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HOW DO I DUBAI? 20 MUST-DO ACTIVITIES IN DUBAI



I had been wanting to visit Dubai for a long time, and when I saw a flash sale on flights I booked a last minute ticket…for April 2020.


Everyone can probably guess how that turned out. My trip was Covid cancelled. I was disappointed, but the cancellation turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Prior to buying that plane ticket I didn’t really know much about Dubai.


In my ignorance I had always assumed Dubai was a destination for the ultra wealthy. My hasty “research” for that initial trip involved me asking a few of my friends who had traveled there for suggestions. Most of the feedback I got was surprisingly subdued. “It’s okay” “two or three days is all you need” “super expensive” “artificial, no culture” … Since I don’t have the deepest of pockets and the feedback seemed low-key, I initially only booked myself for four days in Dubai and hoped I’d find enough things to keep me occupied.


After the pandemic scuttled those plans, I banked my Emirates ticket and hunkered down with the rest of the world. During that time, hoping I’d be able to travel again someday, I started to do deeper research into Dubai. It occurred to me that not only were there plenty of things I was excited to do in Dubai, but that four days wasn’t going to be enough time to do them. All through those months when we weren’t able to go anywhere, I held onto my dream of Dubai and plotted my eventual visit.


When it felt like things were starting to open back up and it was safe to travel again, Dubai was at the top of my list. I rebooked for six days (which still wasn’t quite enough) and finally got to live out my Dubai fantasy. Here is a list of things that I enjoyed on my visit, including where I was able to save a little money and when the splurge was worth it.



1.) DO fly Emirates. Many people will fly to Dubai on Emirates Airlines. It’s a great carrier and often times your boarding pass comes with some special extras. When I traveled, my boarding pass gave me a free entry to the World Expo as well as the Dubai Frame, both of which were on my planned itinerary. When you are booking your flight make sure you check what specials they are offering flyers and take advantage of them. Your Emirates boarding pass is always good for discounts at various stores, restaurants and attractions - a current list is available on the airline’s website.




2.) DO stop at the duty free shop in the Dubai airport. If you want to have any adult beverages at your disposal while visiting Dubai, this is the easiest and most cost effective way to set yourself up. Dubai is a Muslim country and Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol. You can find alcohol at hotels and some restaurants, but it is very expensive. I like having a glass of wine at the end of my day while posting pictures on Instagram or mapping out the next day’s itinerary. Planning ahead will save you some money. Remember that public intoxication is a serious offense in Dubai, so don’t overdo it.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates


3.) DO Uber. I usually make it a point to take public transportation in every place I visit. Cabs and ride services can eat through my travel budget quickly and I like getting around like a local. In Dubai, the metro is great - clean, safe and simple - but I found that sometimes it had its limitations as far as getting me close to where I was trying to go (and Dubai is not exactly a pedestrian’s paradise). I wrongly assumed that ride share cars were going to be outrageous in Dubai. They weren’t! I found them quite inexpensive and the cars were NICE. I think the worst one that picked me up was a shiny new Lexus. I got in the habit of using them there and that saved me a lot of time (time is money) and the rides were much more affordable then I had anticipated.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ooh gross! A Lexus!

4.) DO stay where you play. This is not only good advice for Dubai (where the distances between attractions can be quite far) but for wherever you travel. It’s worth paying a higher daily rate to stay near the things you want to see than to spend hours of your trip trying to get to and from a far flung hotel. I actually stayed in two hotels during my visit. One was in Downtown Dubai where I was in walking distance to the Burj Khalifa and its fountain show, the Dubai Mall, the incredible buildings of the financial district and the metro. After three days I moved to the Dubai Marina. The Marina area is amazing. It’s full of things to do and see. In both areas I stayed in affordable hotels (both Rove Hotels - shout out to Rove Hotels) with generous included breakfasts, great rooms, activities onsite and nice pools. Don’t spend your entire trip in transit.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Room with a view. Stay near the places you most want to visit.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Rove Hotels were a great choice for me

5.) DO get to the top of the Burj Khalifa. It seems like a no-brainer, but don’t miss your chance to experience the world’s tallest building. It is astounding. I paid a little extra for a VIP ticket and to visit during sunset. I thought the VIP was worth it - you get to travel to a higher floor and look down on all of the cheapskates (haha) plus some included snacks, special features and less people. I probably wouldn’t recommend paying extra for sunset hours. It was super crowded and all of the jostling for window space made any sort of enjoyment of the lovely sunset near impossible. Any ticket to the Burj Khalifa is worth the cost and it remains the one must-do on a trip to Dubai.


Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Burj Khalifa - The World's Tallest Building
Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the top, VIP
Me and the sheiks in the VIP
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Sunset "At the Top"

6.) DO be dazzled by the world’s largest light and water show at the Dubai Fountain. I can’t recommend this highly enough. At the foot of the Burj Khalifa there is nightly water show that mixes synchronized music, choreographed fountains and lights traveling up and down the tallest building on earth. It is wildly impressive and best of all - FREE! - (although you can pay to see it by boat, floating boardwalk or sitting at a restaurant terrace if you want a more privileged vantage point). I took the no cost option, stood on the promenade, lakeside and was still blown away. It was the first thing I did after I arrived in Dubai. Following the long flight I was a little jet lagged and disoriented. Being in that state, in an unfamiliar place and witnessing a spectacle like the fountain show was like being in a dream. It was an excellent introduction to the magic of Dubai.


Dubai Fountain show, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Pictures don't come close to doing the Dubai Fountain Show justice
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates


7.) DO shop til you drop at one of Dubai’s unbelievable malls. There almost 100 to choose from! My personal favorite was the Dubai Mall. I don’t actually like shopping, but the malls in Dubai are almost like theme parks. The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest and you can easily spend an entire day strolling around it. I considered this a free activity because I was there for hours, thoroughly entertained, without spending any money (I’m not a shopper). There’s a huge aquarium and underwater zoo. It charges an entrance fee, but the massive main tank is visible without paying for a ticket. There’s also an Olympic-sized ice rink, a full dinosaur skeleton, a shopping area stylized as a traditional souk, literally any luxury store you can think of, entertainment, cinema, art installations, fountains… the list goes on.



I also went to the Mall of Emirates - specifically to see Ski Dubai. Yes, there is actually an indoor ski slope in the mall - with snow, chairlift and penguins!. It was definitely cool to see - although I preferred watching the skiers from the warm side of the glass than hitting the slopes myself.


Ski Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ski Dubai

8.) DO impersonate the 1% on a visit to the Burj al Arab. I’m sure you’re thinking “What?!? I’m not a millionaire!” I understand. The Burj al Arab is not for us mere mortals. It’s an exclusive, wildly expensive, unapologetically luxurious, SEVEN STAR hotel. Single night stays can be much more expensive than my entire budget for a trip. Every suite comes with its own butler! Despite all of that, I was determined to get into the iconic hotel one way or another. The gorgeous, sail- shaped hotel sits on it’s own manmade island, with security checkpoints, so you can’t just stroll in and look around. Here are a few ways to get access to the property if you’re not a registered guest.


Burj al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Iconic Burj al Arab
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Looking up into the Burj al Arab from the lobby. The Statue of Liberty could fit into this atrium.

1.) You can book and pay for a tour (this costs under a hundred dollars and gives you a lot of information on the hotel as well as a look into some of the rooms).


2.) You can attend high tea (Pricey and not really my thing).


3.) You can also email in advance requesting a reservation at one of the restaurants.


