< Previous60 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Escaping reality Naomi Chadderton reveals the best escape rooms to try in Abu Dhabi Pixoul Gaming Attractionstimeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 61 W hether you’re looking for something to do as a family, organising a group activity with your co-workers, or looking for an alternative date night for you and your better half, escape rooms are a whole lot of fun. While we can’t guarantee you won’t get frustrated when you get stuck (or that you won’t embarrass yourself by getting things completely wrong), we do think you’ll enjoy these six options, featuring everything from murder mysteries to scavenger hunts. BLACK OUT Not for the faint of heart, Black Out is one of the scariest escape rooms in Abu Dhabi, and comes complete with creepy decorations and professional actors who will be sure to give you the heebie-jeebies. Choose from Àve different rooms with terrifying names including Psychiatric, Dungeon and Exorcism, each with a different storyline you’ll need to unravel through puzzles, clues and riddles. You’ll need to be quick though – you only have one hour to Ànd your way out and trust us, you’ll want to get out as quickly as possible. O From Dhs110 (two people). Open daily 10am- midnight. Al Rihab Tower, Al Wahda, black-out.ae/ abudhabi (058 600 0041). BOXED IN – THINK IN An extension of Prison Island (more on that in a moment), you’ll be faced with over 80 different challenges and puzzles, all contained within 12 boxes, at Boxed In – Think In. A great shout for anyone who loves a thinky- thinky problem, puzzle pros must team up and race against the clock to try and complete as many cubes as possible, putting your concentration, problem-solving abilities and logical skills to the test. You’ll gain one token for every box unlocked, with the team who collect the most tokens in one hour crowned the winner. You’d better get your thinking caps on for this one. O From Dhs79 (per person). Open Mon-Thu 10am- 10pm; Fri-Sun 10am-11pm. Inside Prison Island, Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah, boxedin.ae (058 819 9172). GAME OVER An immersive escape room meets board game café, Game Over is home to nine different escape rooms with epic themes including School of Magic, The Orphanage and Alice in Wonderland. A global brand with outposts in the UK, USA and Australia to name a few, expect a mix of traditional and VR-powered es- cape rooms complete with high-quality design, puzzles and riddles, plus a choice of over 100 different board games in the neighbouring café that will be sure to evoke nostalgia. O From Dhs175 (per person). Open Sun-Thu 10am- 10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Level 3, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, abudhabi.escapegameover.ae (02 635 8743). HAUNTED ACTIVITY If the thought of being stuck in a dark room with killer zombies is enough to have you running for the hills, you might want to sit Haunted Activity out. If you’re a horror Àend, however, you’ll feel right at home. Whether you opt to play House of Evil or The Morgue, groups of between 2 to 10 people have just one hour to solve creepy mysteries including what happened to a family who disappeared in 1978 and are now believed to be haunting their house. Go on, we dare you. O From Dhs150 (per person). Open daily noon-midnight. Al Danah, hauntedactivityuae.com (050 321 0541). PIXOUL GAMING Abu Dhabi’s biggest esports and virtual reality hub, Pixoul Gaming is a haven for gamers and adrenaline-seekers offering up virtual and augmented reality games that range from Àrst-person shooters to roller coasters, paragliding and, of course, escape rooms. There are Àve different gaming zones in this sprawling neon-lit space, with Pac-Man and Space Invaders part of the fun, so be sure to block out an entire afternoon to make your way through them all. O From Dhs50 (per person). Open Mon-Wed 10am- 10pm; Thu, Sun 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Al Qana, Rabdan, pixoulgaming.com (02 418 6699). PRISON BREAK Fans of Prison Break, this one’s for you. Set over a 1,000 sq m space, Prison Island is a network of 26 different ‘cells’ inspired by some of the world’s most famous prisons, and it’s your job to break your way out of every one of them to claim winner’s bragging rights. Designed for teams of up to six players, this popular escape room will challenge both the body and mind with feats such as scrambling across a series of obstacles without touching the Áoor, guiding a ball through a collection of entryways, and snaking your way through a laser grid. May the odds be in your favour. O From Dhs99 (kids aged eight to 11), from Dhs129 (over 12 years). Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sun 10am-11pm. Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah, prisonisland.ae (058 819 9176). Prison Island62 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com One of the best parts about living in Abu Dhabi is how family friendly the city is, with lots of brilliant restaurants catering to little ones, and plenty of fun activities. New to the capital and want to discover the best things to do with your little ones, or been here a while and want to discover some inspiration? We’ve got you covered. BURN OFF ENERGY AT BOUNCE At BOUNCE, age is just a number. Kids and adults alike can have an absolute blast at this gigantic indoor playground designed with jumping in mind. From mastering moves in the free-jumping zone to navigating The Wall, this is the place to be for high-octane, adrenaline- fuelled fun. O From Dhs80. Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Sat 10am-midnight. First Áoor, Marina Mall, Al Kasir, bounce.ae (04 304 9333). CATCH THE LATEST MOVIES AT CINEMACITY Sure, there are cinemas all over the city, but Cinemacity is the largest in the UAE, with 15 screens. There are different experiences to choose from, including 3DMAX and VIP, but the one you’ll want to book is the kids theatre. Movies on show this month include PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, The Inseparables, and Trolls Band Together. O Al Qana, Rabdan, cinemacity.ae (600 515000). ENCOURAGE A LOVE OF READING AT ABU DHABI CHILDREN’S LIBRARY Instilling a love of reading from a young age is one of the best things you can do for your little ones, and there’s no place better to do so than the Abu Dhabi Children’s Library. Family & Kids Located inside the Cultural Foundation, the space is home to cosy reading nooks across three Áoors. Better still, the Children’s Library run daily programmes to keep your youngsters entertained, and you can Ànd all the details on the Cultural Foundation website. O Free. Open Sat-Thu 9am-8pm; Fri 2pm-8pm. Cultural Foundation, Qasr Al Hosn, culturalfoundation.ae. GET MESSY AT THE SPLATTER ROOMS Kids not the type to colour within the lines? Then let them unleash their creativity at Splatter Rooms. The freestyle art centre is the place to go to get wild paint and create an abstract masterpiece of your own. Each class allows budding artists to explore various art styles – along with all the necessary Busy bees Looking to keep your little ones entertained this month? Then you should check out these brilliant things to do The National Aquarium Adrenark Adventuretimeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 63 equipment and guidance. Apart from standard splash sessions involving pendulum art, spinning art, and Áuid art, you can also book a glow-in-the-dark paint session. O From Dhs119. Daily 10am-10pm. 1st Floor, Al Seef Village Mall, Al Muntazah, splatterrooms.com (056 355 7251). HAVE A VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE AT PIXOUL GAMING Pixoul Gaming is great for all types of gamers. You can play retro arcade games or upgrade your skills with the esports academy, but the real highlights are the virtual and augmented reality games. There are 10 different kinds, including shooters and rollercoasters, so you’re bound to Ànd something to keep you and your little ones occupied. O From Dhs35 (per VR game), Dhs250 (all VR experiences). Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am- midnight; Sun 10am-11pm. Al Qana, pixoulgaming.com. KEEP COOL AT SNOW ABU DHABI First opened back in June, Snow Abu Dhabi is one of the newest kids activities the capital. There are more than a dozen rides and attractions, including toboggan runs, a polar express train and bumper cars. O From Dhs215 (adults), Dhs165 (kids). Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Level 2, Reem Mall, Al Reem Island, skidxb.com. LEARN ABOUT SEA CREATURES AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM Elsewhere in Al Qana, you’ll Ànd The National Aquarium. Home to more than 46,000 sea creatures, it’s the largest aquarium in the Middle East. There are several zones, each dedicated to different ecosystems such as the Atlantic Ocean or the PaciÀc Ocean, and you’ll leave with plenty of knowledge. Who knows, maybe you have some budding marine biologists on your hands? O From Dhs105 (general admission). Open daily 10am- 10pm. The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, Al Qana, thenationalaquarium.ae. RACE THE GO KARTS AT ADRENARK ADVENTURE The largest adventure park in the region, Adrenark Adventure, opened its doors in Al Qana back in April (can you tell this is a great spot for families to visit?), and this a deÀnite must-visit if you have little ones. Spanning 54,000 square feet, there are 17 activities, including climbing walls, LED slides, obstacle rope courses and a drop tower. Our favourite part, however, has to be the UAE’s Àrst multi- level e-karting track, where you can race over three storeys. Buy an unlimited pass and let your kids run wild. O Dhs79 (toddler pass), Dhs99 (four experiences), Dhs179 (eight experiences), Dhs399 (unlimited). Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Al Qana, adrenark.com.64 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com This month, the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 Presented by ADQ will see the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves go head-to-head in two pre-season games at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. So with basketball fever taking over the capital, you’re probably feeling inspired to hit the court yourself. Are we right? We thought so. Which is why we’ve compiled a round-up of the best places to play basketball in Abu Dhabi to scratch that itch, whether you’re a pro or total amateur… 321 SPORTS So bright and airy are the huge, white air- conditioned domes at 321 Sports that double- dribbling on one of its indoor basketball courts almost feels as though you are playing inside a cloud. For those who prefer a little fresh air, you’ll Ànd three outdoor courts too, all made from the highest-quality acrylic and Ànished to true professional standards. Prices start at Dhs185 per hour for an outdoor court and Dhs210 per hour indoors, and we highly recommend booking in advance. O Hudayriyat Mar Vista, 321sports.ae (02 691 0256). ABU DHABI CORNICHE Open to the public on a Àrst-come, Àrst- served basis, the basketball courts at Abu Dhabi Corniche are nestled right next to the beach, making them one of the most picturesque places to shoot some hoops in the city. Complemented by volleyball and football courts if you’re that way inclined, whether