The city is a mecca of educational institutions including more than fifty secondary schools and high schools. Nikolayev is a great location for higher education, being home to the Ukrainian Marine Technical University, Nikolayev Pedagogical University, and the Agricultural Academy. Affiliates of the Kiev-Mogilevskaya Academy National University and the Slavic University as well as the Odessa University and the Kiev University of Culture are located in Nikolayev. There are also other educational institutions, libraries, museums and three theaters as well as the Nikolayev Zoo. The number of educational, cultural and art institutions is growing, testifying to the city's and the nation's spiritual revival. This is especially encouraging now, in the period of economic crisis, which hit the newly independent Ukrainian economy after the collapse of the Soviet empire.
Camping, fishing, and especially yachting and sailing, are iconic outdoor activities here. Yachting is very popular in Nikolayev. The Yacht Club is one of the most favorite places in the city. The Yacht Club is not only the old famous river beach with some ruins of Prince Potemkin's chateau but the place from where yacht regattas start to explore the seas and oceans.
Nikolayev is a very beautiful city. Washed on three sides by the Ingul's and the Southern Bug's waters, it looks, from a bird's eye view, like an open hand turned to the sun.