I opted for the restaurant reservation. At first the tour seemed like an interesting choice. However, I wanted to experience the Burj al Arab like I was the wealthy person I pretend to be in my mind. I also received amazing food and cocktails for the money I spent and those are not provided on the tour. I found that there is an option to book a reservation for the cocktail hour which is offered prior to the main dining hours and has a lower minimum spend. I chose this option. I liked the freedom of the restaurant reservation because unlike the tour, when I was finished in the lounge, I could poke around the hotel on my own a for awhile. All in all I spent around a hundred dollars for a few hours at the Burj al Arab that included a couple of fancy drinks, quite a good selection of small bites and hors d’oeuvres (I left full), plus a souvenir Burj al Arab pen which my server let me keep. I suppose the “can I keep this pen?” question probably clued him into the fact that I was an imposter… Oh well, it was my one big splurge in Dubai and I thought it was totally worth it. It’s a remarkable property and an icon of Dubai for a reason. Plan ahead and bring nice clothes.





I guess I should clarify that I visited the Skyview Bar at the top of the Burj al Arab, one of their many restaurant options. They also have a really cool-looking underwater restaurant that you can visit. It’s located…underwater.


Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Madinat Jumeirah = Disney Dubai

9.) DO Madinat Jumeirah.This gorgeous resort village feels a little bit like how Disney would build a Dubai attraction in one of its theme parks - so of course I loved it. Traditional Arabian architecture, souks, restaurants, entertainment and canals (with boat rides) make this popular attraction a great place to spend some time. I thought it was charming. I actually visited twice, once during daytime and again to see it lit up at night.




10.) DO learn something about the Muslim religion on a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque. One of the few mosques open to non-Muslims in the UAE, the lovely Jumeirah Mosque offers informative tours everyday except Friday. If you’ve been to Istanbul, Cairo or Abu Dhabi, you’ve most likely seen larger, more breathtaking mosques. What makes a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque special is the cultural outreach it provides. Their motto is “open doors, open minds”. Your tour leader explains about the Five Pillars of Islam and shares what it’s like to live a Muslim life. The guide then spends a lot of time answering any questions visitors have about the building and the faith of its worshippers. It was a new experience for me to tour a mosque while simultaneously getting a deeper understanding of the faith that has inspired the beautiful Islamic architecture seen all over the world. Included in the $5 admission is a small museum, some light refreshments and the opportunity to interact with a live falcon while learning about the importance of falconry to the Emirati culture.


Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Jumeirah Mosque
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates


11.) DO wonder at the marvel that is Palm Jumeirah. This is a thing I had to see with my own eyes. Back in 2001, Dubai starting dredging sand from the bottom of the gulf and used it to create a spectacular palm shaped archipelago. I didn’t want to pay for a helicopter or flight-seeing plane over the giant palm and skydiving is not for me. Prior to 2021, those were the only ways to really take in the wonder that is the Palm. Luckily, I found out about the newly opened View at the Palm. It gives you a great overhead look at this manmade miracle. The walled-in-glass viewing platform is the best view available outside of aircraft. It’s a 360 degree view, so you can take in the Dubai skyline as well. I spent a lot of time up there - worth the splurge.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Soaking up "The View"

Following the viewing platform, I’d suggest taking the monorail all the way up the “trunk” of the palm to its last stop, three miles out to sea, the Atlantis resort. The monorail is a fun ride in itself and gives you a good overview of what life’s like on the Palm. It was around $3 round trip.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Monorail ride!

The Atlantis is the “crown” of Palm Jumeirah. A mega resort and hotel complex (just like the one in the Bahamas) where you’ll find stores, bars, restaurants, an aquarium and a waterpark here among other things. I didn’t feel like shelling out for a day pass this time, so I just wandered around, got lunch and headed back to shore. If you’re a fan of resorts, I’m thinking that this is probably one of the best and especially good for people with kids.


Atlantis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Atlantis
Atlantis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates


12.) DO stroll and boat around the Dubai Marina and try to believe your eyes. When I hear about Dubai being a metropolis that ambition and innovation has pulled from the Arabian sand, I think of the Dubai Marina. It is almost impossible to comprehend that this manmade marina, surrounded by 100+ skyscrapers, didn’t even exist twenty years ago. Experience the marina by walking along the waterside promenade or take to the water. While fancy cruises are offered, I chose the Dubai Marina water bus. It’s an inexpensive and fun way to see the marina. I did the full circuit on the boat in the evening. I liked seeing all of the buildings lit up and watching the different cruises plying the waters. There’s tons to do in this area, so save time for it.


Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The buildings of the mind-boggling Marina
Dubai skyline, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates


13.) DO appreciate what humans are capable of creating. As I’ve already mentioned, Dubai has some of the most incredible manmade architecture and engineering on display that can be found anywhere on the planet. Whether it’s the massive size and scale of the project, the wondrous innovation and ingenuity it took to create them or the artistic and aesthetic qualities that some of these attractions possess - it’s hard to come away from any of them without being impressed. In addition to the places previously mentioned, I’d add the Museum of the Future, the Ethiad Museum, the Gate, the World Trade Center, the Dubai Opera House and the Emirates Towers. These were some of the buildings in Dubai that I liked best. Taking a self-guided architecture tour is a great way to spend your time and not spend your money. Remember, it doesn’t cost anything to look at a building from the outside.


Museum of the future and Emirates Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Museum of the Future and Emirates Towers
Dubai Opera, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai Opera
Ethiad Museum, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ethiad Museum
Museum of the future, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I love the Museum of the Future building

14.) DO get yourself framed. Another cool example of unique architecture and engineering found in Dubai is the Dubai Frame. I wouldn’t call this one an absolute must-do, because there are much better views from other places in Dubai. However, there isn’t really anything quite like the Frame. Located in Zabeel Park, this colossal, gold, world’s-largest frame carries visitors up to a viewing platform 500 feet in the air. I had a free entrance ticket thanks to my Emirates boarding pass, so I didn’t have any real expectations and thought it was a fun way to spend an hour or so. If you’re on a super tight budget or a time crunch, this is probably one you can skip and not feel too guilty about.


The Dubai Frame, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Dubai Frame

15.) DO it old school in historic Dubai. Despite what you may have heard, Dubai is not all futuristic metropolis. Dubai’s original settlements were along the Dubai Creek. Before the small desert village grew into an international tourist and business destination, people had populated this area for centuries. They lived their lives on the shores of the creek and that is where visitors can still find the traditional, authentic side of Dubai. There are two areas of historic Dubai, one on either side of the creek. One is called Deira and the other is Bur Dubai. I combined them into one long day of sightseeing.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Deira has many heritage buildings and museums, but I think the main draw on this (Eastern) side of the river are the souks. Precursors of Dubai’s mega malls, these traditional souks are bustling and chaotic. My favorites were the Spice Souk - a treat for the nose, and the Gold Souk - a feast for the eyes. Since I don’t really shop, my visit here was all about the atmosphere (and therefore free).



While you’re in Deira it’s also nice to walk along the creekside promenade. This is where all of the activity of the wharves can be seen as well as exceptional views across to the beautiful buildings of Bur Dubai’s historic district. I felt transported to an earlier age. After it seemed like I had been visiting the future for the previous days, this felt something like time machine travel I suppose.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates


One thing every visitor to this area should do is take the water taxi across Dubai Creek. These traditional boats are called abras and the trip costs about 25 cents. I made a cross as the sun was setting. The boat was full of locals. It was a wonderful, immersive experience and I got some great pictures too.


Dubai Creek, United Arab Emirates
Abras ply the waters of Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek, United Arab Emirates

The Bur Dubai area was where I finally felt I got a true sense of what Dubai was like before it was “Dubai”. The Al Fahidi Fort is the oldest structure in Dubai and now houses the Dubai Museum. The Al Fahidi Historic District and the Al Shindagha District have been wonderfully restored and preserved. Here a visitor can wander among heritage buildings, marveling at traditional Arabic architecture - wind towers, mosques, watchtowers, alleyways. This is Dubai before all of the money started to roll in. After sunset it is lit beautifully. I loved it.


Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Al Fahidi Fort
Heritage building with wind tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Heritage Building with Wind Tower
Dubai, United Arab Emirates


16.) DO checkout what was the World Expo. I was fortunate to visit during the World Expo 2020, which had been extended due to the pandemic. I was blown away by all of the amazing pavilions and exhibitions. It was jaw dropping. I was sad at the time that it was all temporary.


