Episode 008 Show Notes – Abu Dhabi with Kids
With your hosts Marta & Marianne from Little City Trips.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE but it can often play second fiddle to neighbouring Dubai. Known for its glitzy Formula 1 race, and of course, the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
But just how family-friendly is Abu Dhabi? And would you leave the airport during a stopover?
We welcomed our co-editor Keri Hedrick to talk about her home city of Abu Dhabi.
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We covered a community question “We are visiting Florence soon and we are taking my parents. My kids are 7 and 5 yeas old. I am worried about how we will please everyone. Do you have any tips for multigeneration travel?”
- In some ways, grandparents can be similar to children! They need a fairly structured day with scheduled meal times and regular rest breaks.
- You may need a little more pre-planning, for transport and accommodation, consider making restaurant reservations so you can be seated together.
- With a larger group, a house or apartment may work better than a hotel room. It will give everyone a communal area and their own space.
- Don’t feel you need to do EVERYTHING together, you can split down into smaller groups to follow your own interests.
- Take lots of photos! Treasure the special memories.
You can ask your question in our City Travel with Kids community here and find the full Little City Trips Family Guide to Abu Dhabi here.
[7.02] Abu Dhabi with kids interview with Keri Hedrick
Keri shares her background as a mum of three and expat living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates since 2012. The city has grown extensively, even in the last decade and is very much built with families in mind.
[8.30] Important things to note about planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
Where is Abu Dhabi? Abu Dhabi and Dubai are both big cities in the United Arab Emirate, but Abu Dhabi is the capital. The more beautiful and family-friendly according to Keri! Abu Dhabi is on the Arabian Gulf and has a hot, desert climate.
Important things to note about planning a trip to Abu Dhabi:
- Understanding the seasons – ie it can be hot! But don’t let this put you off the summer as a lot of things are well airconditioned
- What to expect travelling to a Muslim country
- The vast majority of the population is actually expatriate
- Think about how well covered you are, pack sensible clothing
- English is spoken everywhere in shops and hospitality (Arabic is the official language)
- The currency is Dirhams, pegged to the USD – 1USD = 3.67AED.
[13.40] Abu Dhabi 3-day family itinerary
You can view a detailed copy of Keri’s suggested 3 Day itinerary for Abu Dhabi here.
Day 1 in Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Free organised tours of SZGM
- Wahat al Karama
- Venetian Village
- Umm Al Emrat (Mushriff) Park
- What is a wadi?
- Observation Deck at 300 by Jumeirah
- Fast & the Furious filming spots in Abu Dhabi
- Emirates Palace Hotel
- Qasr al Watan – the Presidential Palace
- Weekends are Friday & Saturday in the UAE
- Eastern Mangroves
Day 2 in Abu Dhabi
- Saadiyat Island Culture District
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Get the Little City Trips City Survival Kit – including tactics for keeping kids engaged at museums
- Qasr al Hosn – historic building
- Falcon Hospital
- Desert Safari
Day 3 in Abu Dhabi
- Yas Island
- Yas Waterworld
- Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
- Ferrari World
- Cycle/Walk/Run the Yas Marina Circuit
It is easiest to get around all these attractions by taxi or download Careem or Uber apps.
[30.46] More attractions to visit if you have longer in Abu Dhabi
Keri recommends a week in Abu Dhabi for a longer, more immersive experience. You could add on to this itinerary:
- Day trip to Al Ain
- Al Ain Zoo and the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre
- Al Ain Museums
- Al Ain Oasis UNESCO Site
- Empty Quarter & Liwa Desert
- Anantara Qasr al Sarab desert resort
- Drive to Dubai
- Visit the Dubai Parks and Resorts, including Legoland
- Sir Bani Yas Island
[34.55] Best areas to stay in Abu Dhabi and suggested hotels
There are several places you can stay depending on what sort of trip you are coming for: Luxury brand hotels are far more affordable than in other cities – it’s worth searching to see what deal come up without ruling out 5-star choices.
Yas Island – if you are coming for a theme Park trip best to base yourself on Yas, there are several hotels clustered together including our budget choice Centro Yas and apartment-style accommodation at Staybridge Suites.
Saadiyat Island for best seas views, try St Regis Saadiyat Island.
Grand Canal, near to the Mosque with great views:
Top budget pick: Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown
[36.49] Favourite places to eat
It’s very family-friendly all over the city you will find restaurants attached to malls and hotels. Most will have highchairs, even if no specific facilities you will be very welcome.
Most restaurants you will find attached to Malls or Hotels. It is possible to order alcohol at licensed venues.
Keri’s recommends you try a Friday Brunch suitable for kids
Golf clubs make a good family option as they will have kids menus and great space for kids, such as Yas Links or Abu Dhabi City Golf Club.
[39.04] Resources and items you’ll need to pack for Abu Dhabi
- Conservative clothing – long cotton clothing will help you deal with the sun, and modesty – a good guide here as to what is considered conservative clothing.
- Ladies bring some sort of scarf or wrap you can pull over your head, or protect your face from dust.
- A cardigan for the airconditioning
- Sandals and flipflops are good, but you may want trainers for desert sports
- Paper guide books can out-date quickly, rely on online resources (but check they are up to date).
- The Abu Dhabi Family Guide is a great resource, kept up to date on the Little City Trips website!
- Grab your complete packing list for Abu Dhabi
[41.36] Our Fast 5 Questions on Abu Dhabi
- Hidden Gem: Umm al Emarat Park (formerly Mushrif Park)
- Splurge: The Yas Island Theme Parks
- Save: Fine Dining
- App: The Entertainer
- Playground: A’l Bahar on the Corniche
See the full family guide to Abu Dhabi
About our City Expert – Keri Hedrick
As well as being one of the co-editors of the Little City Trips website & City Travel with kids podcast, Keri is the editor of familytravel-middleeast.com, a regional travel website and the blogger behind OurGlobetrotters.Com. She has extensive experience touring and writing about the UAE and the Middle East region.
You can learn more about Keri and her travel story here.
Connect with Keri on social media
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