If you are following me on instagram (hint you should be following me - here), then you are getting a preview of the next travel stories I will be sharing - my time in UAE.

In all my visits to the UAE, I had not ventured out of Dubai. Trips were too short to fit anything else on the itinerary, or there was enough on the Dubai itinerary. Dubai is like NYC and London; it does not matter how many times you have visited; each trip is new and different. On this last trip, I decided to dedicate a day to exploring Abu Dhabi. I had not done it on previous trips, and I was unsure when next I would have the opportunity to be in the region, so I figured this was my best chance to check Abu Dhabi off the bucket list. Because I only had a day, I decided to go with a tour company rather than explore on my own. I used this tour company, and the experience was terrific. However, having now made the trip, it is a straight road, and if you plan to rent a car, definitely an easy enough drive to add to your list.

The drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi can take up to 2 hours depending on where you are staying in Dubai or your pick up spot, and because we were on tour - we were limited to the stops on tour. Each tour may vary slightly; we wanted to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, so we chose a tour with that stop. Every other stop was a bonus for me. Our tour included a stop for lunch at our expense, but the tour tickets cover the transport; and tour tickets to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The entrance to Sheikh Zayed Mosque is currently free (September 2020).

Whether you are going with a tour Company or exploring on your own - here are some of the spots in Abu Dhabi to add to your itinerary for a day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi. Located on Saadiyat Island, Just like its namesake in Paris, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is just as spectacular as its Paris namesake. Even before its opening in 2017, it had a massive buzz around it, and it has not disappointed since its opening. If you plan to go on your tickets, it cost 60 AED ($17). Don’t just visit/explore the museum; explore the surrounding the area. The architecture is incredible if you are a fan of design and architecture.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Can I be honest with you, this was the main reason for wanting to visit Abu Dhabi. I will not ruin the surprise for you, but needless to say; you will be in awe. It is open to the public from 9 am to 10 pm every day except for Fridays. On Fridays, it is closed to the public until 4 pm. There is no entrance fee. Please note it is a holy site, so appropriate dressing is required (including head covering for women). They provide cover if visitors are not appropriately dressed. Also, this open to people of all faith.

Ferrari World and Yas Island. If you enjoy the fast ride, then this amusement park designed by Ferrari should be on your itinerary; If you are planning to visit for the ride, plan at least half a day to get your money worth can access part of it with a ticket. Tickets start at 260 AED ($63). It is located on Yas Island with shopping and restaurant options as well.

Emirates Palace Hotel. A spectacular five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi; walking its grounds seems like a museum walk. It is gorgeous. If you stay overnight in Abu Dhabi - this is an excellent option for youth room rates starting at $300. If you don’t want to splurge or don’t want to have time for an overnight stay, you can still visit and explore its sections.

Emirates Heritage Club. The outdoor museum has a traditional desert village and craft market that captures the Emirates; it is a great stop to purchase crafts. We were visiting in June (one of the hottest months), so we did not explore as much as possible if it were colder. It does have a path to the beach. We spent some time on the water to get some air.

Those are the stops you will likely get by going with a stop Company. However, Abu Dhabi has much more to offer. If you are exploring your own, you should consider the following for your itinerary - Yas Waterworld park; Marina Mall; Yas Public Beach; Corniche beach; Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; Emirates park zoo, and Mangrove National park.