Top 10 Family-Friendly Places to Visit in Sharjah

Sharjah is a city that boasts a rich culture, vibrant arts, and facilities that make it ideal for the entire family. As the third-largest of the seven emirates that make up the UAE and popularly known as the cultural capital, Sharjah boasts an incredible array of locations to visit and places to go that appeal to the locals and visitors interested in education, nature, and activity-based experiences. Whether it is an art gallery, an interesting museum, a beautiful park, or a wildlife sanctuary, the city has numerous sites ideal for families.

If you discover Sharjah with your family, you’ll travel through cultural sites, various attractions, and parks. Every place of interest has fun things to do for every age of the group, making it possible to create fantastic memories. Find below the best places in Sharjah for tourists with family, along with contact details to make your planning easier.

 

Sharjah’s Family-Friendly Places to Visit

1. Sharjah Aquarium

• • Address: Al Khan Old Area, Sharjah
  • Website: Sharjah Aquarium
  • Contact Info: +97165285288

• Opening Hours: Saturday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM/Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The Sharjah Aquarium presents an overview of aquatic fauna and flora found in the UAE waters. This large aquarium occupies two floors of the building and allows the guests to look at various sea creatures including sharks and beautiful coral reefs. Sharjah Aquarium is informative and entertaining and it offers the visitor a glimpse into the oceanic environment and the related conservation initiatives in the emirate.

The experience of visiting the Sharjah Aquarium makes one feel like they are underwater in an aquarium. It can teach children and adults about the interdependence and preservation of the ocean’s environments, and the interactive exhibits are particularly well-received by kids. It is a great spot to spend an afternoon in a rather rustic environment with a really entertaining setting for kids.

Key Features:

• Embark on an enlightening journey of discovery with exhibits on the conservation of marine wildlife.
• Reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of fishes are showcased.
• Fun educational sessions for the children
• Café and gift shop on-site
• There is enough parking and the areas are designed in a way that allows easy access with wheelchairs.

 

2. Al Noor Island

• Address: Buhairah Corniche Road, Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah
• Website: Al Noor Island
• Contact Info: +97165067000
• Opening hours: Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 pm, Weekends: 9:00 am to 12:00 midnight, Butterfly House: Daily: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Al Noor Island is a recreational place that combines nature, art, and entertainment and is situated in the city of Sharjah. The island offers a butterfly house, local sculptures, and gardens with fountains, as well as creative areas for art. It is perhaps a great spot for family holidays because there are a lot of green areas and those who like sculptures and paintings.

Vibrant, yet serene, it is always refreshing to pay a visit to Al Noor Island. Children enjoy strolling through the shaded mews and the butterfly pavilion introduces a certain element of magic that is complemented by the contemporary sculptures. It has a good blend of the sun, sea, and sand that makes it ideal for families who want to enjoy their vacation and explore the place at the same time.

Key Features:

• Butterfly House where exotic species of butterflies are bred.
• Culturally distinct artworks and sculptures
• Perfectly landscaped green lawns
• Café with a picturesque view
• Illuminated pathways and lighted garden areas at night

Al Noor Island: Reviews, Directions, and Photos

 

3. Sharjah Science Museum

• Address: Al Abar, Sharjah
• Website: Sharjah Museums
• Contact Info: +971 6 566 8777

Sharjah Science Museum is a unique kind of museum that provides an interactive dimension of learning to all individuals. Such programs and performances, along with hands-on exhibits that teach kids about space, physics, and other related topics, make the museum appealing to children. The most important features that differentiate it from other instructional displays are that they are fun as well as informative.

The fact that the museum has an interactive nature makes it perfect for parents to take their children for a visit. Kids can attend the workshops, conduct some experiments, or simply interact with the art installations. This makes learning an interesting process where young people develop curiosity and are interested in exploring more.

Key Features:

• Interactive displays on physics, space, and biology
• Fun science workshops and educational programs for children
• Planetariums including space shows and other related programs
• Science kits and educational toys gift shop
• Easy parking and facilities that are family-friendly

 

4. Sharjah Desert Park

• Address: Al Batayih, Sharjah
• Contact Info: +97165311999
• Opening hours: 9 am–6:30 pm

Sharjah Desert Park has a certain impact of giving the visitor a look into the natural history of the region. It includes the Natural History Museum, the Arabian Wildlife Center, and the Botanical Garden. This park is primarily aimed to protect the natural resources of Sharjah and to create more awareness of the natural history of the region.

