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How to Start an Adult Daycare [Business Plan]

An adult daycare center is a non-residential daycare facility that provides support in the areas of health, nutrition, social, and daily living needs of adults in a professionally staffed, group setting. Adult daycare is designed to provide adults with transitional care and short-term rehabilitation especially when they are discharged from the hospital or when their family members are not around to take care of them.

Available data shows that currently, there are over 7,500 adult day care programs operating in the United States, up from 4,601 in 2010, and they provide care for more than 282,000 elderly Americans. Of this 4,800 registered daycare, 78 percent operate as not-for-profit while 22 percent of centers operate as for-profit corporations.

Steps on How to Start an Adult Day Care Business

1. conduct market research.

If you intend to start an adult daycare business, then you must make sure you conduct thorough market research. It is important to conduct research because it will help you carry out a careful and detailed study of the problem you intend to solve with your adult daycare, using scientific methods. With successful market research, you will be able to explore the unknown and unlock new possibilities in the industry in which you want to start your business.

a. Who is the Target Market for Adult Day Care?

The target market for an adult day care are adults who are suffering from;

• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Emotional disturbance
• Reading and learning disabilities
• Intellectual disabilities
• Demographics should be included
• Pervasive developmental disorder
• Speech and language impairments
• Spina bifida
• Traumatic brain injury
• Visual impairments

b. Is Adult Day Care a Profitable Business?

Yes, the adult daycare business is profitable. Statistics show that the market size, measured by revenue of the adult daycares industry sits at $5 billion. Demand for adult day care centers is increasing with the need for assistance in old age.

c. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

Yes, there are existing niches when it comes to adult day care services and they are;

• Social services adult day care model
• Medical services adult day care model
• Social and medical services adult day care model

d. Who are the Major Competitors?

• Senior Care Inc.
• Easterseals

e. Are There County or State Regulations or Zoning Laws for Adult Day Care Business?

Yes, and zoning laws require adult daycare operators to follow specific rules and regulations. These laws are designed to address the unique circumstances of a business operating in a residential area. Many laws seek to minimize the negative impact on the community, which can be affected by increased vehicle traffic and neighborhood noise.

Please note that in many communities, zoning laws require adult day care providers to apply for a permit from the city. This application process allows the city’s zoning department to determine whether the home day care meets the zoning rules for the community. Permits also ensure that all adult day cares are properly licensed with the county or state agencies.

f. Is There a Franchise for Adult Day Care Business?

Yes, there are franchise opportunities for adult day care. Here are some of them;

• Right at Home (Total startup costs – $75,000 to $100,000)
• SarahCare Adult Day Care Center Services (Investment $212,427 – $513,427)
• Elder-Well® Franchisee
• Greenacres Adult Day Care Franchise
• Interim HealthCare (Initial Investment – $125,500 to $198,500)
• Home Care Assistance ($77,775 to $245,250)
• HomeWell Senior Care (Investment $75,000 – $120,000)
• BrightStar ($95,000 to $163,000)

g. What Do You Need to Start an Adult Day Care Business?

• A Feasibility Report
• Business and Marketing Plans
• Business Licenses and Permits
• A Well-Equipped Day-Care Facility
• EIN (Employer Identification Number)/Federal Tax ID Number.
• A Corporate Bank Account
• Supplies (Detergents, Toiletries, Disinfectant, Hand Gloves and more)
• Startup and Working Capital

Memorable Business Name ideas for Adult Day Care

• Arit Tim® Adult Day Care, LLC
• Martins® Adult Day Care, LLC
• We Care® Adult Day Care, LLC
• Princess Diana™ Adult Day Care, LLC
• Esther Lane® Adult Day Care.
• Baroness Elizabeth® Adult Day Care, LLC
• Lady Annie® Adult Day Care, LLC
• Peter Nelson® Adult Day Care
• Comfort Care® Adult Day Care
• Ronald Magdalene® Adult Day Care, LLC
• Maria De La Rosa® Adult Day Care, LLC
• Anne George™ Adult Day Care
• Bridget Decoster™ Adult Day Care
• Inner City® Adult Day Care, LLC
• Well Palm® Adult Day Care
• Jacinta Borrow® Adult Day Care
• Green Bay© Adult Day Care
• Georgina Paulson™ Adult Day Care, LLC
• Jill Noel™ Adult Day Care.
• Madonna Whyte® Adult Day Care

Register Your Business

A. what type of business structure is best for adult day care.

Even though there are several options when it comes to the business structure of an adult day care, most players in this line of business consider an LLC. It is common to consider an LLC because providers want to protect themselves from lawsuits.

Please note that an LLC will need an EIN if it has any employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below. Most new single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities will need to obtain an EIN.

b. Steps to Form an LLC

• Choose a Name for Your LLC.
• File Articles of Organization.
• Choose a registered agent.
• Decide on member vs. manager management.
• Create an LLC operating agreement.
• Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
• File annual reports.

c. What Type of License is Needed to Open an Adult Day Care?

• General Business License
• Group Family Child Care License
• Health and Safety Permit
• Zonal Permits
• Director’s License
• State Facility Inspections
• Operational State Facility Inspections (Building Permits)

d. What Type of Certification is Needed to Open an Adult Day Care?

Social Adult Day Care Certification.

e. What Documents are Needed to Open an Adult Day Care?

These are some of the basic legal documents you need to legally run an adult daycare in the United States of America;

• Business and Liability Insurance
• Federal Tax Payer’s ID
• State Permit and Building Approval
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Business License
• Business Plan
• Employment Agreement (offer letters)
• Operating Agreement for LLC
• Insurance Policy
• Online Terms of Use (if you have a website)
• Online Privacy Policy Document (for online payment portal)
• Company Bylaws
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?

If you are considering starting an adult day care, usually you may not need to file for intellectual property protection or trademark. This is because the nature of the business makes it possible for you to successfully run the business without having any cause to challenge anybody in court for illegally making use of your company’s intellectual properties.

Cost Analysis and Budgeting

A. how much does it cost to start an adult day care.

When it comes to starting an adult daycare business, the startup costs vary. It could range from $80,000 (if you are opting for a franchise) to over $500,000. This is because the startup inventory is on the high side.

b. What are the Costs Involved in Starting an Adult Day Care

• Business Registration Fees – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – $7,300.
• Marketing, Branding and Promotions – $5,000.
• Business Consultant Fee – $2,500.
• Insurance – $5,400.
• Rent/Lease – $250,000.
• Other start-up expenses including, commercial satellite TV subscriptions, stationery ($500), and phone and utility deposits ($2,800).
• Operational Cost (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
• start-up inventory – $15,000
• Store Equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $4,750
• Furnishing and Equipping – $80,000
• Website: $600
• Miscellaneous: $5,000

c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening an Adult Day Care?

• The type of adult day care business
• The choice of location
• The required licenses and permits
• The type of facility
• Additional services offerings
• The number of residents they want to admit
• The cost of hiring and paying a business consultant and attorney
• The cost for branding, promotion, and marketing the adult daycare business
• The cost for furnishing and equipping the adult daycare
• The cost for insurance policy covers
• The cost for registering the business
• Source of your supplies and ongoing expenses
• Cost of recruiting and training your staff
• The cost for the purchase and customizing of uniforms

d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

It is not compulsory to build a new facility for your adult day care, but if you have the finance, it will pay you to build your facility. The truth is that building a facility for your adult day care will help you come up with a facility that will perfectly fit into your overall business goals and vision.

e. What are the Ongoing Expenses of an Adult Day Care?

• Rent and lease
• Cost of stocking up supplies such as medications, toiletries, disinfectants, hand gloves, beddings et al
• Utility bills (phone bills, signage and software renewal fees et al)
• Salaries of employees

f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

• Head of Adult Day Care (President) – $45,000 Per Annum
• Day Care Administrator – $36,034 Per Annum
• Medication Management Counselors – $35,600 Per Annum
• Nurse’s Aides – $30,660 Per Annum
• Home Health Caregivers/Home Caregivers/County Aging Workers – $32,878 Per Annum
• Account Officer – $35,000 Per Annum
• Front Desk Officer – $28,000 Per Annum
• Cleaners – $22,000 Per Annum
• Security Guard – $22,000 Per Annum

g. How Do You Get Funding to Start an Adult Day Care

• Raise money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
• Raise money from investors and business partners
• Sell shares to interested investors
• Apply for a loan from your bank/banks
• Pitch your business idea and apply for business grants and seed funding from, government, donor organizations, and angel investors
• Source for soft loans from your family members and your friends.

Write a Business Plan

A. executive summary.

We Care® Adult Day Care, LLC is a registered for-profit adult day care that will be based in Tallahassee – Florida, USA. Our adult daycare center is designed to provide care and companionship for older adults who need assistance or supervision during the day. Our programs are designed to offer relief to family members and caregivers, allowing them to go to work, handle personal business, or just relax while knowing their relatives are well cared for and safe.

b. Products and Service

• Care-planning services
• Daily living assistance (day only)
• Nursing and health services
• Therapeutic services
• Meal services
• Transportation services
• Social activities.

c. Mission Statement

Our mission is to build a highly successful, adult daycare center that provides community-based day health services for the elderly and disabled. We are going to provide services that include living assistance, nursing, therapy, meals, and social activities. We will also provide quality supervised care at affordable costs.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to create an international model for the adult daycare industry.

d. Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of an adult day care center are to provide quality care and enriching services where adults who need care can be taken care of during the day.

e. Organizational Structure

• Head of Adult Day Care (President)
• Adult Day Care Administrator
• Medication Management Counselors
• Nurse’s Aides
• Home Health Caregivers/Home Caregivers/County Aging Workers Fundraiser
• Account Officer
• Front Desk Officer
• Security Guards

Marketing Plan

A. swot analysis.

The strength of the adult daycare facility lies in the fact that they have a team of qualified professionals manning various job positions in the organization. Also, the location, the business model they will be operating on, well-equipped facility and their excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for the facility.

Our Adult Daycare is a new business that is owned by a family, and they may not have the financial muscle to sustain the kind of publicity that will give the business robust visibility.

Opportunities:

The opportunities that are available to adult day care facilities are unlimited because we have loads of adults over 60 who would one day need the services of an adult daycare in the United States.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats you are likely going to face is an economic downturn and unfavorable government policies. It is a fact that an economic downturn affects purchasing/spending power. Another threat that may likely confront an adult daycare business is the arrival of a new and bigger adult daycare in the same location where your facility is located.

b. How Do Adult Day Care Centers Make Money?

Adult daycare centers makes money by charging their clients (for-profits) or from support for donor agencies and charities (not-for-profit).

Please note that funding for adult day care comes from a variety of public and private sources. At the Federal and State levels, funds are available from Medicaid, Social Services Block Grants, and Older Americans Act monies.

c. Payment Options

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via mobile money transfer

d. Sales & Advertising Strategies

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and health-related magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community-based events/programs for the elderly
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote your facility
• Install your Bill Boards in strategic locations all around your city or state
• Distribute your fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact households, businesses, and every adult in the neighborhood where your adult daycare will be located informing them about your business
• List your adult day care in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise your adult daycare on your official website and employ strategies that will help you pull traffic to the site.
• Position your Flexi Banners at strategic positions in the location where your adult daycare is located.
• Ensure that all your staff members wear your branded shirts and all your vehicles and trucks/vans are well branded with your company logo.

Financial Projection

A. how much should you charge for your service.

Our average daily cost of adult day services will be $70.

b. How Much Profit Do Adult Day Care Owners Make a Year?

It depends, but available reports show that owners of adult daycare centers profit an average of $37,000 per year. While some owners of special daycare centers report earning over $60,000 profit per year, the other side of the report shows that an adult day care can make well over $50,000.

c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?

• The capacity of the adult daycare
• The location the adult daycare is covering
• The management style of the adult daycare
• The business approach of the adult daycare
• The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the adult daycare
• The number of years the adult daycare is in business

d. What is the Profit Margin of an Adult Day Care?

The profit margin of an adult day care is not fixed; to a large extent, it will depend on some factors that are unique to your location if you are operating as a for-profit organization. Please note that most adult daycares operate as nonprofits hence they are not expected to make profits.

e. What is the Sales Forecast?

Below is the sales forecast of an adult daycare. It is based on the location of the business and other factors as it relates to such startups in the United States;

First Fiscal Year: $240,000

Second Fiscal Year:  $350,000

Third Fiscal Year: $480,000

Set Up your Office

A. how do you choose a perfect location for adult day care.

• The demography of the location especially as it relates to the aging population
• The demand for adult day care services in the location
• The purchasing power of residents of the location
• Accessibility of the location
• The number of adult daycares and other facilities like senior care, nursing homes and sober living et al in the location
• The local laws and regulations in the community/state
• Traffic, parking and security et al

b. What State and City are Best to Open an Adult Day Care?

• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Los Angeles, California
• Chicago, Illinois
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Silver Spring, Maryland
• Rowland Heights, California
• Portland, Oregon
• New York City, New York
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Dallas, Texas

c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate an Adult Day Care?

When starting an adult daycare, you will not need any technical gadgets except office and nursing equipment, first aid kits, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, an emergency preparedness kit, an emergency plan, among other things.

But in setting up a small office, you will need a computer, printer, software apps, telephones, pager, photocopier, scanner, and fax machine. These machines, equipment, and tools can be purchased as fairly used especially if you have limited finance to meet your budget.

Hire Employees

As regards the number of employees you are expected to kick start the business with, you would need to consider your finance before making the decision. When it comes to starting a standard adult daycare business on a large scale, you would need the services of the following professionals; the head of daycare (you can occupy this position), adult daycare administrator, medication management counselors, nursing aides, home health caregivers, front desk officer, security guards, and cleaners.

