I traveled to Dubai for the first time back in 2018 on our way to the Maldives. We only had a 7 hour layover and spent just a few hours by the Dubai Mall. In those 3 years, so much about Dubai has changed and so much is currently being developed. The list below is just a small fraction of the things you can do in Dubai, but with just 72 hours, we ended up doing quite a bit!
Expo 2020 Dubai
What is Expo 2020? Think of it like the world’s fair! We all have the power to build a better world and shape the future. Discover what makes Expo 2020 Dubai unique and how we’re ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’ through sustainability, mobility and opportunity. Each country has their own pavilion where they cover a certain topic. These pavilions have some pretty amazing architectural designs.
Not only does Expo 2020 have country pavilions, but they have food and restaurants from all over the world! The expo can be overwhelming and I found that I would probably spend 1 day in each section (sustainability, mobility, and opportunity), but we were able to cover a lot of ground in just one day.
Some highlights of the expo:
- Germany pavilion (specifically the graduation)
- Irish Village
- Waterfall exhibit
- Alkebulan African Dining Hall
- Emirates pavilion
- Saudi Arabia pavilion
- Website
- Cost: 1 day ticket is $27 USD, Multi-day pass (30 days): $55 USD
- If you are flying to Dubai on Emirates, you can get a free one day pass to the expo
- Tip: the best way to navigate the expo is by downloading the Expo 2020 Dubai app. You can add your ticket to the app and you also get a full map of the expo.
- Dates: The expo runs from 10/1/2021 – 3/31/2022
The View at the Palm
The Palm Jumeirah is one of the most fascinating man made places in the world. If you are just as fascinated as I am, then you definitely need to visit the View at the Palm. Not only do you get a view point of the Palm, but you also watch a short video and walk through a small museum that gives you more information on the engineering plans and just how quickly the Palm was constructed.
- Website
- Cost: 100 AED per person (about $27 USD per person)
At.mosphere at the Burj Khalifa
Visiting the top of the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) is something you need to do at least once in your life. Visiting the top (Level 148 +125 + 124) will cost you about 379 AED (or just over $100 USD). I did this the first time I visited Dubai and besides some cool photos, there isn’t a lot to see and do.
This time, we opted to book a breakfast at At.mosphere Restaurant where we could have the same amazing views, but our money would go toward a meal and not just an observation deck. If you book breakfast at At.mosphere, the minimum spend will be less than a dinner. I definitely recommend the Decadence breakfast. You get a tower of meats, cheeses, pastries, spreads, and fruits followed by a main course (choose from three options), followed by a dessert of your choice. The Decadence breakfast also includes bottomless juices, teas and coffee! If you opt for the Decadence breakfast, it will cost you about $100 USD per person (the same price as the entry to visit the Burj Khalifa observation deck!).
PS. Make sure to go check out the bathroom!
- Website
- Cost: Minimum spend is 200 AED per person (about $55 USD)
Top Golf
Have you ever played Top Golf? Well, if you love it like we do, then you have to do it in Dubai! You play with an amazing view of skyscrapers. I recommend visiting around 5PM so you can watch the sun set.
Note: if you have a membership from a U.S. Top Golf, you will have to pay the membership fee again as the Dubai location is not affiliated with the U.S. locations.
Dubai Frame
The UAE’s latest cultural landmark, Dubai Frame is an iconic structure that ‘frames’ impressive views of Old and New Dubai, while serving as a metaphorical bridge connecting the emirate’s rich past with its magnificent present. Offering spectacular panoramic views across the city, Dubai Frame celebrates the story of Dubai from its early establishment to its ambitious plans for future development. The Dubai Frame is an impressive 150 meters high and opened in January 2018.
The elevator will take you to the top in about 75 seconds. At the top you will get amazing views of both sides of the city and even a glass bottom floor.
- Website
- Cost: 52.50 AED per person (about $15 USD)
Palace Hotel Photo Spot
When you search “Dubai photo spots” online, you will see this spot. We passed by this photo spot at night when we were on our way to dinner, but you get the idea on just how beautiful this spot is.
Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai was one of the more unexpected things that we decided to do in Dubai. However, saying you got to ski or inner tube in Dubai is something that will raise eyebrows. We opted to do the all day inner tube package which included:
- Unlimited slope rides
- 2 zip line rides
- Unlimited rides on the mountain thriller
- Unlimited rides on the toboggan
- Winter jacket, pants and boots
- Website
- Cost: 275 AED (About $75 USD) per person
Arabian Tea House
OMG, this was one of my favorite breakfasts that we had. Arabian Tea House is located near Jumeriah Beach and is also located at the Jumeirah Archaeological Site. We ordered two breakfast platters:
Emirati Breakfast Platter: Balaleet (vermicelli cooked with cardamom, cinnamon, saffron topped with omelette), dates molasses, cheddar cheese, melted cheese, baked beans, watermelon jam, dango, bajella that comes with traditional bread(khameer, chebab and tanoor)
Arabic Breakfast Platter: A breakfast tray of scrambled eggs, tomatoes, mixed olives, rose jam, zaatar with olive oil, labneh, halloumi cheese and fresh cream and honey.
We also ordered a pot of the Arabic coffee, which if you haven’t had it yet, it sort of tastes like a floral tea. It is different, but actually really good.
Vintage Land Rover Safari Tour
This was my favorite part of our Dubai visit. We were picked up at our Airbnb in a Land Rover and driven about 45 minutes out to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve where we picked up waters and our guide helped us put on our Sheila/Ghutra (traditional headscarf).
From there, we got to ride through the desert in an open top vintage Land Rover where we saw Oryx and gazelles on the property.
Our next stop was to watch a falcon performance and enjoy some vimento juice.
- Website
- Cost: $170 USD per person
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