By Hina Mahmood
With activities like seeing the African safari in the middle of the desert or eating out in various restaurants with play areas, Riyadh is fast becoming one of the best cities for family outings. Here’s your checklist for the perfect family hangout.
1. AL BUJAIRI QUARTER (12 minutes from the DQ)
Located in the historic area of Al-Diriyah, Bujairi is an ideal location for a family picnic (apart from the DQ of course!). There are a number of restaurants, coffee shops and dessert places located amongst the completely pedestrianized pathways. The park is beautifully-lit. When events are scheduled, it’s a bustling place. Otherwise, Bujairi is a quiet spot for you and your family.
Recommended Eats: Try the Saudi traditional cuisine at the Najd Village. The restaurant takes you back in time as you are served in the typical Saudi majlis manner (sitting down). The restaurant was built to look and feel traditional, with homely wooden features, traditional rugs, and décors with bright pops of color.
2. NOFA WILDLIFE PARK (1 hour from the DQ)
Situated in Tibrak, just outside Riyadh, Nofa Wildlife Park is open every Saturday year round. The park is massive, and offers real wilderness along with a huge diversity of species, making you feel like you’re in Africa. The tour lasts for 2 hours: an hour touring the animal safari via an open-air game drive vehicle and an hour-long walking tour at the Visitor’s Centre, where guests can get up close to birds and reptiles, among other species. Playing with the animals will delight your children.
Recommended Eats: Though you are served hot beverages and a light snack as you wait for your tour vehicle at the reception, the park has its own Safari Restaurant that you need to book in advance. Their menu is short but apt, and the fastest selling item on their menu is their Prime Beef Burger.
3. RIYADH PARK (12 minutes from the DQ)
This mall is the newest shopping center in Riyadh with the most entertainment options for you and your children. Riyadh Park is home to the largest Magic Planet Family Entertainment Center in the region. The center has different rides and arcade games which both youngters and adult can enjoy. It also houses the VOX Cinemas with four theaters. Some of the theatres are specially designed for kids screening animation, family-friendly films, and educational movies.
Recommended Eats: Being a mall, the food selections are many. Outside the entertainment center is the food court. There are also restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings, Brisket, and Big Chef.
4. FOOD TRUCK SQUARE AT THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT VISITOR’S CENTER (20 minutes from the DQ)
Situated right outside the Public Transport Visitor’s Centre, is a food truck park. But before enjoying the drinks and food offered by the various food trucks stationed in the area, your family can go to the visitor’s center. Your children will enjoy the presentations of the upcoming transport network system in Riyadh. There are also replicas of the color-coded trains where you can get a feel of what the ride will be like. It will be a fun and informative experience for your kids. Outside, there is a lot of space to roam and sit down for a meal. You might also want to check out the Virtual Reality Gaming truck.
Recommended Eats: The Mushroom Shake is a novel idea. It’s a milkshake in a cute glass with a muffin on top. Sweet! There are also a few trucks for burgers and fries.
5. RESTAURANTS’ PLAY AREAS
Many of the restaurants in Riyadh are kid-friendly. Some favorites that also offer children’s play areas include Piatto in Exit 5, Buffalo Wild Wings in North Ring Road, and Chuck E Cheese. At Piatto, every child is greeted with Piatto’s activity book along with color pens that keep them engaged. The Exit 5 outlet has a dedicated play area for the children. Buffalo Wild Wings, on the other hand, has 68 large tv screens with a dedicated play area filled with XBOX, PS4, activity books, and balloons. Chuck E Cheese is a popular restaurant for kids, especially with its menu filled with comfort food. It has arcade video games that keeps children busy. Daytime during the week is the best time visit. Evenings and weekends can get quite busy.
Other places your little ones will enjoy: Stationary Fantasies, Kidzzdom in Hayat Mall, Little Princess Riyadh, Billy Beez in Nakheel Mall and Doomidoo
