1. Burj Khalifa

Sightseeing | Architecture

With two observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors and a restaurant bar on the 122nd, the Burj Khalifa is a remarkable marvel of architecture and engineering. The world's tallest building, at 2715 feet (828 meters), pierces the sky and was completed six years after excavations began. Seeing the sights from the world's tallest building is a must-do experience, and the most popular method to do so is to visit the "At the Top" observation deck on the 124th level. In order to build the Burj Khalifa, engineers and the Chicago-based architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill had to go all out.

Why Visit: The Burj Khalifa is also home to the longest elevator in the world, one which you will be able to ride on your way to the observation decks.

2. IMG Worlds of Adventure

Entertainment | Family-Friendly

IMG Worlds of Adventure is the world's largest indoor theme park, with an air-conditioned hangar the size of 28 football fields. With more than 20 rides and attractions spread across four themed zones – Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure, and IMG Boulevard – and 28 food outlets, the US$1 billion parks are absolutely remarkable. The food is produced on-site and is of surprisingly high quality, with some healthful options. It contains attractions based on popular cartoons, movies, and shows, and it has characters such as The Powerpuff Girls and the Avengers.

Tip: The landmark is quite popular with tourists, so book your tickets in advance and start your exploration as early in the day as possible.

3. Dubai Fountain

Leisure | Sightseeing

This amazing dancing fountain is placed in the center of a massive lake with the sparkling Burj Khalifa as a backdrop. Water undulates like a belly dancer, arcs like a dolphin, and surges as high as 140 meters, all to the accompaniment of rousing classical, Arabic, and world music soundtracks played on speakers. There are numerous excellent vantage locations, including a 272-meter-long floating boardwalk that puts you only 9 meters from the fountain. This fountain has been made extremely popular on social media due to its boundless visual appeal and ease of access during a Dubai visit.

Tip: Some of the best viewing spots are the restaurants at Souk Al Bahar, the bridge linking Souk Al Bahar with Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Mall waterfront terrace.

4. Dubai Miracle Garden

Family-Friendly | Leisure

When you visit this site, which covers 2000 square meters and is billed as the world's largest natural flower garden, you get a sensation of Alice in Wonderland–style surrealism. Stroll past peacocks with unusual blooms, clocks, and castles. Relax in a cabana with flowing drapes and floor couches instead. On-site dining options include Hardee's and Krispy Kreme, as well as a gift shop and a mini trampoline park. It is extremely popular, with 55,000 visitors per week, and is home to 100 million flowers, as well as being adjacent to the massive nine-dome Dubai Butterfly Garden.

Tip: Avoid visiting the park during the weekends as the number of visitors may be overwhelming for you. Weekdays are a great time to visit.

5. Bollywood Parks Dubai

Amusement Park

Bollywood Parks is a five-zone theme park dedicated to Mumbai's famed film industry. A daredevil show, interactive movie-maker experience, and six eateries are among the attractions, which include a handful of 3D and 4D rides based on blockbusters including Lagaan and Sholay. But it's all about the music and dance, with up to 30 live concerts a day that is bright, garish, and completely contagious. A spectacular copy of Mumbai's iconic Victoria Station, replete with a train holding a restaurant and rooftop stage, can also be found in the park.

Tip: Visit the Rajmahal Theater which requires a separate ticketed entry.

6. Legoland Dubai

Amusement Park

This colorful theme park, designed for children under the age of 12, features 40 rides and attractions spread across six themed regions. Younger children will like the pedal cars and Duplo planes, while larger children will enjoy the Dragon roller coaster and Power Tower 'free-fall' ride. Another attraction is Miniland, which features amazingly accurate miniature Lego replicas of famous landmarks like the Burj Khalifa. While there are shaded structures and air-conditioned indoor activities, the park is mostly outdoors and should be avoided during Dubai's blistering summer heat.

Tip: If the Dubai heat gets to you, head to the lego themed water park located just next door.

7. Burj Al Arab

Commercial | Architecture

This renowned landmark hotel, which opened in 1999 and stands on an artificial island, has its own helicopter and a fleet of chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce cars. There are 202 suites outside the spectacular lobby, with its gold-leaf splendor and eye-catching fountain. The Burj Al Arab is worth seeing even if only to marvel at the interior, which is as opulent as the outside. The lobby, which stands 590 feet tall and is designed in a red, blue, and green color scheme with gold-leaf pillars, sets the tone. The atrium in the entrance is tall enough to house the Statue of Liberty.

Why Visit: Some of the 24,000 sq meters of marble used at Burj Al Arab hail from the same place where Michelangelo got his material.

