BUHAIS GEOLOGY PARK ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTRE, SHARJAH: While you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled onto Mars, this rocky moonscape of a park, opened in 2019, is actually in Sharjah, situated about an hour’s drive from central Dubai in an area of staggering geological significance. The discovery centre makes for an amazing, air-conditioned activity during the summer months. Teeming with marine fossils, the site is based on what used to be an ancient sea bed, and features five interconnected pods, which house exhibitions investigating the UAE’s rich geological history. This unique site is the ideal day trip for little dinosaur-lovers, science buffs or fossil fans, and features an easy 1km trail loop that features ancient archaeological burial sites from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as giant Ophiolite boulders - parts of a section of the Earth’s crust that has been forced up and exposed - which make for a wonderful teaching aid to tell kids about tectonic plates and the history of the Earth. DETAILS: Roughly 1-2 hours drive from Dubai, Dh10 entry for adults and children to the archaeological centre, opening hours vary so call to check before setting out, 06 801 2100.
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