Launch the Business Proper

You can decide to throw an opening party to officially launch your business. You can choose to do a soft opening if you are operating on a low budget or you can go for a grand opening party. The bottom line is that with a proper launching of the adult daycare, you will be able to officially inform people in your city that your adult daycare is open for business.

a. What Makes an Adult Daycare Business Successful?

• Ability to attract grants and funding from the government of your city or state or even the federal government
• Disciplined and dedicated workforce
• The heart to serve
• Good facility and ambiance
• A good relationship with stakeholders
• Good care techniques and programs.

b. What Happens During a Typical Day at an Adult Daycare Business?

• The adult daycare is open for the day
• The facility is cleaned and prepared to welcome students
• Students are welcomed
• Students are provided with special care, nursing and other assistance in daily living and feeding
• The school is closed for the day and family members come in to pick their wards

c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build an Adult Daycare Business?

Here are some of the skills and experiences you would need to build an adult daycare business;

• Good managerial and human development skills
• Visionary Leadership
• Strategy & Development
• Team-building & Interpersonal Skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Experience working as a social worker
• Experience in the adult daycare industry
• Experience in adult daycare administration.

More on Adult Daycare

Senior Day Care Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Senior / Adult Day Care Center Business Plan Template

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their adult day care businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a senior day care business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your adult daycare business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start an elderly day care business or grow your existing elderly day care business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your adult daycare business in order to improve your chances of success. Your business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Senior Day Care Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an senior day care business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the lender will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for elderly daycare businesses.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a senior / adult day care center.

If you want to start an adult day care business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below we detail what you should include in each section of your business plan for a senior day care center:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of adult / senior day care business you are operating and its status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an elderly daycare business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of elderly daycare businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the elderly daycare industry. Discuss the type of elderly daycare business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of senior day care business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of adult day care businesses:

• Social model : this type of business provides supervision and socialization through activities such as discussion groups, arts and crafts, games and dancing, or memory stimulation exercises.
• Medical model: this type of business serves individuals with medical problems (including dementia) who may require monitoring, nursing care, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nutritional counseling or recreational therapy.
• Combination model: this type of daycare uses a combination of the social and medical model to provide supervision and socialization through therapeutic group activities, as well as medical services such as monitoring, nursing care, social work, and a range of therapies.

In addition to explaining the type of adult day care business you will operate, the Company Analysis section needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the elderly daycare industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the elderly daycare industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your adult day care business plan:

• How big is the elderly daycare industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your adult day care business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: adults with self-care difficulties, adults with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, adults with hearing and/or vision difficulties, and adults with ambulatory difficulties.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of elderly daycare business you operate. Clearly, families of adults with Alzheimer’s would respond to different marketing promotions than families of adults with ambulatory difficulties, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most elderly daycare businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other senior / adult day care centers.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes senior living providers, home healthcare agencies, retirement communities, and convalescent centers.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other elderly daycare businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be elderly daycare businesses located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• Do they specialize in caring for individuals with specific disabilities / diseases?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide a wider variety of activities?
• Will your daycare offer extra services, such as transportation?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For an adult day care business, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of elderly daycare company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to supervision and group activities, will your daycare offer occupational and speech therapy, or other rehabilitation therapies?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the adult day care service you offer and the prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your elderly daycare company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your elderly daycare business located near a hospital, or in a residential district? Will you also provide transportation to your daycare? In this section, discuss how your location will provide easy accessibility to your clients.

Promotions : The final part of your elderly daycare marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local websites
• Signs and billboards
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your elderly daycare business, including marketing, planning and executing activities, overseeing therapies, maintaining licensing requirements, and providing care for customers.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to serve your 100th family, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to open an elderly daycare business in a new location.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your elderly daycare business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing elderly daycare businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in nursing care or rehabilitation, or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you provide care for 10 individuals per day, or 20? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your elderly daycare business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing an elderly daycare business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your location lease, or an overview of all therapies offered at your facility.  

Putting together a business plan for your elderly daycare business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will have an expert senior daycare business plan; download it to PDF to show banks and investors. You will really understand the elderly daycare industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful elderly daycare business.  

Elderly Daycare Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my elderly daycare business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Elderly Daycare Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of elderly daycare business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have an elderly daycare business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of elderly daycare businesses?

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Elderly Daycare business plan?

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.

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How to Start a Profitable Adult Day Care Business [11 Steps]

By Nick Cotter Updated Feb 05, 2024

Business Steps:

1. perform market analysis., 2. draft a adult day care business plan., 3. develop a adult day care brand., 4. formalize your business registration., 5. acquire necessary licenses and permits for adult day care., 6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for adult day care services., 8. acquire adult day care equipment and supplies., 9. obtain business insurance for adult day care, if required., 10. begin marketing your adult day care services., 11. expand your adult day care business..

Performing a market analysis is an important first step when launching an adult day care business. This process involves a detailed examination of the market, to understand trends, competition, and potential customers, thus guiding the development of a successful business strategy.

• Identify your target customers: Understand who your potential customers are by researching the demographics and psychographics of the senior population in your intended area. Look at age, income, health status, etc. Understand their needs, preferences, and daily routines.
• Analyze your competition: Research about other adult day care centers in your target area. Look at what services they offer, their pricing, their strengths and weaknesses. This can help you differentiate your business and find potential gaps in the market.
• Understand the Industry Trends: Stay updated with current trends and changes in the adult day care industry. This could include changes in regulations, new technologies or services, etc. This will help you stay competitive and innovate.
• Evaluate the Market Size and Growth: Determine the size of your potential market and its growth rate. This can give you an idea of the potential demand for your services and help you plan your business accordingly.

Note that market analysis is an ongoing process and should be updated regularly as market conditions change.

Are adult day care businesses profitable?

Yes, adult day care businesses can be profitable. It is important to carefully manage the business, including marketing to potential clients, providing a high quality of care, and having an efficient operating system in place. Additionally, many facilities accept subsidies and other forms of reimbursement from insurance companies or government programs to increase profits.

Embarking on the journey to start an adult day care business requires meticulous planning and a comprehensive understanding of your goals, target market, and operational strategies. A well-crafted business plan is an essential roadmap that will help you navigate through the complexities of establishing and managing your adult day care center effectively. Here are the crucial components to include in your business plan draft:

• Executive Summary: Summarize your adult day care's mission, services, and basic information about the management team and business structure.
• Market Analysis: Detail your research on local demographics, demand for adult day care services, and an examination of competitors in the area.
• Services Offered: Outline the types of services and activities your center will provide, focusing on the unique aspects that set you apart.
• Marketing Plan: Describe how you will attract and retain clients, including pricing strategies, promotional efforts, and partnerships.
• Operational Plan: Explain the day-to-day operations, staffing requirements, facility layout, and any transportation services offered.
• Financial Projections: Present realistic financial forecasts, including startup costs, operating budget, revenue projections, and a break-even analysis.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and describe the measures you will take to mitigate them.
• Funding Requests: If you're seeking financing, specify the amount needed, intended uses, and proposed repayment plans.

How does a adult day care business make money?

An adult day care business typically makes money by charging a daily fee for services such as assistance with meals, activities like crafts and games, assistance with medications, and companionship. To increase profit potential, day care owners may also offer additional services such as transportation or outings to local attractions. For example, an 11 Steps To Starting a Successful Spice Business might target seniors who need assistance cooking meals with certain ingredients or spices, who are looking for a convenient and safe way to do their grocery shopping.Retiring Baby Boomers who want to stay active in the community and maintain their independence are also a potential target market for this type of business.

Beginning with a comprehensive business plan is crucial when establishing an adult day care center, as it serves as a roadmap for your business's future. It outlines your business goals, strategies for achieving them, and the financial projections to support your vision. A well-crafted business plan will also be indispensable when seeking funding or partnerships. Here's how to approach drafting your business plan:

• Executive Summary: Start with an executive summary that encapsulates the essence of your adult day care business. Briefly describe your mission, the services you will offer, and the market need you're addressing. Highlight your unique selling points and your vision for the business's growth.
• Company Description: Provide a detailed description of your business, including the legal structure, location, and the background that led to its inception. Explain how your adult day care will improve the quality of life for your clients and address a specific need in the community.
• Market Analysis: Present a thorough analysis of the adult day care industry, including trends, demographics, and competitor evaluations. Identify your target market and explain how your services meet their needs better than existing options.
• Organization and Management: Outline your business's organizational structure, detailing the roles and responsibilities of your management team. Include biographies that highlight the experience and expertise that each team member brings to the business.
• Services Offered: Describe the range of services you plan to offer. Explain how these services will be provided and how they will meet the diverse needs of your clients, such as social activities, health services, and transportation.
• Marketing Plan: Develop a marketing strategy that details how you will attract and retain clients. Include your branding, promotional strategies, and a sales plan that outlines how you will build relationships in the community.
• Funding Request: If you are seeking financing, clearly state the amount needed and how it will be used. Include a detailed explanation of how you plan to repay any loans or provide returns on investments.
• Financial Projections: Offer clear financial projections for the next three to five years. Include forecasted income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. Provide a break-even analysis to show when you expect the business to become profitable.
• Appendix: Attach any additional documentation that supports your business plan or might be of interest to stakeholders, such as resumes, permits, lease agreements, and legal documentation.

How to come up with a name for your adult day care business?

Coming up with a name for an adult day care business is an important step in launching a successful venture. First and foremost, you should pick a name that is catchy, memorable, and easy to spell. Additionally, it should reflect the values and goals of your business, such as promoting trust, companionship, and security. Brainstorm potential words that could be combined with the words “adult day care” to create a unique and creative name. Consider seeking feedback from family members, friends, and colleagues on which names stand out most. With some research and creative thinking, you can come up with the perfect name for your adult day care business!

Formalizing an adult day care business is crucial due to the sensitive nature of client care and the regulatory environment. Proper registration and compliance ensure the safety and well-being of your clients. Follow these steps:

• Choose a Legal Structure: Consider an LLC or corporation for liability protection.
• Obtain Licenses and Permits: Check state and local requirements for operating an adult day care, including health and safety certifications.
• Register Your Business: File the necessary paperwork with your state to officially establish your business entity.

Resources to help get you started:

Explore crucial resources designed for adult day care entrepreneurs featuring insights on market trends, operational best practices, and strategic guidance for business expansion:

• Genworth Financial's Cost of Care Survey : Provides detailed regional cost data for adult day care services, helping entrepreneurs assess competitive pricing strategies. Link .
• National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) : Offers industry reports, regulatory updates, and networking opportunities for adult day care providers. Link .
• Entrepreneur Magazine's Health Care Center : Features articles and advice on running a successful health care business, including adult day care. Link .
• Adult Day Care Group's Startup Guide : A comprehensive manual for new adult day care business owners on operational setup, licensing, and marketing. Link Not Provided.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) : Provides access to business planning, financing, and training resources tailored to the health services sector. Link .

Starting an adult day care business requires careful attention to the legal requirements which vary by location. Acquiring the necessary licenses and permits is crucial to operate legally and provide a safe environment for your clients. Below are the general steps you should follow:

• Research local regulations: Contact your state's Department of Health and Human Services to understand specific licensing requirements for adult day care centers in your area.
• Complete training and certification: Some states require operators to complete specific training programs or certifications related to adult day care management and first aid.
• Apply for a business license: Obtain a general business license from your city or county business licensing office.
• Obtain specialized permits: Depending on the services you plan to offer, you might need additional permits related to food service, medication distribution, or transportation.
• Pass health and safety inspections: Your facility will likely need to pass health and safety inspections to ensure it meets all the necessary codes and regulations.
• Get insurance: Secure liability and property insurance to protect your business and ensure compliance with local regulations.

What licenses and permits are needed to run a adult day care business?

Depending on the state and city, the types of licenses and permits needed to run an adult day care business may vary. Generally, the requirements involve obtaining both a business license and a day care license from the city or county in which the business is located. In addition, a state license from the Department of Social Services is often required. Depending on where the facility is located, additional licensing or permits may also be necessary.

Opening a business bank account and securing funding are crucial steps in establishing the financial foundation for your adult day care business. These actions not only help to separate personal finances from business transactions but also ensure you have the necessary capital to cover startup costs and operational expenses. Here’s a guide to help you through this process:

• Research banks and credit unions that offer business banking services. Consider their fees, services, and convenience before choosing the right institution for your adult day care business.
• Prepare the required documents—such as your business plan, EIN, incorporation papers, and personal identification—to open a business bank account.
• Understand the types of funding available, including loans, grants, and investor capital. Assess which type aligns best with your business needs and financial situation.
• Contact local government agencies or non-profit organizations that may offer funding opportunities specifically for health care or elder care services.
• Build a presentation or pitch if you plan to seek out investors. Be prepared to clearly articulate your business model, market analysis, and financial projections.
• Consider crowdfunding platforms if your business model appeals to community support and if you have a compelling story to share about your adult day care initiative.

Starting an adult day care business requires careful financial planning. You need to set up a separate business bank account to manage your business finances effectively and secure funding for your operations.

• Opening a Business Bank Account: It's essential to separate your personal finances from your business expenses. Start by choosing a bank that offers services tailored to business needs such as online banking, payroll services, and merchant services. Make sure to check the fees related to the account before you make a decision. You will need your business name, EIN (Employer Identification Number), and legal documents to open the account.
• Secure Funding: Determine how much money you will need to start and operate your adult day care center. You may need to take out a loan, apply for grants, or find investors. Research the different types of loans available and the requirements for each. It's also a good idea to create a solid business plan to present to potential investors or lenders.