it’s 3x3 with your mates or as part of an organised team, an energetic game of basketball is a guaranteed slam dunk here. O Abu Dhabi Corniche. Sport & Outdoor ACTIVE AL MARYAH Al Maryah Island’s premier sporting destination, ACTIVE Al Maryah boasts two outdoor basketball courts and a new indoor pavilion court where you can play 3x3 or 5x5 games depending on your level, with prices starting at Dhs210 for an hour. If you’re looking to hone your skills, heaps of basketball clubs train here, too, and if you want to get your little ones involved, Zen Basketball Academy teaches kids as young as Àve. Fuel up at one of its many great food trucks while you wait. O Al Maryah Island, activealmaryah.ae (02 403 4488). AL FORSAN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS RESORT While you can play pretty much any sport under the sun at Al Forsan Resort, we think its street-styled outdoor basketball courts are the crème de la crème. Perfect for players who prefer a traditional arena to show off their dunking skills, a one-hour slot costs just Dhs63 during the week, or Dhs73 on the weekend and during public holidays. The courts are open until 11pm making for the perfect spot to blow off some steam after a long day at work. O Khalifa City, alforsan.com (02 656 5656). AL MASAR PARK One of the newest parks in the capital, having opened in March of this year, the pristine Al Masar Park is a bit of a green oasis in Masdar City, with 2,841 trees and 58,000 shrubs beautifying the area. Not only is it home to a skate park, dog zone, BMX cycle track, a 2.1km jogging track and two ziplines, but also a multi-purpose sports playground equipped with basketball courts for those looking for a little friendly competition. Paying homage to the courts of the US streets, grab your mates and arrive early before it gets fully booked up for the day. O Masdar City. REEM CENTRAL PARK Just last year, Shaquille O’Neal made a surprise visit to the basketball courts at Reem Central Park, where players got to shoot some hoops with the NBA legend. From then on out, they were ofÀcially known as the coolest place to play basketball in Abu Dhabi. Located just a three-point fade-away jump shot from the skate park area, where you’ll also Ànd water features and plenty of places to eat, you can also Ànd a touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant in the form of a vibrant mural in a Lakers purple and gold paint job and emblazoned with the numbers eight and 24 Shooting hoops If you’re feeling inspired by the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023, here’s where to go, according to Naomi Chadderton Reem Central Parktimeoutabudhabi.com October 2023 65 as a hat-tip to those same digits that featured on his jersey. O Al Reem Island - Shams Abu Dhabi. ZAYED SPORTS CITY With its professional set up and soft surfaces, you don’t have to worry about a bit of rough and tumble during a basketball game at this Abu Dhabi sports institution. You’ll Ànd not one, but three great courts on site where you can enjoy a 3x3 match, go pro or just have a laugh as you hit two- or three-pointers in the cage. Advanced booking isn’t always required, but it’s better safe than sorry during peak times (and given the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 is in town, we imagine it will be pretty busy this month), with prices costing Dhs21 per person on a walk-in basis, or Dhs158 per court per hour. O Zayed Sports City, zsc.ae (02 403 4200). ACTIVE Al Maryah66 October 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Dhs50 WHEN IT COMES to the best breakfasts in Abu Dhabi, there’s one place that’s universally adored, whether you prefer to start your day with sweet treats or something savoury: Market at EDITION. Found just off the (fabulously smelling) lobby, this spot boasts a gorgeous outdoor space, and we’re big fans of the fact that breakfast runs from 6.30am until 1pm. HYPE DISH DISSECTION What goes into the Abu Dhabi plates that everyone bangs on about Not satisÀed with resting on its laurels, Market at EDITION revamped its breakfast menu in mid-September, with new twists on some of its most popular dishes. Cast your eyes across the menu and you’ll Ànd plates like mollettes with creamy guajillo sauce, chilaquiles and pulled beef benedict. To be frank, we’ll take any excuse for a revisit to Market at EDITION, and we thought for this edition of Hype Dish we’d take a closer look at how one of the eatery’s most famous dishes has changed post-shake-up: The Market French toast. To do so, we chatted to executive chef Stefan Tanasijevic, who revealed all about the popular sweet breakfast dish. O The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen, editionhotels.com (02 208 0000). THE BREAD “The key to our French toast is the Áuffy homemade brioche bread that is soaked overnight in a spice mix of nutmeg, ginger, cardamom and cinnamon.” THE DATE SYRUP “Our premium date syrup is made made using a selection of UAE dates, and was added to the French toast in order to offer that truly unique, local Áavour.” THE PEACH COMPOTE “Our Turkish peach compote is homemade and cooked with cinnamon and vanilla bean.” In previous editions, the toast featured blueberry labneh. THE CARAMEL CRUST “We give our toast a caramel crust to add additional Áavour and crispiness.” Other ingredients in the French toast include pistachio crumbs and chantilly cream. Market French toast at Market at EDITIONEVENT PARTNERS Destination Partners ABU DHABI’S ULTIMATE CELEBRATION OF FOOD, DRINKS AND MUSIC Abu Dhabi’s Best Restaurants Non-Stop Live Music & Entertainment Workshops With Celebrity Chefs Re-imagined Kids Zone & Activities tasteofabudhabifestival.comNext >