Qasr Al Watan was a really interesting stop in Abu Dhabi and gave us a better understanding of the city and the country. This is the actual Presidential Palace of the United Arab Emirates, not a former residence or a “palace-style” attraction built for tourists. And yet, it’s fully open to the public, which already makes it interesting. What surprised me most is how approachable it feels once you’re inside. Yes, it’s grand. Yes, it’s stunning. But it’s also genuinely informative and easy to understand, even if you’re not someone who usually seeks out government buildings on vacation.
If you’re visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time or doing it as a day trip from Dubai, Qasr Al Watan gives you real context for everything else you see in the city. Before you go, I recommend starting with check out my guide to One Perfect Day in Abu Dhabi From Dubai so you can see how this fits into a realistic itinerary without rushing.
Qasr Al Watan is a working presidential palace, and once you’re inside, it’s just really impressive. The scale is huge, the rooms are open and polished, and it doesn’t feel like a quick stop.
I’m not a big history or museum person, and this didn’t feel like one. You can move through at your own pace, take in the space, and enjoy it without feeling like you need to study anything to appreciate it.
The Great Hall is the first real “wow” moment. It’s huge, it’s bright, and it immediately makes you stop and look around. This is where most people slow down, look up, and pull their phones out—even if they’re not normally impressed by stuff like this.
It sets the tone for the rest of Qasr Al Watan. Big, polished, and impressive without feeling like too much.
If you do like learning about how governments work, this is where Qasr Al Watan delivers. The exhibitions break down leadership and how the country is run in a clear, easy-to-follow way, even if you don’t come in knowing much about the UAE. It adds context to the rest of an Abu Dhabi visit without overdoing it.
The palace library is really well done and surprisingly calm compared to the rest of the space. Even if you don’t spend much time there, it’s worth a quick look.
As you move through the palace, you’ll also notice a lot of detail in the design and finishes. The patterns and materials are impressive up close, and it’s one of those places where you keep catching new details as you walk around.
If your timing allows, stay for the Palace in Motion light and sound show. It takes place in the evening and uses projections on the palace exterior to tell the story of the UAE—from its roots to its vision for the future.
My biggest tip: visit in the late afternoon. That way you can explore the interiors at a relaxed pace and then transition straight into the evening show without leaving and coming back. It makes the experience feel complete.
Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours at Qasr Al Watan. That’s enough time to actually read the exhibits, take in the architecture, and not feel rushed.
Late afternoon into early evening is ideal, especially if you want to catch the light show. It also pairs well with nearby stops like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or Emirates Palace.
Getting around Abu Dhabi is a lot easier with a car, especially if you’re hitting multiple stops. Having your own wheels makes the day smoother, and you can book it here.
If you want to stay close to the palace and other major Abu Dhabi sights, central locations are your best bet. You can find hotels near Qasr Al Watan here to compare options based on location and amenities without locking yourself into a specific brand.
This is especially helpful if you’re splitting time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and want one easy overnight stop.
You can absolutely visit Qasr Al Watan on your own, but if you prefer having transportation and structure handled for you, you can book an Abu Dhabi highlights tour here. These often bundle multiple landmarks and make logistics easier if time is tight.
A few practical notes:
Dress modestly and comfortably—this is a government and cultural site.
Photography is allowed in many areas, but follow posted guidelines.
Yes—especially if you want more than just pretty buildings. Qasr Al Watan adds depth to an Abu Dhabi visit and helps everything else make more sense. It’s polished, informative, and genuinely interesting without feeling stiff.
If you’re deciding how to balance time between cities, learn more in my post about Dubai vs Abu Dhabi: Which Is Better for First-Time Visitors? It breaks down which experiences really belong where.
And if you’re planning flights for this trip, I always start by checking routes on Skyscanner so I can see what makes the most sense before committing. Qasr Al Watan isn’t flashy in a social-media-only way—but it’s memorable, meaningful, and absolutely worth your time.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Filing this one under “go now before it gets cold.” Bonneville Hot Springs is one of those trips where fall access is honestly the sweet spot the campground road is open, the hike in is short, and you skip the snow-and-gate situation we dealt with when we went in March.
September and early fall mean clearer trails, easier parking, and pools that are just as good without the extra mile of hiking to earn them. Fewer than 10 people out there when we visited, a rustic changing booth, zero amenities, and pools that range from “relax” to “actually scalding” until you move some rocks around and mix in river water. Small waterfalls feeding in, mountains in every direction, not polished, and that’s exactly the point.
Full breakdown on parking, what to pack, and timing it right is linked in my bio.
Summer’s not even over and I already have the itch. Fall hiking season is calling and I am answering.
Save this if you feel the itch too.🍁
Columbus hotel roundup because “just find something downtown” isn’t a strategy✈️
I stayed across the price spectrum on this one so I could actually compare notes. Hotel LeVeque is the splurge Art Deco lobby, marble bathrooms, and a restaurant (The Keep) worth visiting even if you don’t book a room. If you want to walk everywhere, Le Méridien puts you right in the Short North with murals and shops outside your door. And if budget’s the priority, Aloft gets you clean and modern near Ohio State without the markup.
Want a full escape from the city instead? Hocking Hills lodges and Gervasi Vineyard are both an easy drive out and worth the detour.
Not every hotel on this list is for every trip... that’s kind of the point. Full breakdown by neighborhood and budget, link in bio 🍂
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
