Family-Friendly Sharjah: 7-Day Itinerary Beyond Dubai's Shadow

After arriving at Sharjah International Airport, I settled into the Al Bait Sharjah – a heritage hotel that transformed historic homes into luxury accommodations while preserving their architectural integrity. The property's central courtyard became our morning ritual spot, where my travel companions and I sipped cardamom-infused coffee while planning each day's adventures.

Our cultural journey began at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, housed in what was once a traditional souq on the waterfront. Unlike many museums that leave children fidgeting, this one captivates young minds with interactive displays explaining Islamic scientific contributions and artistic traditions. The Golden Globe – showcasing the cosmos from an Islamic perspective – had my friend's eight-year-old daughter completely mesmerized.

Just a short walk away, the Sharjah Art Museum offers a more contemporary perspective with rotating exhibitions that often include family-friendly installations. What impressed me most was their children's art studio, where kids create their own masterpieces inspired by the works they've seen.

For lunch, we discovered Fen Café, tucked inside the Sharjah Art Foundation. Their menu blends Emirati flavors with international cuisine – the date-infused chicken wraps became an immediate hit with our younger travelers. As evening approached, we wandered through the Heart of Sharjah restoration project, where narrow alleyways and restored merchant houses transported us to pre-oil boom Emirates.

Before dinner, I pulled out my compact binoculars to observe the traditional dhows crossing the Khalid Lagoon as the sun set. These have accompanied me from Cuban heritage sites to Japanese mountain trails, and proved equally valuable for spotting distant architectural details and wildlife throughout our Sharjah stay.

No visit to the Emirates is complete without a desert experience, but Sharjah offers something more substantial than the typical dune-bashing tourist circuits. We dedicated our third day to the Sharjah Desert Park, a sprawling complex that houses the Natural History Museum, Arabian Wildlife Center, and Children's Farm.

The Arabian Wildlife Center became the unexpected highlight of our trip. Unlike many zoos where Arabian species are afterthoughts, this center focuses exclusively on peninsula fauna. The nocturnal house – where day and night are reversed – allowed us to observe active sand cats, hedgehogs, and the elusive Arabian leopard. The center's conservation messaging resonated with both adults and children in our group.

After a morning with wildlife, we ventured into the actual desert with Mleiha Archaeological Centre. Their family archaeology tour transformed what could have been a dry historical lecture into a treasure hunt through ancient burial sites and fossilized remains. Our guide, Mahmoud, expertly balanced scientific information with engaging stories that had everyone from age 8 to 48 completely captivated.

As sunset approached, we settled into a traditional Bedouin camp for dinner under the stars. I'd packed my portable star guide, which proved invaluable for identifying constellations in the remarkably clear desert sky. The children were particularly fascinated by how different the night sky appears in the Middle East compared to North America.

For families considering this desert day, I'd recommend bringing a insulated water bottle for each family member. Even in winter, the desert sun is formidable, and having cold water available throughout the day was essential for keeping everyone comfortable and hydrated.

Sharjah's relationship with the sea runs deep, and days four and five of our itinerary celebrated this maritime heritage. We began at the Sharjah Maritime Museum, where interactive exhibits demonstrate traditional boat-building techniques and pearl diving history. The highlight for younger visitors was the dress-up station, where they donned traditional pearl diver outfits and enacted historical scenarios.

After learning about maritime traditions, we experienced them firsthand with a trip to Al Noor Island. Connected to the mainland by a pedestrian bridge, this manicured sanctuary houses a butterfly house with over 500 exotic species. The island's literature pavilion – a geometric marvel of modern Islamic-inspired architecture – hosts regular storytelling sessions in both Arabic and English.

What surprised me most about Al Noor Island was how seamlessly it blends art, nature, and science. Sculptural installations dot the landscape between rare plants, while interactive exhibits explain the island's sustainable design principles. For lunch, we enjoyed a picnic on the island's central lawn, watching traditional boats navigate the surrounding lagoon.

