Everything you need to know about Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park Abu Dhabi is one of the oldest parks in the capital. Originally known as Mushrif Park, Umm Al Emarat Park enjoys a prime location on the 15th Street between Karamah Street and Airport Road, the latter of which connects to the whole city.
The park is designed to honour His Highness, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE. A conservationist at heart, Abu Dhabi’s former ruler worked tirelessly on preserving the environment and species native to the UAE. As a testament to his legacy, this famous public park in Abu Dhabi features everything from botanical gardens to an animal barn and acres of lush green foliage.
Here are a few things you need to know about Umm al Emarat park in Abu Dhabi.
Things to Note
The best thing about this park? It’s open every day. The Umm Al Emarat park entry fee and location are mentioned below:
- Umm Al Emarat Park Timings: 08:00 am to 12:00 am
- Umm Al Emarat Park Tickets Price: AED 10 per adult | Free for kids under three
- Location: 15th Street, Mushrif Area, Karama — Abu Dhabi— UAE
- Pets Allowed: No
The park is expansive. We recommend getting your hands on one of the Umm Al Emarat maps to find your way through the many attractions.
Naturally, no park is complete without family-friendly attractions. Let’s explore all the exciting things to do in Umm Al Emarat Park that make it the perfect choice for families.
Top Attractions at Umm Al Emarat Park
There is something for everyone at Abu Dhabi Umm Al Emarat Park. From exotic animal species to theatrical performances, here is what you can look forward to during a visit.
The Amphitheatre
The amphitheater is one of the top attractions at Umm al Emarat Park. You can watch live cultural dances, music performances, plays, community theatre performances and even movies or sporting event screenings. The grassy area in front can accommodate up to 2,500 people, so popular performances are sure to be a blast.
Children’s Garden
Umm Al Emarat Park was specifically designed with young visitors in mind. So, it’s not surprising that there is an entire area that’s dedicated to them. The Children’s Garden features an interactive play area where kids are free to explore and let their imagination run wild. The management has also set up an outdoor cinema with popular animated films for kids to enjoy.
Animal Barn and Petting Zoo
The Children’s Garden is also home to the animal barn and petting zoo — one of the many petting zoos in Abu Dhabi. Rest assured, your kids or the animal lover in you are going to make a beeline for it. The area is well-managed and popular with kids and parents alike.
Plus, it provides everyone with a great opportunity to interact with their favourite animals from cows and goats to camels — all of whom have a dedicated team of caretakers to ensure they stay healthy. The animals are rotated on a regular basis depending on seasonal changes, so you get a new experience every few months. Plus, you can also feed them for AED 10.
Shade House
Umm Al Emarat Park is all about the preservation of species. To satisfy the conservationist in you, head to the Shade House. This breath-taking structure is one of the park’s most iconic features. It houses over 30 plant species and is temperature controlled to help them thrive in an open environment.
Botanic Gardens
If you have a penchant for exotic plants, the Botanic Garden should be on your list of things to do at Umm Al Emarat Park. Apart from 200 local species and a pond, the garden features plants from Latin America, Africa, Australia and the United States. Cascading waters and stone pools provide the perfect habitat for these exotic species and give a natural look to the place too.
Great Lawn
What is it about an expanse of sprawling grass that just makes you want to run through it? Aptly named, the Great Lawn is one of the most serene places to visit in Umm Al Emarat Park. A wide commanding space, this lawn is perfect for a wide range of outdoor activities; from a game of tag to yoga sessions. It’s one of the reasons why this park is considered among the most relaxing places in Abu Dhabi.
Other attractions at the park include:
- Evening Garden
- The Wisdom Garden
- The Promenade
Things to do
You will never be bored at Umm Al Emarat Park. Here’s all the fun to be had.
- Train Ride: Tour the green spaces on a mini train.
- Farm: The My Little Farm accommodates all of the veggies that have been cultivated at the park.
- Birthdays: Have your kids blow out their birthday candles at the park. The package comes with a song and dance by the resident mascot and park rangers. Your child will also receive a gift and have their name displayed on a giant screen.
- Splash around: Kids can have some splashy fun at the interactive fountains at the park’s cooling wadi.
- Playground: Kids can enjoy themselves in two playgrounds.
Fitness Facilities
You don’t have to skip on your daily workouts to visit the park. You can find, indoor fitness facilities at the park, called Peak Fitness. And there is an outdoor training area located behind the Children’s Garden. There are also plenty of jogging tracks. Fitness enthusiasts will be happy to know about the outdoor yoga sessions that take place at the park when the weather is cooler.
Umm Al Emarat Park Abu Dhabi Restaurants
All that activity is bound to make kids and the rest of your family hungry. The park has this covered too. Here are the restaurants that are currently operating at Umm Al Emarat Park Abu Dhabi:
- Parker’s
- Salt
- Sugar Art
- Movenpick Ice Cream
- Green for Life
- Home Bakery
Umm al Emarat Park Rules
The staff strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment to visitors. Here are some of the rules on Umm Al Emarat Park that you should be aware of:
- Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-transferrable. The fee does not include charges for additional events held at the park.
- Parcels and other forms of baggage may be subject to security checks and the park reserves the right to disallow any baggage as necessary
- The grounds are monitored by CCTV security.
- For organised events and commercial photography at the park, prior approval is required from park management.
- The park reserves the right to change operating hours, close all or part of it or cancel any event due to bad weather or special events without refund or compensation as necessary.
- Guests are not allowed to tamper, remove or damage any plant, structure, park furniture, accessories or any other item in the park.
- Only bikes and scooters for small children under seven are allowed in the park. Hoverboards, skateboards, roller skates and other forms of entertainment aren’t allowed.
- Anyone caught cooking food, like grilling or barbecuing, will immediately be fined.
- Pets aren’t allowed except assistance dogs.
Additionally, the park is a non-smoking venue. So, any forms of the type, including e-cigarettes, shisha or others are strictly prohibited.
Accolades and Awards
Umm Al Emarat Park was granted the prestigious Green Flag award; an internationally acclaimed accolade that recognises best practices for the management of parks or green spaces. An 80+ score from the Green Flag Award Scheme also contributed to the win.
FAQs
Can you bring outside food to Umm Al Emarat Park?
Asides from water bottles for small children, outside food isn’t allowed.
Does the park have parking facilities?
There are over 500 spots for vehicles, managed by Mawaqif.
What events and seasonal activities are held at the park?
The park hosts several events throughout the year. Check out the events calendar on the official website for the latest updates.
Is Umm Al Emarat Park free?
No, but the fee is affordable for a family at AED 10 per visitor. Plus kids under the age of three can enter for free. It’s also among the most romantic places in Abu Dhabi.
So there you have it. A visit to Umm Al Emarat Park Abu Dhabi is a good option whether you are looking for a leisurely day out with the family or an educational outing with the kids. Looking for more options? Check out the best public parks in Abu Dhabi and the best parks in Al Ain. For more options, take a look at some of our top picks for best parks in Dubai. And if you really want to cool off from the summer heat, you can also take your family to any of the UAE’s popular waterparks.
Cover image credit: Umm Al Emarat Park
