It is located in the Al Fahidi Fort (Arabic: حصن الفهيدي), built in 1787 and is the oldest existing building in Dubai.

It also includes several dioramas showing life in the emirate before the advent of oil, in addition to artifacts from recent discoveries as old as 3000 BC.

Besides the displays, the museum also includes hologram-like movies, and information stands that showcase lives and times of the Bedouin people from the third millennium B.C.

The fort was used to guard the landward approaches to the town from the raids of neither ruler's palace, a garrison, and a prison.

Next to them stands a tall dhow (traditional boat) in the middle of a large courtyard that covers the underground galleries.

Two cannons guard the main gate to the fort on the eastern wall, adorned by flags of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

The Fort served as the headquarters for the Ruler of the emirate and It was restored during the reign of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

One hall is at the main gate and houses the ticket office, while the others contain a collection of old weapons and arms from different historical periods along with a model of the city in 1820 AD.

It comprises seating and sleeping areas as well as a kitchen, filled with household furnishings and objects used by the locals in past times.

The street leads to a model of a mosque, house and family, then turns to the right where it is surrounded by depictions of desert life with a date farm, a camel, wild animals, and a Bedouin tent filled with jewelry, trinkets and objects from the daily life of Bedouins.

Cabinets filled with archaeological finds from Al Qusais site line the walls next to the excavation scene.