6 Hidden Gems for Families in Abu Dhabi — Discover Exotic Emirati Roots

Abu Dhabi, before its extravagant transformation, was a poor nation, engaged in the pearl industry. The people lived simple lifestyles then, that is a far cry from the glitz and glamour of the modern capital. One of the best tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi, the Heritage Village is a great way to savour the lifestyles of villagers, as it is reconstructed, to represent a bygone era. Every minute detail has been taken care of to ensure you enjoy an authentic and immersive experience. Care has been taken with the souks, mosques, and forts that make up the village so you feel as though you stepped through a time machine. There you will find artisans hard at work, and local village housewives conducting their day using traditional equipment, while the array of traditional food you can sample is simply out of this world—or rather from a different time.

What good is a holiday in the Middle East if you can't soak up some Emirati culture? For this, you must visit the Qasr Al Hosn; the oldest building in Abu Dhabi. The building is home to the nation's oldest fort and watchtower constructed in the 15th century. The beautiful outer palace was constructed between 1939 and 1945. It's the kind of place that brings out the romantic in you, and if you harbour artistic skills, you are certainly going to want to capture the building's essence on paper. Don't forget to take along the cameras, so you can update your social media posts with some very enviable photos. If you and your family enjoy beachfront accommodation, look for resorts located along the coast, some like Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort, and others, offer a range of all-inclusive attractions for the entire family.

This historic building has been completely restored to its former glory and is one of the top locations for catching noteworthy exhibitions in Abu Dhabi. The building is located in Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is made up of intricate architectural designs harking back to a time when artisans made sure every building was a work of art to feast your eyes upon. There are also permanent exhibits you can explore that delve into the history of the building and the origins of the surrounding area.

Apart from the adventures contained between the pages of the books available there, the Children's Library on its own is a great adventure to explore. There are soft dune cushions to relax on and read your favourite book, as well as, what's called Book Mountain to explore. The vast library stocks a range of reads for kids of all ages, including toddlers. 

If ever you need a space to spend a fab day indoors, check out KidZania. The place offers children an immersive experience to be a part of the real world. There they can role-play and join their favourite careers as they become a part of the KidZania community made up of supermarkets, hospitals, banks, petrol stations, and more.

Who can resist a day at a trampolin park? Your kids are going to go crazy enjoying the boucy fun offered at Bounce Abu Dhabi. There's free style jumping on the bouncers as well as dodgeball and slamdunk. Take the fun up a notch by trying to bounce your way up with the Big Bag aimed at jumpers wanting to have a go at scaling the walls.