Ирина Мацанова
As any city avenue, Krasny Prospect (Red Avenue) is long and straight. In fact, it is longer than any other, stretching for seven kilometers and crossing the entire city, from the airport to the Ob River embankment. This means that whatever your itinerary may be, you will find yourself there at some point.
It is best to start your promenade along with Krasny Prospect first thing in the morning, together with the throngs of locals. This way, you can experience the city as it wakes up and hurries to start the day. You will see Surikov and Molchanov merchants' houses preserved since the early 20th century, as well as the local Stalin-style buildings and the largest opera house in Russia. By the way, you may want to get a ticket for the evening's performance while you are there.
Nearly all of the city's landmarks are concentrated around Krasny Prospect. They include the Museum of Local History, the Art Museum, the famous 100-Flat Building, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at the spot where the settling of Novosibirsk began. Numerous restaurants and bars, the legacy of the most recent years, ensure that the central avenue stays up long into the night.
