During our trip to Russia we intended to get to Novosibirsk by taking the Trans-Siberian railway as far as Irkutsk. If, like we did, you arrive in town by bus, you will be surprised at how hideously menacing the bus station is. Even though I am used to Russia, I wasn't expecting it! There was dust everywhere, there were people shouting everywhere, cars everywhere - I began to feel agoraphobic and I didn't stop the whole day I was in the Siberian capital.
Apart from the station, which is very colourful, like most stations in Russia, there's nothing beautiful here. Unless, of course, you are a fan of Soviet style architecture! If you are, you won't be disappointed! This town is dominated by the colour grey - enormous buildings that look just like huge blocks of concrete laid side by side on the ground, or massive statues that glorify Lenin or the Heroes of the Great Patriotic War (as the Second World War is called in Russia).
Nevertheless, there are lots of cultural activities in the Siberian capital. Even if you don't like the town of Novosibirsk, you can at least make the most of your time there by visiting some of the numerous museums.
Although it's not a modern or flamboyant town , Novosibirsk has lots of cultural activities going on, like the opera and ballet theatre, fine arts and Siberian crafts. In the suburbs there is also the Sun Museum, the only one of its kind in the world.
I had the same impression here as in Yekaterinburg - that someone had dropped me in a different world where I didn't understand anything. It is a very grandiose town! Lenin Square really reminds you of this. In my opinion there is more space than in Yekaterinburg, it is more modern and there are lots of tall buildings. In the summer the River Ob is full of Russians swimming.
I would have liked to have a bit more time to do a day trip to some of the open air museums at Akademgorodok, like the west Siberian railway museum. It's definitely something I'll do during my next trip to Russia.