Dubai often gets a bad reputation for lacking culture, but that can be in the eye of the traveler. Remember, this relatively new city (it just celebr... Read More
Dubai often gets a bad reputation for lacking culture, but that can be in the eye of the traveler. Remember, this relatively new city (it just celebrated its 44th birthday in December 2015) is developing with an eager and furious thirst to prove to the world its rich heritage and innovative newness. So when it comes to things to do in Dubai, your itinerary can range from bedouin-style safaris and leisurely strolls through the spice souks to snapping up views of the city from the 125th floor of an ambitious man made marvel known as the Burj Khalifa.
Love it or hate it for its excess, this destination is on a mission to redefine the modern city. When planning what to do in Dubai, you'll find historical sites, ambitious, cloud-scraping architecture, and endless entertainment (shopping, amusement parks, indoor skiing, and more). Many travelers make a beeline for the Dubai Mall, which can feel overwhelming in its vastness. Inside, there's a 22-screen theater, an indoor theme park called Sega World, an enormous play space dubbed Kidzania, a giant Aquarium with an underwater zoo, and a full-sized ice-skating rink. (Tip: You'll be walking for hours, so wear comfortable shoes.) Don't miss the Dubai Fountain, which stages a daily show at 6 p.m. that easily rivals anything the Bellagio in Las Vegas has to offer. Not for the faint of heart, the Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest skyscraper, at 2,625 feet, with the world's highest observation deck on the 124th floor.
Read Less-
-
Alserkal Avenue
Discover Dubai's artistic side at Alserkal Avenue, which houses a riot of art galleries and cultural spaces all within 250,000 square feet of each other... Read More
-
-
At the Top - The Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is one of the city's most recognizable structures and the tallest building in the world. The 160-story skyscraper rises 2,716.5 feet... Read More
-
-
-
Dhow Cruise
Ride a traditional abra across the historic Dubai Creek starting in Deira and ending in Bur Dubai. If you prefer to splash out, you can charter an abra... Read More
-
-
Frying Pan Adventure Food Tours
There's a lot more to Dubai than five-star restaurants, so skip those altogether in favor of a Frying Pan Adventure food tour. This popular food crawl... Read More
-
-
Platinum Movie Suites
To visit Dubai is to acquaint yourself with the notion of VIP—even when you're headed to the movies. Reel Cinemas offers moviegoers the opportunity to... Read More
-
-
Sharjah Art Foundation
A multi-functional art space composed of oatmeal-colored alleyways that exhibits contemporary works and hosts a variety of cultural programs. Opened in... Read More
-
-
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Completed in 2007 after 11 years of construction, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is among the United Arab Emirate's most impressive and... Read More
-
-
Skydive Dubai
Skydiving has quickly become the favorite pastime of celebrities passing through Dubai (Will Smith, Rita Ora, and Chanel Iman, to name but a few A-list... Read More
-
-
SUP Paddle Boarding at Kite Beach
Kite Beach is the city's best place to paddleboard—or kitesurf or sail. Join fit expats and young families at this ever-popular public beach, where you... Read More