The House-Museum of Maxim Gorky is located in a luxurious house built in the Art Nouveau style by the famous architect F. Shechtel. Initially it was built for the banker Ryabushinsky. The building facades are impressing, but the main «highlight» of the house is the principal staircase in the hall, made in the form of a wave. Shekhtel used plant motifs and maritime theme in all rooms of the house. Every detail, from window handles to ceiling moldings, is really beautiful.

Address: ul. Malaya Nikitskaya, 6/2

The National Museum of Moscow Metro presents the exposition of old metro cars. You can see how they have changed over the time, see the rolling stock from the inside and learn a lot about the Moscow Metro history. Individual visits are possible on Thursdays. Excursion are held by appointment: +7 (495) 622-73-09.

Address: Khamovnichesky Val, 36A (iside the metro hall)

Chess Museum presents everything connected with the eternal game – chess. Cups and trophies won by Russian grandmasters, paintings, drawings, cartoons, etchings and lithographs on the chess theme, sculptural portraits of chess champions and photos of numerous chess sets made in XVIII-XX centuries, as well as chess made from silver, mahogany, sandalwood, pearl, glass, and even the bark of the wire (made in the Gulag). Vintage paintings, prints and photographs – all this is presented in the museum.

Address: Gogolevsky Boulevard, 14

The Museum of Industrial Culture assembled a collection of Soviet time’s school supplies, toys, old household appliances. Exposition is devoted to childhood, youth and adolescence of the Muscovites.

Address: ul. Zarech’e, vladenie 3A

Museum «Lights of Moscow» is located in the Boyar chambers of XVII century. The exhibition visitors will find a lot of interesting things: oil, kerosene, electric lights, hand and street lights, a variety of lamps and illuminants, outdoor lighting control panels, a large number of images with views of the capital. One of the museum halls is devoted to electric clock.
The museum’s archives have printed materials on lighting, photos and drawings of various kinds’ illuminants, visual materials on the history of Moscow.

Address: Armyansky per.,3/5

Museum of Horse Breeding possesses themed art collection that has no equal in the world. Art funds include more than 3 500 paintings, graphic works, sculptures and decorative arts, video library, extensive thematic collection of postage stamps, postcards and envelopes, badges, souvenirs of all kinds. In the library of the museum there is more than 12 000 books and magazines on horse breeding, from unique folios of XVI-XVII centuries to modern Russian and foreign publications.

Address: ul. Timiryazevskaya, 44

Classical music is not a cheap hobby, however free classical concerts can be enjoyed in several halls of the capital.

•  •  The Small and Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow Conservatory present performances by the choir and chamber ensemble, piano, organ and violin concerts. The conservatory also regularly hosts international festivals of violin music, wind and percussion instruments and organ music. Free concerts take place on weekends and holidays.
•  •  Moscow cultural centers, as Bulgakov House-Museum, the Museum of Marina Tsvetaeva, Chekhov House-Museum, Chaliapin House-Museum and others often hold evenings of classical music and free concerts. Usually they are confined to the holiday dates.
•  •  In the Russian Academy of Music you can listen to the student concerts. They play violin, piano and arrange vocal evenings.
•  •  In the «Musical living room» at Shuvalova House and the Small Hall of the Academy of Music free concerts of professional artists are held. Free admission is for morning performances on Saturday and Sunday, as well as evening concerts on weekdays.

> Read our main article about Moscow Theatres

The price on theatre tickets in Moscow is rather high, still there are nice exceptions.

•  •  At a young Moscow theater «Event» you can enjoy free «Hamlet», the ancient Greek tragedy «Antigone» and some other performances. The main thing is to be on time to book a place.
•  •  Student Theatre of the Higher School of Economics hold performances every two weeks, you should pre-register on the theater site to attend them.
•  •  The Institute of Modern Arts invites visitors to the Student Theatre performances. Here you can see diploma programs for free.

Cinema is one of the most affordable entertainments, also can be free.

•  •  «Chinese Pilot Jao Da» club shows free movies every Sunday at 20.00.
•  •  «World of Art» cinema offers modern art, silent movies, cartoons, documentaries and works of young artists. Free sessions are held at a specific time on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
•  •  Cafe «Zavtra» organizes free screenings. They are being held every Monday at 19:00. Enjoy unformatted movie that cannot be seen in other cinemas of the capital. In order to become a spectator, you must pre-register.

-> Read our main article about Moscow Sports

There are several opportunities to make your body and mind healthy, not spending lots of money for it.
Lots of workouts have appeared in Moscow for the last few years, so you can enjoy sport outdoor and not spend your money for a fitness club.
Free taekwondo classes are held In the Korean Cultural Center. It is an ancient Korean martial art that is based on five principles – courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and firmness of spirit.
You can enjoy ping-pong for free in Moscow parks: the Gorky Park has ten free tables for ping-pong. They are free tables in the «Hermitage» garden, Lianozovo Park, «Kuskovo» Museum-estate and the Park of the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution.
Music lovers can go to the free dance lessons in Moscow parks and embankments. In the Gorky Park choreographers of the youth organization «Dancing City» give free lessons of classical and club dances.
On Pushkinskaya embankment you can learn to dance hustle. Discos are held every day from 19.30 to 23.30. Sometimes master classes in capoeira are given here, as well as historical dancing and Irish dancing.