Dubai may be an evolving city filled with extraordinary architecture and glittering lights, but its oldest park, Mushrif Park, remains a welcome oasis for travellers, locals, and ex-pats alike who want to get away from it all and spend some time in the midst of the tree-lined forest, indigenous wildlife, and refreshing greenery. So, if you’re looking for something other than gigantic retail malls, world-class theme parks, and adventurous desert experiences during your visit to Dubai, make sure to have a look at this helpful guide before you visit this park.
What To Do And See At Mushrif National Park
Attractions: Here are the top attractions you can enjoy at Mushrif Park, Dubai.
Experiences At Mushrif Park: Aventura Park
Mushrif National Park is home to Aventura Park, the UAE’s best and ultimate family adventure park. Tucked deep among the natural Ghaf tree forest, this is an ideal location for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts to take advantage of the 80+ Highline and rope course activities. It’s excellent for people of all abilities and ages, with a variety of circuits to choose from. Rangers, with their brief, easy 19 challenges, are designed specifically for children (though their minimum height should be 1.15 metres), whereas the challenges in Explorador are designed specifically for families to have the most fun and thrill on their zip-lining and bridge-balancing adventures. When you visit Aventura, the activities become more intense, with 15 challenges suitable for both adults and children.
Thriller is the most unique Aventura circuit at Mushrif Park since it allows you to zip through the woods, culminating in a 160-meter-long zipline. Finally, as the name suggests, Extreme is unmissable for daredevils, as it features the most baffling challenges, such as a 25-meter-high Tarzan Jump, heart-racing rope walks, and surfing across trees.
The average height to participate in any of the challenges at Aventura Park ranges between 1.1 and 1.6 metres.
International Village
In this one-of-a-kind section of the park, you’ll find replica houses that depict traditional-style housing from around the world. There are roughly 13 of them, ranging from ancient Arabian, Nubian, and stone buildings to Thai, Burmese, Chinese, and Dutch-style windmill houses. They are contiguous and are interspersed with lovely walkways and cool water elements such as ponds.
Entry Fee: None (accessible with your park access).
Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre
Al Thuraya literally translates to “star constellation!” And, as the name implies, you may expect to enjoy exceptional views of celestial bodies. It’s the first-ever building in the UAE designed specifically for the investigation and study of astronomy and science, and it’s immaculately modelled to look like a UFO. The focal point here is a massive telescope that is, without a doubt, the largest of its kind in the vicinity. This not only allows you to have a better look at the stars and galaxies, but it also allows you to learn more about them. There is also a specialised astronomy shop where you may rent or buy high-tech telescopes.
Entry Fee: None (Accessible with your park access)
Mushrif Park Equestrian and Polo Club
This section of the park is nothing short of a world-class English-style equestrian club, making it a must-see for horse enthusiasts. It offers show jumping, livery, and stable management services to horse riders of all levels. It also provides excellent private and group lesson packages. So prepare for a spectacular horse ride through natural desert settings. You can choose the moonlit horse ride for a unique equestrian experience.
AED 300 for a 90-minute horseback riding lesson.
Activities To Do At Mushrif National Park
The fun at Mushrif Park does not stop here, as there are many activities that you can enjoy. Read along to check if your favourite park activity is there:
Mountain Bike Ride
Looking for a low-impact way to take in the park’s gorgeous scenery? You can try the routes divided into three categories: green, blue, and red. You can ride your bike around its specialised cycling trails, like mountain trails. The mountain trail is 50 km long and is divided into levels of difficulty. However, wear helmets and take all necessary precautions, such as using appropriate lighting, to protect your and others’ safety.
Plan a delightful picnic at Mushrif Park
The park’s expansive green surroundings provide an easygoing atmosphere for spending quality and intimate time with your family and friends. Yes, for that much-needed vitamin D, as well as plenty of fresh air and pleasant moments, this location is ideal for relaxing! Prepare your picnic basket and food and beverages for your next weekend’s outing in Dubai.
Bird watching
Bird watching is another fun way to get up close and personal with the park’s beautiful splendour. It’s a natural haven for bird enthusiasts and sightseers, with over 110 bird species to see. The Pallid Scops Owl, whose hoots can be heard after sunset but are difficult to locate, is the main attraction. Other common bird residents are the Arabian Babbler, Eurasian Collared Dove, Grey Francolin, and White-cheeked Bulbul.
Enjoy BBQ parties:
Nothing beats a BBQ session on a calm winter afternoon or evening to bond with your loved ones. And the expansive BBQ area within Mushrif Park’s lush vastness makes it an appealing destination for a laid-back outing in Dubai. Simply bring the meat/seafood/veggies, herbs, sauces, and so forth, and have a great time while burning off your tension in the BBQ pits placed in a relaxing atmosphere.
Play your favourite net and goalie games
Whether it’s football, basketball, or volleyball, there are designated areas throughout the park where you may try your hand at practically all of your favourite ball games.
Swim all you want
The park features two 25-meter-long swimming pools. Both are enclosed, one for men and one for ladies. AED 10 for adults and AED 5 for children is charged to enter the pool, and payment can be made with an NOL card. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 21:00 p.m.
The working hours of the park are
Sunday through Wednesday: 08:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Public Holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 23:00 p.m.
Pricing (Entry Fee)
3 AED per person, 10 AED per vehicle
Admission is free for children under the age of two, as well as those who demonstrate financial need.
Location
The park is located on Al Khawaneej in Deira’s Uptown Mirdif district, just off the Airport Road. It is approximately 15 kilometres from Downtown Dubai and 13 kilometres from Dubai International Airport.
How To Get There
If you plan to drive yourself, the E311 road will take you here. There are carefully placed signboards directing you to the park. Those planning to arrive by bus can take the 11A route. The closest metro stations to the park are Rashidiya Metro Station on the Red Line and Etisalat Metro Station on the Green Line. After getting off at one of these stations, take a cab for about 10 minutes to get here.
Have you visited this park before? How was the experience? Tell us all about it in the comment section down below. We cannot wait to hear from you.
