The ADR Guide: Summer boredom busters | Things to do in Abu Dhabi
Running out of ideas for how to fill your days? We get it, summer boredom is real. We've found some of the best things to do around the capital right now, from water parks and snow parks to VR arenas and indoor skydiving.
Yas Waterworld
Splash into Yas Waterworld for a full day of slides, rides and water-based fun.
Go head-to-head with your crew on Al Falaj Race, the region's first side-by-side duelling tube raft ride, or challenge them to Water Wars, where you can grab a bucket of balloons and come up with your own strategy. For another dose of thrills, take on Mataha Madness, a maze-like three-person raft ride that will have you twisting and turning your way to the finish. Or drift along the Lazy River for a more relaxed float between the action.
Once you've worked up an appetite, there are plenty of spots to refuel without leaving the park. Head to Dockside Dining for fresh pasta and pizza, or stop by Gahwat Nasser for lighter bites, coffee and cookies. For something cold, Skinny Frozen Treats has frozen lemonade, fresh juices and ice cream to help you cool down.
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Bounce Abu Dhabi
Got some energy to burn? Bounce is split into zones, so you can pick depending on how much of a challenge you're after. X Run is a high-speed obstacle course full of racing, climbing and crawling, while Summit has you climbing up then freerunning your way back down.
If you'd rather stay airborne, Cliff Jump is pure height and adrenaline, and Big Bag is all about soaring through the air for a soft (ish) landing. There's also Slam Dunk if you fancy a bit of sky-high basketball, and a Performance zone where the freestylers go to show off.
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Snow Abu Dhabi
Go from sweltering heat outside to -2°C inside, Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall.
Hop aboard the Polar Express, take a spin on the Crystal Carousel, or get stuck into a snowball fight if that’s more your vibe. You’ll be kitted out with a jacket, boots and gloves when you arrive, so there’s no need to bring your own winter gear.
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Pixoul Gaming
Head to Al Qana's gaming hub for a bit more high-tech entertainment. Pixoul has 10 different VR experiences across five zones, from flight and racing simulators to escape rooms and shooters, all using fully wireless headsets.
Mach 6 Racer puts you on a motorsport track at full speed. Prefer things a bit more chaotic? Battle Rush is a four-player racing-meets-shooting showdown, and Pixel Recon closes things out with a free-roaming boss battle against the last of the game's baddies. There’s also an Esports Bar for snacks, sandwiches, smoothies and drinks between games.
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CLYMB Abu Dhabi
For something a bit more active, check out CLYMB at Yas Mall. Start with the Climbing Experience, where you’ll get to try auto-belay and bouldering on the easiest of the five walls before working your way up. More experienced climbers can work their way up to the taller walls, including SUMMYT, the 138ft climbing challenge.
Prefer to fly? CLYMB’s indoor skydiving experience is suitable for first-timers and experienced flyers, with instructors guiding you through the basics and helping you work on different flying positions as you progress.
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Zeal Entertainment Centre
Zeal Entertainment Centre has a 12-lane bowling alley, four pool tables and a 25-PC gaming room. There’s also an arcade packed with the usual favourites, plus games like Vortex Tunnel, where you tilt and turn your way through a balance challenge, and Laser Frenzy, a laser maze where you dodge beams to save the day.
If VR is more your thing, don't skip the Finger Coaster, which lets you build your own roller coaster path and then ride it out from a stationary seat. Once you've worked through the list, Fizz Restaurant next door has food, drinks and a shisha lounge to round the day off.
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Zero Latency Abu Dhabi
If you've never tried free-roam VR, The Galleria's Zero Latency might be worth a try. No wires, no cables, just you, a headset and a backpack that tracks your movement as you roam a proper-sized arena with up to seven others.
Their current headline game is Outbreak Origins, a 25-minute zombie mission that's about as close to a horror film as you'll get. There's also other games such as Far Cry VR, Sol Raiders, and Singularity if you want to switch things up. Sessions run 15 to 30 minutes, and fit up to eight players at a time.
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Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Step into Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi where you can spend the day moving between rides, attractions and familiar characters. There are 29 rides and attractions to try across six themed lands, from high-speed thrills to more relaxed family rides.
For the bigger thrills, head to Gotham City for Batman: Knight Flight or The Riddler Revolution, or make your way to Metropolis for Kryptonite Collider, the park’s newest ride, where you’ll be spun around in a glowing green adventure. With little ones in tow, Cartoon Junction is packed with more relaxed rides and familiar characters, while Bedrock is where you’ll find the prehistoric world of The Flintstones.
When you need a break, there are several dining spots around the park, from Italian and 1930s Hollywood-style dining, to burgers, ice cream and sweet treats. Get your cameras ready as Warner Bros. characters make surprise appearances throughout the park.
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