Russia - Moscow around Victory Day / День Победы 2011

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions on the ability to see some of Moscow's sights around Victory Day (9th May)? I will be there just before, and wondering if some of the more popular sights might be closed....

Anyone know whether it is possible to watch the parade rehearsal?

If you are wondering about the events inside Red Square on the holiday itself, expect it to be closed with no public access. (You can visit the square in the evening after the events, per friends who live there, I have been in Moscow during other holidays but not Victory Day.)

Prior to the holiday, you could run into closures around the Kremlin area, particularly Red Square, but these are fairly unpredictable. (I'd ask a local (hotel staff, etc.) to check on particulars the day before you plan to visit anything, but even then you may show up and find a surprise closure.) Keep in mind May 1-2 is a holiday, many people will treat the whole week as one as a result since then the 7-9th are.

Red Square is often closed for a few hours for various concerns and then reopened, so if you speak Russian or have a Russian speaking guide/friend, it is worth trying to find out if it is a temporary closure or through the end of the Parade. I've taken some of my favorite pictures of the area when the actual square was closed, so if nothing is going on but it is closed somewhere past the entrances, it can be nice to visit intentionally - no other people in your pictures!

Expect the usual outdoor attractions to be crowded, especially the 9th. (Having been at the Kremlin on Graduation Day, I would say don't let crowds scare you off, it can be quite the experience! Just use good judgement and don't get yourself associated with demonstrations, avoid dense crowds, etc.) Anything requiring entrance tickets and staff may be closed (especially if state-run) anytime between the 7th and 9th, it will depend what you want to see.

Be prepared for 24-hr fireworks, starting several days in advance, no matter what part of Russia you are in - you may want ear plugs to sleep if they bother you. :)

If you have particular tourist sights in mind for certain days, feel free to PM me and I am more than happy to find out anything I can on their holiday schedules.

I'll be in Moscow on Victory Day 2012 and am beginning to consider where I will stay. I prefer Starwood properties and was considering the Hotel National (Starwood Luxury Collection) and was wondering if any of the parade can be seen from hotel rooms or from the street directly in front of the hotel?

I'll be in Moscow on Victory Day 2012 and am beginning to consider where I will stay. I prefer Starwood properties and was considering the Hotel National (Starwood Luxury Collection) and was wondering if any of the parade can be seen from hotel rooms or from the street directly in front of the hotel?

The National is directly across the street from Red Square, right on Tverskaya, Moscow's main drag. The vehicles/troops/etc will be basically coming down Tverskaya and entering Red Square right in front of the hotel. If you get a room facing Mokhovaya St. (the hotel is on the corner of Tverskaya and Mokhovaya) you could probably see everything as it enters the square.

Funny, I had not idea that the National was a Starwood hotel.

Sorry, never replied to this to say thank you to kayet - the advice was spot on. Generally we had no troubles, but indeed, there were inexplicable closures of Red Square, but thankfully they did open for a short time. Unfortunately Lenin's Mausoleum etc. was closed all the days we were there leading up to it.

We did managed to catch the parade rehearsal down Tverskaya though, which was fantastic!^

Okay, I have booked a room at the National. Does anyone know if I can just walk out the doors of the hotel and stand on the sidewalk? Or will police make me stay inside as they want the sidewalks empty and/or reserved for officials?

You should be able to stand on the sidewalk. All the officials will be up on Red Square proper.

You should be able to stand on the sidewalk. All the officials will be up on Red Square proper.

Thanks Mike! That's the answer I was hoping to hear. ^

Okay, I have booked a room at the National. Does anyone know if I can just walk out the doors of the hotel and stand on the sidewalk? Or will police make me stay inside as they want the sidewalks empty and/or reserved for officials?

The National also has a dining room on the 2nd with big picture windows. You might be able to watch it from there if the crowds are a bit much.

MileageAddict - How was the parade?

MileageAddict - How was the parade?

Awesome! The Hotel National is the place to stay if you want to see the procession of military equipment.

While the sidewalks are closed off and the public is not allowed to line the streets, hotel guests are allowed to step out of the hotel and stand on a limited portion of the sidewalk. There was plenty of room for all of the hotel guests.

My viewpoint was the intersection right in front of the main entrance to Red Square. I could watch the limousines of dignitaries arrive before the parade and see every single vehicle enter Red Square.

Here's a picture out of the hotel window: http://i.imgur.com/5ohhw.jpg
View from the sidewalk in fron of the hotel: http://i.imgur.com/Dj9Z9.jpg

View from the sidewalk in fron of the hotel: http://i.imgur.com/Dj9Z9.jpgWow -- thanks for the pix! You were pretty darned close t:) Red Square! (https://maps.google.com/maps?near=Krasnaya+ploshchad%27,+Moskva,+Russia&geocode=CSOJvb9zbdvuFYq_UgMd-A4-Aim13thQV0q1RjFAGxpz7IC-LA&q=national+hotel&f=l&sll=55.754634,37.621496&sspn=0.008573,0.017574&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=national+hotel&hnear=&ll=55.756939,37.614752&spn=0.004286,0.008787&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=55.756847,37.614912&panoid=leJivSn8NjyFbsxQVUvrXw&cbp=12,89.6,,0,-2.86)

Wow -- thanks for the pix! You were pretty darned close t:) Red Square! (https://maps.google.com/maps?near=Krasnaya+ploshchad%27,+Moskva,+Russia&geocode=CSOJvb9zbdvuFYq_UgMd-A4-Aim13thQV0q1RjFAGxpz7IC-LA&q=national+hotel&f=l&sll=55.754634,37.621496&sspn=0.008573,0.017574&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=national+hotel&hnear=&ll=55.756939,37.614752&spn=0.004286,0.008787&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=55.756847,37.614912&panoid=leJivSn8NjyFbsxQVUvrXw&cbp=12,89.6,,0,-2.86)

That was the plan! ;)

Amazing vantage point! The photos are incredible!

Here are a couple more:

http://i.imgur.com/2FfJ6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uqQIW.jpg