8 of the Best Things to Do in Dubai
Dubai is one of those destinations that you dream about visiting. With its colorful skyline, fast cars, large desert, a man-made island, Dubai offers so much. Since you got the opportunity to go to Dubai, I think it is best to make the most of it!
Before planning your activities and outfits, I want to give you some quick tips.
- Learn the laws of Dubai. I have heard stories about people coming to Dubai with the mindset that they can do what they want and act how they want. That being said, the police in Dubai do not have an issue putting you in jail or giving you a nice-sized fine. You can still have an amazing time in Dubai; do not break their laws.
- It is safe for women- One of the most common questions I got when I came back from Dubai was how I was treated. I was treated the same as everyone else! In fact, I felt safer there than in other destinations I had visited.
- Check the Weather around the time you are visiting– I went in January, so the weather was perfect. I did get a little cooler at night, so having a light jacket did save my butt. I did hear, however, that it can get really HOT in the summer months. Just be mindful of that.
- It is a Muslim Country- As a Christian, I felt fine being there. We still prayed before our dinners, and my husband wore a cross necklace, and no one said anything to us. Just be respectful of their beliefs. Also, in the hotel room, there is usually a book of The Quran and a praying mat. If you aren’t going to use it, just leave it in the same spot.
Now, since we got that out of the way, let’s get to the fun part!
1. Visit the Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world, with 1,200 stores and restaurants. If you plan on getting the most out of the mall, I suggest going there a few times because it is massive. It provides common fashion stores such as H&M, Aldo, and Steve Madden, as well as luxury stores such as Hermes and Gucci. If you plan to luxury shop, there are luxury stores for kids and for adults. I learned that the hard way.
The mall also has an indoor aquarium (by H&M) and an indoor ice rink. If you want to spend a day in the mall, there is plenty to do. It isn’t hard to get lost in the mall, but there are navigation guides throughout that can help you figure out where to go.
2. Watch The Dubai Fountain Show
I saw a Fountain show when I went to Las Vegas. However, words CAN NOT explain just how beautiful and majestic the fountain show in Dubai is. The coordination of the water to the music and the lights made the concert spectacular. It is every 30 minutes between 6 pm-11 pm.
The Dubai Fountain is located at the Dubai Mall. You can watch it from the sidelines, on a boat, or from one of the rooftop restaurants near the fountain. If you do watch it from the sidelines, get there a little early because the crowds fill up fast.
3. Explore the Dubai Desert
We spent the whole day in the Dubai Desert, which was one of my favorite activities during the entire trip.
The first activity that we did was the dune buggy tour. You can choose to get on a dune buggy or an ATV. It is a 30-minute tour, and you are driving behind the tour guide through the desert. Finally, you get to a stopping point and take pictures and videos of the beautiful view. We also took a picture with a hawk. It was a scary yet exciting experience overall.
Once we made it back to the central station, we took another tour in the SUV through the desert. It was not an average ride; it was a wild, fun ride with sharp turns and fast up-and-down hills. They took us on one hill to let us sandboard and take more pictures.
Afterward, we went to a spot in the desert where we rode camels. If you rode a horse before, IT IS NOT THE SAME. The camel ride was very bumpy, and you could fall off the camel if you did not follow the guide’s directions. We walked into the building, had a buffet, and enjoyed a fire show and a belly dancing show. Overall, the experience was very memorable.
The desert did get really cold at night, so bring a jacket just in case.
4. Go to Atlantis
Atlantis is a huge waterpark located on the Palm. It has a lot of different waterpark rides that range from relaxing to thrilling. They also have two lazy rivers for those who want to relax. To top it all off, there is a beach area where you can swim in the water or look at the mansions that are on the Palm.
If you do not have all the swimwear and equipment that you need, Atlantis has it. I advise you to buy everything beforehand to save some money. Also, PLEASE invest in a water protector for your phone. Even if you plan on relaxing, your phone will end up wet. It is best to be on the safe side.
5. Visit the Burg Khalifa
The Burg Khalifa is the world’s tallest building, standing at 2,722 feet. In comparison, you can’t help but see it driving through downtown Dubai. There is an excursion that allows you to see the top of the Burg Khalifa. I will suggest doing this at night to avoid all the clouds.
We visited Secrets in the Burg Khalifa. Secrets is a club located on the 3rd floor of the building. They play music that everyone knows, have singers and dance performers, and also serve good food! If you get the drink package, you will be served unlimited drinks. Also, there is an outside area that provides a better view of the Burg Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain.
6. Visit the Gold and Spice Souk
If you are looking to buy gold or spices, this would be an excellent spot to go. The gold is more affordable here, and you can negotiate if you need to.
You will be heckled by some people while you are there who want you to buy shoes and other things. Just tell them to leave you alone in a stern voice, and they will usually walk away.
7. Visit the Miracle Gardens
Even if you are not a big fan of gardens, you can not miss the Miracle Gardens. It is beautiful and full of sculptures covered in flowers. It has sculptures from different Disney shows as well as an enormous plane. The sea of colors from the flowers coordinates well together, and the art in the pond ties the entire garden together. It is a must-see if you want to see fancy cars. You will most likely get the chance to see them here.
8. Go on a Yacht Tour
I did not get the chance to do a Yacht tour, but the ones I saw looked pretty fun. I have seen videos of tourists on yachts, which just made it look exciting. There are different yachts where you can get a tour of the marina with food or get your private boat, but you have to bring your own food. When I visit again, I will definitely do a yacht tour so I can learn more about Dubai landmarks while enjoying good food.
Dubai can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, of course, why not experience all that Dubai has to offer? Or at least as much as you can during your time there. If you are there for a few days, visit famous spots such as the Burg Khalifa or Burj Al Arab. I haven’t mentioned it before, but it is the only 7-star hotel in the world. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to see it up close, so I do not have much knowledge of it. There is plenty to do while visiting Dubai, so plan accordingly and make the most out of your time there.
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