The 8 Fantastic Extreme Adventures in Dubai

Still not impressed? Dubai is a land full of extreme sports for adrenaline junkies to join. Explore the city as well as your thrill tolerance side-by-side. Add all these in your things to do in Dubai. In every direction, there is an adventure waiting. Here are the top 8 activities to do while in this royal city:

Built-in the heart of the city, Burj Khalifa, also known as Burj Dubai, is one of the fascinating engineering marvels to date. It was named after Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the acting president of the UAE. Rising over 2500 feet, this grandeur structure is the tallest of its kind since its construction in 2010. American Architectural firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill were official designers of this project. Its 163 floors consist of a luxury hotel, fancy residences, fine-dining restaurants, lobbies, corporate suites, workspaces and an observation deck for interested visitors. Ascend towards Dubai’s 125th floor to experience jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, especially during dusk. The elevator rides up top is quite an adventure by itself as it is one of the fastest in the world. The ticket to this skyscraper also gives access to wi-fi, telescopes, and a 10% discount on souvenirs shops and cafes in the vicinity. For those willing to spend extra Dirhams, certain tickets even grant access to the 148th floor and the outdoor terrace. No security check is another perk of purchasing this level of the ticket. On the common side, the tours last about an hour and a half with audio guides available in over 8 different languages. For the disabled, wheelchair facilities are easily available. After your tour, head downstairs and enjoy the musical fountain along with the dazzling city skyline. Tourists highly demand this attraction; hence it is advised to make bookings at least three months in advance to avail time slots that suit your itinerary. Visit different architecture by adding this place in your things to do in Dubai.

What if you were told that Dubai is home to a 22,000 square meter park full of snow! Yes, you read that right. Escape the blazing temperatures of the city at Ski Dubai, an indoor snow park located within the Mall of Emirates, one of the largest shopping complexes across the globe. Not only is this ski park the first in the whole of the Middle-east, but it has also bagged numerous awards, including the best family-friendly attractions to visit. It’s interesting how a simple day’s visit to the mall lands you amidst ski-slopes and slides. The temperatures are well regulated between –4 degrees and 2 degrees Celsius. Pre-plan the activities you choose to participate in and book your passes accordingly. Ski Dubai is busy on most days, particularly during the peak summer season. If you are a pro at winter sports, show-off your skills on the snow ramp! Both snowboarding and skiing are on offer. Beginners can join among other students who are willing to master this sport at the ski school. One can even greet snow penguins. All gear can be rented before entering the park near the ticket counter. If you desire a warm cup of hot chocolate, head over to the Avalanche Cafe and Ice Café at the slope mid-station. For a wholesome meal, the North 28 restaurant is another option to consider. Overall, this attraction is a must-visit, especially for families traveling with kids. Its state-of-the-art design adds to the already grandeur Mall of Emirates, making it one of the top things to do in Dubai.

Enter the famous Lego paradise in Dubai. One of the seven present worldwide, this theme park was built around the idea of a famous Danish toy production company, The Lego Group. For those wondering, these toys comprise of interlocking plastic bricks. For adults, Legoland is the perfect place to unwind from the hustle and bustle of daily life, whereas children get a fun learning experience. The theme park has been strategically divided into six different themes namely; Kingdoms, Mini-land, Factory, Lego City and Imagination. From fierce rollercoasters to a sweet boat ride, there are over 100 different rides to enjoy from. The mini-land is one of the highlights of this park as it houses over 20 million Lego bricks put together in an air-conditioned arena. On special occasions such as Halloween, UAE National Day and Christmas, the park is sparking with colorful lights and poses a vibrant atmosphere for incomers. It opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 in the evening, and so make the most of the 8 hours it offers. Plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops are well-established within the park. Just like Disneyland, Legoland also has its annual pass too. Citizens of the UAE can avail the passes from the official website at discounted rates. For an overnight stay, combine your single-day pass with a reservation at the Lapita Hotel. Visit the awesome restaurant and shops by adding this place in your things to do in Dubai.

