100 Things To Do in Dubai | Lady & her Sweet Escapes

Jul 25, 2015

100 Things To Do in Dubai


Dubai is where east meets west, where traditional and contemporary jives along, where almost everything is made possible.

So, how will you spend your days in a city full of surprises? If you ask me, I got thousands of things-to-do running in my head. The city is known for its diversity; hence experiencing the culture and traditions, sampling authentic and exotic cuisines, and exploring the cosmopolitan metropolis are on the top of my list!

100 things to do in Dubai

Here are 100 Things To Do in Dubai in my point of view. Some I have already done. Some are still in my list waiting to be ticked off.  Some are merely just wishes that I would definitely fulfill if I get enough Dirhams in my pocket! 


In Old Dubai

1. window shop or buy a 24-carat gold in Gold Souk

2. stop and smell the spices at Spice Souk

3. cross the creek - ride an Abra, a traditional wooden boat in Dubai Creek for only 1 dirham

4. haggle and purchase a pair of Arabic Shoes or a stylish abaya at Dubai Old Souk or Textile Souk

5. savor international cuisine with an Emirati twist (e.g. French Toast with date jam) at Creekside Cafe


Dubai Gold Souk
Gold Souk


6. explore the Heritage Village, a well-preserved Arabian village in Al Shindagha

7. eat freshly-made Luqaimat (Emirati sweet dumplings) in a barasti at the Heritage Village

8. visit Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House - former residence of Dubai's visionary ruler from 1912 to 1958, now a museum

9. know Dubai's rich history at the Dubai Museum

10. get lost in maze-like alleys of Bastakiya 


Luqaimat
Luqaimat


11. have a cultural meal at Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding

12. taste the exotic Camel Burger at Local House restaurant

13. watch a Blooming Tea bloom and savor its unique blend at the lovely courtyard of Arabian Tea House

14. have a romantic dinner on a Dhow Cruise along Dubai Creek


Afternoon tea at Arabian Tea House
Afternoon tea at Arabian Tea House


In Downtown Dubai

15. gaze at Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure in the world

16. see Dubai from up above at the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa (At The Top observation deck)

17. have a luxurious High Tea with a view at At.mosphere in Burj Khalifa

18. watch the Dubai Fountain dance gracefully to different tunes

19. have a shopping spree at The Dubai Mall


view from Burj Khalifa - At The Top observation deck
view from Burj Khalifa - At The Top observation deck

20. see amazing aquatic life inside the world's largest acrylic panel; Dubai Aquarium  

21. meet the Dubai Dino - real dinosaur skeleton displayed at The Souk Dome in Dubai Mall

22. glide on ice in Dubai Ice Rink 

23. gaze at The Waterfall, a stunning water feature with art sculptures of human divers

24. dine in a restaurant with a terrace facing the Dubai Fountain (e.g. TGIFridays, Katsuya)


Dubai Dino
Dubai Dino (previously at The Grand Atrium, now at The Souk Dome)


25. explore Downtown Dubai on board the Dubai Trolley

26. dine al fresco at Souk Al Bahar (e.g. Urbano, Serafina)

27. walk along the picturesque entrance pathway of The Palace Downtown Dubai (and perhaps head inside the hotel for a lavish afternoon tea)

28. relax and see another Dubai Fountain show at Burj Park

29. join a Segway tour in MBR Boulevard


Serafina in Souk Al Bahar
at Serafina in Souk Al Bahar


In Jumeirah

30. visit  Jumeirah Mosque, the most photographed mosque in Dubai (informative tours from Saturday to Thursday at 10 am)

31. shop while daydreaming about Venice in Mercato, an Italian-inspired shopping mall

32. Kitesurf, sun bath and eat SALT burgers in Kite Beach

33. have a seafood dinner in Bu Qutair, a popular seafood shack near Umm Suqeim public beach

34. swim with a view of the world's most luxurious hotel in Umm Suqeim Beach

Jumeirah Mosque
Jumeirah Mosque

35. stay or dine at the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel

36. enjoy a thrilling water adventure in Wild Wadi water park

37. catch a glimpse of the iconic Burj Al Arab from its gates

38. soak up the opulence of Burj Al Arab, stay in a luxurious suite or have a date night in one if the restaurants

39. stroll in the alleys of Souk Madinat, a shopping and dining destination that resembles a traditional market place

40. have an ultra-romantic dinner date over the water in Pierchic - Dubai's most romantic restaurant

Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab


in the Man-made Islands

41. take a private cruise to one of the islands in The World

42. ride the Palm Monorail in Palm Jumeirah

43. dine or stay in Atlantis The Palm, a majestic hotel located in Palm Jumeirah's crescent

44. spend a day splashing and sliding at Atlantis Aquaventure

45. swim with the dolphins at Atlantis' Dolphin Bay

46. see over 65,000 marine animals at the Lost Chambers


Palm Monorail to Atlantis
Palm Monorail to Atlantis


in Dubai Marina

47. head to Skydive Dubai, conquer your fear and sky dive above Palm Jumeirah

48. stroll along Dubai Marina Walk and spot the Cayan Tower - the world's tallest twisted tower

49. walk at The Walk in JBR - a strip of shops and restaurants along the coast

50. get some tan, watch a movie and dine near the shore at The Beach in JBR

51. have a boat trip from Dubai Marina canal to the sea (e.g. The Yellow Boats, Captain Jack)