Remember, financial management is key to the success of your business. Make sure to keep accurate records of all transactions and regularly review your business's financial performance.

What does it cost to start a adult day care business?

Initiating a adult day care business can involve substantial financial commitment, the scale of which is significantly influenced by factors such as geographical location, market dynamics, and operational expenses, among others. Nonetheless, our extensive research and hands-on experience have revealed an estimated starting cost of approximately $$32,000/month for launching such an business. Please note, not all of these costs may be necessary to start up your adult day care business.

Starting an adult day care requires careful selection of equipment and supplies to ensure a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment for your clients. It's important to invest in high-quality, durable items that meet the specific needs of the elderly or adults with disabilities. Below is a guide to help you acquire the necessary equipment and supplies for your adult day care business:

• Furniture: Purchase comfortable seating options like armchairs and sofas, adjustable tables, and sturdy dining furniture. Ensure all furniture is easily accessible and supportive.
• Safety Equipment: Install grab bars, railings, non-slip flooring, and emergency call systems. Also, provide wheelchairs, walkers, and canes as needed.
• Medical Supplies: Have basic first aid kits, blood pressure monitors, diabetic testing equipment, and medication storage with secure access.
• Recreational Materials: Offer books, magazines, games, puzzles, and art supplies to promote cognitive stimulation and social interaction.
• Exercise Equipment: Include low-impact exercise gear like resistance bands, light weights, and balance balls to encourage physical activity.
• Technology: Set up computers or tablets with internet access, hearing aids, and large-screen televisions for entertainment and education.
• Sanitation Supplies: Stock up on cleaning agents, hand sanitizers, disposable gloves, and personal hygiene products to maintain cleanliness and prevent infection.
• Kitchenware: Ensure you have adequate kitchen equipment and utensils for meal preparation and service, including dietary-specific items if necessary.

List of software, tools and supplies needed to start a adult day care business:

• Business Licensing - $50 - $3,000 (varies by state)
• Insurance Policy - $300 - $1,200
• Computer Software - $50-200/month
• Web Design and Hosting - Up to $100/month
• Furniture and Supplies - $200+
• Telephone/WiFi Connectivity - $60-$100/month
• Office Supplies - Pens, Paper, Post-Its, etc. - Up to $50/month
• Marketing Materials & Services - Up to $150/month
• Staff Training Programs - Up to $250/program
• Cleaning Supplies and Services- Up to $100+/month

Starting an adult day care business requires careful consideration of potential risks and liabilities. Business insurance is a crucial component that provides financial protection against unforeseen events. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you obtain the right business insurance:

• Research the types of insurance required in your state or region, as regulations may vary. Common types include general liability, professional liability, and property insurance.
• Contact multiple insurance providers to compare coverage options and premiums. Consider insurers with experience in the health care sector or those specializing in adult day care businesses.
• Discuss your specific business needs with insurance agents, including the number of clients, types of services offered, and any special risks associated with your adult day care.
• Ensure that your policy covers both the facility and transportation if your services include picking up and dropping off clients.
• Review the proposed policies carefully, paying close attention to coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions.
• Choose a policy that balances comprehensive coverage with an affordable premium, and finalize the purchase to protect your business from day one.

Marketing your adult day care services is crucial for attracting clients and establishing a presence in your community. A well-crafted marketing plan should highlight the unique benefits of your services, instill trust in potential clients, and build relationships with local healthcare providers. Here are some strategies to kickstart your marketing efforts:

• Develop a strong brand identity: Create a logo, slogan, and marketing materials that reflect the compassionate and professional nature of your services.
• Build a user-friendly website: Ensure your website is informative, easy to navigate, and includes contact information, services offered, and testimonials from satisfied clients or their families.
• Utilize social media: Regularly post engaging content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach a wider audience and keep your day care top of mind.
• Network with healthcare providers: Establish relationships with local doctors, hospitals, and clinics who can refer clients to your facility.
• Host community events: Organize open houses, workshops, or seminars on topics related to adult care to draw attention to your facility.
• Offer trial days or discounts: Encourage new clients to experience your services firsthand with special introductory offers.
• Invest in local advertising: Consider advertising in local newspapers, radio stations, or community bulletin boards to reach your target audience.

Marketing your adult day care services is the most effective way to attract potential clients and grow your business. It starts with understanding who your target audience is, what they need, and how your services can meet those needs. Below are some steps you can take to effectively market your adult day care services.

• Identify your target audience: Your primary target audience will be the adult children or caregivers of elderly individuals who need day care. Focus on reaching out to them through various marketing channels.
• Create an engaging website: A user-friendly, informative, and appealing website is crucial. Ensure it provides all necessary information about your services, staff qualifications, facility, and contact details.
• Use social media: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn can be used to reach potential clients. Share posts about your services, testimonials from satisfied clients, and any events or activities at your center.
• Network: Attend community events, join local business organizations, and engage with healthcare professionals to spread the word about your services.
• Offer promotions or discounts: To attract more clients, consider offering special discounts for new members or referral incentives for existing clients.
• Quality customer service: Ensure your staff provides excellent customer service. Word-of-mouth referrals are powerful marketing tools and happy clients are more likely to recommend your services to others.

Business plan 2023-26

Our 2023-2026 business plan sets out our position during the third year of our 2021 corporate strategy.

The plan is focused on achieving our ambitions. We have written it in line with our strategy to give a clear link between our day-to-day regulatory activities and the strategy.

It sets out our key objectives, what we want to achieve and how we will know we are there – either through key results or milestones.

The key results are measurable metrics that we will report on through our board meetings. The milestones are key deliverables from our work that help set up our future ways of working.

Introduction

Our objectives, our key results, appendix a – risks.

• Appendix B – Budget

Appendix C – Detailed objectives and key results

We are entering a vital period in our transformation with a determined focus on smarter regulation.

Moving from 2023 to 2024, we will deliver more reliable, flexible processes and technology – and we will measure that this works for our organisational needs and priorities, focused on being an insight-driven regulator.

Our new framework for data governance will underpin our ambitions for better use of data in realising our key strategic commitments.

Making progress on the People and Communities theme of our strategy, and in line with the recommendations of our listening, learning and responding to concerns Review, we will improve how we gather, listen and act on people’s experiences of care. This is about providing a better customer service to people who take the time to share information with us and our ambition to deliver regulation driven by people’s needs and experiences.

Through our work on Safety through Learning, we will continue to improve how we regulate for stronger safety cultures across health and care. We will prioritise safety, creating stronger safety cultures, focusing on learning, improving expertise, listening and acting on people’s experiences, and taking clear and proactive action when safety doesn’t improve.

This year we are working to deliver on the Accelerating Improvement theme of our strategy. Our improvement campaign approach will test and develop our skills and capacity to identify areas for improvement, using our range of regulatory impact mechanisms to create change – and using insight-driven approaches to understand and strengthen our impact. We will continue to embed improvement throughout our ways of working and to build our approach to supporting innovation.

As we progress towards the end of transforming our organisation, we continue to design our new ways of working and build the technology to support how we work.

Our new regulatory governance processes will come into play - we will see our Regulatory Governance, Regulatory Leadership and Outreach services work together to identify and prioritise our regulatory activities. We are focused on strengthening our engagement with providers, stakeholders and people who use services – and we will be better at using our insight to determine where we focus our independent voice to drive improvement in health and care services.

Reviews and updates to our single assessment framework and our new regulatory approach will continue, using feedback from providers and people who use services – this helps ensure our effectiveness and impact, delivering the right activity in the right place at the right time.

We are working with providers, the public and stakeholders to build trust and confidence in how we make sure that services are providing safe and good quality care – and we are using improved data and insights, shared with us by providers and the public, to give a better understanding of how and where we can influence improvement.

Finally, but essentially, we are committed to progressing on safety by listening, learning, and responding to people’s concerns within our own organisation. This includes how we have identified and how we will make improvements following our recent independent review. We are committed to working with our trade unions, our staff networks, and our colleagues to achieve lasting improvements in our relationships and improve colleague involvement and engagement across our organisation.

This plan explains how we will do this and how we will measure our achievements.

Ian Dilks OBE, Chair

Ian Trenholm, Chief Executive

This business plan reflects our position during the third year of implementation of our 2021 corporate strategy. It is focused on achieving CQC’s ambitions – chief among these is the organisational transformation to become an insight-driven regulator that is better able to drive good and outstanding health and care services for people.

The purpose of this business plan is to set out our key objectives across the three years, what we want to achieve and how we will know we are there – this could be either through key results or milestones. The key results are measurable metrics that we will report on regularly through our board meetings. The milestones are key deliverables from our projects and transformations that help set up our future ways of working.

This business plan is structured in line with our strategy, so we have a clear link in our planning and performance between our day-to-day regulatory activities and the strategy. Through our annual report and accounts, and strategy assurance, we will evaluate our delivery against the plan and in particular the key results to ensure they still meet the priorities and requirements of the strategy and our business.

CQC continues to support services to improve. Our focus remains on services that may be struggling, concentrating our efforts where there is more risk for people who use services. However, we will increasingly use our unique position in the system to seek out innovation that supports services and systems to think differently.

The context for our work in the year ahead is that the legacy of the pandemic continues to affect the services we regulate and the people who work in care services.

There are longstanding issues around workforce capacity and planning – this affects the people who need these services. Care pathways and people’s experiences of care are affected by different issues in different parts of the system.

This is a rolling three-year business plan with clear objectives, themes and strategic ambitions. As we deliver on our transformation programmes, we will be revisiting the key results to ensure they align to our new methodology and are clear in our delivery and commitments.

Our plan is to tackle inequalities in health and care, and we are doing this by developing our approach to health and care inequalities - working with our partners, aligning our evidence base and improving our skills for assessment of providers and local systems.

This year, we will substantially progress our Transformation programme which is essential to our ability to achieve our other objectives. We will also assess local systems using our new powers to examine and understand how quality of care is experienced across integrated care systems. We will use our findings to share the good practice we see – it will also help us to challenge the variation we find and drive improvement.

The plan will continue to evolve in line with changes affecting CQC. One of these is the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announcement earlier this year that the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch’s (HSIB’s) maternity programme will be hosted later this year by CQC. These new hosting arrangements will come into force this October, and we are working through the arrangements for the smooth transition of this work and the colleagues who undertake it.

We will continue to monitor our success against our objectives and this plan will be refreshed again in 2024.

People and communities Objective 1: We will respond to information we receive and incorporate it into our regulation. Objective 2: Through our regulation we will work in partnership and collaboration with other sectors and regulators. Smarter regulation

• Objective 3: We will manage our organisation well, determining and measuring this through appropriate assurance.
• Objective 4: We will use insight to measure risk at service and national level and use the insight to prioritise our activities.
• Objective 5: We will have an 'always on' regulation and ensure only services assessed as able to provide appropriate safe care are registered.

Objective 6: We will protect people who use services from risk of harm, by using systematic findings from assessment and enforcement powers where there is poor practice.

• Objective 7: We will train and develop our people, so they have appropriate capabilities and personal and career development. We will respond to their wellbeing needs and reinforce our equalities ambitions, whilst ensuring the key results for our people are supportive of cultural expectations.
• Objective 8: We will manage within our financial resources and measure that we are delivering effectively, efficiently and economically.
• Objective 9: We will deliver reliable, flexible processes and technology and measure that that they are responding to our needs and priorities.

Safety through learning

• Objective 10: We will regulate for stronger safety cultures across health and social care.
• Objective 11: We will listen, learn and respond to people’s concerns about our organisation.

Accelerating improvement

• Objective 12: Using our independent voice, we will communicate our findings on the health and social care sectors and poor practice, and develop our knowledge of what good looks like.
• Objective 13: We will spotlight priority areas that need to improve and enable access to support where it’s needed most and where relevant.

Core ambition: Tackling inequalities in health and care

• Objective 14: We will develop our approach to reducing inequalities in health and care through work with our partners, aligning our evidence base and improving our skills for assessment of providers and local systems.

Core ambition: Accessing local systems

Objective 15: we will examine and understand how quality of care is experienced in local systems and use our findings to share best practice, challenge unwarranted variances and drive improvement., people and communities, objective 1: we will respond to information we receive and incorporate it into our regulation.

Milestones:

• Review our triage and categorisation of Safeguarding and Whistleblowing and define meaningful measures for this information in future, in line with the timing of the regulatory transformation connect. (November 2023)
• We will create and test quality measures for NCSC by July 2023.

Key results:

• Achieve a 60-80% response rate on NCSC call lines.
• Process time from receipt to transferred to Operations (where required).
• Monitor and improve the timeliness of Mental Health Act reviews.
• Ninety-five per cent of safeguarding alerts and priority 1 whistleblowing will have action recorded within 1 day, priority 2 whistleblowing will have action recorded with 3 days and safeguarding concerns and priority 3 and 4 whistleblowing concerns have action within 5 days.
• Monitor the percentage of assessment triggered by people’s experience and feedback.

Objective 2: Through our regulation we will work in partnership and collaboration with other sectors and regulators

• Deliver volume of commitments on partnership assessments per quarter.

Smarter regulation

Objective 3: we will manage our organisation well, determining and measuring this through appropriate assurance.

• We will develop, test and then implement a new quality framework by September 2023.
• We will also deliver the internal audit programme within the financial year. To do this, we will design and develop productivity metrics.
• 90% of audit recommendations are complete within agreed timescales.
• Design and develop productivity metrics.

Objective 4: We will use insight to measure risk at service and national level and use the insight to prioritise our activities

• We will launch national and service level profiles by October 2023.
• Increase the percentage of inspections triggered by risk.
• Monitor and analyse trends around the percentage of risk inspections resulting in a rating less than good.

