of Stalin’s prisoners, perished during the building of the metro are locked in the train forever.

3. Moscow Metro tickets

1 or 2 trips.

You can buy tickets in ticket offices or in automatic ticket machines. Passes for 1 or 2 trips are the most expensive. They sold only in ATM and cost 55 and 110 rubles (€0.55 and €1.10) respectively.

More than 2 trips

All the other kinds of tickets are available in the ticket offices. Tickets for bigger amount of trips are more profitable.

«90 Minutes» ticket

A ticket «90 minutes» is valid for one trip on the metro and an unlimited number of trips on surface transport within this time. It costs 65 rub (€0.65).

The «Troyka» card

You can also use «Troyka» – refillable card to pay for travelling on all kinds of public transport – metro, buses, trolley-buses, trams, monorail and blue minibuses. With «Troyka» one trip costs 35 rub (€0.35).

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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