Although a typical vacation itinerary should be full of adventures as well as enjoyable and relaxing things to do, it is best to include some activities that also allow you and your family to learn something new.
This is something that you have to prioritize when you are visiting a place for the first time with your family. You have to take the opportunity to learn about your destination to make your trip more meaningful and memorable.
If you’re spending your family vacation in the United Arab Emirates for the first time, creating an itinerary with the right balance of enjoyable and learning activities is easy, particularly when Abu Dhabi is your destination. You can go to the beach, visit theme parks and waterparks, shop at various malls, and dine at different restaurants for fun.
For your learning experiences, you can explore Abu Dhabi palaces, museums, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and national parks in the country’s capital city.
You can do all these and more in Abu Dhabi.
Top Entertainment, Play, and Learning Hubs in Abu Dhabi
If you want your family to have the perfect mix of fun and learning experiences in the UAE’s capital city, put these places on your itinerary:
1. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Make the most of your vacation in Abu Dhabi by bringing your family to the only Ferrari-branded theme park on earth – Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is one of the largest and most exciting theme parks in the UAE. It covers over 86,000 square meters of land on Yas Island, featuring several rides and attractions based on or inspired by the famous Italian automotive company.
Formula Rossa is the most popular ride in the park that attracts hundreds of visitors every day. It currently holds the record for the world’s fastest rollercoaster, with a speed of 0 to 240 kilometers per hour in 4.9 seconds. Its highest peak is 52 meters.
Flying Aces is another must-try ride for the thrill-seekers in your group. It is a steel roller coaster featuring the world’s highest roller coaster loop.
If you have younger kids, your entire family will love these rides and attractions:
- Formula Rossa Junior
- Turbo Tower
- Flying Wings
- Speedway Race
- Benno’s Great Race
- Tyre Twist
- Viaggio in Italia
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is one of the top family-friendly attractions in the UAE that can give everyone endless hours of fun and adventure.
If you’re looking for other exhilarating experiences, you can try indoor skydiving at CLYMB Abu Dhabi or driving a 2020 Aston GT4 or Formula Yas 3000 at the Yas Marina Circuit.
2. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
There are only three Warner Bros.- branded theme parks globally, one of which you’ll find in the UAE.
Because of this, you need to visit Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi with your family during your vacation here.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the largest indoor theme park on the planet, is home to 29 rides and attractions that range from thrilling to family-friendly.
The theme park’s most thrilling rides and attractions include:
- Fast and Furry-ous
- Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin
- Justice League: Warworld Attacks
- Batman: Knight Flight
Since Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is a family-friendly theme park, there are plenty of rides and attractions suitable for families and young children.
These include the following:
- The Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure
- The Jetsons Cosmic Orbiter
- Scooby-Doo: The Museum of Mysteries
- Ani-Mayhem
- Cartoon Junction Carousel
- Marvin the Martian Crater Crashers
- Daffy Jet-Propelled Pogo Stick
- Tweety Wild Wockets
With these rides and attractions and Superman, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, The Flintstones, and other beloved Warner Bros. cartoon characters running around the park, you and your family will love every minute of your visit here.
3. Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s climate calls for trying various water activities or simply getting drenched in water.
Aside from going to one or more of the city’s beautiful beaches, spend a day at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi to have more fun as you cool down.
This waterpark has over 40 water rides, slides, and attractions, some of which hold world records.
These include:
- Bandit Bomber – the only suspended waterpark rollercoaster in the world.
- Bubbles Barrel – the largest surfing sheet wave on earth.
- Dawwama – the largest six-person tornado water coaster on the planet.
The waterpark’s family- and kid-friendly attractions are:
- Yehal
- Tot’s Playground
- Cannon Point
- Yadi Yas
- Marah Fortress
- Cinesplash
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is the best waterpark to put on your Abu Dhabi family holiday itinerary.
4. Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan, or the “Palace of the Nation,” is the first place you have to visit if you and your family want to know more about the history and culture of the Emiratis. It is the official presidential palace of the UAE.
The exterior of the stunning palace is made of white granite and limestone with a variety of elaborate carvings and designs. Thousands of unique pieces of crystal, china, and silver were also used during its construction.
At Qasr Al Watan, you and your group can explore various facilities and attractions, including a library, great hall, courtyard, and several gardens.
The highlights of the palace include:
- The House of Knowledge – an area housing an exhibition of valuable artifacts and manuscripts from the UAE and other countries in the Arabian Peninsula.
- The Great Hall – this zone showcases various elaborately designed architectural features, such as a central dome, archways, mosaic patterns, and ornaments.
- The Qasr Al Watan Library – a library with an extensive collection of about 50,000 books containing centuries of Arabian knowledge and culture.
The zones for Presidential Gifts, The Presidential Banquet, and Spirit of Collaboration are also worth visiting.
Stay until sunset to watch Palace in Motion, an impressive light and sound show celebrating the country’s historical journey.
5. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the few mosques that permit entry to non-Muslims. Grab this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Islam.
The mosque, which is the largest in the UAE, has 82 domes, two minarets, and a marble and gold exterior. Its architecture, which has strong influences of Emirati, Egyptian, Indian, Moroccan, and Turkish styles, is one of the most beautiful you’ll ever see.
Its interior is just as impressive. An enormous hand-knotted carpet with an elaborate Islamic medallion design made by renowned carpet maker and artist Dr. Ali Khaliqi is displayed inside the mosque.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque also features seven crystal chandeliers of various sizes made by Faustig of Germany.
6. Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn, which was built in 1790, is the oldest standing building in Abu Dhabi.
This old stone fort once served as the royal residence, the seat of government, and a defensive structure.
The original building was maintained and improved during its restoration. Certain areas were renovated to give way to new amenities and features, including the Cultural Foundation and Children’s Library.
Qasr Al Hosn also has a museum that holds an extensive collection of art and artifacts dating back as early as 6000 BC. Because of this, it is one of the country’s most important national archives.
When you’re going on a family vacation in Abu Dhabi, make the most out of your holiday by creating an itinerary with the right mix of fun and educational experiences.
