Ras Al Khaimah is bursting with natural wonder, like desertscapes, stunning coastline and the towering Hajar Mountains. Nothing beats exploring these landscapes in person. Try to experience the UAE’s incredible flora and fauna up close, witness the majesty of its tallest peak Jebel Jais, and explore its coastline of beaches and mangroves in Ras Al Khaimah, if you can.
Adding to that, a newly opened natural history museum in the UAE offers an opportunity to learn more about the UAE’s natural wonders. Housed in an incredible building inspired by natural rock formations, the museum’s 35,000-sqm space tells the story of our planet. Learn all about how the Arabian Peninsula and the wider world evolved and see fascinating exhibits, each with its own tale to tell, in this ambitious, accessible and interactive museum.
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi makes for a great family excursion from Ras Al Khaimah. Find out why you should visit and how to get there here.
Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum: The Highlights
The Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum showcases regional discoveries alongside renowned international exhibits. A day trip to the museum will provide you with a feel for just how significant the region’s geology and fauna are in a global context.
Be dazzled by giant fossils, skeletons and meteorites, interactive exhibits, and immersive displays as you and your family dive deep into the history of the planet.
Standout International Exhibits
Get up close and personal with some amazing natural wonders.
- Prepare to meet Stan, the world-famous 67-million-year-old T.rex skeleton from South Dakota, who will tower over you all at 11.7m tall.
- Be in awe at the size of a 25-m blue whale skull from the planet’s largest animal species.
- Be blown away by the Murchison Meteorite, a rock containing particles older than our own solar system, which hit Australia in 1969.
Mind-Blowing Permanent Galleries
Travel through time and space in these amazing gallery spaces.
The Story of Earth
Head back to the deep past in this interactive gallery. Learn all about the Big Bang, the creation of our solar system, and the origins of life on our planet.
The Evolving World
Immerse yourself in the evolution of life on Earth. This is where you will meet the dinosaurs and can study a vast range of fossils from the Arabian Peninsula.
Abu Dhabi was once a lush savannah where elephants roamed. Fossils of grassland animals unearthed in the local area reveal profound changes to the Arabian climate and geography over millions of years.
A visit to this section will also help you understand the natural history of the Jebel Jais landscape, which was created by a continental collision during the late Cretaceous period.
Our World
This section of the museum focuses on the diversity of life on Earth today. Make sure you check out exhibits on our local ecosystems, like deserts, so you can enrich your understanding of the UAE’s wildlife and nature sites.
Resilient Planet
Earth’s story moves into the future in this part of the museum. Exhibits here help discuss how nature adapts and changes over time, and how humans can help shape a more sustainable future.
Family-Friendly Features
The whole family will love the current Triceratops; The Herd exhibition and the immersive theater experience, “A Journey Through Time”.
Children can let off steam by climbing up to the Diplodocus Treehouse at Dino Play, a fun area for 0-to-6-year-olds.
The museum’s cafe is ready to feed hungry families, with snacks, heartier meals and hot drinks available.
Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum: Getting There from Ras Al Khaimah & Other Essential Information
Use this information to plan your day trip to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi from Ras Al Khaimah.
Getting There and Back
Going by car or taxi offers the quickest way to get to Abu Dhabi from Ras Al Khaimah. A typical journey time is 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
The RTA operates a bus service from Ras Al Khaimah to Abu Dhabi, usually departing from the Ras Al Khaimah bus station three times per day. By bus, the journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. The ticket will cost you AED 47, and buses are available only three times a day at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m.
The natural history museum is in Abu Dhabi’s cultural quarter, Saadiyat Island.
Tickets & Opening Times
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday to Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday to Sunday.
The adult ticket price is AED 70, and children and People of Determination go free. There’s a range of discounts available for eligible UAE citizens, too. There’s an additional cost for the theater experience.
If You Love Natural History, Don’t Miss…
Don’t miss out on seeing Ras Al Khaimah’s natural wonders for real. Here are some fantastic areas and sites to visit.
Finally, if you are interested in human history, too, check out The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah. Its collections include local archaeological finds and important antiquities that tell the story of human settlers in the UAE.
More About Ras Al Khaimah
To learn more about all that Ras Al Khaimah has to offer, browse personalized UAE itineraries, recommended hotels and accommodation, and things to do on our site.
