Got Family In Town? Look No Further For Things To Do!

Posted on Oct 15, 2013 by Rob Kellaghan  | Filed Under: UAE, Dubai, tourism, attractions, restaurants, hotels, beaches.

Flaunt the best Dubai has to offer to visiting family members with our guide to the city’s must-see attractions.

It’s always great to have guests coming to visit, but when it’s family members the fun becomes that extra bit more special. Weeks and maybe even months of planning will have gone into the visit, and naturally you will be eager to show your family what a wonderful city Dubai is. With so many attractions and things to do, it may be difficult to visit every place you want. To help, our guide highlights the absolute must-see places that will no doubt impress the family on their visit to Dubai.

Burj Al-Arab

One of the most iconic buildings in Dubai, if not the entire region, is the world famous Burj Al-Arab hotel. It’s design is intended to replicate a billowing sail, and standing 321 meters tall, it is one of the most easily recognisable buildings in Dubai’s impressive skyline. As the world’s only 7-star hotel, the Burj Al-Arab simply oozes luxury and elegance.

One of the most photographed buildings in the world, the Burj attracts visitors at all times of the day and night. The public beach adjacent to the hotel offers some wonderful vistas of the hotel, with the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, in the background. At night, the hotel is lit up in a dazzling array of choreographed lighting, often drawing large crowds to marvel at this impressive spectacle.

Burj Khalifa

Currently the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa is a marvellous feat of modern engineering and architecture. At 830 meters tall, the Burj Khalifa is the standout building in downtown Dubai and an absolute must on any travel itinerary. The tower itself has its own mall, residential apartments and office space, while a public viewing gallery called ‘At The Top’ offers panoramic views of Dubai and the surrounding area.

Beside the tower is an attraction in itself - The Dubai Fountain. Set on a small lake, the fountains propel water an astonishing 500 feet into the air, while the nightly light show can be seen from over 20 miles away. Impressive!

Dubai Creek

A glimpse back at old Dubai is possible with a visit to Dubai Creek. This creek is a natural, sea-water inlet upon which the city was first built. Visitors can tour the area by water taxi (called an abra) which allows for close up views of the old trading port and other historic landmarks. Traditional Arab-style dhows still use the creek to transport goods and other produce to and from Dubai.

Cafe Arabesque

Although Dubai is famous for its international cuisine and wide variety of restaurants, it is also a great place to sample some local Middle Eastern foods. Unsurprisingly, there are a number of restaurants and cafes that come highly recommended, such as Cafe Arabesque.

Attached to the plush Park Hyatt hotel, this restaurant serves up some of the best Lebanese, Jordanian and Syrian dishes in the city. There is a buffet available on Thursday and Friday evenings, while the ala carte menu offers a wide selection of traditional regional dishes. The restaurant also looks out onto Dubai Creek, providing diners with pleasing views of the old city.

Bubbalicious

Late nights and relaxed mornings while on holiday often mean that brunch is an absolute necessity. Luckily, Dubai has numerous brunch options, some of which are set in the most picturesque and laid-back venues the city has to offer.

Despite its unusual name, Bubbalicious is actually three first class restaurants - Blue Orange, Hunters and The Spice Island - rolled into one at the Westin Hotel in Jumeirah. Indoor and outdoor dining are available, plus there are seating options beside the magnificent pool that sits between the different restaurants. Each restaurant offers live cooking stations, buffet, an ala carte menu and a dessert station, with the result that the dishes on offer are varied and quite simply delicious. Entertainment also includes a three-piece band and a Chinese acrobat show.

Wild Wadi

An attraction with young kids in mind, Wild Wadi can nonetheless provide a day full of water-filled entertainment for family members of all ages. Situated beside the Burj Al-Arab hotel, Wild Wadi is a water park that features 30 different rides and amusements. It is open daily from 10 a.m., and additional facilities include swimming pools, restaurants, cafes and chill-out areas.

Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa

With plentiful sunshine and pleasant temperatures year round, a trip to the beach is a must during any visit to Dubai. Much like many of the city’s attractions, Dubai’s beaches aren’t just simply sand and surf, as the Habtoor Resort proves. This private beach boasts its own pool, waterslides, a swim-up pool bar and a kids play area, in addition to the beach itself which faces the Arabian Gulf. Sun loungers are plentiful, plus there is a highly rated Italian restaurant on site. The Habtoor is centrally located beside the Marina and is suitable for family members of all ages.

Club Mina

One of Dubai’s largest beach clubs, Club Mina is located close to the Westin Hotel. It consists of a 500-meter private beach, five swimming pools, a gym, tennis courts, a garden area and a restaurant. Due to its sheer size, Club Mina rarely feels crowded and there are always loungers available on the beach itself or near the gardens. The perfect choice for a relaxing day in the sun.

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