Even those who are passing through Irkutsk and staying in the city for literally 2-3 days would like to spend them interestingly and profitably. To have time to see the city, and to organize a decent joint vacation with children. Among the many museums and entertainment complexes in Irkutsk, there will certainly be those that will be of interest to the whole family.
Parks of the city of Irkutsk with attractions and entertainment for children
The most accessible place for cultural recreation in the warm season is parks. There are many of them in this richly landscaped city, and each strives to please vacationers and offers a variety of entertainment. There you can find swings, carousels, trampolines, electric cars, rope towns, and playgrounds for children of any age.
In the Leninsky District (Novo-Lenino microdistrict), the amusement park is located near the Europark shopping center (Rosa Luxemburg St., 215v). A wonderful children's playground of attractions "Chipollino" is located in the park "Komsomolsky" (Aviastroiteley st., 47, Irkutsk-2). Together with the Treasure Island attractions, this park is a real gem of the Leninsky District. There, not only children will be able to compete in jumping: there is a trampoline for adults (up to 80 kilograms) in the park. Treasure Island has ten attractions, a three-level pirate game complex, a science show and paintball.
In the Sverdlovsk District, children have plenty of space in the amusement park near the shopping and entertainment complex "Silver Mall" (3/5 Sergeev Street) - ride the railroad or in a car at the electro-race track, jump on a bungee or trampoline. Entertainment for children is also offered on the playground near the Lermontov shopping center (at 90/1 Lermontov Street). At the entrance from Griboyedov Street, water attractions, trampolines and children's cars operate in the warm season.
Near the shopping and entertainment center "Yubileiny" (microdistrict Yubileiny, 19/1) there is not only an amusement park, but a mobile zoo with tigers, lions, peacocks and other animals.
In the Pravoberezhny district, near the circus (Proletarskaya str. 13a / 1), there is a children's playground "Alyoshka". A lot of entertainment for children and family recreation can be easily found on the embankment and on the island "Yunost"; in the park near the Okhlopkov Drama Theater.
In the Oktyabrsky District, on Constitution Square near the Registry Office, attractions for children are open all year round. The Solnechny microdistrict is also famous for its year-round entertainment for children. And also, on the beach near the "Angara" icebreaker, you can ride catamarans and canoes in summer.
Entertainment for all tastes can be found in the 130th block. Among other things, there are virtual reality rides, ordinary shooting galleries and darts. Children will be able to jump on trampolines on the square near the shopping and entertainment complex "Modny Kvartal" (on July 3 street, 25).
Ice skating rinks of Irkutsk
Ice skating enthusiasts can have fun with family and friends. In the city of Irkutsk, there is an Ice Palace on Lermontov Street, an Ice People leisure center on Sergeeva, an ice rink on Ukrainskaya Street and several stadiums, where a place for skating is always equipped in winter.
Irkutsk museums interesting for children
Irkutsk Regional Museum of Local Lore and its branches
The museum includes seven departments: history, nature, "Window to Asia", "Museum studio", scientific fund, library, children's museum center. The museum has a tour desk that organizes bus tours around the city and its surroundings.
The main department (history) is located in the building of the former museum of the East Siberian department of the Russian Geographical Society, built in 1883, in the Moorish style. There are permanent exhibitions: "Ethnography of the peoples of Eastern Siberia"; Archaeological Collections; “Accession and economic development of the Angara region by the Russians”; "Pages of the history of the XX century" (history of the region, starting with the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Soviet period and ending with the latest events of our time).
The Department of Nature works in a two-story building at 11 Karl Marx Street, which is also an architectural monument. Here you can see rich paleontological, geological and zoological collections, a permanent exposition about the nature of Cisbaikalia.
The museum complex "Window to Asia" is located in the recreated historical quarter of the capital of Eastern Siberia "Irkutskaya Sloboda" and tells about the contribution of the region to the development, study and annexation of Siberia and the Far East to Russia.
The icebreaker "Angara" has an exposition telling about shipping on Lake Baikal. Including - layouts and models of all kinds of ships that have sailed on Lake Baikal since the 1900th century. Of particular interest is the model of the Baikal ferry, which has not survived to this day. Also on display are a fragment of the interior of the 1970st class wardroom and genuine ship instruments, the original ship bell of the Angara icebreaker, personal belongings of the captains of this ship, which operated from XNUMX to the early XNUMXs.
The Children's Museum Center is an original museum without strict guides, fenced-in areas that cannot be entered and touched. There are eight dozen different incarnations of Baba Yaga alone in the pavilions of the museum, and you can talk to them, play and take a photo for memory. Older children will be enchanted by the exhibition "Paintings Revived" - holograms of art masterpieces from Russian museums.
Museum of entertaining science "Experiment"
The spacious and rich in interesting exhibits museum of entertaining science "Experimentary" in the Academgorodok of Irkutsk can be called the funniest and most exciting in the city. After all, you can try yourself in the role of a real Jedi and feel the discharges of 30 thousand volts, sit on real metal nails, cause a hurricane or make liquids dance to music. And even move to the Looking Glass. Here scientists do not write scientific papers, but joke, conduct experiments and turn chemistry and physics into a fascinating show. The Experimentary Museum of Entertaining Science also has its own planetarium. In it, you can virtually travel far beyond the solar system, learn what black holes in the Universe are, how stars are born and die.
