If you're coming to Moscow in the summer, you'll be able to enjoy in cycling and walking, golf (the Moscow City Golf Club accepts non-members and charges around 100 USD for nine holes) and similar activities. Horseback riding is also offered in the city, for example in the Bitzevsky Park in southern Moscow. One of the most popular locations in Moscow in the warmer months is the Gorky Park and its fun fairs, amusement rides and the big Ferris wheel. The park also has a test unit from the Soviet space shuttle program which allows the visitors to take part in the "Cosmic Experience". But, recreation-wise, the best summer days in Moscow are the ones spent in the countryside, which is especially popular among the city dwellers over the weekends when many Muscovites seek refuge from the bustling city life in their dachas (modest country houses or cottages that usually don't have running water or even electricity). Renting a dacha and leaving the city for the countryside is the best way of spending the summer weekends, but you'd have to make the arrangements somewhat in advance as the dachas get booked up fast over the summer. Prices vary and usually depend on the proximity of the dacha to Moscow and the size of the cottage.

Winter fun

Moscow offers a wealth of activities you can enjoy in even if you're coming to the city in the winter. Winter sports are Moscow's most popular recreational activities and many locals and foreigners alike spend the gloomy winter days skiing or skating in parks and on the hills of Moscow. One of the most popular locations for ice skating in the Gorky Park, situated in historical Zamoskvorechye area (the nearest metro station is Park Kultury in Khamovniki). Over the summer, Gorky Park serves as the main entertainment area for kids and is for that reason very popular among locals and foreigners who travel with children. The park has numerous children's play areas, various amusement rides and a huge Ferris wheel. Over the winter, large parts of the park (including footpaths and walkways) are flooded over and allowed to freeze which turns the park into one big ice skating rink. So even when the amusement park is closed over the winter the park remains just as popular as ever, as Muscovites gather in large numbers to enjoy in ice skating despite the freezing temperatures. Ice skating is one of Moscow's most popular winter activities, and if you decide to join in the fun just remember to dress warmly in lots of layers (don't forget to keep your head warm). If you get too cold you can rest in one of the restaurants around the rink where you can go in with your skates on and get something warm to eat or drink to warm yourself up a bit. The entrance to Gorky Park is around 50 rubles, and you can rent ice skates for 100 rubles per hour, if you don't have your own. Ice skating is also available in other parks around Moscow such as the Izmailovsky Park, as well as at the Stadion Yunykh Pionerov (Young Pioneers' Stadium) located north of Tverskoy District.

Skating is possible to enjoy at numerous locations in Moscow, such as the Izmailovsky Park

Other popular winter activities that you can enjoy in include snowboarding and skiing on the hills in and around Moscow. The height of the hills in Moscow that are popular for skiing varies between 30 and 60 meters, and in most places you'll be able to rent the skiing equipment. They are particularly suitable for beginner skiers who want to practice their skiing skills before attempting to tackle more demanding slopes in the area surrounding Moscow. There are many skiing spots in the vicinity of Moscow, but there are also a few within the city limits that are accessible by metro: the Kant hills, located near the Nagornaya metro station, are known as the "Moscow Alps"; the Vorobyovy Gory, located in between the Moscow State University and Luzhniki Park, is a location that offers magnificent views of the city and for that is worth visiting even if you don't intend to ski; and Krylatskoe, a popular ski spot that has many slopes and several lifts. Skiing and snowboarding equipment is available for rent in all of these places. Outside Moscow, a popular skiing spot is the Volen Park, located a one hour drive from the city and easily reached by car or train. Volen Park has six slopes and chairlifts, equipment is available for rent and if you want to spend more than one day here accommodation is offered in a number of guesthouses.