The Finest Issues To Do In Abu Dhabi With Youngsters In 2024: A Household Information

Abu Dhabi holds a particular place in my coronary heart and it nonetheless stays one in every of my favorite Center Japanese locations for households and {couples}. There may be a lot to do in Abu Dhabi, plus you might be just one hour from Dubai, but, it feels no less than to me extra genuine and enjoyable.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is a mesmerising vacation spot that seamlessly blends conventional Emirati heritage with ultramodern structure. They don’t attempt to compete with Dubai however make it in order that they nonetheless stay true to their heritage and encompassing trendy options.
For households planning to expertise town there are numerous issues to do in Abu Dhabi with children. From the thrilling rides on the world’s quickest curler coaster in Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, situated on Yas Island, to the informative and cultural exhibitions at Qasr Al Hosn, there’s one thing to captivate everybody. The indoor theme park ensures enjoyable instances away from the warmth, making it a high decide for household outings.
And if you wish to calm down, you are able to do so at Yas Island Waterpark or spend the day at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to take pleasure in some cool actions and sea Marine life within the Gulf.
Whereas the skyline and the shoreline provide gorgeous vistas and water sports activities, the Commentary Deck at 300 supplies an unparalleled view of town, showcasing sights in Abu Dhabi like by no means earlier than. No journey to Abu Dhabi is full with no go to to Saadiyat Island, recognized for its white sand seashores, artwork galleries, and exhibitions, providing each leisure and a culturally immersive expertise.
Furthermore, for these trying into Abu Dhabi sights, the fantastically landscaped Corniche Abu Dhabi presents a picturesque setting for night walks and leisure actions, making it one in every of Abu Dhabi’s beloved spots.
For journey and schooling, Masdar Metropolis portrays the way forward for sustainable dwelling and its distinctive strategy to city growth for these enthusiastic about inexperienced dwelling.
Abu Dhabi gives a wealthy array of fun issues to do, mixing leisure, journey, and tradition. Whether or not you’re studying by means of opinions and photographs of Abu Dhabi on TripAdvisor LLC or planning your day journey itinerary, you should definitely embrace these not-to-be-missed locations you may miss in Abu Dhabi for an unforgettable household trip.
Finest Locations to Go to in Abu Dhabi
1 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque


You can not go to Abu Dhabi and never go to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The structure, reflecting a mix of Moroccan, Mughal, and Andalusian types, and may maintain over 40,000 worshippers. Guests can discover its 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24-carat gold gilded chandeliers, and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet.
They’ve excursions for vacationers you can take pleasure in and in addition choices with espresso retailers and locations to calm down earlier than persevering with. If you’re a Muslim, you too can pray inside the mosque.
Be sure you cowl your self with maxi clothes as your head and shoulders when visiting the within of Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Fridays are often for Muslims because the mosque continues to be totally functioning. They do have a customer centre with info, however I might recommend going very early within the morning earlier than the Jummah ( lunch prayer) or visiting after within the afternoon.
2 Emirates Palace
Each customer needs to go to the opulent Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The resort, which is at present a Mandarin Oriental, prices over £500 an evening; nonetheless, as a vacationer, you may both go to for a espresso (which we did) or e-book a tour and discover extra areas unavailable to straightforward guests.
Given its twin function as a luxurious resort and a cultural landmark, the Emirates Palace is open to guests, and there’s no disgrace in simply strolling round and having fun with the areas. It’ll take you anyplace from one hour to a number of hours, relying on whether or not you might be having fun with a espresso or reserving a tour of the Palace.
3 The Corniche
You possibly can mix a go to to Emirates Palace with a day within the Corniche. Downtown Abu Dhabi has loads to supply households and people who wish to take pleasure in a stroll by the water. I like how simply walkable town is particularly across the Corniche – if the climate permits it after all.
A number of lodges additionally provide a seaside, which you will get entry to in the event you don’t have one in your resort, although I might advocate Saadiyat Island for a greater seaside expertise.
