We checked out the view of the sun through the telescope, got a wooden puzzle, and scored some awesome postcards with a shot of Earth from space as a bonus!

Hello everyone!

I've been obsessed with space since I was a kid. I could spend hours gazing at the night sky, reading about Gagarin, and telling all the grown-ups that I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up.

Last winter, when we were in Nizhny Novgorod, we really wanted to visit the planetarium, but unfortunately, we didn't have time. We had a lot on our schedule, and our visit was pretty short.

As it turns out, I don't regret it one bit. I was blown away by the Rukavishnikov estate, which was on our list, and we ended up visiting it. We also saw a lot of other amazing things, and I might write about them all in detail sometime.

But today, I want to tell you about the Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium named after G.M. Grechko.

So, here are my impressions from the summer of 2025.

And now, let's get started!

First, a bit of background information from the planetarium's official website:

Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium named after G.M. Grechko (previously known as the Gorky Planetarium) is a planetarium that was opened in the USSR. Until 2005, it was located in the Nagornaya part of Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky) on the territory of the Blagoveshchensky Monastery, in the building of the Alexeevskaya Church.

After the church was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, it was decided to build a new planetarium on the opposite bank of the Oka River, in the Kanavinsky district. The former merchant's house, which stood opposite the Nizhny Novgorod Circus building, was adapted for construction.

Getting here is pretty easy. I think it's easiest to take the metro, the nearest station is "Moskovskaya", and from there, it's about a 10-minute walk.

You can also take bus number 19 or 61 to the "Circus" and "Revolution Square" stops, respectively.

We drove here and didn't have any issues with parking. For convenience, I'll provide the exact address:

Address: Revolyutsionnaya Street, 20.

This is close to the Moscow railway station and the Nizhny Novgorod Fair, and the circus building is right next door.

The exterior of the building looks super compact and nice. If you take a stroll around the area, you'll find this awesome model of a spaceship. We had a blast taking a photo with it, so if you find yourself there during off-hours, you can kill some time by walking around.

Planetarium operating hours:

Monday - closed.

Tuesday - Sunday:

10:00 – 20:00.

As for holidays and events, you can check their website or call them to confirm. They usually post updates in a timely manner.

You can buy tickets online or in person, and the prices vary depending on the program you choose.

I have to say, we weren't here for a show, so I won't be commenting on the auditorium or any performances. We were just looking at it as a science and education museum.

In our case, the self-guided tour was free, but to take a look at the sun through the telescope, we paid 100 rubles per person. They also offer guided tours, lectures, and interactive exhibits. The sessions cater to different age groups.

The inside of the planetarium is super cozy, and it's clear they've had a recent renovation, completed in 2024. From what I've seen in old photos, it was a bit dated before, but now it feels fresh and modern. There are some really cool and quirky objects, historical instruments, satellite models, and more.

I was really impressed with how modern, on-topic, and educational everything was set up. The atmosphere was really nice and interesting, and I had a blast taking some great photos. In fact, the planetarium itself offers photography services.The first floor has a ton of display cases with exhibits, like meteorites. We saw a huge variety, and even got to touch one and make a wish. Mine hasn't come True yet, but I'm still holding out hope!

They also had photos and awards for scientists, which created a really cool 'science lab' vibe and made all their hard work feel more relatable. It was a really cool touch, for sure!

I have to say, I was so engrossed in learning about all these exhibits that I spent a ton of time studying each one. It's really fundamental and important for any generation, in my opinion.

I have to give a shoutout to the staff, who were super friendly and helpful. They answered all our questions and shared some really cool and useful info that I wouldn't have found online. Even when we asked some pretty basic questions, they were patient and attentive. We left feeling really satisfied, even though we didn't take any tours – it felt like we got a mini-tour instead!

I loved how diverse the exhibits were, letting you explore the cosmos from different angles – from the theory of the great minds to hands-on physics.

The sensor panels at the bottom are geared towards kids, but they immediately draw you in and let you solve crosswords while you wait for your session.

At the bottom, there's a changing room, a restroom, and a souvenir shop. I picked up a unique wooden puzzle with Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' and a notebook with the same painting. It's quirky because it has figurative details in the shape of hearts, stars, flowers, and more.

Watching the sun rise, we climbed up a special staircase leading to some kind of space or outdoor area. I have to say, it was a lot different from what I expected, but it was a memorable moment. I won't go into details, as it might not be interesting, but it's definitely worth seeing at least once.And yes, we did check on the eye safety and how it's all set up – no need to worry.

On the second floor, there's plenty to see. I won't try to describe it all, as it's hard to put into words, but we had informational signs everywhere to guide us. To put it simply, the first floor is an introduction, while the second floor is a deeper dive where theory turns into 'magic'.

Although many halls are closed for free visit and inspection, it doesn't take away from the overall impression and the excitement I felt, and I'd be happy to repeat the experience in the future – but with a guide to the holy of holies – the Universe, where you feel the volume and endless space.

I'm really glad we finally made it to the G.M. Grechko Nizhny Novgorod Planetarium, because in this digital age where you can find so much online, it's amazing to experience something offline and pay tribute to human heritage and the people behind it.

It's super cool, interactive, and visually stunning.

The cherry on top was the thoughtful gesture we received as guests from another city - a postcard with a view of the Earth from space that we were given on our way out. Little touches like that make you feel like you're visiting friends who are passionate about what they do, not just a museum. That's always a wonderful feeling and stays with you even longer than some of the exhibits.

We didn't find any downsides, so we're looking forward to coming back here again and again with pleasure.

Thanks for reading, and I'll catch you all later!)