The best time to visit Abu Dhabi is November through March, when temperatures are comfortable and sightseeing is enjoyable. This is prime season for outdoor exploring, desert safaris, and beach days.
April and October can still work, but expect warmer days.
May through September is extremely hot — doable if you plan around indoor attractions, pools, and early mornings, but not ideal for first-timers.
Abu Dhabi may feel laid-back, but it delivers when it comes to bucket-list experiences.
Don’t miss:
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — one of the most breathtaking buildings I’ve ever seen
Louvre Abu Dhabi — iconic architecture + rotating global exhibitions
Emirates Palace — even if you’re not staying there, it’s worth seeing
Observation Deck at 300 — skyline views without the crowds
Desert safari — dunes, camel rides, and sunset views outside the city
Corniche Beach — clean, calm, and surprisingly peaceful
Qasr Al Watan — the presidential palace that’s open to visitors
Abu Dhabi is easy to reach, especially if you’re already traveling through the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) serves nonstop and connecting flights from Europe, Asia, and North America
Many travelers pair Abu Dhabi with Dubai — it’s about 1 to 1.5 hours by car
Taxis and private transfers from Dubai are straightforward and affordable
Getting around Abu Dhabi is simple and stress-free.
Taxis are plentiful, safe, and reasonably priced
Ride-share apps like Uber and Careem work well
Renting a car is helpful if you plan to explore outside the city or visit the desert
The city is spread out, so walking isn’t always practical
Dress modestly in mosques and cultural sites — shoulders and knees covered
Book mosque visits earlier in the day for cooler temps and better photos
Fridays are slower mornings due to prayer times
Alcohol is available in hotels and licensed venues, but not everywhere
Plan outdoor activities early morning or near sunset
Abu Dhabi is incredibly safe and well-organized — it’s a very easy destination to navigate
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.
