Dubai offers its visitors and
residents loads of activities to do and keeps them busy all year through.
There are innumerable things to do for the whole family - plenty of
sun, shopping and sports coupled with a healthy dose of history and
culture.
We have compiled some activities that you can participate in while
in Dubai and we assure that you will get a peek into the best that
this city has to offer.
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, 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.
By the way - At the XVA
gallery you can paint your own canvas, dine on traditional UAE
food, chill out in rooftop rocking chairs and gaze over the
mosque tops to the lights of Bur Dubai
Camel Racing
Camel racing is followed by a freshly cooked campfire breakfast
a grand way to start your day! During the months of October - April,
Camel Racing is a major sport in Dubai. The track is located on
the outskirts of the city at Nad Al Sheba (behind the Metropolitan
Hotel).
At the race track on the edge of the city, visitors can view the
exciting proceedings from the grandstand, wander around the paddocks,
and buy camel "accessories", including blankets, rugs and beads
from the nearby market.Additionally, camel rides are available at
various heritage sites, and also within the city of Dubai during
the much famed Dubai Shopping Festival.
Desert Safaris
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.
By the way - On the Hatta safari you
can drive through deep trenches where you will see million
year old mountains of different arrays of color offering a
spectacular view of the region.
Aerial Tours
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.
By the way
- The Emirates flying school is the only approved flight training
institution in Dubai and operates six piper aircraft. Gift vouchers
are available to those interested in experiencing flying for
the first time. You may call 299 5155 for more information.
Creek Tours
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.
By the way
- At dusk you can wander down the cornice on the Bur Dubai side
and get the best view of the stark contrast between ancient
and modern Dubai, when the moored trading dhows are reflected
in the glass high rises and the water of the creek.
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.
By the way
- Gold prices are incredibly reasonable in Dubai and while at
the famed gold souks you can get a cut-price engagement ring
for less than quarter of the price you would pay in Europe.
Parks and Beaches
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.
By the way - The Al Mamzar
beach park offer chalets complete with a barbecue area which
can be hired for a charge. You may call 296 6201 for more details.
Golf Courses
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!
By the way - Tiger Woods,
Ernie Els, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie are just some of the
golfing heroes who have teed off in the prestigious Dubai Desert
classic golfing tournament hosted annually in Dubai.
Entertainment Parks
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.
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.
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.
By the way - You can
experience Artic in Dubai and you won't have to go far. A new
Snow Dome project progressing in Dubai is all about bringing
a real life alpine destination with snow capped mountains and
a unique blue sky ceiling.
Other Sports
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
By the way
- The Khor Dubai wildlife sanctuary is the only place in the
world where you can spot the rare white collared kingfisher.