What do to in Dubai with kids? We love a long layover in Dubai with kids, and we've listed the best things to do with kids in Dubai! Our layovers have been less than 24 hours (including overnight), but you can pack a lot into a day if you try - which is why we love a layover there!
Explore the Mall
A mall may seem like a strange place to suggest in a foreign country as a cultural hub, but trust me on this. The Dubai Mall is massive and holds some of the best tourist activities in Dubai. It also encapsulates everything you've heard about this city - all things are massive in scale, shimmering, and shiny brand new! Here are three of our favorite mall activities!
1. Take in the Views from the Burj Khalifa
The Burj should 100% be on your list. It's one of the tallest buildings in the world, and it's a beauty inside and out.
Maybe you've been to other skydecks at other tall buildings...but this one (especially the "Lounge") is unique. It's so high and skinny that as you get off the elevator on the top levels, you can feel the building swaying. Outside of the sheer mental impact of the height, the city of Dubai is also mesmerizing from above. The new area of the city was all built in the last few decades, and it was well thought out with plenty of green space and waterways. Plus one of the coolest things in the world is seeing the famous Palm and World islands from above. There are even outdoor areas (well-caged - don't worry!) if you want to really face your fears! And on a clear day you can even see straight across the water to Iran!
And the views are amazing, but if you splurge for the VIP experience, it's a whole new level of cool. There's a lounge (floors 152, 153, 154) that is relaxing, not crowded, and full of delicate snacks and cocktails. And if you have young kids with you, they'll be so distracted by the views out the floor to ceiling windows, that you can truly savor your time up there. Even the bathroom is amazing (pictured above). We did this once a few years ago (with just 2 young kids), and it's too expensive to repeat anytime soon but was other worldly!
2. "See" the Aquarium
Alright so this place is making the list, but I'd actually suggest going to the aquarium entrance... and just hanging out and looking at the multi-story tank (for free) instead of paying to go inside. Why? Well, it's super expensive. Like $60+/person for just basic tickets.
Now... if you really want to go in and are looking for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience... I would suggest upgrading to the 'ultimate' tickets (yes, even more money) to make it a legitimately cool experience. The add ons include stuff like feeding the sharks, taking a glass bottom boat around the tank, a behind-the-scenes tour, etc. So it's definitely worth it if you're into that and have the budget. But again, if you're on a budget, I'd skip tickets completely and just view the tank at the front.
3. Watch the Fountain Show
Right outside the mall, an epic light, music, and water show takes place each night. The show runs every 30 minutes from 6pm-11pm, and the actual show changes a few times throughout the night. It's free to watch from the promenade (which we did), but it's definitely crowded! If you want a full clear view, you can also take a boat out on the lake, walk the bridge, or take in the views from a restaurant nearby. It's easy to catch since it runs so often, and I'd highly recommend you make the effort to see it in whatever way is easiest!
If you have time for another stop, take a 20 minute Uber to the marina! There are little walking paths and some play areas, but we have an even cooler way to see this area.
Relax on a Private Yacht
Does this sound like an activity with kids? You think not?? Think again!
For $400, we rented a small private yacht (complete with driver + 1 crew member) for two hours early one layover morning, and it was awesome! We booked it through Everest Yachts on Viator. We took off from the Marina, and although you can customize the route, we just asked the crew to set it and make sure we saw the nearby highlights (Palm, Burj Al Arab). It was perfect!
We even got to watch skydiving planes taking off and landing at close range plus all the skydivers parachuting down to the dock... definitely Andrew's highlight!
One of the crew members was also catching his dinner, and he included the kids in the fun... they loved it!
They offered to stop at the beach, and we'd brought our suits but decided against it as we only had a few hours until our flight (and plans galore squeezed into that short timeframe), so we decided not to get wet. Instead, we relaxed on the top of the yacht and enjoyed the sun, breeze, and views.
If You Have More Time
Above are our favorite things on a quick trip, but if you have a full day, there is plenty to do beyond this list. My next recommendation (especially if you have no immediate plans to visit other cities in the Middle East) would be Old Dubai. Shop in souks, eat street food, and see the old monuments - and really get a feel for many of the other Middle Eastern cities.
If you have more than one day (or even just a full 24 hours), I'd suggest leaving the city for the desert on a guided tour. Visit a Bedouin-style camp, try real Arabic coffee, and ride a camel or a 4x4 - enjoy the adventure (and take ALL the pictures!).
If You Don't Have Kids
And of course, there are a million things to do in Dubai without kids too. You know I'm a fan of dragging my kids to 'adult' things, but I draw the line at some activities (in which Dubai excels). Super fancy cocktail bars? Next level here! See the sunset twice? Worth rushing the elevator at the Burj! Dining in the sky ride? If you have no fear of heights! Try all these and other cool things if you're without kids (or just with one quiet infant ;)).
What to Wear in Dubai
Dubai has a heavy western influence, so the dress code is not as strict as in neighboring cities/countries. For example, there is definitely no expectation of head coverings for females. But, I'd follow a general rule of covering your shoulders and knees in and around Dubai - which takes a little bit of careful planning because it may not be the first outfit you thought of when seeing 90+ degree temps in the forecast! Many places don't have a dress code, but some do, and in our opinion, it's better to be respectful and safe than sorry (and not able to get into a venue). And little kids definitely get a pass, so we sometimes take advantage of that when needed - by letting them wear short sleeve shirts and shorts/dresses.
Where to Stay in Dubai
We've stayed a few different places, and the best spot depends on your timeframe and budget.
If you're short on time and have a big budget - stay in the mall! There are some really nice hotels that are part of The Dubai Mall, so it makes seeing all those sites (including the Burj) really easy. There are also some AirBnBs. When we looked for places, they were all hugely expensive, but upon a quick search right now, it seems you may be able to get something cheaper in the Mall... so just check it out while you're planning your trip!
If you have a bit more time and a medium budget - Stay at the Harbor! On a layover when we had time to do both the yacht cruise and the Mall, and we stayed at the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel + Suites. We got a suite on a high floor overlooking the Harbor (and the islands), and it was an AMAZING way to see some beautiful views (pictured above) without doing up in the Burj that trip to Dubai. It's also an apartment style hotel, so there are several bedrooms plus a small kitchenette and... drumroll... a laundry machine!
If you have more than a day in Dubai and a medium budget - I'd suggest staying at one of the resort-type hotels at or near the Palm (like Atlantis) so you have access to those pools and activities when you're not touring around... as we always make touring around a priority, but if you have extra time to play at a beautiful resort afterwards, why not?!
I hope we've convinced you to have a packed day or two in this exciting city!
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