Objective 5: We will have an always on regulation and ensure only services assessed as able to provide appropriate safe care are registered

• We will further explore and clarify the definition of ‘out of hours’ assessment and what future targets should look like. (Q3)
• We will create and test the process for understanding quality of registration services across Q1 and Q2.
• Reduce the average time between assessments.
• Increase site visits out of hours by 5%.
• Monitor and improve days per quarter that Experts by Experience and Specialist Advisors are used as part of assessment.
• Reduce the volume of applications pending completion that are over 10 weeks old.

Objective 6: We will protect people who use services from risk of harm, by using systematic findings from assessment and enforcement powers where there is poor practice

• Monitor the percentage of services that require enforcement action following regulatory activity.
• Improve the timeliness in taking civil enforcement action.
• Monitor the percentage of civil enforcement which receive representations.
• Baseline (and then improve) timeliness in criminal enforcement.
• Monitor the percentage of successful prosecutions and guilty pleas.
• Reduction in prosecution of common incidents.

Objective 7: We will train and develop our people, so they have appropriate capabilities and personal and career development. We will respond to their wellbeing needs and reinforce our equalities ambitions, whilst ensuring the key results for our people are supportive of cultural expectations

• We will monitor the volume of internal recruitment and promotion and undertake a quarterly review.
• Widening the People/Pulse Survey and ESR protected characteristics data capture (for example, trans and non-binary, disability and neurodivergence breakdown), and going further than the Equality Act characteristics, for example, menopause, social mobility.
• Monitor the percentage of colleagues passing probation (equivalent for internal candidates)
• The percentage of colleagues with career development plan.
• Increase in completion of development opportunities.
• Increase in the percentage of colleagues with protected characteristics at all grades.
• Increase reporting of protected characteristics to 95%
• Increase positive sentiment on ‘recommend CQC as a place to work.’
• Baseline (then increase) positive sentiment on ‘I feel empowered by my line manager.’

Objective 8: We will manage within our financial resources and measure that we are delivering effectively, efficiently and economically

• Within 1% of our available fee funded envelope.
• Within our available Grant in Aid funded envelope.

Objective 9: We will deliver reliable, flexible processes and technology and measure that that they are responding to our needs and priorities

• All staff and providers will be using the new single assessment framework, regulatory framework and regulatory platform by 31 March 2024.
• All staff in corporate functions will be working in a new organisational structure and using the latest cloud-based technology by 31 March 2024.
• Availability of systems – target 99.9%
• Public and provider customer satisfaction on our systems – target 90%
• Increase in positive feedback during people survey, for question ‘I have the equipment / technology to carry out my role.’

Objective 10: We will regulate for stronger safety cultures across health and social care

• Complete research on safety cultures in 2023
• Establish a language and definition of safety culture 23/24
• Develop training to increase internal expertise on safety 23/24

Objective 11: We will listen, learn and respond to people’s concerns about our organisation

• We will create and test quality metrics on culture by December 2023.
• We will produce a quarterly analysis of ratings review.
• We will also support the COVID-19 inquiry.
• Baseline the timeliness in our complaints responses.
• Baseline the timeliness and volumes of Freedom of Information requests we receive and respond to.
• Monitor the percentage of recommendations with progress and on track.
• Improve the sentiment scores for the Pulse survey question ‘I feel it is safe to challenge the way things are done here’ – from 29% to 51% over the three years of the business plan.

Objective 12: Using our independent voice, we will communicate our findings on the sectors and poor practice and develop our knowledge of what good looks like

• We will use our people’s experience framework and pilot inequalities local outreach plans in Q3.
• We will also publish our major reports across the financial year.
• Monitor and improve the number of people who access our major reports and publications through our website.
• Output of quarterly analysis.

Objective 13: We will spotlight priority areas that need to improve, enable access to support where it’s needed most and where relevant encourage innovation and research

• Launch improvement campaigns.
• Evaluate impact of improvement campaign.
• We will publish research on evidence-based practice, improvement cultures and innovation in services to inform our improvement approach across regulation.
• We will also produce our strategic improvement plan by the end of Q2.

Objective 14: We will develop our approach to health and care inequality reduction through work with our partners, aligning our evidence base and improving our skills for assessment of providers and local systems

• We will establish an appropriate structure for enhanced internal and external working.
• We will use published evidence, data and the 42 ICS Health Inequalities reduction plans to assess equity in access quality statement and report nationally. (Q1)
• Obtain health inequalities reduction plans, identify appropriate data and insight, and align our findings to national measures that exist on health inequalities. (Q2)
• We will build evidence to enable us to assess equity in access, experience and outcomes in providers in Q3.
• We will publish analysis of CQC and public evidence to start to understand the quality of care in a local area or integrated care system. (Q3).
• Engagement activities with integrated care systems, providers and other regulators. (Q2)
• Pilot assessment of Integrated care systems (ICS) completed and learning shared in 23/24.
• Pilot local authority assessment to be completed and learning shared, and volume of local authority assessments to be published according to baselining plan in 23/24.

Budget 2023-24

Strategic theme: people and communities.

1.1 Desired impact: Review and improve how we utilize and respond to safeguarding and whistleblowing information in order to demonstrate we are an organisation that listens and utilizes people’s views on regulated services.

• Key result: Ninety-five per cent of safeguarding alerts and priority 1 whistleblowing will have action recorded within 1 day, priority 2 whistleblowing will have action recorded with 3 days and safeguarding concerns and priority 3 and 4 whistleblowing concerns have action within 5 days.
• Milestone: Review our triage and categorisation of Safeguarding and Whistleblowing and define meaningful measures for this information in future, in line with the timing of the regulatory transformation connect. (November 2023)
• Owner: Directors of Operations

1.2 Desired impact: As we transition through regulatory methodology it is important that we monitor and ensure that people’s voice and feedback are key to our regulatory assessment.

• Key result: Monitor the percentage of assessment triggered by people’s experience and feedback.

1.3 Desired impact: To ensure we capture key regulatory information and provide an effective service, calls to our National Customer Service Centre (NCSC) will be responded to quickly, processed promptly and information captured to a high standard to inform our regulation.

• Milestone: Create and test quality measures for NCSC by July 2023.
• Key result: Achieve a 60-80% response rate on NCSC call lines (60% general enquiries, 70% registration, 80% concerns and 80% mental health).
• Key result: Process time from receipt to transferred to Operations (where required).
• Owner: Director of Operations Hub

1.4 Desired impact: Ensure people detained under the Mental Health Act have access to a complaints process where they feel listened to and to increase public knowledge of the experience of people detained.

• Key result: We will monitor and improve the timeliness of Mental Health Act reviews.
• Owner: Director of National Operations

Objective 2. Through our regulation we will work in partnership and collaboration with other sectors and regulators

2.1 Desired impact: Through partnership working we will inspect and assess specialist services to ensure safe and effective care. We will use our findings to drive improvement in these areas. Partnership assessments includes Health and Justice, Children’s service, Mental Health Act reviews and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations work.

• Key result: Deliver volume of commitments on partnership assessments per quarter.

3.1 Desired impact: Defining what good quality regulation is and implementing quality measures locally and centrally, we will provide data on our current status and a governance pathway from strategy to quality improvement informed by quality assurance.

• Milestone: Develop, test and then implement a new quality framework by September 2023.
• Owner: Director of Finance, Commercial, Workplace & Performance

3.2 Desired impact: Our Internal Audit programme will provide independent assurance of our risk management, governance and control measures that are in place. Where recommendations are made, we will ensure timely action is taken.

• Milestone: Deliver the internal audit programme within the financial year.
• Key result: 90% of audit recommendations are complete within agreed timescales.

3.3 Desired impact: Alongside the roll-out of our new methodology and processes we will develop metrics to understand and monitor our operational productivity.

• Milestone: Design and develop productivity metrics.

4.1 Desired impact: We will embed National and Service level profiles in our regulatory approach to ensure all data and information is utilised in our understanding of the risk of services.

• Milestone: Launch national and service level profiles by October 2023.
• Owner: Director of Data and Insight

4.2 Desired impact: We will explore sector and regional variation in the outcomes of our assessment, specifically in relation to those with the most inherent risk, to ensure continuous learning and improvement in our insight approach.

• Key result: Increase the percentage of inspections triggered by risk.
• Key result: Monitor and analyse trends around the percentage of risk inspections resulting in a rating less than good.

Objective 5: We will have an always on regulation and ensure only services assessed as able to provide appropriate safe care are registered.

5.1 Desired impact: We will reduce the time between a service being rated and their next assessment to reduce the time between assessments, especially in poorly rated services. This will reduce the potential impact on people receiving poor care, as well as improve the accuracy of service ratings.

• Key result: Reduce the average time between assessments.

5.2 Desired impact: Out of hours activity is key to our regulation. We will be clear on our definition of out of hours and expectations. Whilst this work is ongoing, we will increase the number of out of hours site visits for services where people live to ensure to ensure we have a wider experience of the service, and the care people receive.

• Milestone: Further explore and clarify on definition of ‘out of hours’ assessment and what future targets should look like (Q3).
• Key result: Increase the percentage of site visits out of hours by 10% by September 2023.
• Owner: Director of Operations

5.3 Desired impact: We will increase the proportion of time that people who use services or are experts in providing services, are involved in assessing service quality.

• Key result: Monitor and improve days per quarter that Experts by Experience and Specialist advisors are used as part of assessment.

5.4 Desired impact: We will develop our understanding of the quality of our registration service through a new process to measure it.

• Milestone: Create and test process for understanding quality of registration service across Q1 and Q2.

5.5 Desired impact: We will ensure we offer a timely registration service for providers.

• Key result: We will reduce the volume of applications pending completion that are over 10 weeks old.

6.1 Desired impact: We will analyse and monitor services that require enforcement following assessment to review for any trends or patterns. We will ensure where we need to take civil enforcement it is undertaken in a timely manner to minimise the risk of people receiving poor care and to ensure the services have the information necessary to take action.

• Key result: Percentage of services that require enforcement action following regulatory activity.
• Key result: Improving the timeliness in taking civil enforcement action.

6.2 Desired impact: We will monitor where we receive representations to civil enforcement to ensure we can learn from any themes in both the challenges and the outcomes.

• Key result: Monitor percentage of civil enforcement which receive representations.

6.3 Desired impact: Ensure we take timely criminal enforcement action that is successful in holding services to account and protecting people and monitor the outcomes of criminal activity to consider any learning.

• Key results: Baseline (and then improve) timeliness in criminal enforcement and monitor percentage of successful prosecutions and guilty pleas.

6.4 Desired impact: Through learning and engagement with the sector we will see a reduction in prosecution of common incidents (such as falls from windows, ligature risks and sexual abuse).

• Key result: Reduction in prosecution of common incidents.

Objective 7: We will train and develop our people, so they have appropriate capabilities and personal and career development; respond to their well-being needs and reinforce our equalities ambitions; whilst ensuring the key results for our people are supportive of cultural expectations

7.1 Desired impact: Ensure our people have the appropriate capabilities for their role we will monitor completion of induction requirements and passing probation.

• Key result: Monitor the percentage of colleagues passing probation (equivalent for internal candidates).
• Owner: Director of People

7.2 Desired impact: We will support our people with career progression through personal developments and participation in development.

• Milestone: We will monitor the volume of internal recruitment and promotion and undertake a quarterly review.
• Key result: Percentage of colleagues with career development plan.
• Key result: Increase in completion of development opportunities.

7.3 Desired impact: We will reinforce and deliver our equalities ambitions as an organisation.

• Milestone: Widening the People/Pulse Survey and ESR protected characteristics data capture (for example, trans and non-binary, disability and neurodivergence breakdown), and going further than the Equality Act characteristics, for example, menopause, social mobility.
• Key result: Increase of percentage of colleagues with protected characteristics at all grades.
• Key result: Increasing reporting of protected characteristics to 95%.

7.4 Desired impact: Through our people survey we will see an increase in the volume of colleagues who provide a positive response to the question ‘recommend CQC as a place to work’, whilst continuing to drive improvement in this area.

• Key result: Increase positive sentiment on ‘Recommend CQC as a place to work’.

7.5 Desired impact: We will understand our colleague’s sentiment in relation to the support and line management they receive through our people pulse survey.

• Key result: Baseline (then increase) positive sentiment, ‘I feel empowered by my line manager.’

8.1 Desired impact: To ensure we are making sound financial decisions we will ensure we manage our budget within our available fee funded envelope.

• Key result: Within 1% of our available fee funded envelope.

8.2 Desired impact: Ensure we are making sound financial decisions; we will ensure we manage our budget within our available grant-in-aid funded envelope.

• Key result: Within our available grant-in-aid funded envelope.

9.1 Desired impact: All CQC will be using a new single assessment framework across all sectors and across the full breadth of our regulation, including registration, assessment, reporting and enforcement.

• Milestone: All staff and providers are using the new single assessment framework, regulatory framework and Regulatory Platform by 31 March 2024.
• Owner: Director of Transformation

9.2 Desired impact: We will have defined structures, ways of working, capabilities, roles and responsibilities for our corporate functions and modernised CQC finance systems, to ensure future resilience, address current deficiencies and deliver a direct benefit to a wide range of stakeholders by upgrading the service offering available to support the business.

• Milestone: All staff in corporate functions will be working in a new organisational structure and using the latest cloud-based technology by 31 March 2024.

9.3 Desired impact: We want to ensure our colleagues and providers who use our systems, have access to reliable consistent technology systems to support our work.

• Key result: Availability of systems – target 99.9%.
• Owner: Director of Technology

9.4 Desired impact: We will track customer satisfaction with our systems to understand the digital service we provide and inform improvement.