Experience the Dubai skyline in the most fashionable ways. Keep on reading if you consider yourself a Braveheart. Alright! I believe you. Now that you have agreed, head over to Skydive Dubai, purchase your skydiving pass, suit up and take a leap of faith from 5000 feet. The views of the Palm Jumeirah from up top is one of the most unforgettable sights to behold. There is nothing to fear as you are well-harnessed to an experienced skydiver. You can even record the whole experience from their GoPro cameras. Apart from catering to tourists, skydive Dubai has a school run by instructors that teach interested students about the in-depth technicalities of freefalling. Through the period of the course, if passed, a license is granted, which allows its holder to enjoy numerous freefalls from various drop zones across the globe. Those already holding one can freefall in the desert zone or the palm zone. The gyrocopter is another service the agency offers. Take a flight around Dubai and witness stunning bird-eye views from a height of 1500 feet. Operated by well-trained pilots, security is well-assured. Participating in a dive can be an expensive affair, especially for the salaried class. The cost of the regular tandem skydive is AED 1699 and AED 2199 at the Desert and the Palm respectively. However, the agency grants special discounts to residents of the country as well as those wanting to celebrate their birthday here. There are certain rules and regulations to keep a note of before making any booking. They include; body weight which must not exceed 100 kilograms, age which must at least be of 17 years, no alcohol/drugs and scuba diving 24 hours prior, and a declaration form of fitness signed by a doctor failing to which the dive would not be allowed. Come and see the skyline by adding this place in your things to do in Dubai.

A water park in a desert? If I were told Dubai would be home to a water-based theme park, there would be nothing but laughter. The Wild Wadi Waterpark in Jumeirah Street is one of Dubai’s most thrilling tourist attractions. Overlooking the precious Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and the Arabian sea, the park’s impressive location offers stunning silhouette views during dusk. Whether you are in Dubai for a week or just a couple of days, Wild Wadi is one of the top 7 things one must visit. The ticket pricing system is based on the height of the respective individual which is divided into two categories; above 1.1 meters and below 1.1 meters. Toddlers below the age of 2 are granted free access; however, an identity card is mandatory to prove the same. Here is a travel hack to consider. Once all your travel and visa formalities have been completed, visit the official website of Wild Wadi and pre-book your single-day passes. Reviews suggest that purchasing tickets online turns out cheaper when compared to last-minute bookings at the counter. Now let’s look into some of the thrilling adventures this waterpark has to offer.

Babies are allowed to enjoy their little pool sessions with adult supervision and the correct pool wear. Juha’s Journey is the perfect ride that caters to all ages. Relax the long lazy river while seated in an inflated tube. The Buru Surj is similar but a little more on the adventurous side. For the adrenaline geeks, the Jumeirah Sceirah and Tantrum shall test your thrill tolerance. Don’t worry, and there are plenty of other rides available too. Grab a slice of pizza or sit down to enjoy your BBQ Chicken, Wild Wadi has exclusive restaurants within its premises with a variety of delicious food and drinks to choose from. You can also grab a cute souvenir or two from the stores here. For a joyful time, it is advised to keep a whole day for this site. Come and visit this waterpark by adding this place in your things to do in Dubai.

Get a first-hand opportunity to explore the Arabian dunes right in the heart of the desert. Tourists can choose from four different types of safaris; Morning safari, Evening Safari, Overnight safari, or an option of dinner-only. The morning safari is likely to replace your Arabian espresso. It begins at 8:30 AM and ends by noon. Enjoy the mischievous dune bashing while seated in an XUV or ride a quad bike. The most popular of all is the evening safari. The alluring dusk perfectly blends into the dunes. Enjoy camel rides 4 PM onwards followed by a delicious barbeque buffet dinner alongside live performances on display. For an exotic desert experience, tourists can even stay at the camp, either in a tent or a deluxe room. If you plan on skipping the safari, the dinner-only option is also on offer. Desert Safari Dubai caters to the needs of every individual. Those wanting a private tour can request for the same. This tourist site also hosts corporate and team building events for employees who wish to unwind from their routine 9-5 desk jobs. It is advised to eat a light meal before heading towards the desert as a full stomach can only cause trouble. Hotel pick-up and drop-off and refreshments are included in most desert safari passes. For bookings, visit the official website as early as two months before blocking your dates. On sharing basis, the safari costs AED 200 ($54) and AED 130 ($36) for one adult and one child respectively. A private tour is on the higher end costing up to AED 1000 ($272.20) per person. Visit this desert safari by adding this place in your things to do in Dubai.

