A trip to the museum is about to feel a lot more like stepping into another world. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi has teamed up with Snap Inc. to launch a suite of augmented reality (AR) experiences, transforming the museum into an immersive journey through the history of the universe and life on Earth.  This collaboration offers a first-of-its-kind experience in the region.

Spanning more than 13.8 billion years of scientific discovery, the AR experiences bring prehistoric landscapes, ancient creatures, and monumental species to life using Snapchat’s cutting-edge technology.

What visitors can experience

Using mobile AR via Snapchat and Snap’s next-generation Spectacles, visitors can move beyond simply observing exhibits to actively exploring them. Each experience is designed to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and allow visitors to engage directly with natural history in real time.

One of the standout features transforms the museum’s iconic atrium into a Jurassic-era environment, complete with lush prehistoric plants and life-sized AR creatures including Camarasaurus, Barosaurus, and Tylosaurus. Multiple visitors can explore the space together, with storytelling woven into the experience. A permanent QR code in the museum allows instant access through Snapchat’s camera.

Dinosaurs, hands-free

For those using Snap’s Spectacles, guided demonstrations unlock exclusive AR moments, including a full-scale Brachiosaurus that appears seamlessly within the physical space, offering a hands-free and highly realistic look into prehistory.

Dive inside a blue whale

One of the most immersive educational moments is a life-sized Blue Whale, recreated with photorealistic detail. An interactive X-ray mode reveals the whale’s internal anatomy, from its massive heart and lungs to its deep-sea adaptations, making complex science visually engaging and accessible to learners.

A new way to learn

Dr Peter C. Kjærgaard, Director of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, said with the help of advanced AR, visitors will be able to understand the universe and Earth’s past in more intuitive and engaging ways.

These AR experiences show how technology can enhance cultural institutions, expand engagement, and shape the future of interactive education.

Details:

Where: Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi

Tickets: Dh70 for adults (under 18s and seniors often enter for free).

Opening Hours: Mon–Fri: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm

Sat–Sun: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm