To truly sample the best of U.A.E history and culture, a visit to the Dubai Museum is a must. The museum is housed at the imposing Al Fahidi Fort. A feature of the cityscape since 1799, Al Fahidi Fort was once the city's protection from warring neighboring tribes, and had the varying distinctions of being a palace, garrison and prison before being commandeered by the museum. The museum presents itself as a space for providing a physical record of traditional Arab life. Modern renovations to the gallery space were completed in 1995.

An oasis for the culture-buff, the visitor is surrounded by vivid dioramas and watched over by life size figures from the history books. The galleries offer a snapshot view of innumerable aspects of Arab culture, including scenes from the souks and images of village life. Local antiquities are on display, and numerous artifacts and exhibits show the Emirates history as a centre of world trade.

The museum space also works as an experiment in interesting juxtapositions; the visitor can move from viewing handmade musical instruments such as drums, bagpipes made of goatskin and other local instruments, into a space housing deadly weaponry. Children will be thrilled by the sight of a 'hanjar' – a curved dagger, or shields made of sharkskin which are displayed alongside pistols and axes Also on display are objects found in 3000 3,000–4,000 year-old graves at Al Ghusais. The main fort is itself an intriguing military museum.

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