A day of fun discoveries at VDNG
A full day at the country’s main exhibition center, with a butterfly garden, walks with shelter dogs, interactive museums, and a tropical greenhouse.
This route covers the most interesting spots at VDNG and combines time outdoors with fun, hands-on activities. You’ll get to hold exotic butterflies, take a shelter dog for a walk, try riding a bike with square wheels or even a snowboard, and relax in the shade of tropical palm trees — all in one place. To round off the day, you can have dinner at one of three popular restaurants located right on the exhibition grounds.
Before you go:
- To enjoy the full route without rushing, it’s best to start before 2:00 p.m., as most locations close between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
- The stops are arranged to keep walking distances short and to balance active experiences with time to rest. That said, you’re free to visit them in any order and focus only on what interests you most.
Starting point: Main entrance to VDNG
Contents
Planet of butterflies
We suggest starting the route at Ukraine’s only live butterfly exhibition and farm. This spot appeals to both adults and children. You can admire colorful tropical butterflies up close, gently hold them in your hands, and take memorable photos.
Visitors can also observe the full life cycle of a butterfly — from emerging from a chrysalis to its very first wingbeats — making the experience both fun and educational.
Opening hours: daily, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Tickets: 300 UAH for adults, 250 UAH for children
Walking shelter dogs at the Patron adoption center
Just a one-minute walk from the butterfly exhibition is the Patron animal adoption center, home to around 300 animals rescued from frontline areas. Every dog needs care and attention, and visitors are welcome to join a volunteer initiative by taking a shelter dog for a walk. Participants must be 16 or older and fill out a short application form on site.
The center is also home to cats, who are happy to welcome visitors as well. You can spend time with them in the shelter’s dedicated cat space, with donations starting from 50 UAH.
Opening hours: Dog walking schedules and cat space hours vary by season, so be sure to check the center’s Instagram page for the latest information before your visit.
Science Museum or Cuboid Math Museum
VDNH is home to two interactive science museums: the Science Museum and the Cuboid Math Museum. Both follow one simple rule that sets them apart from traditional museums — everything can and should be touched.
- At the Science Museum, you’ll find dozens of hands-on exhibits focused on physics, biology, and space. You’re encouraged to turn, launch, and test everything yourself.
- At the Cuboid Math Museum, mathematics comes to life through play and experimentation. Abstract formulas and theorems become easy to understand once you see them in action.
Both museums operate in two-hour sessions, so it’s a good idea to book tickets online in advance for a time slot that works for you — and to keep an eye on the clock to make the most of your visit.
Opening hours:
Mon — closed
Tue–Fri: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Sat–Sun: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Tickets:
Science Museum — 300 UAH
Cuboid Math Museum — 400 UAH
The Greenhouse
After the hands-on experiments and active fun at the museums, the greenhouse is a perfect place to slow down and reset. Behind its ivy-covered facade lies a lush tropical world filled with palm trees, cacti, succulents, and citrus and pomegranate trees. Some of the plants here are more than 70 years old.
The greenhouse has a moving history. It first opened in 1958, but from the late 1990s until recently it remained closed due to the building’s poor condition. The plants would not have survived if not for volunteers, who insulated the walls with improvised materials and kept the greenhouse warm using wood-burning stoves.
In 2021, the VDNH team restored the greenhouse on their own. Thanks to ticket sales and donations, they renovated the space, expanded the plant collection, created audio guides, and made the greenhouse accessible. Today, it’s one of Kyiv residents’ favorite places to unwind — and a beautiful spot for photos.
Opening hours: the greenhouse is sometimes closed for private events, so be sure to check the weekly schedule on its Instagram page before visiting (usually pinned).
Tickets: 200 UAH
Dinner at Strichka, Praha, or Mama Manana
To wrap up the day, stop for dinner at one of the three popular restaurants on the VDNG grounds.
- Strichka offers a modern take on Ukrainian cuisine. Alongside classics like borscht with beans, Chicken Kyiv, and varenyky, the menu also features creative dishes — including sweet pizza with poppy seeds and cherries.
- Mama Manana is one of Kyiv locals’ favorite Georgian restaurants. Expect khachapuri, salads, appetizers, grilled meats, and several unusual khinkali options — with seafood, rabbit meat, or even chocolate. The place is almost always busy, so reserving a table in advance is a good idea.
- Praha is a great choice for those who appreciate historic interiors and understated elegance. The restaurant serves European and Mediterranean dishes, with a focus on seafood. In warmer months, the lakeside terrace with swans is open — perfect for a relaxing stroll after dinner.
