10 Things to Do in St Petersburg With Teenagers

You’ll find St. Petersburg packed with teen-friendly adventures, from Peterhof Palace’s gravity-powered fountains shooting 66 feet high to the interactive Experimentanium Museum where you can generate electricity by pedaling bikes. Explore marine life at the Dolphinarium, climb historic fortress walls for panoramic views, or get soaked at Aquapark Piterland’s thrilling slides. Don’t miss the miniature Russia exhibit, circus performances, and the zoo’s 2,000+ animals. These attractions offer the perfect blend of education, excitement, and unforgettable experiences for your group.

Marvel at the Spectacular Fountains of Peterhof Palace

When you step into Peterhof Palace’s Lower Gardens, you’ll witness one of the world’s most spectacular fountain displays that’ll leave your teenagers mesmerized. The Grand Cascade dominates the scene with 75 fountains and 255 gilded bronze sculptures creating an Instagram-worthy backdrop.

Your teens will be amazed that all 147 fountains operate without electricity—just gravity from natural springs powers this engineering marvel.

Don’t miss the Samson Fountain, where water shoots 66 feet high from a lion’s mouth, symbolizing Russia’s victory over Sweden. The Roman fountains tower 10 meters tall, while trick fountains will catch unsuspecting visitors who step on hidden triggers.

Plan extra time here—your teenagers will want photos at every angle of this UNESCO-recognized masterpiece that’s been wowing visitors since 1723. The palace complex sits dramatically on a 16-meter-high bluff overlooking the Baltic Sea, creating breathtaking views that stretch to the horizon.

Experience Marine Life at the Dolphinarium and Oceanarium

If your teenagers are fascinated by marine life, you’ll find Planet Neptune Aquarium offers an incredible underwater adventure that’s been mesmerizing families since 2006. This shopping mall attraction houses over 45,000 marine creatures from 150+ species across themed zones including jellyfish world, shark habitats, and an immersive marine tunnel.

For more interactive experiences, head to the nearby Dolphinarium in Petrogradsky neighborhood. Your teens can watch enthralling shows featuring dolphins, belugas, and sea lions performing spectacular jumps and dances. The daily shark show at 7 p.m. demonstrates how professional divers can actually train these magnificent predators, proving that sharks are more intelligent than many people realize.

Post-show interactions let them get up close with these intelligent creatures.

Both attractions operate daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oceanarium admission costs 700 rubles, while dolphin swimming experiences require advance booking for an unforgettable encounter.

Explore Interactive Science at the Experimentanium Museum

Moving from underwater wonders to hands-on discovery, the Experimentanium Museum offers your science-curious teenagers an entirely different kind of adventure where they’ll actually create the magic themselves.

Located just outside the city center and accessible by metro, this three-floor interactive wonderland contains over 300 exhibits covering physics, acoustics, and optics.

Your teens won’t find screens here—everything requires physical interaction. They’ll navigate mirror mazes, experience optical illusions, generate electricity by pedaling bikes to power light bulbs, and explore water vortices in the dedicated water zone.

The tilting room simulates seasickness while sound experiments let them discover acoustics principles. All exhibits are designed and produced by the museum’s own team, ensuring each interactive experience is both reliable and educational.

Plan at least three hours for your visit, though you’ll likely want to return since exploring everything in one trip is nearly impossible.

Discover Russia in Miniature at Grand Maket Russia

After experiencing hands-on science experiments, your teenagers can set out on an entirely different adventure at Grand Maket Russia, where they’ll journey across an entire country without leaving St. Petersburg.

This massive 800 m² miniature model showcases Russia from Kaliningrad to the Far East in stunning 1:87 scale detail.

Your teens will be captivated by hundreds of moving trains, cars, and dynamic scenes depicting everything from construction sites to festivals. The integrated lighting system creates realistic day-night cycles, while hidden “easter egg” scenes encourage active exploration and spark conversations about different regions. What makes this experience especially engaging is that all exhibits are openly accessible without glass barriers, allowing teenagers to get remarkably close to the intricate details.

Located at Tsvetochnaya Street 16, the museum opens daily from 10:00-20:00.

Plan 1-3 hours for your visit, and consider purchasing tickets online to skip entrance queues during busy periods.

Be Amazed by the Bolshoi St Petersburg State Circus

While miniature models offer one perspective on Russian culture, nothing beats the live spectacle of the Bolshoi St Petersburg State Circus, where your teenagers will witness death-defying acrobats, skilled animal performers, and comedic acts that’ll have them laughing until their sides hurt.

This historic venue on Fontanka embankment has been wowing audiences since 1877. The beautiful brick building, designed by architect Vasily Kenel, was Russia’s first permanent stone circus and remains one of Europe’s most stunning circus edifices. The venue was established by Caetano Ciniselli with an impressive capacity of 1,500 seats.

Your teens will experience the same magic that once captivated Emperor Nicholas II’s family – tickets used to sell out a year in advance!