Rated as one of the best in the whole of the Middle East, IMG Worlds of Adventure is an indoor theme park built on a whopping area of 1.5 million square feet. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple for a honeymoon or with your family and friends, the park is home to a wide range of rides, activities, performing arts, hangout spots, dining, and shopping options. With over 30,000 visitors a day, IMG Worlds of Adventure is among the busiest yearly attractions in the UAE. This theme park is based on the concepts of Marvel and characters from the popular channel Cartoon Network. For a wholesome experience, keep aside an entire day for this amusement site. Start your day early, and a healthy breakfast is recommended along with breathable clothing to walk around the gigantic park, which for a fact is said to cover 28 football fields. Get your kids to meet and greet some iconic characters including Ben 10, Tom and Jerry, and the Power puff Girls. The teenagers can spot the muscular Hulk and the whole Avengers squad! Enjoy epic rollercoasters, sit down for live performance or head over to one of the 12 multiplex screens run by Novo Cinema, the park is full of adventures to explore. The Dinosaur zone and the Haunted Hotel are some other notable highlights here. Tired from your adrenaline rush all day? Grab a samosa or a cappuccino. There are numerous eateries with excellent food options to choose from. The World of Candy is often jam-packed with children, but it’s worth a visit. You can also take home some cool t-shirts and mugs from the souvenir stores. The park opens at 11 AM and closes at 8 PM on weekdays. On weekends, they are open until 10 PM. Plan your visit, and the official website has all the information regarding the rules you must know beforehand. It also caters to the disabled; hence no one misses out on a fun time at IMG. Visit the world’s greatest adventure by adding this place in your things to do in Dubai.

Having previously spoken about jumping from an airplane, harnessed with an instructor, take your adventure to the next level, and give a shot to Bungee Jumping! Unlike skydiving, a bungee jump does not involve a parachute but only an elastic cord. Sounds frightening? Don’t worry! Dubai is up to the mark regarding safety measures. However, there are several elements that a person must consider, such as food. A healthy protein meal at least three hours before the jump is ideal. Balance it out. Too little, and you will likely faint in between, making the whole experience futile. There are certain regulations to consider, such as age, weight, and health. The participant must be between the age of 14 and 50 years, below the weight of 120 kilograms, and must not be a heart patient or pregnant at that time. Make your reservations or visit the Dubai Gravity Zone. Its 50-meter drop will either test your bravery or the decibels your screams produce. Set at AED 350 ($99) it can be a little pinch to the pocket for some; however, as the cliché quotes suggest “You got to live once in a while.” Don’t be scared, seek discomfort and cherish the moment”. Go for Bungee Jumping by adding this place in your things to do in Dubai.

These are the top 8 fantastic activities and things to do in Dubai, you as a tourist must add to your itinerary. Each is having a perk, and it is often suggested to visit at least 3 of the attractions mentioned above. Sitting around in an Airbnb or a fancy hotel will do no good. As the famous video blogger Louis Cole says, “Get out and live the adventure.” Although some tourists may have budget constraints, compromising on accommodation and fine-dining can land you amidst an experience like never before. If visiting on a short business trip, what better way to unwind? You, too, can have a great time if you can manage a few hours away from your laptop. The best time to spend a vacation in Dubai is August onwards. The temperatures are bearable, unlike the blazing summer season that runs between April and June. January and February witness heavy traffic due to the Dubai shopping festival so make your bookings accordingly.