Dubai: 13 picnic spots to enjoy with your family and friends

Given the now cooler weather, this is the best time to enjoy Dubai’s outdoor attractions with family and friends. These spots give you the best budget-friendly options to enjoy a nice day out with loved ones while enjoying amazing views.

The latest campaign by Dubai authorities, #DubaiDestinations, is a collaborative initiative to highlight the city’s unique experiences and activities, was launched recently. As part of the initiative, we look at places that residents and tourists can visit to enjoy Dubai’s best attractions.

Creek Park: The Dubai Creek seperates Bur Dubai from Deira and provides a beautiful view of the area. Creek Park is one of the city's oldest parks, with a cable car that offers spectacular views, features designated BBQ sites, bicycle areas, Dolphanarium and children's play areas, making it ideal for a family excursion. Entry fee to the Park is : Dh5/-

Al Mamzar Beach: When it comes to choosing a picnic site in Dubai, there is often a debate between parks and beaches. If that's the case, Al Mamzar Beach provides the best of both worlds. The park feels very lively because it is surrounded by four beaches, and you can swim, kids playground, and a few water sports. You can also head there for your daily walk if you need a refreshing change of scene. Entry fee: Dh5/-. Mondays are for women and children only.

Al Barsha Pond Park: This park is directly next to the Al Barsha Mall and is much busier than the rest of the city's parks for good reason. It's centered around a huge lake with a running and cycling path. The park offers variety of kids playgrounds, pedal bikes, boating on the lake and loads of green patches for the perfect picnic. Entry: Free

Mushrif Park: The BBQ area at Mushrif Park is one of the most popular attractions among residents and visitors, and it is quite large and expansive, spread over 125 hectares. Featuring an Adventure Park in Mirdiff, swimming pool, playgrounds this park been a favoirite since its opening in for both kids and adults. Entry Fee: Dh10 entry per car.

Al Qudra: This is one of Dubai's most suitable picnic locations. It also has what is known as a love lake, a lake in the shape of intertwined hearts. It is a popular camping spot, and the lake itself attracts a large number of migratory birds including pink flamingos, making it an excellent spot for bird watching with over 180 species. Cycling enthusiasts will be happy with the fantastic cycling track that runs alongside the lake. You may find it useful to bring a camera if you want to photograph some unusual creatures and birds. Enjoy free public BBQ spots in the peaceful Marmoom Desert.

Burj Park: Is there a more picturesque location than in front of the world famous Burj Khalifa? It's not only a lovely park, but it also allows you to sit and admire the world's tallest tower while taking in views of the Dubai Fountain and the Dubai Mall. The nicest part about this park is that you can rent a bike and ride around, burning off those calories from those savories you just ate, food trucks, and much more.

Al Khazzan Park: Home to an iconic water tank structure, this park is the first in the UAE to be totally powered by solar energy. The park is situated across the street from City Walk on Al-Safa Street. It is well-liked by both parents and children, thanks to its two playgrounds and children's mini-cycle park.

Secret Beach: The Al Sufouh Beach, is often known as the Secret Beach, is appropriately named as most people are ignorant of its existence. There are no beach signs, no facilities, no restaurants, no showers, and very few people depending on the time of day. As a result, it's pure ecstasy. If you're looking for some quiet, uninterrupted time on the beach with views of the Burj Al Arab, this is the place to go. Even though it sits in the center of Dubai, this is about as calm as it gets. A perfect spot to kick off your shoes to its epic sunrise view.

Al Quoz Pond Park: If you are searching for a peaceful place to spend the day with your family but yet having plenty to keep everyone entertained, Al Quoz Pond Park is the place to go. One of Dubai's newest parks, it comes with safe enlosures and playgrounds. It's in a calm spot behind Al Quoz residential area, on the road to Meydan. The park's sports grounds include softball fields with batting cages, as well as a soft-surface asphalt jogging track that circles the perimeter. It also has workout equipment strategically placed around the track with clear instructions to ensure appropriate use! There are plenty of shady, well-kept grassy spaces to sit and idle away the hours.

Safa Park: First opened in 1975, Safa Park has it all – three lakes, 17,000 bushes and over 300 species of birds. Safa Park is impossible to miss when you're out on a picnic and looking for the best picnic spots in Dubai. This lush haven, located in the center of the city, provides an excellent respite. While some can take use of the numerous sporting facilities available, such as a basketball court, jogging track, football, tennis, and so on, others can easily find a quiet location and wonder at the lush vegetation and tranquility of the area.

Al Nahda Pond Park is an ideal setting for a family outing. For some competitive family fun, this outdoor facility has a children's play area as well as tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts.

Sunset Beach, also known as Umm Suqeim beach, is the perfect spot to relax with the sun, sand and Burj Al Arab in the distant background. One of the quieter spots along the coast, it is a beautiful area for morning jogs and strolls and watching the sun set across the Arabian Gulf.