Miracle Garden in Dubai

Miracle Garden in Dubai; credit Ali Raoufian

Dubai Attractions

There is no shortage of globally famous and lesser-known Dubai Attractions worth visiting:

Burj Khalifa
Completed in 2010, Dubai’s landmark tourist attraction is 2722 feet high with 163 floors and is currently the tallest building in the world. It includes a 3-level lounge on levels 152-154. The Burj is primarily a hotel and residences, with a section of corporate suites included. A high-speed elevator zooms to the observation decks on levels 124, 125, and 148. From its 360-degree observation decks, see all Dubai points of interest from the desert on one side and the Persian Gulf on the other. If that’s not high enough for you, go to the Lounge Burj Khalifa on levels 152, 153, and 154 for cocktails or coffee. The buildings and motorways below look like the world’s most detailed landscape model. Some people prefer to visit at night to photograph the dramatically lit cityscape. The observation deck includes a multimedia presentation on the development of Dubai and the Burj Khalifa. Awe-inspiring is an understatement for this must-see attraction. Wearing a mask is mandatory.
Website: https://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/

Dubai Aquarium
How fitting that a desert city should host one of the world’s great aquariums. It features 140 species of sea life in the huge tank on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall. Although there is free viewing from the mall, paying a fee to enter the Underwater Zoo, with its three-story high, 270-degree views along the length of the glass-panel tunnels is worth it. Dubai Aquarium also offers a close-up encounter with tiger sharks and hand-feeding eagle rays.
Address: Dubai Mall, Sheikh Zayed Road
Website: https://www.thedubaiaquarium.com

Dubai Desert
Active travel seekers should try the Dubai Desert 4×4 Safari half-day desert adventure. It includes a camel ride, sandboarding lessons, a sunset barbecue, and a belly dancing show. Those who prefer tours of wildlife should consider the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Sights include free-roaming herds of gazelles and occasionally, the distinctive-horned Arabian Oryx. Please desert birds on cooler days. Take an evening camel ride and enjoy stargazing. Or try your hand at dune buggy driving.

Al Fahidi Quarter (Old Dubai)
Sometimes called the Bastakia neighborhood, Old Dubai was built in the late 19th century for wealthy Persian jewel & textile merchants lured to Dubai for tax-free trading and shipping access to Dubai Creek. Many with walls are topped with wind towers and small minarets. The wind towers funneled air down into the homes for an early form of air conditioning. Aside from being an architectural delight, Old Dubai has galleries to purchase traditional Arab ceramic gifts, Al Serkal Cultural Foundation, a shop, and a café.

The Frame in Dubai

The Frame in Dubai; credit Visit Dubai

Mall of the Emirates
As common for great malls these days, you’ll find numerous shops, and eateries featuring a wide breadth of cuisines from around the world, a cineplex, and a marvelous family entertainment center with rides. What sets this mall apart is the famous Ski Dubai venue. The indoor ski slope features real snow, chairlifts, and penguins who enjoy the frigid 25 degrees Fahrenheit temperature.
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Website: https://www.malloftheemirates.com/en

Dubai Mall
Get your shopping fix at this premier mal next to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Aquarium. The shopping and dining options will last long after you tire, so pace yourself. There is also an ice-skating rink, gaming zone, and cineplex if you’re looking for more entertainment options. Fashion shows and live musical entertainment are common.
Location: Doha Road
Website: https://www.thedubaimall.com/

Dubai Frame
Located between Dubai’s older neighborhoods and the city’s modern skyscrapers is the 492-feet-high x 305 feet wide picture frame. 2,900 square meters of laminated glass and 15,000 square meters of gold-colored stainless steel cover Dubai Frame, which sports a ring design inspired by the Expo 2020 Dubai logo. The Frame’s rectangular design was inspired by the ‘golden ratio’ of 1.618, which many architects believe forms an ideal structural balance. Once inside, visitors sample Old Dubai, Present Dubai, and Future Dubai galleries that explain the city’s history, culture, and direction. A swift elevator takes you up to the Sky Deck to enjoy panoramas of Old Dubai and New Dubai. Walk on the luminous glass walkway bridge and take selfies. Your smartphone will thank you. Relax in the Frame Garden and enjoy a cup of fine coffee. Allow 2 hours here.
Address: Zabeel Park, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road
Website: https://www.dubaiframe.ae/en

