1. Try indoor skydiving and rock climbing at CLYMB
As the latest attraction to open on Yas Island, CLYMB Abu Dhabi has already received a lot of attention since it opened back in November. But considering the fact that it’s home to both the world’s biggest indoor skydiving flight chamber and the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall, it’s hardly surprising that it has caused such a buzz. Children from as young as three are now able to try the huge flight chamber, measuring a massive 10m by 26m, and climbing experiences on the 43m climbing wall SUMMYT will set you back less than Dhs100 per person. Will you ever forget the New Year’s Eve you spent on the world’s tallest climbing wall or indoor sky diving? You know it’s unlikely.
From Dhs95 (climbing), From Dhs 215 (skydiving). Sun-Thu noon-9pm, Fri and Sat noon-11pm. Yas Mall, Yas Island, www.clymbabudhabi.com.
2. Go for a scoot along the Corniche
2019 was officially the year that Abu Dhabi went mad for electric scooters, and over the last few months they’ve spread to various different parts of the city including the Corniche, Yas Island and Masdar City. If you haven’t tried them yet, why not mark the New Year with an afternoon scoot along the 8km pathways that line the Corniche? They’re super easy to use; all you need to do is download the Circ app, set up an account, load your account with credit and you’re ready to go. Geofencing means you won’t be able to ride it out of a defined area and you can leave it wherever you like within the area. You’ll be able to stop and get some great snaps along the way, and as long as you’re out of there before the hoards descend to watch the evening fireworks, it should be very peaceful, too.
Various locations, including Yas Island, www.goflash.com.
3. Ride the fastest roller coaster in the world at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
If you haven’t quite plucked up the courage to try the mighty Formula Rossa ride yet, why not set yourself the goal of ticking it off your bucket list on the last day of 2019? As the fastest roller coaster on the planet, the adrenaline-pumping attraction reaches dizzying heights of 52 metres and incredible speeds of 240km per hour. You can reward yourself afterwards with a nice cup of coffee and a go on the more gentle rides.
Dhs295 (single day ticket). Open daily 10am-8pm. Yas Island (600 511 115).
4. Cycle around Hudayriat Island
You’ve probably taken the drive over the bridge (which is impressive in itself) to Hudayriat Island before for a weekend sunbathing session, but did you also know that you can hire bikes here? Yas Cycles has bikes available for Dhs50 an hour and the dedication bike tracks loop the island and take in magnificent views of Etihad Towers, the bright blue Gulf and the Downtown skyline. Two loops are available in 10km and 5km distances and it’s the perfect way of ending the year on a high and working off some of those Christmas brunches. You can always reward yourself afterwards with a visit to one of the food trucks (the crossiants from I Love Coffee are monstrously huge, you have been warned).
Free. Open daily 8am-7pm. Hudayriat Island.
5. Explore the history of luxury at Louvre Abu Dhabi
It’s no secret that if you like the finer things in life, Abu Dhabi is a great city to live in. But did you know that right you can witness the history of luxury in the Middle East at Louvre Abu Dhabi? 10,000 Years of Luxury is the first comprehensive exhibition to focus on the subject, and it includes 350 fascinating items from across the worlds of fashion, jewellery, visual art, furniture and design. The exhibition lets you take in ancient Egyptian carpets, a recreation of an 18th century Parisian boutique, luxury goods from the Industrial Revolution and special one-off objects, such as an hourglass by Australian designer Marc Newson. New Year’s Eve activities certainly don’t get fancier than this.
Dhs63 (adults), Dhs31.5 (ages 13-22), free (under 13). Until Feb 18. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, www.louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565 566).
