When you think of the word desert, what do you picture? A dry wasteland with the sun beating down on the cracked sand? Tumble weeds rolling across the scorching sand only to be stopped by the occasional cactus? Well, the desert is a huge place taking up over 80 percent of the Middle East. While the desert is dry and barren in some places, there are many cities that offer a variety of things to do. One of those cities would be Dubai, which is located in the United Arab Emirates. This city is extravagant and offers so many new experiences to all who visit. In my study of the city for my upcoming trip there, I came across these eight attractions that I don't think anyone should miss!
1. Burj Khalifa
This is the tallest building in the world with 163 floors. On the 134th floor, there is an observation deck where you can see all of the views. I love heights, so this is a must see. Also, how many people can say that they've been in the tallest building in the world, let alone close to the top of it? Some sites say to reserve your visit ahead of time online so that you can save on the tickets at the door.
2. Dubai Fountains
These fountains can shoot up to 450 feet high, which is equivalent to a 45-story building. There are five circles of different sizes in the span of 900 feet. This attraction is huge! Every day, these fountains perform to a variety of songs and make up the brightest spot in the Middle East. This is definitely something everyone should witness at least once.
3. The Dubai Mall
There is said to be 1,200 stores in total at this mall. Not only is there endless shopping, but there are attractions surrounding them. There is a movie theater with 22 screens, a theme park called Sega World, a children's world called Kidzania, a huge aquarium with an underwater zoo and a full-sized ice rink. So, if you aren't trying to go shopping, there are a bunch of other things available. I am a figure skater, so the prospect of having a rink nearby is intriguing to me.
4. Skiing Indoors
At the Mall of Emirates, there is an indoor ski slope called Ski-Dubai. To have the ability to say that I went skiing in Dubai would be amazing. If not just for the experience, then just to see people's faces back home when they hear that I went skiing in the desert will be priceless. Ski-Dubai has all the gear you need available to rent there and provides lockers to keep your things in. There is also a snow park where there is tubing. Being from Minnesota, I think an indoor ski resort is a must see.
5. Miracle Gardens
Dubai is often thought of as a dry desert wasteland, but there is one attraction that can maintain life year round. That attraction is called the Miracle Gardens. Friends have said that it looks like something straight out of "Alice in Wonderland," and by the looks of the pictures online, that is not far from the truth. The colors change with the seasons as well, so returning visitors get a different experience every time. I definitely need to experience this garden when I visit.
6. Friday Brunch
I found this when I was reading an article in Forbes online. Something that is different from the U.S. is that Dubai's weekends start on Thursday nights. Since that is the case, restaurants began to do buffets of food and drink that start every Friday at lunchtime. On a side note, only hotels and restaurants serve alcohol (there are special rules if it is Ramadan). There are probably quite a few people trying to go to these restaurants, so I think reserving a spot early would be a good idea. Especially since it seems like reservations for other things do to in Dubai seems to be important.
7. Day Trip Tours
If you look into it, there are many companies that offer tours in the desert, camel rides, and a traditional Arabic meal. They will come and get you at your hotel and take you for a day trip. According to an article in Forbes online posts, "It�s always best to go to such places in a convoy of at least two vehicles, and heed the advice given in the guide book: The desert can be a dangerous place for the unprepared." (Aaron White)
8. Burj Al Arab
This is one of the hotels that I hear from many people to check out when they hear I am going to Dubai. So I looked into it and saw that it is the only seven-star hotel in the world. It is filled with aquariums, an underwater restaurant, beautiful glass architecture and a sky view bar. I also learned that you must make a reservation at least a week ahead of the time that you plan on being there. There have been reports of tourists being turned away at the front doors because they don't have reservations. If anything, this would be an awesome place to go take pictures and look at from the outside just to say that you were there.
