Exploring Dubai's newest attraction, the Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future offers an immersive experience into our Future. From architectural heights over impressive displays to deep thoughts and reflections about our planet and us humans, the Museum of the Future is a masterpiece on many levels. It is informative all while being highly entertaining and appeals to all our senses.

It opened its doors almost simultaneously with the end of the Expo 2020 and is a statement itself - Dubai will focus on the future more than ever. It is no coincidence that an entire floor of the museum is a play area for children under 10. Although they will not understand all the details, you should absolutely take your kids to visit the Museum of the Future - they will be the ones shaping the next decades.

Architecture of the Museum of the Future

The building itself is an architectural masterpiece and defies gravity. It sits on top of a man-made hill covered with plants and - if you look closely - tiny little butterflies.

All over the façade are displayed quotes of his Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

"The secret to the renewal of life, the evolution of civilizations, and the development of humanity is simple: innovation".

"The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it. It isn't something you await, but rather create".

"We may not live for hundreds of years, but the products of our creativity leave a legacy long after we're gone".

These inscriptions can also be seen from the inside, where some of them light up to light impulses and eerie music.

The shape of the building and almost everything inside is curved, from the impressive staircases...

...to the lifts.

Besides the curves what struck me was how bright it was - glistening in the sun outside, sparkling white inside.

The calligraphy writings of the façade are windows and lightwells, and offer glimpses of the outside world including views on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Along the ceiling float mysterious creatures which seem to have a life on their own - fish but also jellyfish.

Guided tour of the Museum of the Future

Chapter 1: OSS Hope

At the beginning of the visit you are greeted by Aya, who follows the visitor as an avatar throughout the exhibitions. It is a story told on 5 floors, or "chapters".

Aya invites you on a trip to the space station OSS Hope in the year 2071. Get ready to launch!

Sound effects and vibrations make the flight seem very real.

I was wondering if we had moved at all even after docking with the OSS Hope...

...but as it turned out we had arrived on the 5th floor of the Museum, where we set out to explore space!

You are first given a guided tour of the OSS Hope...

...and the revolutionary SOL Energy System which is a solar energy project with solar panels in space, where the energy is collected, stored and then transported to the earth.

There are many interactive stations about the whole space mission but for the children the funniest was without any doubt...

...the "OSS Hope Recruitment Center" where you can apply for diverse jobs in the Pioneer community such as "Asteroid Fleet Pilot" or "Food and Water Security Trainee". You can scan your face and look at yourself in the future, doing a job of the future!

Afterwards the visitor boards a Drop pod to Dubai... which looks like usual at first glance! Hello, World Islands and Palm Jumeirah!

But as it turns out you land in 2071! Same same, but different?

Chapter 2: the HEAL Institute

The entire 4th floor is dedicated to the HEAL Institute where you learn about ways to heal planet earth using biodesign and artificial intelligence. The tour starts with footage of the Amazon forest...

...and continues with one of the most magical and impressive spaces of the Museum of the Future: the DNA library, which hosts more than 2400 models of species in color changing glass displays, classified in types.

Walking through these is an amazing opportunity to observe and reflect on these treasures.

Some answers are given in the next section, where you see a model of a fire resistant tree for example.

Chapter 3: Al Waha

It's hard to pick a favourite but the third floor or chapter is definitely the one I felt most comfortable in. "Al Waha", which means "Oasis" in Arabic, is one of the most soothing spaces I've ever been to. As we attempt to heal the world, we must heal and make peace with ourselves. In a world where wellness and mindfulness become increasingly important, I am not surprised to see how much emphasis was put on this part.

The colors act as instant mood lifters...

All senses are activated, from touch to smell...

Self-reflection and connexion with the mind is a journey.

You're invited to take a token to make a wish later...

But first, there is therapy, such as "movement therapy", a space where you walk on a slightly concave, soft floor and move light around you wherever you go. Surreal!

In a small alcove next to it, you sit down around a table with complete strangers and are asked to "hum to achieve harmony". The sound of your voice pushes a little light ball towards the center, and once everyone coordinates their voices and humming, a relaxing scent is released.

The next room is dedicated to meditation.

On your way out, you are invited to throw your token down a wishing well...

Mind = blown. And it's not over yet!

Chapter 2: Tomorrow Today

The second level focuses on technologies of the future and is called "Tomorrow Today". It showcases technological answers to challenges we're facing, for example new building materials...

...or ideas to reduce pollution and minimize waste, but also smart clothing, bionic robotics inspired by nature...

...and self-driving means of transportation.

This AI:ME by Audi is an electric car made of natural and recycled materials, some of which as surprising as discarded fishing nets. I couldn't spot them but it has real plants growing on the roof to improve air quality!

At the end of this chapter is the terrace with breathtaking views of The Museum of the Future itself and surrounding buildings - the perfect photo opportunity!

Chapter 1: Future Heroes

The first floor is called "Future Heroes" and a play area for children under 10.

There is a small toy shop, a little area for parents to sit down, a toddler play area for the youngest children...

...and the larger play area, where parents are not allowed to enter (but there are many very welcoming playground supervisors). Be prepared to spend some time here! You can pick up a coffee from the coffee shop downstairs to bring it up to the playground level, just in case you were wondering.

This is probably how you will feel after visiting the Museum of the Future... wiped out but happy!

Booking tickets to the Museum of the Future and practical information

At the moment, the only option to access the Museum of the Future is to book tickets online. Right now the earliest available tickets are 7 to 10 days from the booking time.

Children under 3 years old as well as Persons of determination enter the Museum for free, all others have to pay 145 dhs for a ticket. I first thought it was expensive but after seeing all the effort put into the structure and displays I think it is absolutely justified to charge for all visitors. This is definitely better value for money than some fancy play areas in town and as a Dubai resident, you should go at least once imho.

In the lobby is a ticket counter where you can collect your wristband...

...but you can avoid waiting by using a self-service kiosk to get your armband.

It has an electronic chip which will identify you during the tour. There was some confusion when collecting the armbands I guess since I was called "Tom" for the entire visit!

The museum opens at 10 AM, which is probably the best time to book your visit. There are less queues than later during the day and you can be almost certain to be able to use the complimentary valet parking. You can drop off your car right in front of the museum...

...and pick it up on the other side, directly accessible from the lobby.

Strollers are allowed inside the Museum of the Future and you should probably take a stroller if you have young kids. It was very tiring for my children, especially the 3 year old. He asked to be carried a lot and was totally exhausted after the visit! Keep in mind that this is a challenging tour for people who have difficulties to walk and that there is lots of standing involved as well. It took us a little more than 3 hours from beginning to end.

Overall it is an extremely child friendly place though and I have rarely witnessed so many employees being so nice to my children!

The Museum of the Future is a precious addition to the attractions of Dubai and symbolizes everything this city stands for: open mindedness, innovation, the will to change things, a positive mindset. Rather than intimidating, it depicts a bright future provided the fact we start focusing on our planet and ourselves. Nature and healthy ecosystems are as important as our emotional wellbeing. It may be decades away and we might not live long enough to see these innovations, but our future has to be planned now- and for this purpose we need to join forces and educate the next generation.