You may be in the desert, but you can still get close to nature in one of the many public parks around Dubai. If you love the smell of freshly cut grass, then why not spend the day lounging around one of these popular locations.
Al Barsha Pond Park
This park has become quite the spot for families and sport enthusiasts. Surrounded by a man-made lake, the park offers walking and jogging tracks, as well as rentable bicycles, tennis courts, football pitches, outdoor fitness machines and volleyball and basketball courts. There are also numerous playgrounds - perfect for the little ones.
Dubai Miracle Garden
With its countless floral displays and extravagant outdoor recreational areas, Dubai Miracle Garden is a unique feature in the region and holds the Guinness World Record for having the longest wall of flowers. Adding new flowers and plants this season, together with all the facilities you could need, Dubai Miracle Garden will bring even more beauty and life to this new world of enjoyment and fun. www.dubaimiraclegarden.com
Zabeel Park
Zabeel Park is a highly maintained inner-city park with lush green lawns and bridges connecting the three main areas around the Trade Centre roundabout. In addition to the beautifully kept gardens, the park is home to Stargate (a space age theme park), Megabowl (a large outdoor amphitheatre), a Space Maze and Panoramic Tower. There is also a boating lake, mini golf, cricket field, assault course and food court, with a separate area designed to host functions. Open from 8am to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from 8am to 11pm from Thursday to Saturday and official holidays. Entry is Dhs 5 per person. Call 04-3986888.
Dubai Butterfly Garden
Covering 4,500sq m, with nine custom built domes, a museum and a flower park, Dubai Butterfly Garden is the largest covered butterfly garden in the world. Walk through the spectacular butterfly and insect museum, with thousands of perfectly preserved butterflies on display and then enter the climate controlled domes where you will be surrounded by an abundance of different coloured species, all flying around and confidently settling on your head and arms and landing on the flowers and plants. Tip: Butterflies are attracted to white clothes. Open every day from 9am to 6pm. Entrance is Dhs 50 per person and free of charge for the disabled and kids below two. www.dubaibutterflygarden.com
Creek Park
As the name suggests, Creek Park runs along the side of Dubai Creek. Although one of the earliest parks in Dubai, Creek Park has a modern layout, with well-planned children’s play areas, recreational facilities, easy to navigate footpaths and a number of handy refreshment stands. Creek Park is also home to Dubai Dolphinarium, Children’s City, the ‘cable car rides, rental bikes, train rides, camel and pony rides and restaurants. It is open from 8am to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from 8am to 11pm from Thursday to Saturday and official holidays. Entry is Dhs 5 per person. Call 04-3367633.
Mushrif Park
Situated on the Al Awir Road in 124 hectares of natural ghaf forest, Mushrif Park boasts swimming pools, fountains, lakes, children’s play areas, camel and pony rides and 26 picnic areas equipped with wooden shades, seats and modern grills. It also supports a healthy population of birds, including owls, Orphean warblers, black redstarts and hoopoes, making it the ideal place to escape the city. Open from 8am to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from 8am to 11pm from Thursday to Saturday and official holidays. Entry is
Dhs 3 per person. Call 04-2883624.