The Beach in JBR
The Beach in JBR


in Al Barsha

52. enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment at Mall of the Emirates

53. frolic in the snow, take ski lessons, meet the penguins at Ski Dubai

54. indulge in your favorite cheesecake at the largest Cheesecake Factory in the world at Mall of the Emirates

Mall of the Emirates
Mall of the Emirates


in Al Quoz 

55. chill and dine in Chillout ice lounge in Time Square Center

56. jump for joy, literally, at Bounce indoor trampoline playground

57. Artsy? check out the art exhibits at Alserkal Avenue

58. have a good casual meal at the trendy Tom and Serg cafe

Chillout Ice Lounge
Chillout Ice Lounge


in Sheikh Zayed Road

59. spot the tallest hotel in the world - JW Marriot Marquis

60. have an authentic Thai meal fit for a king at Benjarong in Dusit Thani

61. walk beneath the skyscrapers from Emirates Towers to Financial Centre

62. enjoy a Levantine meal at the funky Zaroob 

63. head further afield to Ibn Battuta Mall, a travel-themed shopping mall in Jebel Ali
 
Zaroob Dubai
Zaroob - Levant street eatery

in Satwa

64. grab a delicious yet budget friendly Pakistani food at Ravi's


in Karama

65. devour home-cooked Goan cuisine at Eric's

66.  drop by any cafeteria and buy a shawarma and avocado shake

67. enjoy a simple yet delicious Filipino meal at Pita restaurant (Order the best-selling Bulalo!)

68. sample scrumptious Indonesian fare at Betawi, one of the best budget and best Pan-Asian restaurants in Dubai  (Don't forget the Nasi Pandang!)

Indonesian food at Betawi
Indonesian food at Betawi

in Bur Dubai

69. join Frying Pan Adventures' Little India foodie trail

70. have an authentic Iranian kebab for dinner at Special Ostadi Restaurant (I highly recommend Khorak Bahraini and the freebies - mint tea and dates with sesame.)

71. purchase electronic goods at a lesser price in Computer Street

Special Ostadi Restaurant
Special Ostadi Restaurant



in Oud Metha

72. explore WAFI, an Egyptian-inspired shopping mall and catch the Light and Sound show in Wafi's central courtyard during winter

73. taste the goodness of Turkish cuisine in Bosporus at Wafi (Thumbs up for Lamb Chops, Pide, and Kunefe.)

74. for Roman Catholics, give thanks and hear mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church

Turkish Kunefe at Bosporus
Turkish Kunefe at Bosporus

in Deira

75. fine dine with a view of Dubai Creek at Boardwalk (Try the Boardwalk Seafood Platter.)

76. have an ultimate movie experience; watch, see, feel, and be a part of the movie at Vox 4DX in Deira City Centre

77. sip a glass of fruit juice and take tons of photos beside the fruit decors at Juice World

Boardwalk
Boardwalk

in Al Garhoud

78. buy something for your home and eat Swedish meatballs in Ikea

79. get to know the Emirati cuisine in an outdoor barasti or in the inner courtyard of Al Fanar, an authentic Emirati restaurant in DFC

80. ride an electronic Abra and catch the sunset in the promenade of Dubai Festival City

Al Fanar Emirati Restaurant
Al Fanar Emirati Restaurant

in Mirdif

81. defy gravity at iFLY Dubai in Mirdif City Centre


in the great outdoors

82. take a trip to Ras Al Khor and see flamingos in their natural habitat

83. have a hearty breakfast amidst a lush surrounding at The Farm Al Barari

84. see the world in an hour at Global Village (open only during winter)

Global Village
Global Village


85. stroll in the most beautiful flower garden in the world - Dubai Miracle Garden during winter season and visit the world's largest covered butterfly garden - Dubai Butterfly Garden nearby

86. go on a mountain safari in Hatta, hike and dip in the natural pools

87. have a picnic in the park (e.g. Zabeel Park, Creek Park, Mamzar Beach Park)

Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai Miracle Garden

in the desert

88. get an adrenaline rush while dune bashing in the desert landscape

89. ride a camel

90. watch a belly dance show 

91. get a traditional henna tattoo

92. rent a quad bike and drive around the desert camp

93. see the hues of the desert sand from up above in a hot air balloon


camel ride in the desert
camel ride in the desert


explore the city on a budget via public transportation

94. ride the Dubai Metro, the longest fully automated metro network in the world (The two lines run along Dubai's major attractions.)

95. take the Dubai Tram when visiting attractions along Dubai Marina and Al Sufouh (e.g. JBR, Palm Monorail, hotels in Mina Seyahi)

96. ride an RTA Bus to attractions not covered by the metro and the tram (e.g. Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah) 

Dubai Tram
Dubai Tram


discover the city in a posh way

97. ride a Hummer Limo to your destination of choice

98. ride a seaplane and see Dubai in a different perspective


during holidays

99. celebrate with a grand fireworks display during Eid holidays, Dubai Shopping Festival, and New Year's Eve


do a good deed

100. Share a meal with the men in blue, the construction workers behind every astounding structure in the city! (Join Water for Workers by @thesamenessproject in Instagram and #FillingTheBlues by Moti Roti during Ramadan) 

New Year's Eve Fireworks
New Year's Eve Fireworks in Dubai


That's it! That's my 100 Things To Do in Dubai!
Now, it's your turn. Tell me what on your list! :)

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