If you’re visiting from Dubai, reserving a day tour from town could be a extra handy choice to maximise your time there.
4 Seaworld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi gives nice time out expertise for households. This marine-life theme park supplies a singular mix of leisure and conservation, bringing the wonders of the ocean to the desert. They provide instructional actions and far marine life from the Center East.
Seaworld Abu Dhabi is the primary park exterior america. Boasting the world’s largest and most expansive marine life aquarium, it incorporates a vary of sights that cater to all ages. They’ve reveals, excursions, cafes with dolphins or penguins as lunch companions and customarily it’s such a pleasant place to go to with children.
I used to be undecided what to anticipate, however we completely beloved it, and I want I had an additional day to discover.
5 Dune Bashing
A go to to the desert when within the Center East is a should. You get to expertise true desert with the gorgeous golden colors particularly at sundown. You will get your self a information since it is a guided expertise and often dune bashing is completed by proficient drivers who know find out how to.
Dune bashing and desert camp expertise excursions are nice issues to do with children, though I really feel that dune bashing is particularly greatest for older kids. They could take pleasure in sand browsing as nicely, which is a bit of milder. I did get dizzy and automotive sick, so there are higher choices when you have the identical downside.
On the finish of those excursions they often additionally provide a desert camp expertise and in addition camel driving. When you’ve got by no means finished this earlier than it’s positively beneficial for household or vacationers in Abu Dhabi.
6 Yas Marina Circuit Experiences
One of many nice issues to do in Abu Dhabi is to go to Yas Marina whether or not for a guided tour, to look at a System 1 efficiency or my favorite to really get on the observe and bike round it.
That is one in every of my greatest recollections, and I did that nearly 14 years in the past. Twice every week, the observe is open to guests who can carry their bikes or lease one after which take pleasure in a race with the household across the observe. It’s a good solution to take pleasure in a night with the children in Abu Dhabi.
7 Kayaking in Mangrove Nationwide Park
Many individuals don’t think about the Center East to have something greater than luxurious and desert; nonetheless, that is removed from the reality, with many nature choices obtainable, just like the mangroves. I consider that that is a kind of issues to do in Abu Dhabi with children, particularly older ones, who will bear in mind the expertise.
You will get your self a guided tour and kayak across the Mangroves Nationwide Park in Abu Dhabi and study extra about its preservation. It’s positively a fantastic time out and an expertise, and belief me, your arms may not thanks. Additionally, don’t anticipate little helpers to have the ability to assist with all of the paddling.
8 Yas Waterworld
I’ve been to Abu Dhabi many instances over time, however till lately, I had by no means been to Yas Waterworld. I simply felt that with out kids with me, it was not pleasurable.


Whereas this could be the case since I’m not an journey junkie, I actually beloved our day on the Yas Waterworld with the children. We had a lot enjoyable splashing within the swimming pools, and I beloved that I received to expertise this with my daughter.
Positively anticipate to spend the entire day there; there are eating places, actions and slides for small and large children alike. It does get busy, particularly on the solar loungers, however we didn’t really feel there was a queue for the rides.
You possibly can e-book a tour from Dubai or purchase tickets previous to visiting. Shopping for tickets for a number of parks is cheaper in the event you plan to go to a couple of.
9 Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Warner Bros gives children a fantastic day with their favorite characters, so it’s excessive on the listing of households visiting Abu Dhabi. You possibly can discover and play within the space for a full day. Whereas I’ve not visited, my pals adore it, although it’s best for a bit of older kids who’re extra conscious of all of the characters on show.
Additionally they have a theme resort which is simply near all three Yas parks the place you may keep so as to take pleasure in Yas Island extra inside the 40min commute from downtown Abu Dhabi.
10 Louvre Museum
The well-known Louvre Museum opened its doorways in Abu Dhabi in 2022, and it was an immediate hit. The design of the museum is extraordinarily enjoyable, and the white minimalist deco and design add a quiet luxurious. It’s a must-visit whereas in Abu Dhabi by many influencers.