• Key result: Public and Provider Customer Satisfaction on our systems – target 90%

9.5 Desired impact: We want to ensure our people have a positive experience with their equipment and technology, that makes it possible to do their work.

• Key result: Increase in positive feedback during people survey, for question ‘I have the equipment / technology to carry out my role’.

10.1 Desired impact: We will regulate for stronger safety cultures across health and social care.

• Milestone: Complete research on safety cultures in 2023.
• Milestone: Establish a language and definition of safety culture 23/24.
• Milestone: Develop training to increase internal expertise on safety 23/24.
• Owner: Director of Policy and Strategy

Objective 11. We will listen, learn and respond to people’s concerns about our organisation

11.1 Desired impact: Ensure we have a culture in place to listen, learn and respond as an organisation.

• Milestone: Create and test quality metrics on culture by December 2023.

11.2 Desired impact: We will respond to complaints about CQC, and Freedom of Information requests in a timely manner to ensure we are transparent and providing information / supportive of those who contact us.

• Key result: Baseline the timeliness in our complaint’s responses.
• Key result: Baseline the timeliness and volumes of Freedom of Information requests we receive and respond to.
• Owner: Director of Governance and Legal Services

11.3 Desired impact: We will respond to requests to review the ratings reviews that we have received and evaluate the reviews for any themes, trends or learning.

• Milestone: Quarterly analysis of ratings review

11.4 Desired impact: As an organisation we will support the learning process from the COVID-19 pandemic, including providing information, documentation and supporting the COVID-19 inquiry.

• Milestone: Support the Covid-19 inquiry.

11.5 Desired impact: CQC colleagues trust and feel able to use our Speak up processes.

• Key result: Improve the sentiment scores for the Pulse survey question ‘I feel it is safe to challenge the way things are done here’ – from 29% to 51% over the 3 years of the business plan.

11.6 Desired impact: To ensure visibility in our delivery we will monitor the recommendations made to CQC from stakeholders and the commitments we make through our publications and track the delivery and progress quarterly.

• Key result: Monitor the percentage of recommendations with progress and on track.

12.1 Desired impact: Our independent voice gives unique perspective on people’s experience and shines a light on inequalities in the sector. Throughout the year we will publish a number of major reports and evaluate and monitor the reach they have.

• Milestone: Publication of our major reports across the financial year.
• Key result: Monitor and improve the number of people who access our major reports and publications through our website.
• Owner: Director of Engagement

12.2 Desired impact: Through quarterly analysis we will demonstrate that we have chosen the most important areas to focus on, based on our evidence and insights, and ensure that, in our publications, inequalities have been addressed.

• Key result: Output of quarterly analysis (To include quarterly qual analysis on decision making for independent voice prioritisation)
• Owner: Director of Data and insight

12.3 Desired impact: Our independent voice will have a strong focus on people’s experiences and seek to reduce inequalities. Independent Voice draws on findings from our people’s experience framework and inequalities outreach.

• Milestone: Using our people’s experience framework and piloting inequalities local outreach plans (Q3)

Objective 13. We will spotlight priority areas that need to improve, enable access to support where it’s needed most and where relevant encourage innovation and research

13.1 Desired impact: We will undertake a series of improvement campaigns throughout the year, and for each undertake an evaluation of the impact of the work, the results of which will inform our improvement campaigns and overall improvement approach across CQC for the following years.

• Milestone: Launch of improvement campaigns.
• Milestone: Evaluate the impact of improvement campaigns.

13.2 Desired impact: We will commission and publish research on evidence-based practice, improvement cultures and innovation in services to inform our improvement approach across regulation.

• Milestone: Publish research on evidence-based practice, improvement cultures and innovation in services to inform our improvement approach across regulation.

13.3 Desired impact: We will produce a plan on activities we will drive improvement internally, and in the health and care system, whilst delivering our strategic commitments. Our plan will incorporate our work on our quality improvement strategy.

• Milestone: Produce strategic improvement plan by end of Q2.
• Owner: Director of Integrated Care, Inequalities and Improvement

Objective 14. We will develop our approach to health and care inequality reduction through work with our partners, aligning our evidence base and improving our skills for assessment of providers and local systems

14.1 Desired impact: In order to ensure appropriate skills, approach and tactical response to drive health inequalities we will establish an appropriate structure to enhance both internal and external working.

• Milestone: Establish an appropriate structure for both enhanced internal and external working (Q1

14.2 Desired impact: We will use published evidence, data and the 42 ICS Health Inequalities reduction plans to assess equity in access quality statement and report nationally. (Q1)

• Milestone: We will use published evidence, data and the 42 ICS Health Inequalities reduction plans to assess equity in access quality statement and report nationally. (Q1)

14.3 Desired impact: We will obtain health inequalities reduction plans for 22-23 to identify health inequalities by footprint area, and this with key stakeholders, appropriate data and insight, and align our findings to national measures of health inequalities. We will use the conclusions throughout our regulation.

• Milestone: Obtain health inequalities reduction plans, identify appropriate data and insight, and align our findings to national measures that exist on health inequalities. (Q2)

14.4 Desired impact: We will build evidence to enable us to assess equity in access, experience, and outcomes in providers in our Single Assessment Framework

• Milestone: Build evidence to enable us to assess equity in access, experience, and outcomes in providers (Q3)

15.1 Desired impact: We will review data, ratings and published documentary evidence across all local authorities, the analysis will enable us to start to understand the quality of care in a local area or integrated care system and provide independent assurance to the public of the quality of care in their area.

• Milestone: Publish analysis of CQC and public evidence to start to understand the quality of care in a local area or integrated care system. (Q3)

15.2 Desired impact: Use our Integrated Care System insights, to engage, influence and drive improvement across sectors.

• Milestone: Engagement activities with integrated care systems, providers and other regulators. (Q2)

15.3 Desired impact: We will launch our work to review and assess how Integrated Care Systems are delivering their responsibilities under the Health and Care Act 2022. Pilot integrated care system methodology in 23/24.

• Milestone: Pilot assessment of Integrated care systems (ICS) completed and learning shared in 23/24.

15.4 Desired impact: We will launch our work to review and assess how Local Authorities are delivering their Care Act functions. Up to five pilots and up to 20 baseline assessments in 23/24.

• Milestone: Pilot local authority assessment to be completed and learning shared, and volume of local authority assessments to be published according to baselining plan in 23/24.
• Owner: Director of Adult Social Care

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Related information

A new strategy for the changing world of health and social care - CQC's strategy from 2021

Annual report and accounts 2021/22

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• Health and social care
• Social care

Adult social care system reform: next steps to put People at the Heart of Care

A plan for adult social care system reform 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 financial years.

Applies to England

Next steps to put people at the heart of care.

Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care - easy read

PDF , 2.98 MB , 14 pages

Key milestones timeline: visual

PDF , 61.5 KB , 1 page

PDF , 458 KB , 46 pages

The government is committed to the 10-year vision for adult social care set out in the People at the Heart of Care white paper.

This ‘Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care’ plan sets out how we are building on our progress over the last year to make sure care is of outstanding quality, personalised and accessible. It details how £700 million will be spent to continue our transformation of the adult social care system in England, including investment in:

• improved access to care and support
• recognising skills for careers in care
• driving digitisation and technology adoption
• data and local authority oversight
• support to enable people to remain independent at home
• encouraging innovation and improvement
• joining up services to support people and carers

Together, these measures aim to put people at the heart of social care and take us on our next step towards our 10-year reform vision.

Alongside this plan we have also:

• launched the call for evidence for the care workforce pathway
• published the Better Care Fund policy framework 2023 to 2025
• published guidance and conditions for the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund (MSIF)
• provided £27 million to local authorities through a grant to streamline local authority adult social care assessment processes
• launched an expression of interest for year 2 funding of the Adult Social Care Technology Fund

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Moscow office.

1350 Troy Highway Moscow , ID 83843 United States

The spiraling 246m high Evolution Tower is located on plots 2-3 of Moscow-City high-rise business district on Presnenskaya Embankment of Moscow river. New multi-function center occupies the territory of 2.5ha in area, 2ha of which is a landscaped terraced civic plaza, the integral part of the new city piazza, the central open public space of Moscow-City business downtown.

ivic plaza includes 10m high ceremonial stairs (leading from embankment and pedestrian Bagration Bridge to the higher terraced levels) as well as landscaped areas with green lawns, trees, water features, travellators and feature lightboxes.

Evolution Tower

Location: Moscow, Russia

Typology: High-Rise, Office, Mixed-Use

Years: Construction 2011-2014

Status: Built

Height: 246m

Design team: GORPROJECT  (2011-2015), 

RMJM Scotland Ltd 

(original concept 2005-2007)

Under the piazza levels the 2-storey retail mall connects the Evolution Tower with metro station and pedestrian bridge over Moscow river, thus integrating the new development into the large Moscow-City district, the Europe's newest and most ambitious high-rise cluster (7 of 10 highest European skyscrapers ae located here), housing over 4 million square meters of office and retail areas with associated transport and engineering infrastructure.   

The Evolution Gallery mall houses food court and 6,000m2 family entertainment and educational center for various children activities (the first center of that kind in Moscow). 

The 82,000m2 office tower has 52 levels rotated 3 degrees each floor with overall twist reaching 156 degrees clockwise. With world’s largest innovative cold-bent glazing the tower façade provides seamless floating reflection that rotates the panoramas of Moscow skyline vertically, where the reflected clouds moving up enhance the dynamic visual impact of the twisted tower, an unprecedented optical effect in the world architecture.  The Crown with supporting steel structure made of two twisted arches provides the helipad at the very top as well as the open observation roof decks at Levels 51-52 featuring the best panoramas of Moscow riverside with views towards the historical center. 

From the very beginning the developer and architects have set an ambitious task to create a recognizable and symbolic tower, the new icon of contemporary Moscow.  The sculptural DNA-shaped twisting tower symbolizes the evolution spiral with the white façade ribbon wrapping over the roof in a form of 90-degree twisted infinity symbol, which speaks of philosophical concept of evolution and celebrates the development of human civilization. From spiraling onion domes of St. Basil to the iconic Tatlin Tower concept the Russian architecture was obsessed with idea of spiral. The simple and innovative design was based on principles of twisting square-shaped floor plates with vertical structural RC frame supported by a central core and 8 columns with continuous beams and 4 spiraling columns at the corners. 

The proposed structural scheme with cantilevered continuous RC beams and cantilevered floor slabs  picking up the overhangs from the twisted floor plates appeared to be simple, efficient and economical. The complex sculptural tower façade envelope was built using the innovative cold-bent glazing with flat double glazed units cold-formed in 3D within the aluminum frame under its own weight to avoid stepping in geometry. This approach appeared to be both more energy-efficient and more cost-efficient solution in comparison to the stepped curtain wall units previously applied in some twisted unitized facades. 

The multifunctional architectural glass by Guardian significantly reduces the solar gain whilst providing the double glazed unit thermal performance equal to standard triple glazed unit normally used in Moscow to withstand harsh winter conditions. The use of innovative TWIN elevators by ThyssenKrupp saved 2 shafts within the core (10 TWINs instead of 12 double-deckers in the original concept) and contributed to the overall project sustainability with lesser power consumption per passenger. Other sustainable design features include green roofs over the retail mall and integrated coil floor heating under landscaped civic piazza levels using the return water in winter to melt the snow and ice for the safety of pedestrians. The reinforced concrete formwork by PERI, including self-climbing ACS formwork specially designed for the twisting corner columns, allowed to achieve the impressive speed of RC frame construction of 6 days per floor due to perfect site logistics by Renaissance Construction as main contractor. 

All innovative design solutions and optimizations secured the delivery of this fairly unique skyscraper within the project plan and almost within the budget of the standard ‘benchmark’ high-rise building. This turned out to be a major achievement of the design and construction teams. 

The organic twisting silhouette dominates on its background of extruded glass towers greatly contributing into the overall composition of the high-rise Moscow-City cluster. The development delivered a significant open public space on the landscaped roof of the retail mall, thus providing the perfect mix of business uses with public and social activities of the civic plaza and the mall with its food court and core family entertainment function. The synergy of that mix with large underground car-park complemented by the direct link to the metro station and pedestrian bridge as means of main public transportation secured the successful project completion with the recent entire tower acquisition. Bold shape and timeless aesthetics as added values brought by its unique architecture materialized in a commercial success of this project with the tower being fully acquired for corporate headquarters even in the context of oversupply in the Moscow office market. The outstanding quality of architecture and its fine detailing, state of the art building services and communications of Class A office Tower together with the highest level of transport accessibility  (direct access to metro station from the lobby, large car-parking, proximity to boat pier and helipads) make this property very attractive for tenants and visitors. The beautiful riverside panoramas from offices are complemented by green roof and water features of the large 2ha terraced civic piazza as the main recreational outdoor space with direct link from the office tower lobby. 

The highest quality of façade cladding, glazing, vertical transportation and MEP equipment from leading European and international suppliers provided the truly Class-A office environment with the luxury of minimalist spirit in the architecture of the new landmark on the Moscow skyline. Even before its completion the sculptural spiral of Evolution Tower, more often appearing in commercials, posters and magazines, became a new icon for modern Moscow as the symbol of its business ambitions and fast development. The Evolution Tower also became the monument to the courage of its developer (Snegiri Group) and investors, who built the great deal of trust with architects, engineers and contractors by investing their efforts and funds in a challenging adventure of designing and building the unique and innovative skyscraper for the capital of Russia. 

Evolution Reflections

Philipp nikandrov.

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How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

A mexican drug cartel is targeting seniors and their timeshares..