Dubai Museum
Located in the Al-Fahidi Fort on Dubai Creek, it was built in 1787 to defend this trading outpost. More than a fort, it has served as a residence for the ruling family, a seat of government, and a prison. Last restored in 1995, it offers a rearward look at the Emirates and Dubai. It’s particularly good in explaining how the oil boom vaulted Dubai’s economy and standing in the world. The courtyard is home to several traditional boats and an ancient house with an Emirati wind tower. Galleries include dioramas covering traditional Emirati life from the ner recent to the ancient.
Address: Al-Fahidi Street, Al-Fahidi

Museum of the Future
Designed by Killa Design architecture studio, the building aims for a LEED Platinum rating with a façade comprising windows that form an Arabic poem by Dubai’s ruler. It’s located in the Financial District and has three main elements: green hill, building, and void. The UAE Government opened the museum on 22 February 2022 because the date is a palindrome. The museum’s mission is to promote technological development and innovation, particularly robotics and artificial intelligence. A pleasant surprise is to see the Climate Change Reimagined: Dubai 2050 gallery. It’s set in 2050 to explore how humanity could thrive by welcoming radical innovations despite the impacts of global warming.

Water Taxi Across Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek separates the city into two towns, with Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. Small villages grew up alongside the creek 4,000 years ago, while the modern era began in the 1830s when the Bani Yas tribe settled in the area. On the Bur Dubai side of the creek against Old Dubai, a waterfront promenade backed by traditional coral-block and limestone buildings, a floating market, and shops selling crafts. Southeast down the creek, on the Deira bank just north of Al-Maktoum Bridge, is the Dhow Wharfage. It’s still used by small Gulf traders who sail their dhows in Kuwait, Iran, Oman, India, and the Horn of Africa. At the southeastern end of Dubai Creek is the newly developed Dubai Creek Harbor with a waterfront marina walkway, which offers excellent vistas of the city skyline. For more river sites, rent a Dhow Cruise.

Deira Souks
Deira lies on the northern bank of Dubai Creek and the winding streets here unveil the melting pot of different nationalities that call Dubai home. Deira is famous for its traditional souks (markets), which bustle with shoppers at all times of the day. Deira Gold Souk is the largest gold bazaar in the world and Deira Spice Souk sells every imaginable spice. The fragrant is either astounding or overwhelming depending on your olfactory senses.

Jumeirah Mosque
Considered to be the most beautiful of Dubai’s mosques, Jumeirah Mosque is a stunning execution of Islamic architecture built in the medieval Fatimid tradition with two minarets of finely detailed stonecraft. Guided tours of the mosque are designed to try to foster a better understanding of the Muslim faith.
Address: Jumeirah Road

Museum of the Future, Dubai

Museum of the Future, Dubai; credit Denys Gromov

Burj Al Arab
The architectural gem is the world’s tallest hotel, standing 1053 feet high on its own artificial island. That location makes it an icon of Dubai’s waterfront. Designed to resemble a dhow sail, the exterior of the building is lit up by a nightly light show that does not disappoint. The Burj Al-Arab is one of the most expensive hotels in the world, with prices well beyond mere mortal incomes. Mere mortals can experience its opulence by booking afternoon tea or coffee at the Skyview Bar on the 27th floor. Or you can book dinner at the underwater Al-Mahara Restaurant, where floor-to-ceiling glass panels in the dining room walls allow you to view sea life while dining.
Address: Jumeirah Road, Dubai

Global Village
From October through April, this entertainment park provides family-friendly entertainment themed around taking visitors on a journey to 26 nations around the world. Each pavilion offers a peek a that country’s culture. It’s a unique option in the city for evening entertainment for families with little ones in tow. The Carnaval rides include roller coasters, bumper cars, carousels, and a big Ferris Wheel.
Address: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, Dubai
Website: https://www.globalvillage.ae/en

Given its cosmopolitan make-up, Dubai Attractions include many cuisine options from around the world. The is includes Californian, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Arab, and much more. The most popular dining areas are The beach at JBR, walk at JBR, mid-range restaurants, city walk, and Deira for budget-friendly food.



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