Art Galleries

While you may not find the Tate gallery or the Louvre in Dubai, there are a number of galleries here that exhibit art and traditional Arabic artifacts.

The Dubai Art Society was established in 1976 but only became popular when it reinvented itself in 1980 by moving to newer premises and, later, in the mid-1980s, renaming itself as the Dubai International Art Centre. Today, it is prominent in the thriving local art scene. At the same time, Ras al-Khaimah's Fine Art Association Centre is active in promoting the artistic skill of young artists in this northern emirate.

The Courtyard and the XVA Gallery are worth visiting and are examples of some unusual architecture.

Click here to visit the online Art gallery of Dubai.

Click here to view the listed art galleries in Dubai with their respective details.

This ancient sport has been renewed with much enthusiasm in recent years. Informal desert tracks and now quite a few official ones have ben assigned for this purpose - a large ten kilometer track on the Al Ain road, about forty-five kilometers from Abu Dhabi city; at Al Ain itself, at Dubai and Umm Al Quwain. Certain slender, finely formed breeds such as the white or golden 'Anafi' and the brown or black 'Boushari' are more suitable for racing. Camel training commences at about six months, entrance for official races beginning at about three years.

Camel races, usually held early on Fridays or on national holidays, provide visitors with a unique opportunity to observe traditionally clad local people in harmony with their surroundings.

Trips to the desert in groups can be a great way to explore the desert and also know other people and find out a little bit more about the Arabic culture. Safaris are generally half day and can include an overnight stay in one of the Bedouin tents.

1. Wadi-Driving - This is a popular pastime with both residents and visitors. This involves exploring the wadis or dry beds of streams that flow after winter rains from the Hajar mountains.

2. Dune driving - Driving in sand can be a thrilling experience by itself and this combines the excitement of a roller coaster ride with the challenge of remaining mobile on the shifting surface. Courses in sand driving are available, with four-wheel-drive vehicles provided, along with expert instruction.

3. Sand-Skiing - Those with a penchant for speed, a head for heights and enthusiasm for an unusual sport will enjoy sand-skiing down the dunes of the Dubai desert.

4. Desert Feasts - Safaris are made more pleasurable by culminating into an evening with spectacular sunset views followed by a traditional Arab barbecue under the stars. You can even tailor your evening to your need and round it off with some great Arabic music and belly dancing, the smoking of hubble-bubble pipes and often a display of falconry.

The Double Decker Bus

Straight from the streets of London to the highways and byways of Dubai, these highly visual, vintage double-decker buses provide fun for everyone whatever the occasion. With lots of unique activities for all ages, Dubai’s only red double-decker buses provide an exclusive party venue, an eye-catching promotional media, or just a fun way to add interest to a corporate or public event.

Dubai by air can be a spectacular sight that you would remember for a very long time. Helicopters and plane tours and even hot air balloon rides over the city will give u a loft perspective to the wonder that's called 'Dubai'.

Some trips take tourists across the city and over the desert and the Hajar Mountains. Experienced pilots with a valid license can hire aircraft from Dubai Flying Club on an hourly rental basis.

The Dubai creek can be explored with the help of an organized creek tour. It is a great way to see new and old Dubai side by side while enjoying a peaceful and relaxed journey.
Many of the tours are in traditional wooden dhow or Abras (the traditional water taxi) which takes you on a short journey across the waterway from the glass-and-steel office blocks of Deira to the old-world Souks of Bur Dubai, providing a fascinating glimpse of Dubai's trading heritage.

Shopping

Dubai is labeled the "shopping capital of the Middle East". With so many shopping malls and souks, there's no better place to find products at unbeatable prices. It is truly a duty free shopper's paradise that gives you more for your money. Dubai's numerous shopping malls cater to every consumer need. Cars, haute couture clothing, jewellery, electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment, and any other goods will likely all be under the same roof.

Click here for a comprehensive list of shopping centers in Dubai.

Click here for the ongoing sales and promotions in Dubai city.

Soak up the sun at the numerous beaches in Dubai. You may choose between the public beaches that have limited facilities but free entrance and the beach parks which charge for the entrance but have a variety of facilities including changing rooms and play areas.