The circus continues its 95-year tradition under Rosgoscirk, offering everything from equestrian acts to modern performances that blend artistry with jaw-dropping stunts.

Journey Through Space at St Petersburg Planetarium

From earthbound entertainment to cosmic exploration, St Petersburg’s planetariums offer your teenagers an extraordinary journey through the universe that’ll spark their imagination and curiosity about space.

You’ll find two incredible venues: the historic St Petersburg Planetarium in Alexandrovsky Park and the immersive Planetarium №1 featuring the world’s largest dome at 27 meters.

Your teens will love the cinematic visual effects during full-dome shows simulating flights through galaxies and solar systems.

The Laboratory of Entertaining Experiments presents 200+ hands-on activities in optics and mechanics, while evening telescope observations let them view real planets and nebulae. The venue also offers innovative projects focusing on space lab activities, robotics, and STEM education that engage young minds in cutting-edge scientific exploration.

With programs covering cosmonautics, space travel history, and current space science, these planetariums perfectly blend education with entertainment that’ll captivate curious teenage minds.

Splash Around at Aquapark Piterland

When St Petersburg’s chilly weather has your teenagers craving summer vibes, Aquapark Piterland delivers an epic tropical escape under its massive glass dome on the Gulf of Finland waterfront.

Your teens will race to the central pirate ship structure, where high-speed tube slides launch them through twists and turns—some even use water jets to push riders uphill for extra thrills.

The wave pool creates artificial beach vibes every hour, while the lazy river offers a chill floating experience between adrenaline rushes.

Note the 10-year minimum age for major slides and 90kg weight limits on some attractions.

At around 3,100 rubles for five hours, it’s perfect for half-day adventures, with on-site cafés keeping everyone fueled for multiple slide runs. Your entry bracelets double as locker keys and enable cashless purchases throughout the park, making it easy to grab snacks without hassle.

Climb the Walls of Peter and Paul Fortress

As your teenagers crave adventure beyond indoor attractions, the massive stone ramparts of Peter and Paul Fortress offer an epic climb through 300 years of history. The designated Fortress Wall Walk runs along thick curtain walls reaching 32-39 feet high, providing panoramic views over the Neva River and Winter Palace that’ll have your teens snapping Instagram-worthy shots.

You’ll access the fortress via Gorkovskaya metro station, then enjoy a 10-minute walk to the entrance.

The wide masonry ramparts create stable walking surfaces perfect for supervised teenagers, though you’ll want non-slip shoes and layers for wind exposure. The fortress sits strategically on the Neva River’s right bank, offering commanding views of the waterway that has shaped St. Petersburg’s history.

Don’t miss the daily noon cannon shot from Naryshkin Bastion—it adds serious drama to your wall exploration while combining physical activity with fascinating fortress history.

Meet Over 2,000 Animals at Leningrad Zoo

Over 2,000 animals representing 410+ species make Leningrad Zoo Russia’s second-largest collection and a perfect teen-friendly adventure in central St. Petersburg. You’ll encounter polar bears, snow leopards, Amur tigers, and giraffes while exploring themed zones for big cats, primates, and exotic birds.

The zoo’s conservation focus on endangered Russian species delivers meaningful educational content about biodiversity and captive breeding programs. Founded in 1865, this historic zoo stands as one of Russia’s first zoological institutions.

Located in Alexander Park, you can easily walk between exhibits showcasing everything from chimpanzees and white-handed gibbons to colorful macaws and toucans. Interactive feeding shows and twice-monthly free tours add excitement to your visit.

The zoo’s compact urban layout means you’ll cover major attractions efficiently, making this a practical choice when exploring St. Petersburg’s historic Petrograd Side district.

Stroll Through the Historic Summer Garden

After exploring modern wildlife attractions, step into 300 years of imperial history at the Summer Garden, where Peter the Great’s original vision comes alive through marble statues, restored fountains, and perfectly manicured pathways.

You’ll discover over 100 Italian marble sculptures depicting gods and emperors, creating perfect photo opportunities while learning classical mythology.

Navigate the restored Labyrinth’s cropped bushes and explore bosquets like the French Parterre and Bird Yard.

The eight reconstructed fountains add movement to your stroll through this European-style park.

Don’t miss Peter’s Summer Palace with its preserved 18th-century interiors, or the iconic Neva embankment fencing.

The shaded paths and scenic canal views provide a relaxing contrast to the city’s bustling energy. Entry is completely free entrance, making this historic imperial garden an accessible cultural experience for families exploring St. Petersburg.

The Sum Up

You’ve got nine incredible adventures waiting in St. Petersburg that’ll keep your teenagers engaged and excited. From splashing at water parks to marveling at circus performances, there’s something for every interest. Don’t try to cram everything into one trip – pick a few activities that match your teens’ personalities and energy levels. They’ll thank you for creating memories that go way beyond typical tourist attractions, and you’ll discover St. Petersburg’s family-friendly side together.