Where the Fun and the Sights Meet Learning: 3 Spots to Visit in Abu Dhabi for Families with School-Age Children

Is it time for your annual vacation? Here's an idea: Fly to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi is a tourist haven, especially for families with school-age children. If you're looking for fun but edifying spots to visit on your next family vacation, the top-ranking city in The 2022 Family Vacation Index merits consideration.

Now is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi, especially with the recent opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. This is a marine life theme park, and the fact that it has the largest multi-species aquarium on the planet should already make it worthy of inclusion in your travel bucket list.

Is it time to start building your list of fun but educational destinations to check out when you visit Abu Dhabi? Start with the following places.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi opened its doors to the world in May 2023. It is one of the four SeaWorld locations. The other three are all in the United States: Orlando, Florida; San Diego, California, and San Antonio, Texas.

The marine life theme park is located in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, a premier entertainment and recreation destination in the city and home to three other theme parks: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. It has eight realms, namely:

One Ocean
Abu Dhabi Ocean
Rocky Point
MicroOcean
Tropical Ocean
Arctic
Antarctica
Endless Ocean

All the realms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. In fact, they have advanced animal lighting and climate control systems to mimic the natural habitats of their marine animal residents.

For instance, Antarctica has been designed so its conditions match those naturally found in the polar ocean of the Geographic South Pole (i.e., the Southern Ocean surrounding the Antarctica continent). As such, water temperatures are maintained at 7 °C and air temperatures at 1 °C. The habitats' lighting also simulates the seasonal light cycles. The natural sunlight rhythms (i.e., when it gets light and dark and how long the light and darkness last) help ensure healthy circadian rhythms for the comfort of the realm's occupants (e.g., Antarctic and Subantarctic penguins).

The entire park spans an area of approximately 1,969,796 square feet and contains more than 15,321,979 gallons of water. The world's largest aquarium, one of the theme park's main attractions and home to more than 68,000 marine animals, accounts for over 6,604,301 gallons of this water volume.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is definitely a fun destination for young and old alike, with its rides, animal encounters, live performances, 17 dining options, and 13 retail outlets. More importantly, it provides plenty of learning opportunities and a chance to interact closely with sea creatures, get to know about marine animals, and learn about marine life conservation.

Qasr Al Watan

If you love sightseeing and architecture, you must visit Qasr Al Watan in Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi. There are many magnificent places in the world, but this palace, located in the UAE Presidential Palace compound, is undoubtedly one of the most stunning.

Qasr Al Watan, which literally translates to Palace of the Nation, is a working presidential palace. In other words, government work gets done here. Fortunately, it was opened to the public in 2019, so tourists in Abu Dhabi can now take (more than) a peek inside.

And such lovely things you'll see in Qasr Al Watan! Upon your approach, prepare to be dazzled by the palace's unblemished white granite and limestone walls gleaming underneath the sun. When you get closer, notice the delicate and golden calligraphy swirls on the palace's distinctive domes.

The palace is even more breathtaking inside. The Great Hall, measuring 100 m by 100 m, showcases rich Arabian artistry. Stand at the center of the square room and look at the stained-glass central dome 60 m above the hall.

Everywhere you look, you'll see Arab patterns; there are more than 5,000 traditional Arab (geometric, floral, and vegetal) patterns in the palace. Gilded columns, domes, and flawless marble walls and floors add to the sense of grandeur.

You should check out the chandelier at the Spirit of Collaboration. The country's Federal Supreme Council regularly meets here to decide on policy and determine the country's future direction. Once inside the hall, look up at the gold leaf-lined dome to see the large chandelier, a masterpiece crafted with 350,000 crystals.

Prepare to be not only amazed but also enlightened with your palace booking in the UAE. Qasr Al Watan is more than a testament to the country's wealth and artistry. It is a place that teaches people about:

Arabian architecture and culture
The influence of Arabian scholarship on the world (House of Knowledge)
Arabian literature (Qasr Al Watan Library)
The UAE's past, present, and future (Palace in Motion light and sound show)

Al Ain Oasis

If you feel like going further afield, drive approximately 90 minutes southwest of Yas Island to the city of Al Ain, the Garden City, and visit the Al Ain Oasis. The UAE is 80% desert, as is 70% of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Thus, a lush, green retreat like the Al Ain Oasis should prove to be a treat.

Al Ain Oasis has a dense plant cover, including 147,000 date palm trees and more than 100 types of vegetation. However, it does more than provide shade and a restful refuge. It is important because it features the 3,000-year-old channels that bring water to the oasis, part of the Bedouins' traditional falaj irrigation system.

Abu Dhabi: Have Fun Learning

Abu Dhabi is a place of many wonders. However, if you want a more meaningful and productive vacation, include the three spots on this list. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will teach you about marine life, Qasr Al Watan, the wonders of Arab architecture and the Arab legacy, and Al Ain Oasis, the traditional Bedouin irrigation system that proves the fortitude and ingenuity of the Arab people.

AUTHOR BIO

Jinky Elizan is a content writer for SEO Sherpa. She has more than 15 years’ experience producing content for SEO, inbound marketing and link building as well as copy for web pages and social media. She also develops WordPress websites.