Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
before the invasion, the tower took its new name when it was completed in 1993. Panor-
amic lifts ascend to a viewing balcony and revolving restaurant.
Science & Natural
History Museum
MUSEUM
(Educational Science Museum; 2242 1268; Abdullah al-Mubarak St, Safat; 9am-noon & 4.30-7.30pm Sun-
Thu)
For an eclectic range of exhibits from electronics and space paraphernalia to
fossils, stuffed animals and an 18m whale skeleton, this museum, near Liberation Tower,
Yaum Al-Bahhar Village
PARK
(Arabian Gulf St, Shuwaikh; 5pm-11.30pm)
With traditional wind-tower architecture, this
small area of craft workshops is part of a development along the coast that includes walk-
ing paths and fountains. The workshops are open at variable times and some of the items
are for sale. Some not-for-the-faint-hearted crafts include stuffed bustard (an endangered
bird) and shell decorations that you wouldn't wish on your enemy.
This is a good place for male visitors to enjoy a mint tea in a traditional coffeeshop and
listen to the clack of bone on board as locals play backgammon.
Old City Gates
LANDMARK
Al-Shaab
,
Al-Shamiya
,
Al-Jahra
and
Al-Maqsab
are the names of Kuwait City's gates in Safat on
Al-Soor St, the street that follows the line of the old city wall ('soor' is the Arabic word
for 'wall'). Despite their ancient appearance, the wall and gates were only constructed
around 1920. The wall was demolished in 1957.
DON'T MISS
KUWAIT'S MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Kuwait's extraordinary modern wealth has been expressed in many pieces of architectural civic pride. If you're in
town for a while, don't miss at least a drive-by of the following fine buildings.
ยป
Kuwait Towers
(
Click here
) There are few buildings in the region as iconic as these water towers. Their
slender columns and plump reservoirs are symbolic of the way in which a city has blossomed from humble begin-
nings.