Retro Motorcycle Museum
Thanks to the efforts of the enthusiastic collector Vladimir Astafiev, a museum operates in Irkutsk, which displays samples of motorcycle and automotive equipment of the Soviet period. In addition to cars, motorcycles, scooters from 1939-1990, the museum displays antiques: irons, vacuum cleaners, musical instruments, photo and video equipment, telephones and much more.
Separately, the interiors of four thematic rooms have been recreated, in the style of different eras: a room for people with average income (teachers, ordinary clergy) of the period 1880-1930; the room of a wealthy pre-revolutionary merchant; a peasant hut of the 1930-1960s (with handmade furniture, old books, gramophones and gramophones, sewing machines, etc.); a typical room of a Soviet family from 1970-1990.
The museum provides an opportunity not only to see the exhibits, but also to pick up antiquities, sit inside a car or on a motorcycle, take pictures against the background of rare exhibits.
The motto of the museum is "Do you want to return to the past for a moment?"
Museum of optical illusions "Fantast"
All visitors to the Fantast Museum can admire the fascinating optical effects and three-dimensional paintings. Its exposition contains a variety of optical instruments - not only civilian, but also military, as well as attractions and halls of mirrors.
Even skeptical-minded adults will be puzzled by many of Fantast's exhibits: people's height changes here, pictures in books come to life, the unreal becomes voluminous and almost real. And that which, it seems, can be touched with a hand, in fact turns out to be only a weightless projection. In addition to intricate attractions such as the Ames room and the reducing chair, there are also classic tricks such as a "severed head" and a mirror maze, at the entrance to which you need to wear special gloves so as not to leave marks on the walls. The labyrinth corridors seem to be endless, and someone can hide in the "spy room" and, apparently for others, keep an eye on other visitors to the museum.
Museum of Medicinal Herbs and Minerals
In this place you can learn a lot of interesting things about medicinal herbs and minerals, about half-forgotten and the latest health technologies. All the exhibits and technologies collected in the museum strengthen health with the help of natural, natural ingredients.
Irkutsk planetarium
Where else can you see the stars, learn about the structure of the firmament, get acquainted with the history of discoveries, if not in the planetarium? Enter a small hall (45 seats) with your child, sit in a comfortable chair, the lights go out, and a huge starry sky appears on the dome screen above your head, which will take your breath away.
The Irkutsk Planetarium is located on the first floor of the Noosphere museum complex in the 130th block. Well-chosen music, computer graphics of space phenomena, various colorful programs will create for children the effect of a complete presence in the Universe.
Cognitive entertainment
Toy railway
The children's railway in Irkutsk has been operating since 1939. Initially, it was located in the suburb of Rabocheye in the city of Irkutsk and was 1 km long. In 1992, the railway was moved to the islands of Yunosti and Konny, and in 2002, at the Solnechnaya station, the first stage of the station complex was commissioned - with classrooms, a library, and a museum of the history of Russian railways.
There are four diesel locomotives and 14 wagons on the road. It has three stations: Solnechnaya (3 tracks), Angara (2 tracks), and Rodniki (3 tracks). "Solnechnaya" station is the main one with a station complex. "Angara" and "Rodniki" are just platforms on which trains do not stop.
The length of the ring of the Irkutsk children's railway is 3,75 km, its gauge is 75 cm. The road includes a bridge across the Angara river channel 1 guarded crossing and a tunnel under the Akademichesky bridge.
Karting for children
A rare pleasure for schoolchildren is racing in the open air karting club near Gregory Mall.
The capital of children Lyubo-Gorod
Educational and entertainment center for children in the now popular format "City of Professions". In Lyubo-Gorod, every child is his full citizen. Children can try their hand at different professions in a playful way: steer a train and an airplane, create TV programs, put out a fire, serve in the police, carry out secret missions, perform on the stage of the theater, and much more. For their work, they receive lubes. They can be spent on souvenirs, or you can put them on an account in the bank of Lubo-Gorod.
Entertainment and leisure children's center "SuperKid"
An institution that connects gaming and educational areas. Children study in thematic classrooms, in which they learn different professions - doctor, hairdresser, veterinarian, lifeguard, cashier, photographer, builder and postman. For example, in the medical room, children dressed in the uniform of doctors perform operations. On the operating table lies a mannequin, from which the internal organs are removed. Having fun, the child learns human anatomy through play.
For technology lovers, there is a car dealership with electric cars, for creativity lovers - a theater room, development rooms and a creativity room, for young chefs - a kitchen where they study table etiquette, decorate dishes and bake personalized cakes.
Boat trip along the Angara
You can ride with your children along the great Russian river on the Lebed river tram - from Gagarin Boulevard upwards, against the river flow, past the Yunost Island, then the children's railway, to the new Akademichesky Bridge. A short stop is made there in the village of Titovo. Then - back to Gagarin Boulevard. The duration of the walk is half an hour. The motor ship "Sokol" offers a different route: "Moscow Gate - Gagarin Boulevard - City of Masters - Moscow Gate". The duration of such a walk will be one hour. Also along the embankment sailing ship-restaurant "Moscow-67".