Click here for a list of beach parks that you can visit in Dubai.

Dubai is a golfer's paradise. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the famous Emirates Golf Club are the venues of the European PGA tour. The Nad Al Sheeba Golf and Racing Club even offers night golf for the enthusiasts who want to beat the summer heat of Dubai!

Click here to view a list of golf courses in Dubai

Wild Wadi - Imagine 12 acres of desert filled with 30 million liters of water and solely dedicated to having fun. That is Wild Wadi. There are 23 rides to entertain and excite every member of the family and in Dubai, this place has been more than just a shelter for those wanting to escape the heat of the desert. Adrenaline seekers will love Jumeirah Sceirah - a 33-meter high slide with steep angles to propel riders up to 80km per hour. There is also Breakers Bay, which has a wave machine creating 1.5-meter waves all day.
Contact Details: Wild Wadi Water Park
Phone: 04 3484444
eMail: info@wildwadi.com

Wonderland - The 18 hectare Wonderland family fun park features a wide range of water attractions including speed slides, surf hills, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise. It is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays are for Ladies Only. Thursdays are for Families Only.
Contact details: Wonderland
Tel: 04 3241222

Magic Planet - Housed in the giant Deira City Centre shopping mall, this children's entertainment centre is a unique indoor site with 10 pin bowling, a crawling bungie jungle, variety of electronic games and a mini pitch and putt.

Go Karting - Dubai has the Middle East's first fully-equipped 40,000 sq. ft of air-conditioned indoor go-kart facility at Formula One. Outdoors, an active go-karting fraternity races regularly at the track beside the Jebel Ali Hotel. Visitors can enjoy this sport during the months of Oct-May.
Contact details: Emirates Kart Centre
Tel: 04 28271111

Horse Riding - The sport of kings has rapidly become Dubai's most popular spectator event, attracting crowds of more than 15,000. Race meetings are held weekly during the cooler months at one of the UAE's four racecourses. Dubai Racing Club, at Naad Al Sheba, the country's largest and most spectacular track and home to the Dubai World Cup the sport's richest race also holds meetings at right under floodlights. Horse riding is part of the local tradition and is upheld today by several active centres including the Dubai Equestrian Centre and Jebel Ali Hotel Riding Stables. Rides through the desert are organized regularly. Dubai has a riding association for the disabled.
Contact details: Zabeel stables
Tel: 04 3366321

Thunder Bowl - Thunder Bowl is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and its concept is based on similar centers in America and Europe, which have proved very popular.

Thunder Bowl has successfully incorporated the traditional game of bowling, with state of the art technology from the Brunswick Corporations, USA. To further enhance its appeal, Thunder Bowl also offers its customers a complete leisure entertainment package, which includes: 20 state of the art bowling lanes by Brunswick Corporation, Pool & Snooker Hall, Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Parlor, A & W Burger Restaurant, Pizza Inn, Allewan Restaurant & Cafe - Arabic Restaurant, Bowling Pro Shop, Network/ Cyber Games Cafe and Video Games Arcade.

Located in the former Safestway Supermarket, on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Defense Round About, Thunder Bowl allows easy access to its customer with ample car parking for over 300 cars.
Contact details: Thunderbowl
Tel: 04 3431000

Galleria Ice Rink - The rink offers all the thrills and chills of ice skating, and professional ice skaters are available for private tuition. You can call: 971 4 209 6551 to make a reservation. The team will also take enquiries for cool kids' parties, which can be organized for a maximum of 15 children.

Contact details: Galleria Ice Rink
Tel: 04 2096550
Click here to know more about the rink.

Fishing - The Gulf is rich in marine life, and fishing was once a mainstay of the local economy. Kingfish, jackfish, red snapper, rock cod (the popular Hamour on most Dubai menus), barracuda and other species are caught commercially and not for sport. Sailfish and bottom-feeding sharks are regularly landed by visiting fishermen who can hire fully-equipped boats, with crew, for deep-sea fishing trips.
Contact details: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Tel: 04 2956440