Travel for Kids: St. Petersburg, Russia



Russia

		St. Petersburg



		St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, was the capital of Russia and home of the Romanovs, the imperial family. Over a 200 year period, the Romanovs built the Winter Palace and added the Hermitage to hold their vast art collections. Outside the city, each tsar or tsarina constructed new palaces, surrounded by landscaped parks where the imperial family and nobility played in the long summer days. After a visit to St. Petersburg, kids will have a whole new impression of family houses on a grand scale.


			The State Hermitage Museum

			Neva River - Summer Gardens

			Peter and Paul Fortress

			Around the Nevsky Prospect

Greater St. Petersburg			South

			Yelagin Island

Imperial Palaces			Peterhof (Petrodvorets, Petergof)

			Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo)

			Go to the Ballet – St. Petersburg is home to the Kirov Ballet and the Mariinsky Theatre. The theater itself is an experience, with a dazzling interior. Even if the Kirov Ballet isn't performing, a ballet performance in St. Petersburg will not be forgotten. Click here for the schedule at the Mariinsky Theatre.

			Go to the Philharmonic – The St. Petersburg Philharmonic performs in a lovely concert hall (Great Hall of the Philharmonia) and the program is sure to be memorable. You might hear a young violin virtuoso play Prokofiev, or a professional soloist tackle the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3. The Children's Philharmonia has kid's concerts also. Ask at your hotel for the schedule of performances.

			Go to the St. Petersburg Circus – The world famous St. Petersburg Circus has been performing in this majestic building since 1877. Kids will love the jugglers, clowns and amazing animal shows! Click here for the schedule. (In the summer, the circus is often out of town from July - Sept.)


			Fun food –

			Blinis, similar to crepes, slathered with butter or different kinds of jam, are delicious any time. Look for kiosks around town, and get in line for a savory, warm blini.

			Shopping –

			You'll have fun trying on fur hats or picking out chess sets, wooden toys, painted boxes and decorated eggs. There are tons of matroyshka dolls, some nest as many as ten little dolls, down to the last tiny little one, no bigger than a bead, with a painted face!

Peter the Great - kids books St. Petersburg Russia

Peter the Great
Diane Stanley

Clearly told story of Peter the Great – his fascination with everything European as a boy, travels in Holland and England, changes and innovations, and the construction of St. Petersburg. Colorfully illustrated. (Picture book)

Angel on the Square
Gloria Whelan

Fascinating novel of Katya, a wealthy young girl living in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the Russian Revolution. Katya goes from royal family insider to a very different life in war-torn Russia. (Chapter book)

Angelon the Square - kids books St. Petersburg Russia

Burying the Sun - kids books St. Petersburg Russia

kindle eBook

Burying the Sun
Gloria Whelan

Continuing the captivating story of Angel on the Square, in June, 1941 Germany attacks Russia. Back in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Georgi, Marya and their mother Katya prepare for the long winter, as the Germans encircle the city. A gripping, vibrant story of the siege of Leningrad. (Chapter book)

The Turning
Gloria Whelan

It's 1991, and Georgi's granddaughter, Tatiana, is a ballerina in the Kirov Ballet. Change is in the air, and Tatiana is divided in her loyalties to her country and her own career. The fourth book in this excellent series, set in St. Petersburg, at the end of the 20th century. (Chapter book)

(More children's books on other Russia pages)

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