8. Medinat Jumeirah

Commercial | Sightseeing

Madinat Jumeirah is a modern rendition of a typical Arab village, replete with a souq (market), palm-fringed rivers, and desert-colored hotels and villas adorned with wind towers. It is one of Dubai's most appealing creations. At night, when the gardens are beautifully lit and the Burj Al Arab gleams in the background, it's even more magical. If you notice some stairs, take them - they may lead to a hidden terrace with a stunning view of the enormous complex. The designers of this opulent resort hamlet at the foot of the Burj Al Arab drew inspiration from Bur Dubai, Dubai's first creekside settlement.

Why Visit: Shopping at Madinat Jumeirah is one of the most authentic Dubai experiences you can have on your trip.

9. Kite Beach

Leisure

This long, pure expanse of white sand, located just north of Jumeirah Public Beach, is a popular destination for sporty types, offering activities such as kitesurfing, beach tennis, beach volleyball, and kayaking. A jogging track and a shaded skatepark are also nearby. Showers, wi-fi, restrooms, and changing facilities are available, as well as a variety of food trucks and cafes. The Burj Al Arab, one of Dubai's most famous monuments, can also be seen from the beach. To get to the beach, take Jumeirah Road. the sand strip is behind Saga World retail center.

Tip: Visit the beach on a weekday if you are looking to enjoy the place without an overload of tourists.

10. Dubai Museum

Museum | Historic

Dubai's primary historical museum chronicles the city's rapid transformation from a fishing and pearling village to a global center of trade, banking, and tourism. The tiny Al Fahidi Fort erected around 1800 and considered Dubai's oldest intact structure, provides an intriguing environment. The days before the discovery of oil is depicted through a walk-through fake souq, displays on Bedouin living in the desert, and a section emphasizing the importance of the sea. The final chamber displays artifacts discovered at surrounding excavation sites. The fort is surrounded by three towers.

Interesting Fact: The last gallery which isn’t visited by a lot of people reveals that the area has been settled for at least 4000 years.

11. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Leisure | Family-Friendly

This massive aquarium, where thousands of creatures flit and dart amid artificial coral, is the most mesmerizing sight in Dubai Mall. Sharks and rays, as well as sumo-sized groupers and vast schools of pelagic fish, are among the top attractions. Outside, you can see quite a bit for free, or you can pay to enter the walk-through tunnel. At this Dubai landmark, you may observe a variety of unique and exotic animals, including air-breathing African lungfish, cheeky archerfish that catch insects by shooting water, spooky huge spider crabs, and otherworldly sea dragons.

Interesting Fact: The zoo's indisputable headliner is King Croc, a 5.1m-long Australian saltwater crocodile. The massive reptile is 40 years old and weighs a whopping 750 kilograms.

12. Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Culture

This nonprofit center, located on the outskirts of the Al Fahidi Historic District, offers activities, Emirati cuisine, and excursions for those interested in learning more about Emirati culture and history. This unique organization was formed in 1995 by Dubai's current ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, with the motto 'Open Doors, Open Minds,' to build bridges across cultures and to enable visitors and expats understand the UAE's traditions and customs. You can join one of the center's traditional Bedouin-style lunches to get a taste of Emirati cuisine.

Tip: From mid-September to mid-July, the center offers numerous weekly 90-minute guided heritage excursions of the Al Fahidi Historic District.

13. Green Planet

Zoo | Architecture

The Green Planet is a tropical indoor paradise designed to educate visitors about biodiversity, nature, and sustainability. Birds, butterflies, frogs, spiders, and snakes are among the 3000 animals and plants that live beneath its verdant canopy. A bat cave on the fourth floor is the most recent addition. One of the most exciting elements of Green Planet is the ability to get up close with animals like sloths, iguanas, and chameleons, as well as birds like the spectacular toucans. An Explorer's Kit, which contains binoculars, a nice canvas backpack, and an activity book, is also available for children.

Tip: The small fruit bats can be hard to spot unless you visit at 2 pm when they are fed.

14. Jumeirah Mosque

Historical

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding offers one-hour guided tours of the mosque, which is snowy white and beautifully designed. Jumeirah is Dubai's most magnificent mosque and one of only a few in the UAE that is open to non-Muslims. The tours end with pastries and a discussion session where you can ask any questions you have about Islam and Emirati culture. There is no need to make a reservation. Although modest attire is desired, traditional attire can be borrowed for free. Cameras are permitted, so make the most of this rare look into the local culture.

Tip: Don’t miss the camelccino at Majid Cafe at the end of your tour.