Day five took us to Al Qasba, a canal-side development that's become Sharjah's family entertainment hub. The 60-meter observation wheel provides spectacular views across the emirate, while the adjacent Kids Fun Zone kept our younger travelers entertained with supervised play areas. As evening approached, we boarded an abra (traditional wooden boat) for a sunset cruise along Khalid Lagoon, providing a water-level perspective of Sharjah's evolving skyline.

For dinner, we discovered Al Fanar Restaurant, which recreates a 1960s Emirati neighborhood complete with vintage cars and traditional architecture. Beyond the atmospheric setting, their menu offers authentic Emirati cuisine rarely found in tourist establishments – the machboos (spiced rice with meat) and luqaimat (sweet dumplings) were particular hits with our group.

Day six was dedicated to Sharjah's remarkable science museums, which rival those of major European capitals but without the crowds. We began at the Sharjah Science Museum, where over 50 interactive exhibits demonstrate scientific principles through hands-on experiments. What impressed me most was how the museum contextualizes science within Islamic scholarly traditions – highlighting contributions from the Islamic Golden Age alongside contemporary innovations.

After lunch at the museum café, we ventured to the nearby Sharjah Discovery Centre, designed specifically for children aged 3-12. The seven themed areas – from water and machines to television production – provided enough entertainment to fill an entire day. The Build Your Own Roller Coaster station became an unexpected engineering lesson as children designed, tested, and refined their marble runs with increasingly complex elements.

As evening approached, we visited the Sharjah Center for Astronomy and Space Sciences. The state-of-the-art planetarium offers shows in both Arabic and English, with content ranging from basic astronomy for younger viewers to deep space exploration for adults. The adjacent exhibition halls feature meteorites, space mission artifacts, and interactive displays explaining UAE's ambitious space program.

For families traveling with science-curious children, I recommend bringing a pocket microscope. This compact device enhanced our museum experience by allowing closer examination of various specimens and materials. My friend's daughter was particularly fascinated by comparing the microscopic structures of different fabrics in the traditional textile exhibit.

We concluded our science day with dinner at Shababeek, a Lebanese-Emirati fusion restaurant in Al Qasba. Their outdoor terrace offers stunning views of the canal and surrounding architecture – the perfect setting to discuss the day's discoveries while enjoying mezze platters and grilled specialties.

We dedicated our final day to experiencing Sharjah's traditional markets and creating lasting culinary memories. Our morning began at the Blue Souq (officially Souq Central Market), a distinctive two-wing structure connected by indoor bridges spanning the Khalid Lagoon. Unlike Dubai's more tourist-oriented markets, this authentic trading center houses over 600 shops selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to Persian carpets.

Navigating the Blue Souq with children proved surprisingly enjoyable. Merchants welcomed young visitors with small treats and impromptu demonstrations of traditional crafts. At one carpet shop, the owner invited our group to sit while explaining how different tribal patterns tell stories of their creators – a geography and anthropology lesson more engaging than any textbook.

For families seeking specific souvenirs, I recommend the eastern wing for textiles and handicrafts, while the western section specializes in gold, electronics, and household items. Bargaining is expected, but approached as a friendly conversation rather than aggressive haggling. Starting at about 60-70% of the initial asking price is customary, with both parties understanding they'll meet somewhere in the middle.

After shopping, we visited the Sharjah Art Foundation's Rain Room – a permanent installation where visitors walk through falling water without getting wet. Motion sensors detect human presence and stop the water directly above you, creating a seemingly magical experience that delighted everyone in our group.

Our Sharjah journey concluded with a cooking class at Bait Al Naboodah museum, where we learned to prepare traditional Emirati dishes in a restored pearl merchant's home. The children participated enthusiastically in making luqaimat (sweet dumplings) while adults tackled more complex dishes like machboos (spiced rice with meat).

Throughout the week, I documented our culinary adventures in my travel journal, noting recipe variations and ingredient substitutions that might work back home. This practice, started during my Cuban heritage exploration years ago, has become my favorite way to preserve travel memories – through the flavors that define a destination.