T rex fossils, moon rock: First look inside Abu Dhabi’s Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, set to open on November 22, 2025, promises an extraordinary journey through 13.8 billion years of life. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum is a testament to rapid development, yet it houses specimens that span nearly the entire history of the universe. Among its many exhibits are a slice of the Moon, two real T. rex fossils locked in a deadly battle, and a 25-meter blue whale skull so large that a wall had to be cut to accommodate it. The museum’s director, Peter C. Kjærgaard, describes it as a ‘night sky of stars,’ with countless highlights that surpass visitor expectations. The museum’s exhibits range from ancient meteorites and fossils to dramatic recreations of Abu Dhabi’s savannah landscape seven million years ago. It also features a treasure hunt for children, with a supersized version of the microscopic tardigrade scattered throughout the displays. The museum aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and foster a sense of ownership among visitors. With a focus on community science and the sheer drama of standing beneath a blue whale, the museum seeks to bring people into the story of the natural world and the future of science in the UAE.