Visiting and exploring the Sharjah Desert Park is an adventure. Children appreciate the chance to have a closer look at the animals at the Arabian Wildlife Centre while adults gain some knowledge of the area’s environment. This is a perfect vacation spot for families that want to experience the environment, especially through hiking and much more in a safer and fun manner.

Key Features:

• Natural History Museum and Arabian Wildlife Center
• Botanical Garden that focused on the native flora
• Conservation education and research programs
• Children’s playground
• Café and rest areas for visitors

 

5. Al Montazah Park

• Address: The Flag Island, Sharjah
• Website: Al Montazah Parks
• Contact Info: +97165110555
• Opening hours: 10 am–10 pm

Al Montazah Park is a combination of amusement parks and water parks with rides, slides, and other entertaining facilities for families. There are more activities for the visitors and this place is famous among the locals and tourists and is more preferred by families with kids.

Fun and excitement are all that anyone will experience when in Al Montazah. The water park is refreshing, the amusement rides are a little more thrilling. There are recreational activities that children, as well as parents, can enjoy in amusement parks such as a variety of rides, slides, and pools. For this reason, it is a perfect place to visit for families and other people who love to enjoy a happy and exciting environment.

Key Features:

• Includes wonderful amusement park and water park 
• Child’s play facilities such as shows, roller coasters, and water slides.
• Different play areas for smaller kids
• Various food options
• Areas for picnic with shade and restroom facilities

 

6. Sharjah Art Museum

• Address: Al Shuwaihean, Sharjah
• Website: Sharjah Museums
• Contact Info: +97165688222
• Opening Hours: Saturday to Thursday: 08:00 am to 08:00 pm, Friday: 04:00 pm to 08:00 pm

The Sharjah Art Museum comprises a rich collection of modern and ancient art from different parts of the world. Being one of the most renowned art museums in the area, it offers families a chance to appreciate artworks and learn about the cultural heritage of the region.

The museum provides a relatively quiet space to experience both contemporary and traditional art where the families can fully enjoy the works in the gallery without any distraction. Each of the galleries presents variation in style and medium, providing a visually interesting experience for visitors of any age. It is a good option for families who prefer a day of embracing more art and history.

Key Features:

• Includes galleries with Middle Eastern and Islamic art

• Offers different learning interactive activities for children

• Various workshops and exhibits

• Café and library are available

• Family-friendly sightseeing spots

 

7. Sharjah Archaeology Museum

• Address: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi St, Al Abar, Sharjah 
• Website: Sharjah Museums
• Contact Info: +97165665466
• Opening Hours: Saturday-Thursday 8:00 am-8:00 pm, Friday: 4:00 pm-8:00 pm

The Sharjah Archaeology Museum is a place that brings historical experience into reality and exhibits the archaeological significance of the region. They have various relics that depict the area’s history dating back to thousands of years of ancient civilizations that existed in Sharjah.

Visiting the museum feels like being transported back in time. While children find artifacts to be engaging, adults find historical sections informative and detailed. It is a center of education that includes a wonderful and engaging trip through time.

Key Features:

• Ancient artifacts, fossils, stones
• Educational sessions about the archaeological history of the area
• Interactive and educational things to do for children
• Café and gift shop are available
• Free space for parking cars and good access for wheelchairs

 

8. Sharjah Classic Car Museum

• Address: Near Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah

• Phone: +97165580222

• Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm

The Sharjah Classic Car Museum is an interesting destination where connoisseurs of automobile classics will learn about the history of the automobile industry and see more than one hundred cars that were produced from the beginning of the twentieth century to the 1980s. Representing several car makers such as Rolls-Royce, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz, this collection throws light on the changes that have occurred in car design and systems over time. The exhibits inside the museum are very well planned and are arranged in the sequence of decades; therefore, one can observe the dynamics of shaping automobile appearance, their construction, and the growth of comfort facilities during several decades.

The setting in the museum gives one a feeling of having moved back to the early years, with every car being spruced up to look like it was newly manufactured. There is also an area of the museum where one will be able to get information on each model with the help of a touch screen, with the details of the model and its history. Families are welcome since the museum has activities targeting children, whereas car lovers can enjoy the rare and luxurious collection of antique cars. Additional features include guided tours that add a strong informative element and an overall appeal to children and adults.

