Mushrif Central Park: Best park in Abu Dhabi

During my visits to parks in America, each initial encounter was about the same for me:

Plenty of trees lined what was probably a dirty, unkept road to the little entrance gate where a burly park ranger waited for you, ready to hand you a map. After he gave you a jolly welcome, of course there was a friendly, but suggestive gesture toward their park donation jar. You throw in a couple bucks, nod at the ranger, drive through the park gate and prepare for inevitable recreational bliss.

But this is the UAE and things are a little different here.

When I drove up to Mushrif Central Park for the first time, what caught my eye was the red velvet rope dividers and red carpet conspicuously drenched all over the entrance. Was this a movie premiere?

It looked like the entrance to a fashionable club, only the admission was five dirhams and the go-go dancers were replaced with beautiful mothers in activewear pushing baby strollers around.

But under further investigation, I came to realize two things about Mushrif Central Park:

A) It had a very original name.

B) It is the best park in the city. Hands down.

Don't believe me? Here's an interactive map that details every park in Abu Dhabi. If you can find a better park than Mushrif Central, then you email me with your proof. If you are right -- trust me, you won't be -- then I'll buy you an ice cream cone. I promise.

Speaking of ice cream, do you know where you can get countless scoops of Movenpick Ice Cream, which is considered the best cold delicacy in the world? Yes, you guessed it.

Mushrif Park, which is located at the corner of 15th and 24th streets in the capital, also has a Burger Bureau stand, a chilled-out cafe called Park Station (which is great) and a SALT food truck parked just outside the main gates at all times.

But the best thing about the park, when it comes to grub, is the Ripe Food & Craft Market, which attracts more than 50 craft and 25 food vendors to the park every Saturday from 4-9pm. It's a must for locals and visitors alike.

Related article: Seven reasons to visit Abu Dhabi's Mushrif Central Park (The National)

Some other interesting facts about Mushrif Central Park:

- The park is one of the oldest and largest green urban areas in the UAE capital, having first opened its doors in 1982 to women and children only.

- The park is currently ranked No. 12 of 124 things to do in Abu Dhabi by TripAdvisor

- Other popular features include the memorial Wisdom Garden honoring the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, which now includes English translations of the engraved quotes from the UAE's founding president. There is also a botanical garden with native plants and animal barn operated by Emirates Park Zoo.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored blog post. I wrote about Mushrif Central Park because I genuinely enjoy it. I strongly suggest you make a visit. Cheers.