Hands-on workshops, immersive installations, and interactive experiences await
Why do you go to museums? The obvious answer is to see art and historical exhibits. But today’s museums go far beyond the stereotype of hushed galleries and forbidden frames, they’re now dynamic destinations designed to engage visitors of every age. Join us on a curated tour of the immersive experiences, interactive installations, film screenings and hands-on workshops these prestigious cultural spaces are now offering.
Here are some fun things to do at UAE museums besides taking in the art
Al Shindagha Museum
Looking out for activities that include the whole family (and possibly teamwork)? Al Shindagha Museum offers a fun way to explore its museums with its ‘Windows Family Trail’. The activity takes place every weekend at selected clusters of the museum’s expansive baits (houses) and will have you and your little ones exploring each window and solving puzzles. The best news? It’s entirely free and you will learn many new things along your journey. You can partake every weekend from 10am to 7pm.
The museum even hosts numerous workshops over the weekend from 4pm to 7pm, including a jewellery workshop where you can walk home proudly wearing your creation, boat-making and more.
alshindagha.dubaiculture.gov.ae
The Cultural Foundation
Perched along Abu Dhabi’s historic Corniche, in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, the Cultural Foundation is a central hub for arts and creativity. Inside, rotating exhibitions showcase contemporary and traditional art, photography, and heritage displays, offering visitors a glimpse into the UAE’s artistic landscape across generations. Beyond the exhibitions, the Cultural Foundation comes alive with a vibrant lineup of programs. In March, there’s silk painting workshops on Sunday, watercolour sessions on Wednesday, jewellery making on Thursday, and so much more. Prices vary, and there are package sessions available, too. Visitors can even catch live theatre, music, and dance performances, or attend film screenings and cultural talks.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
For art lovers – tourists or residents – a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a must. But did you know that beyond its more than 6,000 works of art, there’s a whole world of experiences waiting to be discovered? Visitors can also kayak around the museum to admire its striking architecture from the water or set sail on a private catamaran cruise for a memorable experience.
With major exhibitions like the ongoing Picasso, the Figure, the restaurant works with the museum to create dishes inspired by the artist. The degustation menu will be available until May 31 for foodies to indulge (and hopefully, fall in love with the art).
There are family treasure hunts, VR attractions, alfresco under dome yoga sessions, and during the cooler months, the museum hosts outdoor movie screenings along its promenade. On March 20, you can watch The Red Turtle – an 80-minute film inspired by the Abu Dhabi Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Project.
Hatta Heritage Village
If you like your history with fresh mountain air, consider Hatta Heritage Village your very own open-air museum. The space is a beautifully restored 16th century mountain village that offers a glimpse into traditional Emirati life.
Expect stone houses, wooden doors and palm-frond roofs showcasing life from centuries past. You can also make your way up watchtowers, explore courtyards and see wonderful traditional crafts. If you’re working on your photography skills, you will walk away with some brilliant snaps. While you’re there, you can add on to your trip and check out the Hatta Dam, as well as enjoy a picnic at Hatta Hill Park.
Or, go a different route and learn about beekeeping and honey production in the region with Hatta Honey Bee Discovery Centre. You can even participate in workshops and hands-on activities (while suited up to protect yourself, of course) which is included in with your Dhs50 ticket. Book your tickets on hattahoney.ae
Manarat Al Saadiyat
Located on Saadiyat Island, Manarat Al Saadiyat is a vibrant cultural hub where art, creativity, and community come together. Inside, rotating exhibitions showcase contemporary art, photography, and heritage. Beyond the galleries, the venue hosts hands-on workshops for adults and children, from painting and photography to pottery, ceramic, design and other creative projects. Sessions run throughout the week with prices for teens and adults and cost Dhs100, while junior workshops (children ages six to 12) cost Dhs75.
They even offer drop-in sessions daily for ceramics, painting, and printmaking with prices from Dhs30. Additionally, performances, music events, and seasonal festivals bring the space alive, while outdoor installations and projections offer immersive experiences against the backdrop of Saadiyat’s waterfront.
Museum of Candy
Love an Instagrammable attraction? Museum of Candy hits the sweet spot with colourful, immersive and interactive rooms featuring playful installations including a gummy bear pool, a cotton candy tub, and an ice cream chill-out zone. Children and adults can unleash their inner child as they go from room to room, collecting candy along the way. Make sure you visit the Candy Lab where you can create your very own sugary treat blending different flavours and techniques. And don’t stress, there will be expert ‘candy scientists’ to help you create your sweet treat masterpiece. Tickets are priced from Dhs109 for adults and Dhs89 for children.
*Top 10 most Instagrammable spots in Dubai*
Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future in Dubai is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful museums in the world. Inside the jaw-dropping eye- shaped structure, visitors can immerse themselves in cutting-edge displays that bring science, technology, and innovation to life. From AI-powered installations to immersive futuristic environments, each exhibit feels like stepping into tomorrow.
Museum of the Future-AI powered music session
Outside the exhibitions, the museum comes alive with workshops for children and adults alike, which in the past have included AI-powered music, the future of food and sustainable cooking, digital finance, careers in augmented reality, and more – led by experts and innovators shaping the future.
The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the region and takes take visitors on a journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history. It explores life on Earth from the Big Bang to the rise of humans, including the evolution of dinosaurs and the planet’s biodiversity.
Beyond the cool dinosaur bones and immersive galleries, the museum also hosts learning experiences and storytelling for children. The programme for March is to be confirmed, but in the past children could partake in digging for fossils, learn about sustainability, and more.
Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan opened in 2019 and is a cultural landmark housed within the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. Translating to ‘Palace of the Nation’, Qasr Al Watan is a working palace that hosts official state visits and summits. It boasts stunning Arabian architecture, and while its white and gold exteriors will leave you in awe, you haven’t seen anything until you step inside. The palace boasts one of the largest domes in the world – measuring 37 metres in diameter.
Inside, visitors can also gain a deeper understanding of the UAE’s governing traditions and values and explore a vast collection of historic artifacts and manuscripts. There is also a library and a large Presidential banquet hall where major state banquets are held.
Plan your visit so you can catch sunset after your visit to catch the Palace in Motion light and sound show. The striking immersive display lights up the exterior of the palace and tells the story of the past, present and the future vision of the nation. It takes place every evening, though timings vary, so plan ahead. Tickets for the show alone are priced at Dhs12 for children and Dhs25 for adults, while access to both the palace and the show costs Dhs80 per adult and Dhs40 per child.
The Flying Saucer
The Flying Saucer
Sharjah Art Foundation has a remarkable talent for transforming the strange and curious into something beautifully imaginative. The Flying Saucer – a rehabilitated 1970s landmark that has been transformed into a community art space – is just one example.
The striking retro futuristic space blends architecture, art, and community life offering panoramic views.
While there’s a public art library filled with books and catalogues, a social area, and film screenings, there are also creative programs offered from calligraphy to photography, art sessions and more. On April 4, little ones ages three to five can learn the art of line drawing in the hand-on art workshop. More sessions will be added and updated on sharjahart.org.
Want another reason to visit? Beneath the saucer, you’ll find a sunken circular courtyard with lush vegetation and natural light. Sit here to get some work done, journal or simply pick a book from the library and read.
visitsharjah.com, sharjahart.org
Images: Getty Images, Unsplash, and Instagram
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
