Dubai is one of our favorite travel destinations, we try to go every couple of years. My grandsons love Dubai. We are planning to head back there this summer and they are very excited.
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If you can stay along the Jumeirah Walk , around Jumeirah Beach, around the Dubai Marina, or on the Palm Jumeirah.
There are many great hotels in these areas and many of them are on the beach or just across the street from the beach.
The last time we were there we booked executive club rooms at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina.
We were met at the desk by the concierge who gave the boys each a backpack filled with goodies including a disposable camera, water bottle, and other necessities for a vacation in Dubai.
This hotel is right on the beach, the boys had a great time beach combing for seashells that were scattered on the shoreline.
Another hotel option is Atlantis The Palm, but you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the water park and other activities on the hotel property.
There are you can buy day passes for the Aquaventure Waterpark, the largest waterpark in the Middle East and Europe.
Hotel guests get free admission to the park and have discounted rates for extra actvities within the park such as the Ray feeding, zipline, and shark safari.
They have water slides, pools, and more. Day pass charges start at 205AED for kids ($55US) and 250AED for adults ($68US). There are separate charges for Ray feeding, zipline, and shark safari.
They also have Dolphin and Sea Lion Encounters starting at 425AED ($115US) per person for the Dolphin Photo Fun. These include a day admission to the Aquaventure Park. Hotel guest pay full price for any of the Encounter or dive activities.
For more info on Aquaventure Waterpark click here!
The Lost Chamber Aquarium is located in the Resort’s shopping area on the way to the Aquaventure Park.
It houses over 65,000 marine life in a mysterious sunken Atlantis setting.
General admission for Non-guests is 100AED ($28US) or you can buy it in combination with an Aquaventure day pass for an extra 50AED ($13.50US) Hotel guests pay a discounted fee.
Children’s City in Creek Park is an interactive museum geared towards kids from 2-15 years old. They have fun displays to teach kids about the world we live in.
They have a toddler’s section for little ones to climb and play, a human body section, a planetarium, and more.
Last time we were there children went it free and adults were 5AED ($1.30US). It’s a great place to spend a hot summer afternoon. It’s air conditioned and there’s a small snack bar where you can purchase lunch or snacks, or you can bring your own and eat it there.
For more info on Children’s City click here!
Address: Creekside Park, Gate 1, Umm Hurair.
Open: Saturday to Thursday 09:00 to 21:30; Friday 15:00 to 21:30.
A Desert Safari is a fun way to spend a morning or evening. You’re picked up at your hotel and taken to the desert for some “Dune Bashing” a thrill ride up and down sand dunes.
Morning safaris include a camel ride and sand skiing. Prices start at 160AED ($44US)
Evening safaris include the above plus a barbecue dinner and a belly dancing performance. Prices start at 180AED ($50US)
For the more adventurous they also have overnight safaris, Quad Bike safaris, and dune buggy safaris
We did the Evening safari and the kids loved it. They can’t decide which was the highlight of the activity, Dune Bashing, Camel ride, or sand boarding. They had a blast!
Ski Dubai is a real ski slope located inside the Mall of the Emirates. They offer ski lessons, ski passes for avid skiers, and a park pass that gives you access to the rides in the park including tobogganing, sledding, ski lift, and the giant ball.
Ski lessons start at 150AED ($40US). Park passes are 150AED ($41US) for adults and kids under a certain height 140AED ($38US). Fees include snowsuit, boots, and disposable socks.
Hats and gloves are not provided; you can bring your own or purchase from them.
There are many restaurants around the park for a quick lunch or a sip of hot cocoa.
We took the boys and they had an incredible time, they can’t wait to go again! For more info on Ski Dubai click here
Magic Planet has several locations in the area, one of them is in the Mall of the Emirates. It’s a large indoor
The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is located in the Dubai Mall.
You can see the outer wall of the aquarium from the mall, but to walk thru the tunnel you must pay. Prices start at 80AED ($22US) per person. Admission price includes admission to the Underwater Zoo a couple of floors above, and a behind the scenes tour. Depending on the package you purchase it can also include a fish feeding or a glass bottom boat tour of the aquarium.
The Underwater Zoo has different exhibits of marine life as well as a walk thru the rainforest and the bug area.
We took the ultimate package for 110AED ($30US) which included a boat tour in a small glass bottom boat. The boat floats along the top of the aquarium for a bird’s eye view of the fish below.
Candylicious located in front of the Dubai Aquarium in the Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest candy stores. Wander over 10,000 sq. ft. of candy and chocolate from all over the world. They recently opened Spun Candy where master candy makers make spun candy on site. You can design your own spun candy choosing your own flavor and color combinations and watch them make it just for you!
Last time we were there we spent over an hour wandering the aisles and choosing our candies.
It’s a sweet time for the whole family!
You can spend a day or two just wandering around the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment center. It’s filled with shops, fountains, cafes, restaurants, and more.
Don’t forget to go outside in the evening and watch the free fountain show, they have a different show every 30 minutes from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. Grab a table at one of the fountain side cafes and restaurants for a great view.
You can also take pictures with the Burj Khalifa as your backdrop.
Wild Wadi is a water park right by the beautiful Burj Al Arab. It has pools, water slides, and a lazy river.
Check out the white lions and other animals at the Al Ain Zoo in the neighboring Emirate of Al Ain, and hour and a half drive from Dubai. Along with the animal exhibits are a children’s zoo where you can ride a camel or pony, bird and parrot shows, and giraffe feeding.There is a zoo shuttle that will take you to specific stops around the zoo. Entrance fees are 10AED ($2.75US) for kids 3-12 amd 20AED ($5.50US) for adults. Rides, shuttle, and attractions are priced separately.
Located just 45 minutes from Dubai in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaima is Iceland Water Park.
Abu Dhabi is home to Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor theme park, featuring thrill rides and more, all of course in a “Ferrari” race car! The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is just 45 minutes from Dubai.
Yas Waterworld on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is a themed water park showcasing the area’s ties to pearl diving. Located next door to Ferrari World buy a combo pass for both parks for 300AED ($82US) for kids and 365AED ($100US) for adults.
