What to Do, When in Dubai Part 2

If you have started reading here, remember to check out the pre-requisite blogs of Dubai Here and Here.

But if you gone this far to be intrigued at the best that Dubai has to offer, then this second part of the top things to do and experience in the Desert City will, one day, have you dreaming about visiting this place. Because I know that one day, I'll be back there as well.

With so much man-made wonders already being enjoyed by people all across the planet, not to mention the other attractions that are coming very soon, it is beyond unimaginable how Dubai can make the impossible, somehow possible. Tourism is an all-time high in this 21st century city, and it is never too late to enjoy everything else this city has to offer.

The completion of the Burj Khalifa in 2010 has the world talking about "how high can man really build?". Standing at an impressive 828 meters, the tallest building on Earth is a mixed use project consisting of offices, hotels, entertainment and tourism hubs. The Burj has also placed Dubai as one of the must-see fireworks shows when the clock strikes 12 to welcome New Year, alongside the cities of New York, Sydney, London, and others.

To experience the world's tallest like no other else can, purchase a ticket to go At The Top (admission: AED 125). Travel from the ground floor to the 124th in just a minute and feel like you never really went that high (124th floor is already about 428 meters high, by the way). Once At The Top, go out and see Dubai like you never thought you'd see - a growing desert city that leaves you amazed of the people's distinct ability.

The Burj Khalifa's record height is being threatened by another skyscraper currently under construction in Saudi Arabia, which claims to be at least a kilometer high! While Dubai still has the title-holder, and if you ought to go At The Top, make the most of it. Please be reminded, though, that booking for tickets for the attraction get sold out quick. Online booking is recommended here.

If building a ton of skyscrapers right in the middle of the desert is too mainstream, try creating a giant artificial group of islands shaped like a palm! The Palm Jumeirah boasts as having one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in the world, and it is no surprise that people from all over the world have converged to own that piece for years.

Access to the Palm is convenient for everyone. Even with no private transport, you may take a monorail from the mainland. From there, you could get a glimpse of The Palm from above, culminating in the world-famous 5-star hotel, Atlantis, located at the apex.

Atlantis The Palm feels very much like a different world, recreating the lost city at The Palm. If checking in the hotel is not a priority, you may opt to experience the Aquaventure Waterpark located just adjacent to Atlantis (admission: AED 250). Being able to swim with the sharks and take a leap of faith, to me it was by far the best waterpark I have been into. To those looking to take an extra day off their itinerary in Dubai to get a feel of water splashing and enjoy the beach facing the Palm and the city, this is the place to be. 

Other attractions in Atlantis include a Dolphin Bay, Sea Lion Point, and the Lost Chambers Aquarium, all of which with separate charges to enter.

When in Dubai, never fail to visit this amazing Palm. The story you could tell your friends is priceless.

I only got a video of what is considered to be the world's biggest fountain show, located just right beside the world's biggest mall and in front of the world's tallest structure. It is hard to imagine leaving Dubai without ever having witnessed an actual fountain show that creates a symphony of water, sound, and light. The show happens every night, every 30 minutes starting at 6 in the evening.

Watch the Fountain as it shoots water up to 100 meters high while dancing to the tune of a mix of local and international music. Make sure you commit to seeing the show at least once in your stay in Dubai.

Dubai is famous for tax-free luxury shopping. Yet with a lot of malls located all across the city, to me these two stand out from the rest.

If you thought snow was impossible to happen in Dubai, the Mall of the Emirates has actually succeeded to doing so! Ski Dubai (admission starts at AED 225) is known as one of the biggest indoor vertical slopes in the world, and everyone is welcomed here, mainly intrigued on how Dubai has pulled off this amazing feat of artificial snow in the middle of the desert.

The Dubai Mall, on the other hand, is not just a shopping haven. Welcome to the world's biggest mall based on floor area. Be mesmerized with the presence of an Olympic-sized skating rink, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, one of the world's biggest indoor aquariums, Level, the biggest shoe district, the Dubai Fountain just right outside, and an actual dinosaur that once walked this earth being shipped to Dubai for public display. It's absolutely crazy how they can bring them all in one mall!

 While Dubai is slowly starting to develop this group of artificial islands that resemble the world map - The World Islands - a giant village located just outside of the city center holds like a giant World Jamboree. A huge gathering of most countries in the world with their respective pavilions, shopping areas and entertainment is found in Global Village (admission: AED 15). 

The Global Village is open late afternoon up to midnight, and there is an endless amount of fun to experience here. Enjoy hopping from one pavilion to the next, try their food or shop there, and watch the countless presentations located within. Truly a great place for friends and family to hang out and escape the city nightlife for a change.

A priceless display of power and strength of Dubai lies in the presence of skyscrapers left and right. Take a walk in Jumeirah Beach Residences at Dubai Marina and feel your neck aching from the sheer height of these towers. Simply ride the Dubai Metro and look up to these buildings that may be on average be 50 or 70 storeys high.

Another one.

Everything feels so enormous in Dubai, it's hard to take hold of what's in the city, and what's to come in the future. Regardless of what happens, I am privileged to have been to the desert city and having shared this experience with you, in the hopes that you'd be there one day and witness all these attractions yourself.

To your next travel!