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi and Will Reid

With Clare Toeniskoetter and Lynsea Garrison

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Rowan Niemisto ,  Dan Powell ,  Pat McCusker and Will Reid

Engineered by Chris Wood

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Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.

Maria Abi-Habib, an investigative correspondent for The Times, tells the story of a victim who lost everything, and of the criminal group making the scam calls — Jalisco New Generation, one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.

On today’s episode

Maria Abi-Habib , an investigative correspondent for The New York Times based in Mexico City.

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How a brutal Mexican drug cartel came to target seniors and their timeshares .

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

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Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

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72 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Moscow

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Sure, Moscow is the Russian political capital and the nation’s most populous city, but describing it as such couldn’t be any further from the truth. More accurately, Moscow is a city of contrasts.

It exudes history — its Kremlin dates back centuries, nodding to royalty and leadership old and now, while the famed Red Square, the poster child of the city, blends striking color with ancient tradition and religion.

On the other hand, it’s a city of modern pop culture and towering skyscrapers; a place where you’ll come across new-age museums, arts centers, manmade parks, and an efficient transportation system that’s one of the most beautiful in Europe.

It’s a city of longstanding culture — the Bolshoi Theater is an international symbol for excellence in classical dance, while Russia’s National Ballet Company remains renowned worldwide — as well as upbeat nightlife, with some of the world’s most celebrated rooftop bars and nightclubs.

While it’s a city filled with opposites, there remains no shortage of things to do in Moscow for all types of travelers — from those who want cultural immersion to those looking for an epic night out, you’ll be spoiled for choice. And if you’re not sure where to start, here’s a list of suggestions!

The Moscow Kremlin

If there’s any particular district begging to be the first place you visit on your trip, it’s the Kremlin.

Built in the 16th century by Ivan the Terrible, the UNESCO-listed area has since become the heart of Russia’s capital city, where you’ll find several churches, palaces, and other noteworthy buildings.

We’ll dive into each of its main attractions in a second, but regardless of what you visit, try to make it to the Kremlin in time for sunset — because seeing its golden domes glinting in the late-afternoon light makes for one spectacular tourist photo!

Click here to learn about Kremlin tickets prices .

1 – Admire the abundance of Kremlin towers | the Kremlin

As your eyes dart down the towering red-brick Kremlin wall, the first thing you’ll notice is its large towers of all different styles and sizes.

With a whopping 20 separate minarets towering above the historic area, each with its own name, colors, features and history, a guided tour to learn each of their fascinating stories is a must.

To give you a little taste, the Konstantin-Yeleninskaya Tower once housed a torture chamber. Saviour’s Tower at the main entrance boasts a famous chiming clock, the Secret Tower houses a secret escape tunnel, and the Trinity Tower is the tallest of them all.

• Moscow Kremlin tours

2 – Visit the enormous Grand Kremlin Palace | the Kremlin

A remarkable attraction in terms of both beauty and history, the Grand Kremlin Palace is an ornate rococo-style building that was commissioned during the reign of Nicholas I, and today acts as the official residence of none other than the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

Perched atop Borovitsky Hill, its 125-meter-long facade is unmissable, making for impressive photos.

Take note: guided tours are few and far between, so you’ll have to book a few weeks in advance if you want to check out the decorated inner sanctum.

Directions in Google Maps

3 – People-watch in Cathedral Square | the Kremlin

One of the most popular areas in all of Moscow (sometimes called Sobornaya Square), with multiple massive churches at its heart, Cathedral Square is flanked by several historic buildings and is never shy of a tourist crowd.

The three main churches — each spectacular works of architecture in their own right — are the Cathedral of the Assumption (the oldest and the biggest of all Kremlin churches), the 16th-century Cathedral of the Archangel Michael (known for its beautiful Corinthian gables and turrets), and the golden-domed Cathedral of the Annunciation (which connects to the Grand Kremlin Palace’s main building).

Throw in the 60-meter-high Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the lesser-known Church of the Twelve Apostles , the Church of the Deposition of the Virgin’s Robe (underrated yet famous for its marvelous stained-glass windows), and the medieval residence-turned-museum that is The Patriarch’s Palace, and you can see why this square is regularly number one on any visitor’s list of things to do in Moscow.

4 – See a show at the State Kremlin Palace | the Kremlin

Just like the Grand Kremlin Palace , this theater and prestigious concert hall — with its grandiose facade and multiple sculptures — is another ornate building that’s worth admiring.

A popular place to hold conferences, the State Kremlin Palace was originally built as part of a larger complex for Communist Party meetings, but today hosts some of the biggest events in Moscow — we’re talkin’ sold-old ballet performances, world-famous concerts, opera shows, and festivals.

Check the website to see what’s on the calendar for your visit!

5 – See centuries worth of national treasures at the Armoury Chamber | the Kremlin

For anyone with an interest in historical weaponry and armor, this museum — which dates back to the early 1500s when it was created as the royal armory — is a must-see.

The Armoury Chamber (as well as the Diamond Fund Exhibition) is home to some of the most valuable objects that were originally owned by Russian monarchs — from jeweled heirlooms and intricate boxes to ornately decorated pistols and swords — many of which are centuries old.

Within the armoury chamber, you’ll also find the Russian historical regalia, a collection of artifacts that belonged to Russian tsars and emperors between the 13th and 20th centuries, highlighted by the Ivory Throne and the Monomakh’s Cap.

• Armoury Chamber tours

6 – Step inside the Palace of the Facets | the Kremlin

The Palace of the Facets is one of the most underrated buildings in all of Moscow, largely because it’s not as widely promoted or photographed even though its exterior adorns some postcards.

From the outside, it blends in with the crowd. But step inside and you’ll discover a world of beauty and wonder — its frescoes, golden columns and enormous rooms are a sight to behold

The Palace of the Facets is not only a piece of art (literally, with painted walls), dating back over 500 years, but also acted as the dining hall for the Tsars.

7 – Feel small next to the Tsar Bell | the Kremlin

Making Philadelphia’s famous Liberty Bell look diminutive in size, this monument , which never actually functioned as a bell due to its immense size (at 205 tons and standing 20.1 feet high!), has found fame in recent years for being the heaviest attraction inside The Kremlin.

With the bronze landmark’s claim to fame of being the biggest bell in the world, it presents as a great, quick photo op when roaming through the Kremlin.

8 – Check out the Senate Palace | the Kremlin

Another architectural masterpiece that’s tucked away within the Kremlin, this palace is famous for being one of Moscow’s most beautiful buildings — its yellow façade curves around to face inward and truly engulf anyone who stands near it.

Built back in the late 1700s, today it houses the Russian presidential administration and, unfortunately for us, is off limits to the general public.

Still, admiring it from outside, with the nearby Tsar Cannon, is certainly good enough.

9 – Grab a photo in front of the Tsar Cannon | the Kremlin

One of Moscow’s most iconic symbols, Tsar Cannon (or Royal Cannon) is a cannon that was manufactured in 1586 and resides — yep, you guessed it — within The Kremlin.

Following the theme of the enormous Tsar Bell, it weighs a whopping 39 tons — making it one of the world’s largest cannons even though it has never been shot.

And while its size may be impressive on its own, what makes this cannon so special is that it’s adorned with intricate carvings, ornaments, inscriptions, and a figure of a horse-riding Tsar Feodor the Bellringer.

• walking tours in Moscow

10 – Join a tour of the Terem Palace | the Kremlin

A stunning, fairytale-like palace that’s steeped in history and detail, the five-story Terem Palace is one of the most underrated attractions within The Kremlin. However, as part of the official residence of the Russian President, much of it is off-limits to snap-happy tourists.

That said, there’s still plenty to be seen in the accessible areas by joining a group tour: a beautiful white-stone carved staircase; curved, decorated, and painted ceilings; and an enchanting low-vaulted Antechamber with lancet windows.

The Red Square

As we move away from the Kremlin, our next stop is the most photographed, picturesque public area in the country.

Flanked by gorgeous, colorful towers and buildings, the Red Square is the most famous square in all of Russia — and one that’s steeped in history, patriotism, and communist symbolism.

Home to some of Moscow’s greatest landmarks including St Basil’s Cathedral (featuring its iconic onion domes), Lenin Mausoleum, GUM department store (an architectural masterpiece that is the most famous shopping mall in Russia), The State History Museum, and more, it’s not just a sight to see in Moscow but also one that has been seen by hundreds of millions from around the world.

11 – Make your way inside St. Basil’s Cathedral | Red Square

Built back in the early 1500s, this quirky-looking, 65-meter-tall Orthodox church is so unique and detailed that it’s earned its place as one of 16 UNESCO cultural sites in Russia — and, thanks to many Hollywood productions like Bond: Skyfall (2012), has only continued to increase in fame.

Its exterior boasts multi-colored domes crowned with golden onion top spires. Meanwhile, inside, you’ll find nine small, separate chapels, and plenty of decorated walls and windows — all best viewed as part of a walking tour of Red Square.

• Red Square tours in Moscow

12 – Visit the State Historical Museum | Red Square

One of seven museums that can be found around the expansive Red Square, the State Historical Museum is one of Moscow’s most revered.

Housed in a neoclassical building (the same as GUM), it features more than 4 million items relating to Russian history — making it so vast and incredible that you’ll need at least two hours inside to see just a fraction.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Marshal Georgy Zhukov Monument, a towering horse-riding statue of arguably the most famous and heroic Soviet military commander of WWII, which can be found in front of the museum.

13 – Shop till you drop at GUM | Red Square

The official state department store of Russia, having opened in 1893 and become one of Moscow’s most iconic attractions for shopaholics over the years, is known for its gorgeous architecture that looks more like a palace than anything else.

Entering through its massive golden doors, you’ll be surprised to find an extensive shopping center with more than 100 luxury and world-renowned brands of clothing and accessories for men, women, and youngsters.

Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, stop into the Gastronom №1 for a bite to eat or take a stroll through its corridors to appreciate the building’s history and beauty.

14 – Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum | Red Square

Another iconic Red Square attraction is Lenin’s Mausoleum, a small yet foreboding building that houses the embalmed corpse of Communist leader Vladimir Lenin (who led Russia through the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917).

Opened in 1930 after his death and standing at more than 12 meters tall, it presents as both a unique and macabre site — and, considering the life-like nature of the body, certainly isn’t for the faint of heart.

Note: Entrance is free of charge, but expect to be searched by security before being allowed in.

15 – Ride the Moscow Metro, enjoying the beautiful stations along the way

As we leave the Red Square, the next cab off the rank is Moscow’s unbelievable artistic Metro network (rivaled only in beauty by that of Stockholm). Constructed between the 1930s and 1950s, its stations were built by hand with a wide range of artistic themes — from socialist realist to Slavic pagan.

Tips: The best way to experience them is as part of a Moscow Metro tour, which can be booked online. However, if you prefer exploring solo, then make sure to visit the Mayakovskaya Metro Station which is known for its seemingly endless archways.

You may also check out Dostoyevskaya, named after a famous writer with murals depicting his stories. The Ploshchad Revolutsii Metro Station is another option where a handful of Socialist statues provide a wonderful contrast to the red marble arches.

• metro tours in Moscow

16 – Spend the afternoon exploring the State Tretyakov Gallery

Boasting the reputation of being one of the world’s leading art museums, the State Tretyakov Gallery is home to a stunning collection that features well over 100,000 works from Russia and around the globe.

Featuring everything from ancient Russian icons to Soviet-era artifacts and contemporary pieces, the museum also houses a charming green garden perfect for recharging.

Visitors are advised to allocate at least three hours inside to properly appreciate everything on show — or consider booking a private VIP tour to skip the lines and focus on the best sections.

• Tretyakov Gallery tickets

Click here to find out the best Moscow tours .

17 – Get out of town to the Tsaritsyno Museum & Nature Reserve

Located a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the Red Square, this incredible attraction is both a palatial museum and cultural center, with an enchanting open-air garden to boot — spread across 405 hectares altogether.

Boasting beautiful 18th-century baroque architecture, it was originally built as a country retreat for Catherine the Great. However, it has since been transformed into an outdoor museum with several museums inside — including exhibits dedicated to Russian history and culture.

18 – Tick off the main haunts with a hop-on hop-off bus ride

Short on time or just can’t be bothered walking around anymore? Then make sure to check out the double-decker Hop-on-Hop-off Bus, a convenient and cheap way of seeing all the main attractions in one go.

With unlimited-ride tickets lasting between 24 and 72 hours, there’s plenty of flexibility to soak in must-see areas like Red Square, the Kremlin, Arbatskaya Square, Theatre Square, and the Red October neighborhood — and with a free audio tour (in English) throughout the ride, you’re sure to learn a thing or two as well.

Busses usually run every 15 minutes, with the full city loop taking roughly an hour — of course, you can disembark and reboard to your heart’s content.

• bus tours in Moscow

19 – Learn about military history on Poklonnaya Hill

For an up-close and personal experience with the past, make sure to check out Poklonnaya Hill — a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 20 minutes out from the city center that’s home to several relics from Russia’s pre-revolutionary era.

It has everything from Great Patriotic War memorials dedicated to fallen soldiers of the Russian military forces, to the Eternal Flame and the Museum of Great Patriotic War. This is an unmissable opportunity for history buffs.

Hot tip: While you’re in the area, be sure to stop into the Victory Museum (the nation’s biggest military history museum) and check out the gold-tipped Church of St. George the Victorious .

20 – Get artsy at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

Home to one of the finest and most significant art collections in Russia, the highly-regarded Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts showcases everything from medieval icons and paintings. With over 500,000 pieces of works by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Karl Bryullov and Rubens, the museum is undeniably one of the best things to do in Moscow for art lovers.

The museum also houses impressive exhibits dedicated to ancient Greece, archaeological collections, decorative arts and a 200,000-item Numismatic library.