Personally, I felt underwhelmed with the entire expertise. I felt the museum was empty, and though it was so fairly in design, it was missing one thing. Perhaps I simply anticipated extra.
The one half we completely beloved and I want it was the case for the remainder of the Louvre Museum was the Kids’s Museum on the Louvre Abu Dhabi. That they had many interactive actions for youths and we spent probably the most time there with our daughter. It’s a very enjoyable place, and we did take pleasure in all of the adventures and them monitoring their progress as they found the clues. If you’re visiting Abu Dhabi with children and the Louvre museum, don’t miss it.
11 KidZania at Yas Mall
We love KidZania which is principally a minitiature journey park for youngsters. We have now visited fairly just a few of them particularly once we go to Jeddah and it’s sizzling to spend time exterior in the summertime. You possibly can simply spend a number of hours there exploring supermarkets, being a firefighter or a physician – that are my daughter’s favorite professions.
12 Large Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
I used to be by no means a fan of vacationer busses nonetheless after taking one in New York I’ve to say they’re my favorite particularly in giant cities and Abu Dhabi with children positively suits that class. With a Hop-on Hop-off bus, you may take the sights of town and a tour with out having to stroll. When you’ve got younger kids with you, that is a lot simpler particularly if they’re on the stage between pram and strolling.
Contemplating Abu Dhabi and its sights are unfold throughout town, and in the event you don’t wish to lease a automotive, the tour bus gives a fantastic different for households to profit from their time there.
13 Ferrari World
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a Ferrari-branded theme park situated on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It holds the document for the most important house body construction ever constructed and options the world’s quickest curler coaster, System Rossa, which reaches speeds of as much as 240 kilometers per hour (150 mph).
The park opened on November 4, 2010, and is an anchor attraction for Yas Island, which is located about half-hour from the capital of the UAE. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi gives quite a lot of thrilling rides, reveals, and sights impressed by the Ferrari model and its wealthy historical past in racing.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is designed to attraction to a broad viewers of households, thrill seekers, and Ferrari fans. It gives a singular mix of informative sights and adrenaline-pumping rides, all inside the iconic red-roofed construction formed like a large Ferrari emblem. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a principally indoor theme park situated on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
14 Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital Tour
The Falcon Hospital, as its identify suggests, is a hospital for falcons that treats and cares for them. As a nationwide chicken, they take excellent care of falcons and provide excursions and choices to study extra about them. It’s a extremely beneficial tour and place to go to in Abu Dhabi, and for youths, it’s fascinating to study extra about them.
I’ve really had a number of flights within the Gulf the place we had falcons as passengers, and it’s such an clever chicken. At all times a cool story.
15 Fort -Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr al Hosn, or Abu Dhabi Fort, is situated within the coronary heart of Abu Dhabi’s downtown.It’s the oldest stone constructing, initially serving as a watchtower to safeguard the one freshwater nicely on the island. Ultimately, it advanced into the everlasting residence of the ruling Al Nahyan household and expanded right into a formidable fort, embodying the expansion of town itself. The Fort gives a glimpse into the historical past and the way Abu Dhabi was advanced over the centuries to what it’s at the moment.
It’s price visiting whereas in Abu Dhabi. Since it’s situated downtown, you may mix it with a full day of exploring the corniche, the Emirate’s Palace, and the Qast Al Hosn fort. You possibly can e-book a personal tour of the Fort or you should buy tickets on the day. Additionally they maintain a number of occasions all year long.
16 Emirates Park Zoo
Once more that is the proper day of issues to do in Abu Dhabi with children since Emirates Park Zoo though not large gives a enjoyable time out. We did go round 12 and left simply after 6 since we additionally loved a snack and took the sluggish journey across the park. In fact, you may see animals, they’ve actions for youths however I really feel probably the most enjoyable all of us was feeding the elephants and the tigers.
They do have feeding instances the place you may go and watch them feed the animals, however we paid additional to feed the elephants. My daughter completely beloved it, and I might advocate it since I loved it too. The tiger feeding/searching was not a lot, and we needed to wait half-hour for them to set it up.