15. The Beach at JBR

Leisure | Commercial

The Beach at JBR is an open-plan cluster of low-lying, urban-style buildings enclosed around breezy plazas that runs for about 1km along the beachfront. On weekends, it attracts a large number of families with its combination of cafes and posh shops, as well as a vibrant waterfront entertainment zone with a kiddie splash park, an outdoor gym, a crafts market, and other attractions. Sunloungers can be rented at a beach club, or you can just lay your towel down anyplace for free. This is one of the most popular spots to head to if you want to spend a leisurely evening near Dubai Marina.

Tip: Don’t miss out on the opportunity to shop at the adjoining mall and make a day out of your visit to this landmark.

16. Spice Souq

Market

The sound of Arabic chatter ricochets around the lanes of this small covered market, just steps from the Deira Old Souk abra station, as vendors work hard to unload cardamom, saffron, and other aromatic herbs attractively stashed in burlap sacks along with nuts, incense burners, henna kits, shishas, and dried limes, an important element in Middle Eastern cuisine, alongside nuts, incense burners, henna kits, Locals and sailors from the dhows, or traditional Arabian sailing craft, can buy groceries, plastics, and other household supplies away from the tourist-oriented main street.

Tip: Don’t forget to haggle if you shop at the Spice Souq in Dubai. This is one of the very few places in Dubai where you put your haggling skills to the test.

17. Etihad Museum

Museum | Architecture

This remarkable modern museum, which opened in 2017, tells the story of the UAE's establishment in 1971, which was sparked by the discovery of oil in the 1950s and the British exit in 1968. Documentary films, images, artifacts, timelines, and interactive displays highlight significant events in the years leading up to and soon following this monumental event, paying tribute to the country's seven framers of the constitution. Its parabolic roof symbolizes the sheet of paper on which the proclamation was written, while the entrance hall's seven golden columns represent the pens used to sign it.

Interesting Fact: The name of the museum has nothing to do with the airline. Etihad in Arabic means “union”, an idea to which the museum is dedicated.

18. Alserkal Cultural Foundation

Cultural | Historical

The most vibrant cultural space in the Al Fahidi Historical District is run by this nonprofit foundation. A central courtyard is centered by an arty urban-style cafe, with galleries presenting conventional and cutting-edge pieces by local and international artists. The majority of the artwork is for sale, and there is a contemporary Arab clothing boutique, reading room, and upstairs workshop area. Just across the street, in 2018, a new tiny gallery space and gift shop debuted. Dubai has a lot of landmarks showcasing its advances, but if you want to know its roots, this is the place for you.

Tip: This landmark isn’t extremely popular with tourists, so if you plan to know more about UAE without having to deal with the tourist crowd, this is the best bet for you.

19. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Sanctuary | Family-Friendly

This unexpected oasis on Dubai Creek is a significant stopover for migrating waterbirds on the east Africa–west Asian flyway, despite being surrounded by motorways. In the winter, the graceful pink flamingos steal the show, but birdwatchers can spot more than 170 species in this 6.2-square-kilometer patchwork of salt flats, mudflats, mangroves, and lagoons. Three platforms with sharp binoculars are easily accessible. Broadbilled sandpipers and Pacific golden plovers are typical sightings, while great spotted eagles and other raptors may be scouring the sky in the winter.

Interesting Fact: The Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is an internationally regarded institution for the conservation of wetlands.

20. Dubai Design District (D3)

Architecture

Dubai Design District (D3), which is still in its infancy, has attracted both regional and worldwide talent and brands, including hotshots like Adidas and Foster + Partners. Check out the edgy architecture and public art, browse showrooms and pop-ups, eavesdrop on bearded hipsters in slick cafés, check out art exhibits in building lobbies, or join a free screening, workshop, or other cultural event to tap into this laboratory of tastemakers. Dubai's ambitious aim to become a key participant in the global design scene includes D3 and its contribution.

Interesting Fact: This ongoing engagement will soon bring a number of commercial establishments in the area aimed at nurturing local design talent.

21. Museum of the Future

Museum | Architecture

Museums usually exhibit beautiful art, history, and cultural customs from diverse cultures. The Museum of the Future, on the other hand, is not your average museum; it serves as a portal to the future. Embark on a journey that spans seven levels and allows you to see the future of humanity. Take a brave journey into the future as you envisage a future full of unknown possibilities. This architectural marvel houses publications, exhibitions, theater, and attractions that demonstrate future possibilities and offer solutions to contemporary issues. Visit the museum to immerse yourself in a futuristic adventure.

Tip: You can take advantage of the free self-parking option available at the Museum of the Future if you are bringing your own vehicle to the venue.