21 – Take a charming stroll down Arbat Street

Boasting everything from galleries and craft stores to souvenir shops, cafes, and some of Russia’s finest restaurants and hotels — as well as top-notch street performers (like jugglers and caricaturists) — Arbat Street is one of Moscow’s most famous pedestrian hubs for good reason.

The entire walkway, flanked by colorful buildings, stretches about a kilometer through the historic district, making it the perfect start to any day of inner-city exploring.

22 – Lounge around at the Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

One of Moscow’s biggest and most beloved green spaces, Gorky Central Park is a must-visit for anyone looking to soak in some fresh air.

The park boasts 45 hectares of picturesque grassland, forests, Golitsinsky Ponds (home to squirrels and ducks), walking trails, fountains and the Neskuchny Garden. This place is also home to the wooden Olivkovy beach, a hot spot for photographers looking to appreciate the Moskva river.

Plenty of cafes line the well-manicured park, likewise public art projects and picnic spots and an open-air cinema in the summertime!

While a relaxing day in the gardens is never a bad idea, if you’re looking for something a little more interactive, there’s the 18-meter-tall Observation Platform and a handful of museums on site. The Gorky Park Museum , Muzeon Park of Arts , Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and New Tretyakov Gallery are all noteworthy stops within walking distance.

23 – Stare at the ceiling of the Christ the Savior Cathedral

On an easy stroll from the southwest side of the Kremlin, you’ll find a majestic memorial cathedral doused in history: the 5-golden-domed Christ the Savior Cathedral .

With a beautiful color-contrasting exterior that still falls short of the intricately painted inner walls and ceiling, this underrated (due to not being in Red Square with the other main cathedrals) attraction is a must for the bucket list.

24 – Zoom around town in a Soviet van

If a hop-on-hop-off bus screams of cliche tourism, why not get a little more cultured by skirting around the city’s main haunts in a real, war-era soviet van?

Undeniably one of Russia’s most emblematic vehicles as both a symbol of a Soviet past and a comical cultural nod to its boring exterior (dubbed the “loaf of bread”), the UAZ-452 vans are iconic.

So whether you opt for a pub crawl, landmark sightseeing tour, or day of adventure with wintertime off-roading, be sure to ride shotgun in one of the loaves of bread at some stage!

• soviet tours

25 – See sharks up close at the Moskvarium

The mightiest aquarium in Europe (by size), the Moskvarium is an impressive modern space dedicated to the beauty and diversity of aquatic life.

Located right on the outskirts of Moscow’s city center (about 20 minutes drive from Red Square), this huge complex encompasses over 70 interactive exhibits. These include live shows, and the chance to go swimming with dolphins — that are sure to impress the whole family.

26 – Go underground at the Bunker 42 Cold War Museum

In the depths of Moscow’s shadow-strewn streets, hidden 65 meters beneath the tourist crowds are a Cold War-era bunker and former secret communications center.

Bunker 42 was built in 1955 as a nuclear-proof hideaway, but today you can book tours that reveal its secrets and stories — a must for the common history buff.

• Bunker 42 tickets

27 – Immserve yourself in the soviet culture at the VDNKh theme park and exhibition space

Sprawling across the Ostankinsky District, VDNKh is a massive open-air museum and theme park paying homage to Russian industry and Soviet values.

The enormous complex is decked out with several gold-clad statues and palatial pavilions, each uniquely designed to represent different Soviet interests and endeavors, such as geology and the space race.

Hot tip: For a wonderful view of the Moscow skyline, be sure to jump on the Ferris wheel after riding the small roller coasters and merry-go-round.

28 – Take a trip to the Kolomenskoye Palace

Overlooking the sparkling Moskva River about 20 kiometers south of central Moscow, the postcard-worthy Kolomenskoye Palace is a former royal estate. It’s now open to the public as an extensive park with carefully-kept gardens, including one of Russia’s oldest white stone churches (the tent-looking UNESCO-listed Ascension Church ).

It has walking trails through peaceful wooded areas and gorgeous views out over the region from its high hilltop location. The park has long been considered one of the hidden gems when it comes to things to do in Moscow.

29 – Enjoy the view from the Ostankino TV Tower

With the coveted claim to fame of being the tallest free-standing structure in Europe (and 11th tallest in the world) — standing above the Empire State Building, for reference — the 540.1-meter-tall Ostankino Tower is picturesquely located next to Park Dubovaya Roshcha, not too far from VDNH, the Moskvarium, and the widespread Park Ostankind.

So long as you’re not left lighthearted by heights, the 337-meter-high observation deck is the go-to spot for panoramic views.

30 – Blast off at the Museum of Cosmonautics

One for the space nerds and future astronauts, the Museum of Cosmonautics is dedicated to the history, present-day relevance, and future possibilities of space exploration. It provides a spectacular insight into the Soviet perspective of the 1960s space race.

Located on a lovely green site in one corner of VDNKh, the museum features an outdoor planetarium, interactive displays for children, as well as inside exhibits that showcase original spacecraft parts.

For the best experience, consider a pre-arranged tour that includes access to both the Museum and VDNKh.

31 – Complete your Moscow culinary experience with a food tour

Foodies, listen up! Moscow has gained a reputation for being one of the finest cities in Europe for foodies, with an excellent range of restaurants and bars.

For those looking for a complete Moscow culinary experience that includes some of the best hidden gems and experiences, food tours are an ideal way to go.

Depending on your tour of choice, expect to sample a few Pelmeni (dumplings), Blini (wafer-thin pancakes), and world-famous Ponchiki doughnuts. Then wash it all down with some locally-distilled vodka or Nalivka (a sweet berry-infused liquor).

• food tours in Moscow

32 – Smell the flowers at the Main Botanical Garden — the largest botanical garden in Europe

Constructed in 1945, the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences is a 340-hectare space of plant collections and lakeside walkways to explore.

It’s one of those places that gets better as you make your way around it on foot (or even rollerblades). There are many well-kept gardens, beautiful ponds filled with turtles and waterfowl, a charming Japanese Garden and some very rare trees.

33 – Wander around the Novodevichy Monastery

The Novodevichy Convent and surrounding Kremlin-style walls combine to be one of Moscow’s most picturesque sites — a UNESCO-listed complex that was founded in the 1500s and includes an interweaving of churches, cathedrals, bell towers and a cemetery.

After admiring the buildings, check out the monastery which is surrounded by green spaces perfect for a stroll and a snack.

To learn all about its architecture and history, opt for a guided tour as recommended by most travelers.

34 – Ride the coasters at Family Park SKAZKA

If you’re traveling with youngsters who seem to never be able to burn off their energy then make a beeline for the Krylatskoye District neighborhood, home to the popular SKAZKA adventure park.

Kids can enjoy everything from bumper cars to the petting zoo, while parents might want to pop into one of the cafes or restaurants.

Even if you don’t have kids in tow, the adrenaline-pumping roller coasters invite thrill-seekers of all ages.

35 – Understand the deeper meanings of “Soviet Jew” at the Jewish Museum & Centre of Tolerance

Opened in 2012, the Jewish Museum and Centre of Tolerance is a fascinating institution dedicated to exploring and honoring the diverse complex Russian-Jewish history and culture.

Explore every facet of the role of Russian Jewry throughout the centuries — including food, artifacts, religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Visitors can also see an array of exhibits made from testimonial footage, as well as a large collection of works of Jewish artists.

For history buffs, the museum dives into the intriguing role that Jewish soldiers played during World War II.

36 – Cruise down the Moscow River!

For those looking for a unique perspective on the city, there are stacks of tours (romantic, sightseeing, luxury-themed or party-vibed) that explore Moscow from its riverfront.

Take in some of the most iconic landmarks around the Kremlin and Gorky Park on a boat. Cruises can also take you underneath bridges, entertain you with live music and offer insights into the landmarks that pass by with live audio narration.

• boat tours in Moscow

37 – Grab a table at Café Pushkin

A favorite of many Muscovites, Cafe Pushkin on Tverskoy Boulevard is an intimate spot to enjoy some authentic Russian dishes.

It’s hand-picked by locals for its traditional décor resembling a nobleman’s house and charming atmosphere (thanks largely to the rustic bookshelves). You’ll find that the menu consists mainly of classic European cuisine mixed with a few local favorites. It’s complemented by a wooden bar with a fine collection of vintage wines and regular live music.

38 – Spend the day at the Karibiya Aquapark

After a hard day exploring the city, why not spend some time out to relax and unwind at one of Moscow’s largest water parks?

Karibiya has a handful of pools (including a heated salt-water spa) and fun but not too wild slides, plus a bowling alley for the kids, a fitness center and bar for the adults. There’s something to keep everyone entertained.

39 – Take a day trip to Sergiev Posad

A photographer’s dream with blue-and-gold cupolas contrasted by snow-white walls, the ancient town of Sergiev Posad (just over an hour’s drive from Moscow) is a quaint tourist favorite. It’s famous for being home to one of Russia’s most important and sacred monasteries — the free-to-visit Trinity Lavra St. Sergius monastery complex.

Founded in 1340 AD by Saint Sergius, today it serves as an active monastery where visitors are free to attend daily services. Admire its truly remarkable artworks and historic museum collections.

• Sergiev Posad day trip

40 – Spot starfish (and monkeys?) at the Crocus City Oceanarium

One of the latest attractions in Moscow, Crocus City Mall’s iceberg-shaped  Oceanarium is a vast three-floor aquarium. It has more than 5,000 species swimming gracefully under one roof — not to mention the reptiles, birds, and monkeys that also call this place home.

Since the mall also boasts shopping centers, a pair of concert halls and a skating rink, there’s no shortage of activities on offer to whisk away a rainy day.

41 – Button-mash at the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines

Where are the gamers at?

For anyone curious about the video games and technology of Russia’s yesteryear, there’s no better place to visit than this retro museum (complete with Soviet-era soda).

Filled with an impressive collection of more than 100 vintage arcade machines dating back as far as the late 1970s (like ”Pull the Turnip”), it’s sure to take you on a trip down memory lane.

42 – Take a walk through the Alexander Garden

While the majority of Moscow’s other top attractions require a ticket or entry fee, there is at least one gem that doesn’t. It happens to be right on your doorstep if you’re staying anywhere near the Kremlin.

Alexander Garden (also known as Alexandrovsky Sad) is an expansive park that stretches the entire western wall of the Kremlin (nearly 1km in length). It’s filled to the brim with colorful flower beds, winding walkways and calming fountains.

Don’t miss the tomb of the Unknown Soldier while you’re there.

43 – Sign up for a dog sledding adventure!

Cliche? Sure, maybe a little. Seriously fun? You better believe it!

Winter is coming, and that means it’s time to get out there and experience Russia the way only locals can — by dog sledding.

Typically lasting seven or eight hours, these outdoor adventures (which include hotel pick up and drop off) are a wonderful way to experience nature and immerse yourself in ancient Russian traditions — and hang out with a handful of adorable huskies, of course!

Seriously though, this is one of those things you’re going to want photos (and videos) for when you get back home because, really, words just wouldn’t do it justice.

44 – Walk beneath the Iberian Gate and Chapel

Facing away from the Red Square and linking Manezhnaya Square, the Iberian Gate and Chapel (sometimes called the Resurrection Gate) is overflowing with history. It acts as the spiritual entrance to the Red Square and the home of the wooden chapel that houses icons of the Iberian Virgin.

Many believe it is customary to kiss the Iberian icon before entering the gate and for boys to take off their hats. For an insight into the local culture, join a walking tour and learn more about the gate’s significance to religion and history.

To add to the importance, the gate is also the location of ‘Kilometer Zero’ — the official central point of Moscow.

45 – Play all day at the Dream Island theme park

After opening its gates early in 2020, Dream Island earned itself the coveted title of being the largest indoor theme park in Europe (yep, that means it’s even open in the harsh winter).

It’s a delight for kids and adults alike. Throughout the park you’ll find an array of rides themed around classic cartoons like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pinocchio, the Smurfs, Hotel Transylvania and Hello Kitty. It also has charming and well-arranged streets that transport you to bustling cities like London and Barcelona!

Throw in live performances, plenty of eateries, a cinema and a hotel, and you can see why it’s become all the rage recently.

46 – Race against the clock in an escape room

An unmissable and quick activity for any budding Sherlock Holmes out there, escape rooms challenge your mind and require wit, teamwork, and logic. Figure out the puzzles and escape from each room before time runs up.

Moscow’s escape room games usually last around 60 minutes and cover a range of themes (like a USSR Nuclear Bunker or even an outdoor, app-led scavenger game) — perfect for the whole family.

47 – Chill out by the Patriarch’s Ponds

Surrounded by residential buildings in the fancy downtown Presnensky District, the enormous (9,900 square meters, to be exact) the Patriarshiye Prudy is a beautiful oasis. It’s frequented by dog walkers, picnickers, artists and musicians alike.

In summertime, you’ll find people picnicking on the grassy banks or sunbathing by the ponds. In the winter, it transforms into a magical wonderland of snow and ice, morphing into a popular public skating rink.

Directions on Google Maps

48 – Go behind the scenes at Luzhniki Stadium

Moscow’s Lujniki Stadium is one of Europe’s biggest soccer complexes, capable of hosting some 80,000 fans with an electric-like atmosphere — as we saw during its phase as the main stadium of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Besides being the current home ground of Russia’s National Football Team, it also hosts concerts by some of the biggest international acts and was also the focal point of the 1980 Olympic Games.

If your trip doesn’t line up with any sellout matches, you can still join a backstage stadium tour that explores the dressing rooms, press conference room and the field.

