Mushrif Park: An Outdoor Oasis in the City
Every once in a while, we all crave some greenery and fresh air, don’t we? Spending time outdoors where you get to climb trees, go on a picnic and just be surrounded by nature can be so refreshing.
The best part is, you don’t need to travel far out of the city to experience this! Just a short car ride to the eastern part of Dubai is where you’ll find one Mushrif National Park, one of the best parks in the city!
Read our guide to learn more!
What is Mushrif National Park?
Mushrif National Park is a family-orientated public park that’s considered one of the best in Dubai.
Located on Al Khawaneej Street, Mushrif on the city’s eastern part, the park spans over 1,300 acres and was inaugurated in 1980. This makes it one of the oldest outdoor spaces in Dubai.
Since then, Mushrif National Park has expanded and it’s now home to different attractions that cater to guests of all ages.
The highlight of Mushrif National Park is its exhibit of 13 house models from different parts of the world. Going through these houses will make you feel like you’ve traveled around the world where you get to appreciate various architectures and interior designs.
Mushrif National Park also has amenities like a football field, picnic and barbeque areas, a bicycle track, swimming pools and restaurants. The park is also great for bird watching since different species of birds are here, especially during the cooler months.
Another feature of this park is the famous Aventura treetop adventure course where you get to experience 80 thrilling challenges that require you to ride a zipline and swing from tree top branches.
Best Time to Go
Like other outdoor attractions in Dubai, it’s best to visit Mushrif National Park during the colder winter months when the weather is pleasant and temperatures are lower.
This will allow you to maximize your day experiencing the different attractions in the park without worrying about the heat.
Things to Know
Since visiting Mushrif National Park is an adventure, it’s best to go prepared by remembering these tips:
- The park is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday to Wednesday and until 11:00 PM Thursday to Saturday. But it’s best to come right when the park opens to make the most of your visit.
- The park hosts events, festivals and activities throughout the year. So, make sure to check the Dubai Calendar to see if there are any occasions during your visit.
- Entrance to the park is AED 3 per person and AED 5 per car. Meanwhile, people of determination get to enter Mushrif National Park for free.
- Dress comfortably for the outdoors. Wear light clothing that will allow you to move around easily and choose the right pair of shoes for the entire family.
- Always keep an eye on your kids during your visit. Although the park has many safety measures in place, it’s best to keep your children close, especially when you’re near bodies of water.
- Be a responsible guest. Never feed the animals, don’t pluck pants and don’t leave your trash everywhere.
- Spending time outdoors can easily make you dehydrated even during the cooler months. So, make sure that you carry water while exploring the park, especially for the kids.
How to Get Around
Trains: The closest metro station to Mushrif National Park is Airport Terminal 3. If you don’t want to spend a lot on taxi fare, you can take the metro to this stop and ride the taxi to the park.
Buses: The Rashidiya Bus Station and Downtown Mirdif Gate 2 Bus Stops are the nearest bus stations to Mushrif National Park. From here, you can take a taxi to the park.
Taxis: If you don’t want to switch rides, especially when traveling with kids, a taxi ride is still your best option. You can book one through Uber or Careem.
Car service: If you don’t mind spending more, you can arrange for a private chauffeured car service or self-drive car through your hotel or travel agency.
Where to Stay Near Mushrif National Park
Millennium Place Mirdif Hotel
Address: Mirdif Hills Avenue – 78th Street – Mirdif – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 605 7777
Pricing: $$$
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A hotel that gives you one of the best views of Mushrif National Park, Millennium Place Mirdif is a four-star hotel with 116 rooms and suites and 132 serviced apartments.
The hotel also has five restaurants and bars, a gym and a rooftop pool where you get to enjoy the greenery of the park while you’re taking a dip.
Hampton by Hilton Dubai Airport
Address: Damascus Street – Al Qusais 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 407 1111
Pricing: $$$
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If you want to be near the Dubai International Airport and Mushrif National Park, Hampton by Hilton Dubai Airport is the best place to be.
