Parks and Gardens
For what is typically considered a 'desert country', Oman astounds the visitor with its verdant gardens, and elaborate floral displays lining the highways and byways. All the parks are free to enter and usually have small snack shops or drinks stands.
Muscat embraces several parks that varied in areas and location. from the main big parks and Qurum Natural Park, Riyam and Al Naseem. Generally the parks attract a lot of people because of the Muscat Municipality keenness for planting trees inside these parks and increasing the green areas, the matter which encourage more people to enjoy visiting them during official holidays. Some parks, in or near to Muscat district are as follows:
Qurum Natural Park
It was opened in 1993 and is 1715449 m2, the largest park in Muscat. The park contains a large boating lake and fountain, 'Waterfall Hill', Sultan Qaboos' Rose Garden and meandering pathways, weaving amongst pungent-smelling shrubs and floral beds. The idea of its design depends on exploiting the nature and topographic features of the area to create wonderful and comfortable scenes for the visitors. Qurum Park succeeded in combining between the unique location and the suitable aesthetic and artistic design.
Al Naseem Public Park
It is the first park to be established in Oman and inaugurated during the celebrations of the 15th National Day in1985. It took about 11 months to be built, its gross area is 750,000sq.m and it is about 30km from A'Seeb International Airport. It is located on the highway leads to Batinah area. The park is equipped with all facilities of children's park as there are different games like the small train that tours the whole area, playgrounds for football, volleyball and tennis as well as a library. In 2000 the Japanese Garden, which was built by the Japanese Embassy in Muscat, was inaugurated in the context t of the good relations between the two countries. Amongst many other features, an Arabic garden, Japanese garden, mini falaj system and a small train capable of holding 70 passengers which circumnavigates the park.
Riyam Park
Riyam Park overlooks the sea and designed on several heights that gives distinguished dimension for the park which covers an area of 100,000 sq. m. The park was designed in style that combines between the natural and architectural design and there are wide green areas, children games and playgrounds. The park, which is located in Muttrah, offers several services for the visitors. It is a favourite park with children. It is a huge, rambling place whose main feature is an enormous incense burner which, when climbed, provides stunning views of the nearby harbour and surrounding seacliffs. A static fairground is open from 4pm each day providing thrills and spills for the young and the young-at-heart.
Kalbou Beach Park
It is coastal strip extends from the Sea Road to the mountain edge, which is a distinguished location in the heart of Muscat City. It is an attraction spot for those who are willing to enjoy walking and fishing.
Al Wadi Al Kabeer Park
It is located on the road leads to Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat on an area of 40,000sq.m. The park consists of various facilities and services; also there is special division for electric games that attract children and families.
Al A'merat Public Park
It is located on the highway opposite the satellite station. It covers an area of 30,000sq.m and considered an entertainment attraction for the citizens.
Quriyat Lake Park
It was inaugurated in the early of 2002 on the road to the central market of the Wilayat and the Sea Road. The park is equipped with artificial lake and places for recreations.
The Park of A'Seeb Beach
This park is located on the beautiful sand beaches of A'Seeb where the sea - water are pure and clean. It is equipped wish water sports, artificial lake in addition to the children playgrounds_ and fast, food restaurants.
Museums
The Omani Museum
It contains a wealth of archaeological information, displaying various artifacts. There is also information pertaining to Oman's minerals, agricultural methods and its distinctive architecture.
Tel: 600946
Medinat Al Alam (Information City) near Ministry of Information.
Timings:sat-thu 9am-1pm, 4-6pm, friday evening only
Fee - children - 200 baizas,adults 500 baizas
The National Museum
It charts the Al Said dynasty with correspondence and pictures of the five Al Said Sultans. It has a small, but interesting collection of costumes, jewellery and household equipment.
Tel: 701289
Collection of jewelery, regional costume, weapons and pots.
Located near Abdulridha Mosque-Ruwi.
Timings - Hrs: Sat-Wed 8am-2pm.
Entry fee - Children - 100 baizas,adults- 500 baizas
The Children's Museum
It is a large blue and white domed structure, seen from the main highway. The exhibits are interactive and allow children to explore their world using scientific methods. Activities include energy creation using dynamos; reaction tests and balancing boards. It is popular with school parties.
Tel: 605368
Shatti al qurum,
Easily identfied from the highway (look for two large domes).
Timings - sat to thurs 9-1 , 4-6.
Fri - evenings only
Entry fee- upto 12 yrs 100 baizas,above 12yrs 500 baizas
The Natural History Museum
gives an interesting tour of Oman's flora and fauna. Showcases display the country's indigenous species: mammals, insects, birds, and the adjoining whale room houses a huge skeleton of a sperm whale which was washed up on one of Oman's beaches around 27 years ago. The botanical gardens are perfect to stroll through during the cooler months and have highly scented shrubs which are found throughout the Sultanate.
Tel: 605400
Housed within the Minstry of National Heritage and Culture. Al Khuwair
Timings: sat-thu 9am-1pm,4pm-6pm,
fridays evenings only
Entry fee - children - 200 baizas, adults 500 baizas
Bait al Zubair
It is Oman's newest museum and has a vast collection of ancient household equipment, costumes and weapons. Most of the exhibits have come from the owner's private collection. Outside, there is a falaj running through a full-scale Omani village and souq.
Tel: 736688
Timings: sat 4-8pm, mon,wed 4-7pm,
sun tue thu-9 am-12.30pm
Entry fee : Below 10 yrs of age - free,10 yrs to 15 yrs - 250 baizas, adults - RO1
The Oil and Gas Museum
It was donated to the people of Oman by PDO in 1995 and is a historical journey through Oman's discovery of oil. The museum has many interactive displays related to oil formation and extraction and is a highly educational trip for children and adults alike.
The Omani French Museum
It is based in the original French Embassy, Bait Fransa. The exhibits concern the Omani-French relationship over the years and displays furniture, clothes and photographs of the early French diplomats.
Tel: 736613
Near muscat police stn, Located at old Muscat in Bait Fransa.
Timings:sat-thu 9am-1pm, 5-7pm,
friday evenings only
Entry fee - less than 6yrs - 100 , chd - 200 , adults - 500baizas
The Sultan's Armed Forces Museum
It is located in Bait Al Falaj fort, the original garrison headquarters for Sultan Said bin Sultan's Armed Forces. Oman's military history is explored using weapons, uniforms, motor vehicles and defense systems.
Tel:312648
Bait al falaj,
Timings:sat-thu 7.30am-2pm, fridays closed.
Entry Fee - children free,adults RO 1 .
Marine Science & Fisheries Centre
Tel: 740063
Between the Al Bustan Palace Hotel and the Capital Yacht Club
Sohar Fort Museum
Tel - 844758
Timings - Sat - thurs - 9 am to 1 pm , 4-6 pm
Fri evenings only
Salalah Museum
Tel: 294549
Collection of local artefacts and costumes.
Timings - Sat-Wed 7:30am-2:30pm.
Entrance free.
