10 cool things you should know about Dubai Garden Glow

DGG is also home to the Dinosaurs Park, the Art Park (that is debuting this year), and the Ice Park, so get ready to check out a whole array of exciting offerings.

Finally, there is the much-awaited nip in the air! Evenings are not going to be same again in Dubai - not at least for the next few months. This is the time to explore the great outdoors - more so if there's one option plonked right in the centre of town: Dubai Garden Glow (DGG), the theme park that promises to get the glow back in your life.

DGG is also home to the Dinosaurs Park, the Art Park (that is debuting this year), and the Ice Park - so get ready to check out a whole array of exciting offerings. But before you set out for an enchanted evening at DGG, here are some seriously cool things you need to know about it - so you get the maximum bang for your buck!

(DGG entrance fees are for Dh65, including VAT, per head.)

1) You bask in the dazzling glow of 10 million LED lights

Yes, you read that right. 10 million LED lights showcased in 60 set-pieces. Little wonder one is left bedazzled at the park. Every year, 10 million LED lights are used to create a new theme - which warrants repeat trips every single year. This time, be prepared to be stunned by the new 'Glowing Safari' theme.

2) You get to go on a safari right here in Dubai!

An exquisitely-designed forest atmosphere has been recreated with dazzling lights, complete with wildlife creatures and nature trails: green grass, trees, flowers, water bodies, birds, butterflies and majestic animals - they're all there, in glowing format! You'll be hard-pressed to believe you're in the middle of a concrete jungle.

3) You take a walk down Jurassic Park

Did you know there are over 100 animatronic dinos in the Dinosaurs Park? These creatures actually move and make noises, and look as real as they did in Spielberg's film Jurassic Park! The range of dinos straddles three ages: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. There are also 'End of Era' installations demonstrating how the dinos became extinct. Bonus: check out the 32-metre-tall real-sized T.Rex! Such fun for kids and adults alike!

4) You even feel like a paleontologist!

If you've watched the TV series Friends, you'll know Ross was a paleontologist. A paleontologist is a scientist who studies dinosaur fossils. You can start feeling like one too by visiting the dino museum at Dinosaurs Park and checking out the skeletons on display, and picking up gems like how Triassic-era dinos were herbivorous. There's a dino lab where you can see how a baby dino was hatched from an egg. There's also a host of interactive activities to get you better acquainted with these magnificent creatures that became extinct millions of years ago.

5) You live (for a bit) in the Ice Age

The Ice Park - that also takes forward the glowing safari theme - is temperature controlled at minus-8-degree Centigrade. Brrr, it's freezing - but worry not, because you are provided with adequate gear (jacket, gloves, hoodie etc) as you enter to check out the 50 frozen (and glowing) animals (crafted by artists from China and Russia) on display.

(Note: Dh45 is the additional charge to enter Ice Park.)

6) You become an advocate for recycling

Enter the newly-introduced Art Park, and you see glowing artworks made entirely with recycled materials: 14,000 medicine bottles, 3,000 plastic bottles, 2,000 music CDs, and 1,000 porcelain artefacts. Artists were flown in from Russia and China to get these installed. While you soak in the "glowing" art, you could teach your children the benefits of recycling and being environment-friendly.

7) Your kids get to feel like kids!

Yank the kiddos away from screen time, and make them play around in the greenery surrounding Dubai Garden Glow. There are tons of activities - rides, game, interactive sessions - to keep them occupied. Plus, they get educative experiences as well when they learn new things about nature and the animal kingdom. It's a win-win! And finger-licking food stations at strategic points will keep their tummies happy.

8) You get to say it with flowers

There's a special corridor called Flower Valley, where 500 different flowers have been created, inspired by real-life varieties. If you've had your fill of animals and birds, swish past a one-of-a-kind flower show, and be bowled over by the attention to detail, and the flourish of colours.

9) You get to fall in love all over again at Heart Tunnel

For those of you looking at new ways to romance that special someone, Heart Tunnel may be the answer. Think of it as your very own rendition of Tunnel of Love. You walk down a pathway with heart-shaped hoops, there are balloons and flowers all around - and, mind you, all of these are illuminated tokens of love. Take photos, soak in the romance, pretend you are walking down the aisle. Why don't you book a date for Valentine's Day already at DGG?

10) You get a new vantage point: from bird's eye view to bird's nest view

As you enter - and exit - Dubai Garden Glow, there's going to be an unforgettable moment. and many, many photo ops. The gorgeous (and mammoth) 'Bird's Nest' will overwhelm you with its colours and intricacies: the glowing branches, foliage, the nest itself - and, of course, the birds and their baby chicks. Wanna bet how many times you will look back at it as you leave DGG?

• UAE
• KT Engage
• Dubai