Choose from one of the hotel’s well appointed rooms and suites that gives you the space and amenities that you need for a relaxing stay.
You also get to enjoy the hotel’s daily breakfast, an all-day restaurant, a fitness center and an outdoor pool.
Premier Inn Dubai Dragon Mart Hotel
Address: Al Awir Road – International City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 600 500 503
Pricing: $$$
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A hotel just beside the Dragon Mart Complex, Premier Inn Dragon Mart is perfect if you want convenience and accessibility in one place.
Aside from its well-designed rooms, the hotel also has a restaurant where you can enjoy good food, a fully equipped gym for working out and of course, the luxury of shopping at Dragon Mart.
Where to Eat in Mushrif National Park
Sumo Sushi and Bento Mirdif Hills
Address: Mirdif Hills Avenue – Mirdif – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 800 7866
Pricing: $$
Website
Craving for some good sushi after all that going around Mushrif National Park? Head to one of the best sushi places in Dubai.
Sumo Sushi and Bento makes Japanese food more accessible with dishes like the Afuro Samurai, Golden Ito Ebi, Wagyu Steak Roll, Sapporo Miso Ramen, Sushi Sandwich and Poke Bowl.
Layali Mirdif Restaurant and Cafe
Address: Millennium Place Mirdif Hotel – 78th Street – Mirdif – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 605 7777
Pricing: $$$
Website
If your idea of a good meal involves authentic Lebanese food, Layali Mirdif Restaurant and Cafe at the Millennium Place Mirdif Hotel is one of the best spots near Mushrif National Park.
Just imagine eating a good meal or enjoying some shisha while you’re overlooking the park from the restaurant’s terrace.
Yamanote Atelier Mirdif Hills
Address: Shop 27 – Mirdif Hills Avenue – 78th Street – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 234 1453
Pricing: $$$
Website
Created in the UAE, Yamanote Atelier pays homage to the unique Japanese baking techniques and flavors to produce some of the best pastries, dishes and desserts you’ll ever taste.
From a small bakery, Yamanote Atelier has expanded to several branches including Mirdif Hills near Mushrif National Park.
Some of the bakery’s must try offerings include the famous Yamanote Croissant, Mushroom Tartine, Read Bean Bun, Souffle Cheesecake and Whole Grain Country Bread.
What to Do in Mushrif National Park
Walk Around International Village
One of the highlights of Mushrif National Park is its International Village, which has 13 replicas of traditional houses from different countries around the world.
Here, you’ll see houses from Thailand, China, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia displayed among greenery, ponds and walkways.
The International Village is a great place to learn about different houses that also showcase each country’s culture and traditions.
Go Bird Watching
Bird watching is a popular activity at Mushrif National Park because of its rich avian population.
The park attracts a lot of birds like the Yellow-Throated Sparrow and Arabian Babbler mainly because of the many Ghaf trees in the area.
It also welcomes some migratory birds during the winter season. So, make sure to bring your binoculars, find a good spot in the park and enjoy watching these colorful birds!
Explore the Cosmos at Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre
From the Arabic words meaning “star constellation,” Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre is the first building in the country to focus on the study of astronomy and science.
The structure is designed to look like a UFO and inside, you can rent or buy high-tech telescopes to use for watching the sky. The center also has a massive telescope that gives you the best views of the stars and galaxies.
So, if you or your kids love astronomy, don’t forget to stop by the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre.
Go On a Fun Adventure at Aventura
Aventura Park is a haven for those who crave adventure. This massive obstacle course offers different challenges for your family and friends that will test your agility, strength and of course, team work.
Aventura has three main attractions: tree surfing, rope climbing and ziplining. It also has its own park, cafe, shower facilities, gathering area and multipurpose hall.
Tickets to Aventura Park cost AED 185 for adults, AED 149 for kids below 1.4 meters and AED 95 for those below 1.05 meters.
