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10 Fun Things to Do Over the Long Weekend in the UAE

Mysk Kingfisher Retreat

Mysk Kingfisher Retreat. Courtesy

As we inch towards a long weekend in the UAE, the possibilities of what you could do over the course of three days are now pretty much endless as long as all the safety precautions are adhered to. From drive-in movie nights to all you can eat brunches, we’ve got you covered to ensure you make the most of this long weekend.

Have a drive-through movie night

Movie nights at Sharjah’s Aljada continue to offer visitors an exciting outdoor movie experience through its wide range of family, action, and comedy classics, in both Arabic and English. All movies at the drive-in cinema at Madar at Aljada, Muwaileh, Sharjah, are free to enter on a first-come, first served basis. Cinemagoers can also experience Zad, Aljada’s drive-thru food district which features 17 different types of delicious cuisines. This weekend you can watch The UEFA Champions league semi finals, as well as Jumanji. Catch the schedule here.

Spend a perfect day at The Hundred Wellness

Located in Jumeirah, The Hundred Wellness Centre has launched a day pass priced at AED 230 per person. This day pass includes a private Pilates session for up to four friends, followed by a nutritious meal in the health-focused café, providing a wholesome rest and re-set for the week ahead. As part of the day pass, guests can enjoy a signature dish alongside a hot drink or fresh juice.

Travel through cinema with Cinema Akil

Dubai’s only independent cinema, Cinema Akil, takes you through a summer-long series of timeless classics, contemporary favorites celebrating the joy of travel. This month Cinema Akil is focusing on France. Their ‘Voyage to France’ series in partnership with Institut Français will run until September 3. Voyage to France will feature award-winning directors, respectively, François Truffaut, Jacques Demy, Jean Vigo, and Agnès Varda.

Go sky diving

Skydive Dubai

Photo: Courtesy of Skydive Dubai

There’s a special offer for any new tandem bookings made for June, July, and August 2020. You will be able to book a tandem for a reduced-price AED 1,799, as well as an Instagram edit of your tandem (in addition to our standard edited video and photos), an official Skydive Dubai cap, and a 2-for-1 meal voucher from  Zero Gravity as part of this limited-time promotion.

Indulge in a buffet

Brasserie 2.0

Photo: Courtesy of the Brasserie 2.0

Brasserie 2.0 at the Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, is offering buy-one-get-one-free on its buffet this summer. From Sunday to Wednesday between 7pm and 11pm, enjoy a weeknight deal for you and a friend at a great deal.

See rhinos at the zoo

Al Ain Zoo

Photo: Courtesy of Al Ain Zoo

Al Ain Zoo and the interactive Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre have now reopened with enhanced pandemic health and safety standards. A place where conservation is at the heart of what they do, there are gorillas, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, jaguars, lemurs, hippos, chimpanzees, wolves, crocodiles, and flamingoes for kids to meet and fall in love with.

Al Ain timings –  9am and 6pm from Thursday through to Saturday, tickets are Dhs28.35 for adults and Dhs9.45 for kids.

Immerse yourself in art

Abu Dhabi Art Hub

Photo: Courtesy of Abu Dhabi Art Hub

With its downtown location and ever-changing exhibitions, Abu Dhabi Art Hub is a great place to visit if you are looking for a dose of culture. You can explore what’s on show in the galleries, with works from local and international artists, or pick up a new hobby from their array of courses covering skills such as calligraphy, drawing, oil painting, and more.

Wander through the Dubai Aquarium

Dubai Aquarium

Photo: Courtesy of Dubai Aquarium

This summer, a special deal allows you to buy a ticket at a reduced price at just AED 120 per person. The 10-million liter Dubai Aquarium tank, located on the ground level of The Dubai Mall, is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world. It is home to thousands of aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species. Over 300 sharks and rays live in this tank.

 Staycation in Sharjah

Mysk Kingfisher Retreat

Photo: Courtesy of Mysk Kingfisher Retreat

The three retreats of Mysk Kingfisher, Mysk Al Badayer Retreat and Mysk Al Faya Retreat, are all set on the east coast of Sharjah. Mysk Kingfisher Retreat will encourage you to take it easy and absorb Kalba’s rich nature and biodiversity. The eco-retreat looks out onto the Al Qurm Nature Reserve, famed for its rich biodiverse ecosystem of mangrove forests and rare species of birds, turtles, fish, and deer. Valid until the end of September 2020, staycation packages here start from AED 999, and there are deals that include spa treatments, in-tent BBQ, and more. Head to the undulating dunes to discover Mysk Al Faya Retreat to explore the majestic Mleiha Desert and partake in adventurous and thrilling experiences provided by Shurooq’s Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism. Al Faya Retreat’s staycation deals offer individual rooms from AED 1,199 upwards and even the choice to ‘own’ the five-room retreat for AED 2,500. For traditional Arabian hospitality, head to Mysk Al Badayer Retreat, a tranquil desert stop that is set against the sweeping dunes of the famous Al Badayer Desert in Sharjah. Room rates here start from AED 320 and tent rates from AED 1,100.

Read Next: What to Pack for Your Summer Staycation

Enjoy a stay-in brunch

Rise & Dawn Bakehouse

Photo: Courtesy of Rise & Dawn Bakehouse

If breakfast in bed sounds like your idea of a perfect weekend morning, Rise & Dawn Bakehouse has you covered with its ‘Weekend Brunch Box’. This box includes a range of flaky croissants, freshly squeezed orange juice, a selection of freshly baked bread, avocados, eggs, lemon, and chili flakes to make your own tasty eggs and avocado on toast. There’s a variety of other amazing boxes to choose from too.

Read Next: 8 Countries to Escape to this Summer from the UAE

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