Expo, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

When researching this article, I was happy to learn that what was once World Expo 2020 is now Expo City. Dubai has kept most of the infrastructure that was built for the expo and turned the grounds into a futuristic mini-city. It seems that many of my favorite pavilions remain or have been repurposed. I read that there is no entrance fee to visit Expo City, so there’s no excuse not to go. Make sure to check out the Gardens in the Sky, and my absolute favorite, the surreal water feature. Incredible.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Surreal water feature - the best!
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
All of these amazing pavilions remain
Dubai, United Arab Emirates


17.) DO not just visit Dubai when you visit Dubai. If you’re planning a trip to Dubai, absolutely book a day trip to Abu Dhabi during your stay. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and has a few unmissable sights. It’s an easy drive from Dubai and there are many tour options available to suit your tastes. Pick and choose the activities and sights that interest you and you’ll find tours available at all price levels. I booked a small group, cultural tour. There were eight of us in a comfy mini-bus with a wonderful guide and the tour included all entrance fees and lunch. The full day was $100 or so. Worth it.


Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi's breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

18.) DO not miss the magnificent beauty of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. I have been fortunate to see some of the most gorgeous buildings in the world like the Taj Mahal and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque. I would absolutely place the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in their company. It is the largest mosque in the UAE and the superlatives don’t stop there. One thousand pillars, 80 domes, the world’s largest chandelier, the world’s largest woven carpet, space for 50,000 worshippers…this snow white beauty is all that and more. It was a highlight of my trip to the UAE. I’m pretty sure all day tours to Abu Dhabi include some time at the mosque - if yours doesn’t, jump off the bus!


Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates


19.) DO drop in on the President if you’ve got time. Built in 2017 and only opened to the public in 2019, none of my guidebooks were up to date enough to provide any information about Qasr al Watan. It was a total surprise. The Presidential Palace is now one of the best stops on any tour of Abu Dhabi. When we pulled up to the Palace of the Nation, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. This white palace is mammoth. The impressive exterior is easily matched by what you’ll find inside. Starting with the Great Hall, the scope and design of the interior left me wowed and all of the fixtures in the bathrooms are made of solid gold!


Qasr al Watan, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The massive Presidential Palace Qasr al Watan
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates


20.) DO check into (or at least check out) Abu Dhabi’s version of insane luxury, The Emirates Palace Hotel. I think my guide said it was one of the most expensive hotels ever built ($3.5 billion). I believe it’s easier for non guests to access than Dubai’s Burj al Arab. Our group decided to check it out from the Ethiad Towers across the road rather than to pull up in front of the hotel for photos. While I’d love to explore the inside of the Emirates Palace sometime, seeing the property from above was pretty great.


Emirates Palace, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Emirates Palace: A $3.5 billion hotel

The Ethiad Towers are an amazing cluster of five skyscrapers. They were made famous with an appearance in one of the Fast and Furious movies. Someone in the movie drives a car through the top floor window of one of the towers, flies through the air, then crashes it through the window of another tower. No cars were performing stunts like that on the day that I visited, but the observation platform is totally worth a visit. Great views of Abu Dhabi.


Ethiad Towers, Dubai, United Ara Emirates
Ethiad Towers, Dubai, United Ara Emirates
View from the Ethiad Towers
Ethiad Towers, Dubai, United Ara Emirates
Ethiad Towers, Dubai, United Ara Emirates
"Hey! Loved you in Fast and Furious!"

Those are my suggestions for “do”s in Dubai. I did almost everything that I had planned to do, which left me little time for relaxation. I did get to spend half a day at Kite Beach (yes, Dubai has a bunch of good beaches too). If I had a couple more days I probably would have done some kind of desert/dune trip, took a spin on the Dubai Eye or maybe gone to one of Dubai’s amusement parks. What’s great about Dubai is that it will keep innovating and changing and growing and charging into the future. Dubai will always be providing new and exciting reasons for visitors to return to this magical playground in the sand.



Dubai, United Ara Emirates




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