Meraas is known for its eccentric take on shopping destinations. Its theme has a long list of unique constructions: the beach-themed La Mer, Al Seef, which takes you back to Dubai’s heritage. The adventure-themed Hatta, Bluewaters Island, and many more. The list of things to do in Dubai is long. Even from the first look, it is evident that they have taken a keen interest in adding a distinctive signature to all of them.
One of their recent gifts to the prophetic is The Yard. It extends the Last Exit in Al Khawaneej with a starkly different theme.
Dubai’s farmlands, lakes, and stables are clustered in the Khawaneej. The Yard by Meraas represents this greener side of Dubai in great detail. At the same time, it has been made a place for fun and enjoyment.
Attractions in The Yard
As the name implies, The Yard looks like typical ranches in America and Europe, with elements like the Love Lock bridge inspired by Pont des Arts in Paris. It recreates a rustic neighborhood with vintage farm machines lying hither and thither everywhere. Some of these are mere models for pictures, and some are for the kids to play with.
The Yard has beautiful stretches of green grass, palm trees, and a walking trail shaded by palm branches. Water mills, wells, and even an 18-meter-tall windmill complete the ambiance.
The Yard opened to the public in January 2018. Its location is a little off the central city, so it hasn’t started drawing the crowd yet. The Yard will also be expanding in different phases. When it is complete, it will have a total area of 2.8 million square feet, more than half the Dubai Mall floor area.
The Yard is a playful destination perfect for families. The theme and decor make it a whole lot more enjoyable for children. Desert Safari Dubai is one of the must-do activities in Dubai for tourists from all over the world.
The Yard is the perfect Instagram spot.
The Yard is a chic destination that adapts elements from the old lifestyle. There are numerous Instagram-worthy spots, like those in La Mer and Kite Beach. Models of vintage technologies are all over the park. The fun thing about The Yard is that you have many things to do even if you are not shopping or eating. The lake with two bridges is an excellent location for sunset pictures. The whole place looks stunning in the golden hour, making this a perfect venue for photoshoots.
Some of the animal models are realistic, such as the model of sheep drinking water. The statue of a cow reading the Yard Times newspaper is comical. Some of them are creepy, too. One model shows scarecrows repairing a farm truck, and another scarecrow appears to be conversing. You can sit on the milkman’s bicycle and lie amongst the harvested vegetables. Garden landscaping is also attractive to see.
Some attractions make it attractive for romantic couples as well. To make everything even better, the entree to The Yard is free. The Yard sometimes doubles as a place to host community events and outdoor programs.
Another beautiful thing about The Yard is the ample parking space. You can go here on a weekend evening and find a parking space in no time. So, on festive days, you will be better off visiting here than Dubai Mall if you drive yourself. You don’t have to pay for the parking regardless of how long you park.
How to get to The Yard Dubai
Because it is away from the central city, the best way to get here is by car. Plenty of free parking also makes driving here even more convenient.
There is no metro route anywhere nearby. The closest metro station to Al Khawaneej is Rashidiya, 10 kilometers away. If you think you can take a bus, tough luck! You must walk at least 3 kilometers after getting down at the nearest bus stop. And the only buses that take this route are 11A.
The Yard Timings
The best thing about The Yard is that you can enjoy the parks and the scenery anytime. The Yard welcomes visitors 24/7. However, the retail outlets and restaurants are not open 24/7. The retail shops here are open every day from 11 AM to 12 midnight, and the eateries stay open a little late until 2 AM and are available one hour earlier than the retail shops.
It won’t be as harsh in the summer as in the cities in Dubai. The Yard’s location saves it from humidity to some extent.
The Yard is a great place to visit if you want to see a different side of Dubai and have fun.
The Yard location
The Yard is located in Al Khawaneej near the Mirdiff City Center. This place, situated towards Dubai’s northern side, was a favorite location for luxury apartments. Recently, new shopping and entertainment centers have opened. Mirdif 35 is one such shopping center in this neighborhood. The vibes and ambiance of this area are vastly different from the hustle and bustle Dubai is famous for. Farmlands, horse stables, and cattle farms surround Al Khawaneej.
Restaurants in The Yard
The main attractions in The Yard are the restaurants. There are so many to choose from. The Yard is a gastronomic destination with various restaurants and food trucks.
There are indoor, air-conditioned restaurants, which are good in summer. Outdoor ones are great for enjoying the view while having food. Food trucks are also something you should try. You can buy take-outs from the food truck and find a convenient spot in The Yard.
Last Exit D89
There are four Last Exits in Dubai. Last Exit D89 is part of The Yard and features a slew of food trucks with drive-thrus. The Last Exit here differs in terms of its farm theme.
Homestead
There are even old-style bakeries that take you back to the olden days. The Homestead bakery offers handcrafted materials and artisan bread. Its interior perfectly matches the ambiance of the whole place.
Krush Burgers
It’s a place for some of the finest burgers. In The Yard, they offer a drive-thru and a food truck.
The Inventing Room
This dessert place is known for its eclectic chemistry lab theme. Desserts are served in laboratory-style tumblers spewing liquid nitrogen fumes.
Attractions near The Yard Dubai
Posh Paws Animal Sanctuary and Petting Zoo
This petting zoo is also an animal rescue shelter. It is exclusively for domestic animals and birds. All of these animals are either donated to the zoo or rescued. Visitors of all ages can learn about the animals and pet them. If you are interested, you can adopt them.
Mushrif National Park
Unlike other parks, this is a center for adventure sports and a wildlife reserve. Mushrif Park spans over a 5-kilometer square, making it the largest park in Dubai. There is a global village inside the park with Arabic and English-style houses.
Mirdif 35
This mall is less than two years old. Mirdif 35 is one of the recent developments in the outskirts of Dubai, demonstrating the development trend in Dubai in the coming decades. It is a shopping and lifestyle center located on Khawaneej Road.