Al-Jubeiha: This neighborhood in the north of Amman is home to the University of Jordan, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, and some of the best restaurants in the city! The main gate of the University of Jordan is a bustling hub of busses, street vendors, and students, and requires a student ID to enter the university grounds. However, the north gate is often open between 9 am and 5 pm and leads right into a couple of the gardens. After exploring the campus, grab a quick meal of falafel, hummus, and foul (beans) at Abu Jabarah, right outside the north gate. Or, if you’re ready for the best meal of your life, go to Bab al-Yemen and order lahmeh fahseh, foul bil beid, and djaaj mandi.
Hamza Garden for the Birds: Located in northeastern Amman, this family-friendly park and garden has a variety of birds for kids to marvel at, and plenty of space for a picnic. It provides a nice bit of green in a predominantly beige city!
Downtown Amman: While downtown Amman will probably appear on most Jordan travel guides, this one will encourage you to diverge from their recommendations, which probably include getting breakfast at Hashem Restaurant, trying kanafeh at Habibah or Nafisah, and seeing Grand Husseini Mosque. Downtown Amman, or al-balad, is the best place to see historic buildings, stumble upon art galleries, and discover new tastes and smells in antique, perfume, and spice shops. Turn down alleys, climb up the colorful stairways, and wander off the main thoroughfare to see more of the heart of the city.
King of Bahrain Kingdom Forest: Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head to this quiet park in southeastern Amman. If you go on Friday or Saturday, you will be joined by families who are barbecuing and having picnics. It is a great way to meet Jordanians, see some nature, and enjoy a peaceful afternoon.
Amman Running Club: Any serious runner will tell you that the best way to get to know a new place is by going for a run. However, visitors to Jordan will quickly notice that unlike most capital cities, Amman does not have a big running scene. If you do decide to go running, the worst that will happen is getting a few weird looks, but if you feel more comfortable running with a group, then the Amman Running Club is for you! This group of Jordanians and ex-pats meets Monday and Wednesday evenings, as well as Friday mornings, for a group run. The Friday runs are the best because they cycle through 4 different neighborhoods and always end with a group breakfast. Check the group’s Facebook page for a schedule and meet-up instructions. If you are there for the Sweifieh neighborhood run, be sure to order the brioche at Foron Rex afterwards!
SheFighter: Whether you are an experienced kick-boxer or have always wanted to try it, taking a class or two at SheFighter is a great experience to fit in to your Amman visit. This gym is the first female-only kick-boxing gym in the Middle East and the instructors know how to make you sweat! The first class is free, and they are doing online classes during COVID-19, so you can join in from anywhere in the world. **This recommendation is only for women.