ABU DHABI AT THE HEIGHT of summer. The temperature can approach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, making outdoor activities uncomfortable for families. Starting next year, however, parents will have a novel way to beat the heat: dress children in winter coats, gloves and hats and let them play in the snow indoors.
The 120,000-square-foot Snow Abu Dhabi will anchor the new $1.2 billion Reem Mall near downtown. While indoor snow parks already exist in hot countries — Dubai opened an indoor ski resort in 2005 — this facility will be the world’s largest, featuring themed zones and 13 distinct snow-based activities designed for all ages.
Abu Dhabi shows what can be achieved when resources are abundant. The emirate is among the wealthiest places on Earth, with a substantial number of households reporting annual incomes above $250,000. That wealth, generated largely by oil, has transformed a once-modest fishing port into a modern metropolis of gleaming skyscrapers and luxury developments.
Most residents are expatriates from South Asia, Europe and North America. For them, the intense summer heat has long been a major challenge. Yet affluence has allowed the city to subvert its climate — creating snow in summer and green oases in the desert — and offer a wide range of indoor attractions that make life comfortable and entertaining year-round.
Yas Waterworld is widely regarded as one of the world’s top water parks and reflects the scale of investment possible in Abu Dhabi. Built at an initial cost of $250 million, the park features 43 rides and attractions, with more than 5.6 million liters of water circulating through its pools and slides every hour. It also includes the largest surfable sheet wave in the world and hosts international flowboarding competitions.
Adjacent to the waterpark is another major indoor attraction, Warner Bros. World. This expansive theme park brings to life characters such as Batman, Superman, Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, the Jetsons and the Flintstones across a range of immersive rides and shows. Dining and retail options are plentiful, making it a full-day destination for families.
World’s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World theme park
PHOTO: © CHRISSTANLEY – DREAMSTIME.COM
The third major attraction on Yas Island is Ferrari World, dedicated to the famed Italian automaker. Highlights include Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster, which accelerates from 0 to 149 mph in 4.9 seconds. For less extreme thrills, visitors can enjoy an indoor go-kart track, racing simulators and other family-friendly activities. The park’s retail and dining areas are set inside an indoor space styled as an Italian village.
Ferrari World sits beside the Yas Marina Circuit, a prominent motor-racing venue. Visitors aged 21 and older can experience the track in a Ferrari, either as passengers with a professional driver or behind the wheel themselves. The circuit, known for hosting the season-closing Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix each November, also stages year-round events such as drag races and drifting competitions that attract automotive enthusiasts.
Theme parks and motorsports are just part of Abu Dhabi’s aim to become a global destination. The city has also invested heavily in cultural institutions. In 2017 Louvre Abu Dhabi opened on Saadiyat Island in the new Cultural District. Housed in a striking building designed by Jean Nouvel, the museum seeks to bridge Eastern and Western artistic traditions and displays loans from its Parisian counterpart.
Plans for additional world-class museums are advancing. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, with a design by Frank Gehry, is expected to show contemporary art, and the proposed Zayed National Museum — envisioned in a dramatic form reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House but on a much grander scale — promises to be a national landmark once built. The Al Qana Aquarium, scheduled to open in early 2020, will feature 33,000 marine creatures across 10 aquatic zones and is set to become the largest aquarium in the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi favors superlatives — the biggest, the most ambitious, the most luxurious — and while that approach may not suit every traveler, it ensures a wide variety of attractions and experiences. Whether you seek high-octane thrills, cultural enrichment or family-friendly escapes from the heat, this dynamic Arabian city offers plenty to keep visitors entertained.
INFO TO GO
International flights arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport, located about 19 miles east of downtown. The first phase of the Abu Dhabi Metro, due to open in 2020, will not initially connect to the airport, though a future station is planned. For now, buses provide an economical option to reach the city, and many hotels offer complimentary shuttle services. The coach from Dubai takes roughly two hours and 20 minutes and is affordable; taxis are faster but significantly more expensive.
LODGING
ARMED FORCES OFFICERS CLUB & HOTEL
Despite its name, the hotel is open to civilians and is very family-oriented. On-site facilities include a shooting range (junior lessons available), a bowling alley, a soccer academy and a kids’ summer camp.
Al Khaleej Al Arabi Road $$$
EASTERN MANGROVES HOTEL & SPA BY ANANTARA
Close to downtown and overlooking a peaceful waterway and mangrove reserve, this hotel does not have a kids’ club but offers babysitting services.
Eastern Ring Road, Salam Street
$$$
YAS HOTEL ABU DHABI
Managed by Marriott, this hotel is an ideal base for visitors focusing on Yas Island’s theme parks and the racing circuit. Some rooms look directly onto the racetrack.
Yas Island $$$$
DINING
CABANA BEACH BAR & GRILL
A day pass grants access to a private beach, pool and the Treasure Island Children’s Club. The restaurant is popular for its burgers and family-friendly atmosphere.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Riviera Beach Club, The Corniche
$$$
THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY
Located in Yas Mall, this familiar family option serves American and Italian-inspired dishes and is known for an extensive cheesecake menu that appeals to kids and adults alike.
Level 1, Yas Mall, Yas Island $$
LIWAN MANSOUR RESTAURANT AND GRILL
A good choice for families wanting to try regional flavors, this Lebanese restaurant offers a broad selection of Middle Eastern specialties, including camel shawarma for adventurous diners.
Khalidiya Street $$