Total I really feel it was a pleasant time out particularly within the afternoon. Some elements of the park are indoor and others are exterior, so in the event you go in the summertime, ensure you do go within the afternoon; in any other case, you could be dissatisfied.
You possibly can e-book your self a day ticket as they’d that choice and we didn’t e-book prematurely. You pay for some actions extras. Additionally, try Group UAE, which all the time has some good offers.
17 Conventional Emirati Breakfast
You can not go away Abu Dhabi with out going for a standard Emirati breakfast. Our pals who stay in Abu Dhabi took us to the Golden Dalla Meals Restaurant for breakfast. I actually preferred the decor and the way it was arrange as a standard Emirati home. It’s a small place, however the meals and drinks have been good, so it was positively a pleasant begin to your day.
If you wish to expertise some native meals with a pleasant cup of karak, then this place hits the mark.
18 Commentary Deck Emirates Towers
The Commentary deck is a wonderful place to go to for just a few hours to benefit from the views of Abu Dhabi from above. Positioned within the Etihad Towers Conrad within the Corniche, it gives 360-degree views of town and the ocean. You can too sit and luxuriate in afternoon tea there, which is what we did. It’s enjoyable and a great way to spend a day. The children also can benefit from the telescopes there and the good views.
Is it price visiting Abu Dhabi?
I might say it’s positively price visiting the capital of the UAE. They create a extra “quiet” luxurious expertise than Dubai, which I discover loud and overcrowded today. Abu Dhabi is elegant, and plenty of locals stay within the metropolis, which is extra genuine and as welcoming to vacationers as another Emirate.
Household-friendly Resorts in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has many family-friendly lodges, relying on what you wish to take pleasure in whereas within the metropolis. Relying on the place you wish to keep throughout your vacation. For instance Yas Island provide plethora of household and kids-friendly lodges. For youths who love Warner Bros films, you may positively e-book your self into one of many Warner Bros Abu Dhabi theme resort obtainable. They’ve actions and are on Ya Island for straightforward entry to all of the parks.
If you need luxurious in your vacation, Sadiyatt Island and St Regis provide that. One different property I like is the 4 Seasons Al Maryah Island, which could be a excellent worth. It’s subsequent to a promenade and a Mall, making it simpler to maintain the children busy.
I even have an inventory of halal lodges within the Center East that don’t serve alcohol and are as near halal as attainable.
Getting round Abu Dhabi
If you’re new to town or you might be coming from Dubai or planning to go to, I might advocate renting a automotive. Driving within the United Arab Emirates shouldn’t be arduous, and I discovered that Abu Dhabi’s driving is similar to driving within the UK. Whereas Dubai could be a little wilder, it is usually manageable.
With distances within the Emirates being so lengthy it’s best in case your little one is secured in their very own automotive seat and you’ve got extra flexibility over your schedule. Though taxis will not be costly, they will add up if you wish to profit from your keep in Abu Dhabi.
For instance of distances – it takes round 40 minutes with out visitors from downtown Abu Dhabi to Yas Island.
Simply bear in mind if you’re renting a automotive ensure you even have extra excessive insurance coverage for it simply in case of any harm.
How lengthy do you want in Abu Dhabi?
How lengthy you must keep in Abu Dhabi will depend upon what you intend on doing. Personally, I might recommend you go to for every week to take pleasure in spending time on the seaside with the children in addition to planning some actions like SeaWorld or Yas Waterpark, which often don’t have entry anyplace else.
Total I discover that Abu Dhabi with children is a superb choice for households who wish to take pleasure in a calming ambiance, nonetheless have loads of actions to do and luxuriate in high quality household time. Personally, I desire the slower tempo of Abu Dhabi, and since my greatest buddy lives within the metropolis, I quite drive for just a few days in Dubai to see the issues I would like after which return to a extra enjoyable vibe. If you wish to go to Dubai I’ve a number of articles beneath as nicely.
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