Family Travel Ideas in Kuwait

Family Travel in Kuwait City
A trip to Kuwait City with the whole family, or a large group, can be full of fun and information. It is important to remember to be respectful of the local culture and Islam. Though Kuwait is a more progressive Middle Eastern country and you will see people in shorts, remember to do as the locals do; what is acceptable at the mall will not be seen as acceptable at a mosque. Kuwait is the safest country in the Middle East because none of the turmoil in Iraq has crossed the border.

Day Trip

Plan a whole day of your trip at Kuwait City’s Entertainment City. Entertainment City is the largest amusement park in Kuwait and one of the top amusement park destinations in the world, and with a price of only 3.5 Kuwaiti Dinars (approximately $12.25 USD) it is surprisingly affordable. This amusement park is open 6 days a week year round (closed Saturday) but Monday is for women only. Entertainment City is a combination of 3 different amusement parks: The Arab World, The International World, and The Future World. Each theme is home to unique shows and rides that are sure to impress visitors of all ages. The children will love the City of Ali Baba and Sinbad and the adults will love the live shows unique to the region. Be sure to ride the roller coasters. Not only are they sure to thrill, the view from the rides will take your breath away.

Sight Seeing

Only a quarter mile from the Kuwaiti National Museum is the Grand Mosque which is a must see for any group interested in Islamic culture, and the gardens make an excellent picnic spot for the younger travelers. Locals are available as tour guides for visitors. If you are unable to spot a tour guide just ask one of the security guards and they will give you a time to return (prices vary). Proper dress is available to rent for females wishing to enter the Grand Mosque. Directly across the street from the Grand Mosque is the Seif Palace, a beautiful example of the region's architecture complete with a roof that is plated in pure gold. You will not be able to enter the palace due to the damage done during the Iraq war but it is still remarkable to behold.

The Kuwait Towers

A trip to Kuwait City would not be complete without visiting Kuwait's unofficial symbol and top tourist attraction, the Kuwait Towers. The 3 unique towers were built in 1979 and the first tower is complete with a viewing platform. Head to the first Kuwaiti Tower and have a lunch/dinner buffet (breakfast is ladies only). On your way in you will see a small display of the "barbaric" Iraqi invasion. Though probably not appropriate for children, the adults in your group will want to see what really happened in 1990. Upstairs is the rotating viewing lounge where you will see a 360- degree view of Kuwait City's skyline, from the skyscrapers of the business section to the classic Islamic architecture in the more traditional parts of the city. The second Kuwait Tower is the city’s water reservoir and is not open to the public. The third Kuwait Tower is used to light up the other 2 towers and is an extremely popular tourist attraction at sundown.

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January 31, 2010 change by benf