49 – Head to Suzdal and Vladimir for a day

A fantastic option for anyone who wants to get out of the chaos of Moscow for a minute, these two towns are parts of the Golden Ring of ancient Russian cities. They present as perfect day trips, thanks to their rich history, diverse culture and white-drenched architecture.

In Suzdal , the Kremlin fortress is the main event, with the Cathedral of the Nativity (and its 13th-century Golden Doors) captivating visitors year after year. In Vladimir , the awe-inspiring Assumption Cathedral (Dormition Cathedral) teaks center stage, with its five golden domes making for a wonderful photo backdrop

Don’t feel like hiring a car? Take the hassle out of your getaway and book a pre-arranged tour that visits both ancient towns on the same day.

50 – Escape the crowds at the Botanic Gardens of Moscow State University

Wielding the title of Russia’s oldest botanic garden, the Botanic Gardens of Moscow State University (founded in 1706) is a fantastic place to escape the city and learn about Russia’s rich flora.

The beautifully arranged garden boasts more than 6,000 plant species that span various climates across the world, allowing visitors to see everything from roses and tulips to cacti and bamboo trees!

51 – Climb inside a tank at the Kubinka Tank Museum

A must-see for any military history buff, the Kubinka Tank Museum showcases dozens of tanks and armored vehicles from across the globe, with a particularly heavy focus on Soviet Union models (to be expected, right?).

The collection includes everything from Polish TKS tankettes to the only remaining Panzer VIII Maus, a captured WWI British Mark V and the Object 172 — as well as plenty of cannons, weapons and missiles.

Serving traditional Russian military meals and national staples, even the cafe-restaurant is military-themed!

52 – Sit front row at the Moscow International House of Music

A world-renowned performance complex on the picturesque Kosmodamianskaya Embankment, this state-of-the-art venue is best known for hosting Vladimir Spivakov’s Virtuosi of Moscow Chamber Orchestra. It showcases everything from classical concerts to jazz, folk music and more!

The venue’s three magnificent concert halls welcome an array of local and international performers. Check the website to see who’s taking center stage during your visit!

53 – Drift through fresh powder on a snowmobile!

While it’s not always winter (though if you want to make the most of your snowy trip, come between December and March), as soon as that first snowfall hits, it’s time for snowmobile tours. Make for a fantastic way to explore the out-of-the-way locations and magical forests beyond Moscow’s city limits.

Even if you’ve never ridden a ski-doo or snowmobile before, the friendly expert instructors will be with you every step of the way, with safety and enjoyment always priorities.

54 – Crank your head skywards in Moscow City

A stark contrast to the ancient and colorful onion domes in the Red Square, Moscow City’s skyscape (aka the Moscow International Business Center ) is full of towering, modern glass-heavy (even twisting) skyscrapers. Many of which are vying at the top of the list of Europe’s tallest buildings.

At 374 meters tall and with 95 floors — and a wonderful restaurant on its 60th floor — the Moscow Federation Tower is a popular choice for tourists. Meanwhile, the 85th and 86th floor of the OKO Towers play host to a Russian restaurant and skating rink respectively.

Be sure to walk through the modern Bagration Bridge and, for the shopaholics, check out the stores and IMAX theater inside AFIMALL City.

55 – Check out Zaryadye Park

Within arm’s reach of the famed Red Square, the peaceful slice of greenery that is Zaryadye Park is a breath of beautiful and natural air amidst the concrete jungle. It’s the first new city park to be opened in Moscow for more than half a century.

At various points around the 10-hectare park, you’ll find a few restaurant pavilions, a media center, a museum and a botanical collection housing over a million plants. It also houses the two-stage Zaryadye Concert Hall where thousands of passersby take a seat on the steps every day.

While you’re there, don’t miss the Chambers of the Romanov Boyars, an unusual museum above the northern side of the park.

56 – Stroll around the cozy Hermitage Garden

Small yet incredibly charming and found conveniently smack-bang in the middle of the city, the Hermitage Garden is a perfect spot to relax and unwind after a day of learning about Russia’s vast history.

Surrounded by the Sfera Theatre and The Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow , this lovely, leafy garden can be both a relaxing oasis or the prelude to an entertaining evening out.

57 – Treat yourself to a ballet show at the Bolshoi Theatre

With a reputation that precedes it, the impressive and world-famous Bolshoi Theatre is a must for any theater lover. Its rich history is making it one of the most iconic theaters in Europe.

While there are several performances to choose from throughout the year — from ballet to opera, classic dramas and even acrobatic shows — you can also get your own private backstage tour.

58 – Get artsy, then party at ArtPlay

This old tea factory turned cultural hub of Moscow’s creative arts is heaven on earth for rotating exhibitions by local artists.

Depending on what piques your interest, you can join in on everything from live music to dance classes, art studio workshops, flea markets and film screenings here. However, after the sun goes down, its alter-ego comes out to play.

So, if you’re feeling peckish, stop into the Domozhilov restaurant nearby for a shashlik. Then wash it down at the English pub with a beer before partying it up at Rodnya, a pumping techno club.

59 – Head to the PANORAMA360 Observation Deck

A surefire hit for the social media feed, the observation deck at the top of Moscow’s Federation Tower skyscraper — PANORAMA360 — is a must-see selfie stop for its killer views and … ice cream factory.

From the 89th floor, you can soak in the wonder of Moscow old and new from above. It has floor-to-ceiling windows providing 360-degree vistas, a rotating restaurant and mini-cinema to boot.

60 – Throw down a picnic blanket in Sokolniki Park

One of the largest green spaces in Moscow, Sokolniki Park is a very popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

Spread across the northeastern Sokolniki District, it’s the perfect distance from the city’s main haunts where the crowds remain small but the accessibility stays high.

With its many activities — from sports to live music to festivals — not much beats this park when it comes to outdoor fun!

61 – Catch a traditional Russian dance show

To get a true sense of the rich and diverse culture in Moscow, you can’t go past one of its many folk dance shows.

While there are several to choose from, “Kostroma” and “The Golden Ring” are two crowd favorite choices. Each is thoroughly unique with traditional music and costumes sure to make for a once-in-a-lifetime night of entertainment.

Of course, due to high popularity, be sure to book in advance.

62 – Book a table at the White Rabbit restaurant bar

Perched above the historical center of Moscow on the 16th floor of the Smolensky Passage building, this lavish restaurant is a must-visit for any foodie-obsessed traveler. Why? Because it continually ranks as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world.

The drool-worthy menu made by fifth-generation chef Vladimir Mukhin consists of creative, beautiful plated meals. The coveted eaterie also boasts 360-degree panoramic views of the city and a fine collection of wines and cocktails.

63 – Have dinner inside the Vysoko-Petrovskiy Monastery

Whether you’re an architecture or history buff, while visiting Moscow, it would be a shame to miss out on the rare chance to eat in an actual monastery.

This one is particularly special as it dates back some 700 years. Not only will you get to dig into an authentic Russian menu, but learn about the history of the building and (depending on your booking package) get a guided tour too.

64 – Pass by the ‘Children Are the Victims of Adult Vices’ sculpture

This free public art installation in Bolotnaya square was created by Mihail Chemaikin in 2001. A somewhat controversial landmark, it depicts how children are influenced by vices — alcohol, theft, ignorance, violence, addiction, poverty and war, to name a few.

The sculpture’s uniqueness and thought-provoking nature makes it an essential stop on any day of wandering around.

65 – Get wild on a pub crawl!

You’re on vacation, so it’s time to let your hair down, mingle with some fellow thirsty travelers and party it up Moscow-style!

High-energy pub crawls are a great way to get acquainted with new friends while seeing Moscow’s unique nightlife scene first-hand. Let the locals lead you to hidden gems, tourist hot spots and quirky dive bars.

If you don’t feel like walking, why not join a Soviet minivan crawl instead (where you can drink Soviet champagne onboard!)?

66 – Roll up for the Nikulin Circus!

If you haven’t had the chance to see a live circus before — and especially if you’re traveling with kids — why not head over to the Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard?

It blends traditional Russian acrobatics with modern-day technology, animals, and the classic circular circus stage. This beloved local entertainment is also considered one of the most enjoyable things to do in Moscow!

67 – Get romantic on a Moskva River dinner cruise

What better way to take in the city’s skyline than from a luxury yacht as you enjoy entertainment, fine dining, and (strong) specialty drinks?

Whether you’re looking for something large that can accommodate groups of friends or something smaller with a bit more VIP style, there are several dinner cruises available to suit any taste and budget.

68 – Explore the wonderful Izmailovo District

One of the city’s best-kept secrets, Izmailovo ‘s focal point is its Kremlin, a colorful wooden complex. Built in 2007, it has had unique museums and flea markets pop up nearby in the years since.

Throughout the area, you’ll uncover museums dedicated to vodka, break and Russian folk art. The district’s charming open-air flea market has all kinds of crafts and souvenirs are haggled on the daily.

Don’t miss Izmailovo Park , which is an enormous 300-hectare space that plays host to souvenir vendors, forest walking paths and even an ice rink in winter.

With so much to see in the district, savvy travelers typically opt for a guided tour.

• Izmailovo tours

69 – Sip on a cocktail at the award-winning City Space Bar and Lounge

Self-dubbed as one of the world’s top 10 bars, with accolades like Luxury Travel Guide’s Bar of the Year 2018, this iconic and luxurious watering hole doesn’t need much of an introduction.

Perched sky-high on the 34th floor of Swissotel Krasnye Holmy, the circular lounge bar slings signature cocktails and dishes up truly stunning views of the city.

Hot tip: While there’s never a poor time to visit, aim to arrive an hour or so before sunset, that’s when the city will truly sparkle below.

70 – Pamper yourself at the Sanduny Baths

If you’re looking for something to ease that throbbing headache after a night of pub crawling, why not try the famous Sanduny Baths , a quintessentially Russian experience?

Famed as one of the world’s most beautiful public bathhouses, Sanduny’s steam rooms and pools are said to be some of the best in Moscow. But for something totally unique, you can’t go past the birch twigs massage (read: beating).

71 – Spruce up your social media feed at some Insta-worthy restaurants

While a good meal is always part of the restaurant experience, getting a good pic for Instagram is half the fun!

Luckily, there are tons of excellent eateries that combine great food with gorgeous aesthetics.

Big Wine Freaks has a fantastic drink selection (naturally), and its dark, classy rooms full of elegant light fixtures and plush furniture bring to mind a spy’s hideout.

Meanwhile, Sempre adopts more of a naturalistic approach, surrounding diners with ferns and greenery.

And at Black Market Moscow , you can choose between indoor and outdoor spaces, each featuring their own unique designs and dining experiences.

Take a bite and snap some pics!

72 – Unleash your inner party animal at the Night clubs

When the sun goes down, you’ll get to see a whole new side of Moscow: its amazing nightlife!

Head to Propaganda for a bite or a beverage, then dance to some quality club tunes.

Or get a little wild at Chesterfield , where you can pay a flat fee and drink as much as you want – the perfect recipe for fun!

And at Rock’N’ Roll , there’s a new form of excitement every day, from DJ sets to live bands, all playing a lively mix of rock music from across the decades.

With all this excitement, you won’t want to book anything early the next day!

How to get to Moscow?

Unless you’re feeling up to the challenge of a long train journey, you’ll most likely be flying into Moscow.

Luckily, it has three international airports to choose from: Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Domodedovo.

Once you’ve arrived, you’ll be able to easily reach the city via the Aeroexpress train.

Where to stay in Moscow?

Golden Ring Hotel  will make you feel like you’re on top of the world, whether you’re getting pampered at the beauty salon or enjoying a meal in the rooftop restaurants.

Or check in to Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel & Business Center , which boasts everything from riverside views and a gym to nearby shopping areas and relaxing Turkish baths.

At AZIMUT Hotel Olympic Moscow , the massages, international cuisine, sauna, and swimming pool will keep you happily occupied in between excursions.

And at sister property AZIMUT Hotel Smolenskaya Moscow , you can savor a nice meal or admire the scenery from the lounge, or stroll over to Gorky Park or roam along Stary Arbat Street.

Meanwhile, Oblaka Hotel blends simple charm and a convenient location, with charming red brick exteriors and easy access to historic sites and a metro station.

• best hotels in Moscow

Visiting Moscow on a budget?

There’s nothing like seeing a city on foot… especially on a free walking tour !

These excursions aren’t just a way to save money while still learning a lot; they also offer a wonderful opportunity to gain local perspectives, courtesy of your guides.

But despite the name, they do accept tips for a job well done, so bring a bit of money with you!

Where to go next?

If you’re short on time but still want to see the best of Moscow, try some multi-day tours ; they’ll provide all of the coolest sights and experiences in an efficient format.

After that, it’s time to start exploring further afield!

Though it’s a bit of a trek, St. Petersburg is well worth the journey!

With its famously decadent buildings to its lively arts scene, this is the perfect place to soak up some culture; but there are also some more offbeat options, like folk shows, vodka tastings, and even an amusement park!

And from the jaw-dropping designs of the metro stations (yes, you read that correctly) to the glimmer of Faberge eggs, it showcases beauty at every turn.

Ready to go beyond Russia?

Dive into the best places to visit in Europe , a smorgasbord of art and history, nature and architecture, showcasing some of the most beloved cities and countries in the world.

Final thoughts

While Russia’s capital may seem imposing, its dynamic culture, live-wire entertainment scene, and remarkable history make it an unbeatable destination, with unique adventures that will linger in your memory long after you’ve returned home.

You may feel a little overwhelmed by all of the incredible things to do in Moscow… but that’s all the more reason to come back!

If you have any other must-see suggestions, noteworthy day trips or quintessential tours worth booking, feel free to write in the comments!

As always, happy travels!