Al Ain Palace Museum

"A Palace Rendezvous in Al Ain Not as glamorous as Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi or the new royal residence taking shape in the Capital, the Al Ain Palace, former home to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his family, is equally as interesting. The palace grounds are quite large and visitors are free to wander between the bedrooms, coffee rooms, store rooms, and majlis (sitting or receiving room). The palace was home to the founding father of the United Arab Emirates until 1966. On the day of my visit, the museum was celebrating Eid al Adha and several men, including the museum's Visitor Services Manager, greeted guests and welcomed everyone with Arabic coffee and dates while Emirati men swayed to the traditional Al Ayyalah - a dance that tells a story by no less than 25 men waving camel sticks and beating drums. Known for its oasis, Al Ain is a comfortable little town in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, about two hours from the City of Abu Dhabi."

"Al Ain Palace Museum is a notable landmark, too; it showcases life in a ruler’s fort prior to 1966."

"Built in 1937, the palace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was opened as a museum in 2001. Inside, many of the family's rooms and delegation areas are still preserved as they were. It's not an expansive museum, but much of the building and its surroundings are well-preserved and offer an accurate glimpse into the life of UAE royalty. Docents are helpful in navigating some of the rooms, as well as explaining their original purpose: The internal gate, decorated with verses from the Quran, leads to rooms used for international delegations. There's also an upper majlis, which received guests, and even a coffee room." - Laura Ratliff