This week I have visited Jalaad Cultural Center at Balqa area, Um Al Dananeer, 35 min drive from Amman. It consists of a museum, restaurant, mini golf and a hotel sections. Situated in a Scandinavian Forest, it's a wonderful experience for both expats and locals in Amman, wondering which art gallery is a must visiting in Amman, or where to go in Jordan for the weekend.
Hindiyeh Art Gallery
There’s an amazing private collection of art, and if you really want to see what the Middle Eastern Art is about, it’s totally worth visiting. I have been Living in Amman for 5 years, and didn’t know such place exists in Jordan! You will find over a thousand paintings of modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures within the five museum floors. I think I still need time to process what I’ve seen, that’s how I’m impressed with the art collection, and I will definitely come back there again.
Free admission, the museum is opened from 9am till 8pm daily.
Sindyan Restaurant
First thing you are going to see after your arrival, is a gorgeous view to the mountainous area. Sindyan Restaurant consists of several spacious seating areas.
It was the best baba ganoush I have eaten, and I thought after 7 years in the Middle East it would be impossible to surprise me. Fattoush and other salads were very fresh, the meat was tender but not overcooked. For a dessert I had some watermelon with qatayef.
Great oriental food, a big variety of European dishes as well!
Mini Golf
It was also a surprise to see a mini golf area there, it might be interesting to try but we didn’t have time, as we came to see the museum. I think you supposed to book it in advance, here’s their Facebook page.
Why Visit Jalaad Cultural Center
I’d say it’s a great place to spend your day there: arrive around 4pm, walk through the museum slowly, enjoy the paintings and then share your experience with your friends over dinner at one of restaurant’s opened terraces at the sunset, watching how the sun slowly goes down and the electric lights appear. :)