Let me start with the honest truth: Boulevard City nearly defeated us. Not because it wasn't incredible, it absolutely was, but because we completely underestimated its scale. When my wife Sara suggested we could "knock it out in an afternoon," I nodded along like the naive fool I was. Three separate visits later, we finally felt like we'd properly experienced it.
First Visit: The Friday Evening Mistake
Our first attempt was a Friday evening in early December. Big mistake. The crowds were absolutely overwhelming, and our 5-year-old Amina was anxious within 20 minutes. We barely made it past the main entrance plaza before the kids started melting down. The energy was electric, yes, but with young children it was simply too much stimulation.
We retreated to a quieter dining area near the back, grabbed some overpriced but genuinely delicious burgers, and called it an early night. Total time spent: 2 hours. Attractions experienced: zero.
Second Visit: Weekday Victory
Learning from our failure, we returned on a Tuesday afternoon. The transformation was remarkable. Same venue, completely different experience. We could actually walk without shuffling, the kids could run ahead without disappearing into crowds, and the queue times were reasonable.
This is when we discovered Combat Field, the laser tag arena that my 10-year-old Omar still considers "the greatest thing that ever happened." I'll admit, even as a grown man, crawling through that multi-level combat zone was genuinely thrilling. The equipment was high-quality, the staff was excellent with the kids, and the 30-minute session flew by.
"Dad, can we live here?" - Omar, age 10, after his third laser tag round
The Zones Worth Your Time
After our multiple visits, here's my honest breakdown of what worked for our family:
Combat Field
Already mentioned, but worth repeating. The laser tag experience here rivals anything I've seen in Dubai or back home in the UK. Prices are reasonable at around 80 SAR per person, and the sessions are genuinely fun for adults and kids alike. My recommendation: book in advance through the Riyadh Season app to avoid queue disappointment.
The Food Districts
Boulevard City has multiple dining areas, and they're not all created equal. We found the best value and quality in the area near the western entrance, away from the main performance stages. There's a fantastic Turkish restaurant there (can't recall the exact name, but it had green awnings) where the kids actually finished their meals, a rare occurrence in our house.
The Performance Stages
During Riyadh Season, there are regular performances throughout the evening. We caught an acrobatic show near the central fountain that had all three kids mesmerized. These shows are free and happen roughly every hour after 6 PM, though the schedule isn't always posted clearly.
What We Skipped (And Why)
Not everything in Boulevard City is worth the hype or the price tag:
- The VR experiences: Overpriced at 150+ SAR per person, and the queues were still 45+ minutes even on weekdays
- Most of the carnival games: Classic money traps. My son spent 120 SAR trying to win a stuffed toy worth maybe 30
- The haunted house attractions: Not appropriate for young kids (despite what the age ratings suggest), and not particularly impressive for adults either
Practical Tips From Our Experience
If you're planning a Boulevard City visit with family, here's what I wish someone had told me:
- Go on weekday evenings: Sunday through Wednesday are your best options. The difference is dramatic.
- Arrive around 4 PM: This gives you time to explore before the dinner rush and lets you catch the transition to nighttime lighting, which is genuinely spectacular.
- Download the Riyadh Season app: Some attractions allow pre-booking, and the map function is actually useful once you figure out the interface.
- Bring a stroller even for older kids: The distances are significant. Our 5-year-old's legs gave out halfway through every visit.
- Set a spending budget before entering: It's very easy to hemorrhage money here between food, games, and attractions. We now use a cash envelope system for family outings.
The Bottom Line
Boulevard City during Riyadh Season is genuinely impressive and worth experiencing if you live in or are visiting Saudi Arabia. The production value is world-class, the variety of entertainment is staggering, and there are genuine moments of magic, especially for kids.
But go in with realistic expectations. It's crowded, expensive, and overwhelming if you try to do too much at once. Our best experience came from accepting that we'd need multiple visits and focusing on specific activities rather than trying to "see everything."
For more information about Riyadh Season events and timing, check the official Riyadh Season website. And if you're looking for other family activities in Riyadh, the Visit Saudi tourism portal has some useful starting points, though I find their recommendations a bit generic.
Last updated: December 2025