River cruises are carried out in summer, from the beginning of navigation until September 20th.
Communication with animals in Irkutsk
Children are very fond of animals, are interested in them. Good conditions have been created for full-fledged communication between children and our smaller brothers in Irkutsk.
Irkutsk Children's Zoo (Zoo in the Botanical Garden of Irkutsk State University)
A journey into the world of wildlife since 2013 can be made on the territory of the Kayskaya Grove, in the Irkutsk Children's Contact Zoo. There you can chat with domestic and exotic animals: ponies, goats, rabbits, hedgehogs, turtles, guinea pigs, chickens, all kinds of water birds. In total, there are more than 80 species of animals that are allowed to be touched, stroked, fed.
Zoo ENOTiKO
A petting zoo in Komsomolskoye Park, created by animal conservationist Anna Samoilova. In it, children can see raccoons, foxes, pigs, ferrets, hedgehogs, chickens, goats and lambs, long-eared dormouse, lynx, turtles, meerkats. And to communicate with many of them - to stroke and feed.
Irkutsk nerpinarium
There is a magical place on Irkutsk 2nd Zheleznodorozhnaya Street, where funny waterfowl animals - seals - live. These are small seals living in Lake Baikal. Like dolphins in dolphinariums, they not only know how to dive and swim, but also perform all kinds of tricks and participate in real performances.
It is a great rarity and luck to see a seal on Lake Baikal in wildlife. These animals are afraid of people and try to stay away from them. But the Irkutsk seal "Aquarium of the Baikal seal" gives an opportunity to look at the animals up close.
Cat-cafe "Cat"
A cat cafe is a non-standard establishment that does not have a menu, food or drinks. Only tea with cookies and sweets. Or ordering food with delivery (you can bring it with you). Payment is made for the time spent.
And they spend time here in the company of 16 adorable cats of different breeds. In addition to communicating with them, the cat cafe has board games, Wi-Fi, and drawing areas.
Irkutsk theaters for children
Irkutsk Regional Theater for Young Spectators named after Vampilov
Founded in 1928, it is a theater with a repertoire aimed at children and youth.
Regional Puppet Theater "Aistenok"
Founded in 1935 as the East Siberian State Puppet and Marionette Theater, a puppet theater with a rich tradition and varied repertoire.
Irkutsk State Circus
The area of the circus is 1700 square meters, the hall has 18 seats for spectators, the height of the dome from the arena is 13 meters, the diameter of the arena is XNUMX meters. In the circus, some interesting troupe constantly tours with its program.
Interesting places for children in the vicinity of Irkutsk
Malamute village
Near Irkutsk, in the village of Maly Goloustnoye, there is a unique kennel where special northern sled dogs - Malamutes - are raised. They have a friendly disposition, easy contact with children of any age. There is also a real reindeer herders' house, tents and taiga winter huts.
Eco-farm "Kurma"
An original and very cozy rural place 20 km from the city, where you can see not only animals, but also fairy-tale characters: the Serpent Gorynych and Baba Yaga, Koschey the Immortal and the wizard Oldichka Borovichka. On the farm, you can spend time with the whole family, watching freely walking goats and sheep, picking mushrooms in the forest and enjoying the clean and fresh air. The owner of the farm, Larion Kurminsky, will treat you with delicious homemade cheese and sausage.
Architectural and ethnographic complex "Taltsy"
Forty kilometers from Irkutsk, on an area of 70 hectares, there is a museum-village Taltsy. On its territory, four different cultural regions are brought together, recreating the environment of the Old Russian, Buryat, Evenk and Tofalar settlements. A considerable part of the exhibits was taken from the villages and villages to be flooded during the creation of reservoirs for hydroelectric power plants.
Tikhomirovs Equestrian Fund
For children, there is an excursion to the stable and horse riding. Rebeck learns how to safely handle a horse, how to feed it better, what colors and breeds of horses are. For those who are already confidently sitting in the saddle, we offer excursion walks where you can admire the beauty of nature and enjoy horseback riding. You can rent a room for a children's birthday party, or a gazebo for a family picnic. On weekends, there is a cafe with a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding nature.
Rafting on Irkut with children
Rafting on inflatable boats on the Irkut River is a great option for summer outdoor activities for the whole family. This sports and entertainment program does not require any special skills or special physical training - neither from adults nor from children. The rafting is pleasant and safe even for children from 4 years old. The adventures start in the morning and continue until the evening. Stops are made on picturesque sandy islets, where meals, swimming, games and outdoor activities are organized.
Winter tours around the Circum-Baikal Railway
An incomparable journey into the past, through the open-air museum - the Circum-Baikal Railway. They ride on a comfortable excursion retro train pulled by a real steam locomotive. The cars are warm, hot tea is served, and the guide tells interesting stories. Around - a real winter fairy tale, and nearby - frozen Baikal. A retro train departs from the railway station or from the drama theater.
Source: childage.ru