Meanwhile, visitors will pay an entrance fee of AED 10.
But the real highlight of this park is its diverse selection of circuits that cater to all ages:
- Rangers
Designed for kids who love adventure, Rangers is composed of 19 challenges, each with its own safety measures to make sure that your kids can have fun safely.
- Explorador
If you don’t want to miss out on the fun, you can join your kids on the Explorador Circuit to tackle 17 fun challenges.
This course is designed to be enjoyed by both parents and children, and it offers a great bonding experience for the entire family.
- Aventura
Composed of 15 challenges, Aventura is designed for both teenagers and adults where the course includes three phases of ziplining.
- Extreme
Are you up for a real adventure? Extreme is composed of 16 difficult challenges that mostly include high grounded activities.
The highlight of this course is the 25-meter Tarzan jump that will surely test your bravery against heights.
- Thriller
If Extreme didn’t elevate your adrenaline enough, move to Thriller. Although not as difficult as Extreme, the 15 challenges in Thriller are all high ground.
So, if you don’t mind heights, this is the course for you. It also includes tree surfing through its 160-meter zipline that really connects you with nature.
If you’re visiting between 9 July to 30 September, you can enjoy Aventura Nights, an annual event filled with fun activities for AED 125 per person.
If you get hungry after doing these obstacle courses, you can head to Aventura Cafe and choose between indoor and outdoor seating options.
Here, you can munch on pizzas, burgers, muffins, croissants paired with a hot cup of coffee or some refreshing beverages.
Take a Dip in the Pool
Did all that walking and exploring made you feel like jumping in a pool? Well, you could do just that at the park’s two swimming pools.
Mushrif National Park has two shaded pools, one for men and another for women. These pools are open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Tickets cost AED 10.5 for adults and AED 5.25 for children, and you’ll need to pay using a Nol Card.
Ride a Horse
If you’ve always wanted to ride a horse, Mushrif National Park is the place to tick that off your bucket list.
The Mushrif Park Equestrian and Polo Club is a world-class facility that offers different equestrian services like livery, stable management and show jumping.
But it also offers horseback riding lessons for beginners at AED 300 per person that includes a 90-minute ride throughout the park, so you can appreciate nature and the desert.
The park also has a separate area where you can ride camels, which is a quintessential activity if you’re in Dubai.
Where to Shop near Mushrif National Park
Uptown Mirdif Mall
Address: 47 Algeria Street – Mirdif – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 288 9333
Website
Uptown Mirdif Mall is the nearest shopping complex from Mushrif National Park.
This well-designed retail space is filled with shops carrying local and international brands and restaurants where you can enjoy a good meal after all that adventure.
What to Expect from Weather at Mushrif National Park
Winter: From December to March, Dubai enjoys the best weather conditions with temperatures dropping to as much as 16 degrees Celsius. This is the best time to do outdoor activities like the ones at Mushrif National Park since the weather is fairer than during the summer.
Summer: June to September are the hottest months in Dubai where the heat can be unbearable for tourists. With temperatures going up as high as 50 degrees Celsius during the day, tourists are advised against spending long hours outdoors to avoid heat stroke.
Transition period: As seasons switch, the city goes through two transition periods from April to May and October to November when the weather can be a bit more unpredictable than usual.
Apps to Download When Visiting Mushrif National Park
Visit Dubai: Get all the information that you need including contact numbers and directions to the top tourist spots in Dubai through this tourism app
iOs | Android
S’hail: If you like to commute, this app lets you check the schedule of buses, trams, the monorail, metro and water buses
iOs | Android
Uber: The go-to app for booking private car service to take you around Dubai
iOs | Android
Careem: The local version of Uber for booking a car service
iOs | Android
RTA Dubai Drive: The app to use for navigating your way around Dubai if you’re renting a self-drive car because it has detailed maps of the city and even parking suggestions
iOs | Android