Key Features:

• More than 100 antique cars and motorcycles

• Tangible attractions and experiential installations

• Professional tour guides 

• Children-friendly activities

• There is enough space for car parking and even a small shop where the guests can purchase souvenirs.

 

9. Al Majaz Waterfront

• Address: Khalid Lake Trail, Sharjah

• Phone: +97165117000

• Website: Al Majaz Waterfront

Al Majaz Waterfront is one of the most visited sites in Sharjah for families because it is a scenic, entertaining, and recreational area located on Khalid Lagoon. It has some attractive green territory, a grand promenade by the water, and several eating and picnic places with serene views of the lagoon. You can also enjoy the Sharjah Musical Fountain, which is a light show accompanied by music in the evening and makes the environment magical.

It is ideal for families to visit Al Majaz Waterfront and enjoy the open-air attractions with lots of activities for everyone. The park has facilities such as barbeque grills and picnic tables, playgrounds for children, mini-golf, and splash pads. The waterfront also has boats for families who wish to take a ride through the lagoon, or just relish the view from any of the cafes. In the evening, with the Musical Fountain shows running in the backdrop, Al Majaz offers a resourceful and visually appealing space suitable for use by all age groups.

Key Features:

• Sharjah Musical Fountain with light and sound synchronization

• Children’s activities, including mini-golf and splash parks

• Boat rentals and other related services that will enable tourists to tour the lagoons

• Several restaurants and cafes are available with waterfront views

• Adequate parking lot for cars and gardens for people to sit and engage in picnic activities

 

10. Khorfakkan Beach

• Address: Khorfakkan City, Sharjah

• Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday: 9:00 am -7:00 pm, Friday-Saturday: 9:00 am -4:00 pm.

• Website: Khorfakkan Beach

Khorfakkan Beach is a 3-kilometer crescent-shaped beach that is located in the easternmost part of Sharjah. This beach provides a serene holiday destination with the sandy beach and the stunning backdrop of the Hajar Mountains ideal for families and lovers of sun, sand, and sea. Khorfakkan Beach has been altered recently, providing more facilities such as shaded sitting areas, children’s play areas, and other facilities that are necessary and comfortable.

Khorfakkan Beach is indeed a beautiful and relaxing place. Kids can swim in the enclosed shallow water, while parents sunbathe on the clean beach sand, or tour other places around, including the Khorfakkan Amphitheater and Waterfall. Several sections of the beach are provided for picnics and many shady areas that would be ideal for families to enjoy, and aquatic sports lovers would be satisfied by kayaking and snorkeling, offering interesting experiences for all age groups.

Key Features:

• Shaded seating areas for picnic and play areas for kids

• Water sports are also available, including kayaking and snorkeling

• With the wonderful view of the Hajar Mountains

• Enough parking lots and easy accessibility 

 

Conclusion

Sharjah’s tourist attractions are family-friendly and can provide interactive, educational, and scenic activities. The aquarium, Parks, and Museums provide the most diversified activities which infuse family entertainment and empower them with a rich perception of Sharjah’s cultural and geographic wonders.

For families living in or visiting the UAE, Sharjah boasts a visually stimulating and engaging collection of family-friendly attractions centered around science, nature, and arts. These destinations offer a good environment for all members of the family to be together and capture fantastically memorable moments.

 

FAQ

1. When would be the best time to visit Sharjah’s family-friendly attractions?
Most of the attractions in Sharjah are better appreciated when visited from October to April when the weather is relatively cooler. Places like Al Noor Island, Al Majaz Waterfront, and other open areas are most appealing at this time.

2. Do these places provide easy access for wheelchairs?

Yes, there are; most of these places such as the Sharjah Aquarium, Al Noor Island, and Sharjah Art Museum have ramps, elevators, and pathways that are perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. However, please check before visiting.

3. Are tickets to these attractions available for online purchase?
Some recreational places such as Al Montazah Parks and Sharjah Aquarium offer ticket booking on their websites, which is suggested to do online to avoid queuing.

4. Is there a capacity to involve the children in these places through programs or specific occasions?

Absolutely! Some places such as the Sharjah Science Museum always provide educational programs and exhibitions, including creative workshops to attract children.

 

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