Here is a list of fun things to do in Al Ain, or within driveable distance.
Many of these things have an article about them on this site – so put a word/phrase that interests you into the Search box on the Navigation Bar above.
In Al Ain…
Sports…
- rugby
- football/soccer
- ice hockey
- Paintballing
- baseball
- karate
- go karts
- walking (Al Ain Natural History Group)
- camping (you can get an inexpensive tent and camp in the desert near the Al Ain International Airport, or go further afield)
Healthy body…
- yoga
- Pilates
Music-related…
- instrument lessons
- singing lessons
- Choral Group (Sunday nights at the Al Ain English School Hall)
- music concerts
Cinemas…
- Bawadi Mall
- Al Ain Mall
- Rotana Hotel
- French Cultural Centre (a English subtitled popular French film at 7.30pm every other Thursday: free entry)
- Al Foah Mall
Places…
- Various forts and museums
- Hili Fun City
- Al Ain Wildlife Park
- Parks like Jahli Park (with great climbing frames)
- Al Ain Paradise Hanging Gardens
Large arcades with dodgems etc…
- Bawadi Mall (also has a small rollercoaster)
- Al Ain Mall
- Al Jimi Mall
Yearly events…
- Al Ain Air Show
- WOMAD Festival (World Of Music, Arts and Dance)
Abu Dhabi (90 minutes away by car)…
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque (third largest mosque in the world)
- Hilton Hotel (superb beach / pools / water slide)
- Ferrari World (enormous theme park)
Dubai (90 minutes away by car)…
Beaches…
- Jumeirah Beach (low cost)
- public beach (free)
Dubai Mall…
- Kidzania (small ‘town’ where children try out different jobs and earn money: leave them for 2-3 hours while you shop for a fixed fee: just amazing)
- Sega Zone (stay for hours and play video games and ride the roller coaster etc for a fixed fee, then with tokens)
- Aquarium Tour
- 22-screen cinema
Dubai Creek…
- Dolphinarium (excellent dolphin show with top notch highwire acts)
- Science-type museum (like Eureka in Halifax England) (correct name to follow!!)
Water parks…
- Atlantis Hotel: Aquaventure (awesome water park)
- Wild Wadi water park (smaller and more crammed with people, but the same price)
Umm Al Quwain (90-120 minutes away by car)…
- Dreamland Aqua Park (cheaper than Aquaventure or Wild Wadi, and fewer adrenalin rides, but a fun day out)
Fujairah (3.5 hours away by car)…
- Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Hotel (the best hotel we’ve ever been to, so we’ve been 11 times, supreme service. Wonderful kid’s club. Fab water sports.)
- Sandy Beach Resort
- Miramar Hotel
- Rotana Hotel
…and a few other hotels
Oman…
- Crowne Plaza Hotel, just before you reach Sohar: 65 mins from the Hilton Hotel, Al Ain
- Muscat (2 hours from Sohar)
- about 500 forts, plus wadis galore: see an Off Road Guide from a local bookshop for maps and descriptions
In summary: I think you’ll find that there’s a lot to do in Al Ain.
Now, if any of the above interest you, enter a keyword into the search box on the menu bar at the top of the screen to see if I’ve put any more info about that subject or place in an article – in many cases there’s lots of words and photos too.
Do post a comment below or email me if you can improve this list! Or ask me a question!