Dubai Family Vacation Ideas - Attractions, Activities & Things to Do

By Nicole Muto
Published: July 18, 2024
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We all love those family vacation memories, so we've rounded up our favorite Dubai family vacation ideas. Whether you’re spending endless days on the beach or cramming in as much sightseeing as humanly possible, those times spent with family are some of the best we’ll ever have. If you’re planning a family vacation to Dubai and are in search of those perfect family-friendly ideas, check out this post for inspiration. We’ll direct you to our favorite things to do with our families, from amusement parks to indoor skydiving. Our top Dubai family vacation ideas include:

  • Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis the Palm
  • Burj Khalifa
  • 1 Day 2 Parks Hopper at Dubai Parks & Resorts
  • Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Dubai
  • Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis the Palm
  • Ski Dubai Indoor Skiing
  • iFLY Indoor Skydiving
  • IMG Worlds of Adventure
  • The Green Planet

Save on Dubai Family Vacation Attraction Ideas

Regular admission to a number of these family-friendly attractions is available on the Go Dubai Card. Choose as you go from top visited attractions and save up to 52% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Learn more about our Dubai passes, attractions and prices.

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm

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The Aquaventure Waterpark is perfect for guests of all ages. From Splasher's Children's Play Area to long and winding, high-speed water slides, there's something for every member of the family. Conveniently located at Atlantis The Palm, a top-tier hotel and resort surrounded by the waters of Dubai, it's the perfect excuse for parents to relax on the man-made beach while the kids explore the lazy rivers, slides, and other rides. Older kids will love heading to the fast-paced rapids for a wild ride through tidal surges in Torrent River. It's the perfect destination to create fun-filled family memories of your Dubai vacation. Getting in: Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm tickets are included on Go Dubai Card.

At The Top - Burj Khalifa

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Not every family vacation spot has to be an amusement park! A trip to the top of tallest building in the world is something everyone can enjoy. At the 124th and 125th floors, you'll be able to see all of the city. The 360-degree, crystal clear windows allow for views of skyscrapers, deserts, and oceans. After enjoying the view outside, take some time to explore the interactive exhibits that tell the story of the Burj Khalifa's construction. Visiting the Burj Khalifa is a must when on a trip in Dubai. It's a world-renowned landmark and there's nothing quite like it anywhere else. Getting in: At The Top - Burj Khalifa tickets are included on Go Dubai Card.

1 Day 2 Parks Hopper at Dubai Parks & Resorts

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Get unlimited, 1-day park-hopping access to your choice of two theme parks from four options: LEGOLAND® Dubai, LEGOLAND® Dubai Water Park, MOTIONGATETM Dubai, and/or Bollywood Parks Dubai.

  • LEGOLAND® Dubai: experience over 40 LEGO® themed rides, shows, building experiences, and attractions—the perfect way to spend a fun-filled day for families with kids aged 2-12
  • LEGOLAND® Dubai Water Park: splash into LEGO® themed fun geared towards families with kids from ages 2 to 12 with raft rides, body slides, tube slides, play areas, a wave pool, and more
  • MOTIONGATETM Dubai: a Hollywood-themed park with immersive and thrilling rides, attractions and more ways to experience the movie industry and your favorite blockbuster hits
  • Bollywood Parks Dubai: visit the world’s first park entirely dedicated to all things Bollywood action, adventure, romance, and comedy with over 15 rides and attraction

All of these parks are located on the same compound, so it's very easy to hop back and forth between your two choices. Getting in: 1 Day 2 Parks Hopper at Dubai Parks & Resorts tickets are included on Go Dubai Card.

Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Dubai

The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Dubai Tour – 1 Day Ticket is one of the best ways to get around to all of the top sights in Dubai. The bus allows for a super flexible day of sightseeing. Consult the schedule beforehand and figure out where you want to be! You can hop on or off at any stop and explore all that Dubai has to offer. The Hop On Hop Off Bus stops at popular landmarks like Pier 7 Marina, Tallest Block skyscrapers, Heritage Village, and Dubai Fountain (home of the Burj Khalifa). It also stops at a handful of Dubai's most popular beaches - do we see a beach day on the horizon?! Getting in: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Dubai Tour: 1-Day tickets are included on Go Dubai Card.

Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm

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Explore the lost civilization of Atlantis at Atlantis The Palm. The Lost Chambers Aquarium features 10 themed chambers that showcase 65,000 different exotic fish and sea creatures. Watch as sting rays, piranhas, giant arapaima, jellyfish, and sharks interact within their tanks. Take a tour and learn more about the history of the lost city of Atlantis and its culture, technology, and ancient citizens. You can also partake in an interactive Aquatheatre Show, watching as the scuba divers check on the animals and perform live feedings. Getting in: Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm tickets are included on Go Dubai Card.

Ski Dubai Indoor Skiing

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Yes, you read that right: indoor skiing. Head over to Ski Dubai, the first-ever indoor ski resort and the world's largest indoor ski resort that uses real snow. No matter what season it is during your family vacation, you can race down the slopes. Ski and toboggan down slopes of all sizes - from kid-friendly to black diamonds, you'll be able to race around the complex all day. Younger children will love the chance to ride down the hill in a giant, padded ball on the Snowball Ride. If you've had your fill of skiing, or you're not much of a skiier, you can participate in interactive games led by ski instructors, watch real Gentoo penguins perform in March of the Penguins, or take a ride on the Giant Snowball. Getting in: Ski Dubai Polar Pass tickets are included on the Go Dubai Card.

iFly Indoor Skydiving

Another out-of-the-ordinary indoor experience is a flight at iFly. At iFly Indoor Skydiving, the motto is: no plane, no parachute, no problem! Defy gravity and experience the rush of freefalling without having to jump out of anything. Within the safety of the controlled environment, you'll experience the sensation skydivers do when they float through the air. Visitors of all ages are welcome to test their bravery on this flight experience. It's the perfect thing to do together as a family of thrill-seekers. Getting in: iFly Indoor Skydiving tickets are included on Go Dubai Card.

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Get transported to another universe at the world's largest indoor theme park. With five themed zones featuring popular characters from Cartoon Network and MARVEL, kids of all ages will enjoy a day at IMG. From thrill rides to haunted houses and everything in between, IMG Worlds of Adventure is a one-of-a-kind experience. Get haunted at the Haunted Hotel, an interactive maze so terrifying only visitors 15 and older can visit. If you're a total thrill-seeker, take a spin on Thor Thunder Spin, The Velociraptor, or Predator. You'll defy gravity on each ride, as you shoot out in a roller coaster and take on twists and turns at top-speed. Getting in: IMG Worlds of Adventure tickets are included on Go Dubai Card.

The Green Planet

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Have you ever experienced an indoor rainforest before? Check it off your bucket list on your family trip to Dubai! At Green Planet, you'll enter a whole new world as soon as you step through the door. The vertical rainforest is a fully immersive experience that you have to see with your own eyes to believe. Explore all four levels and keep your eyes peeled for any of the 3,000 species that live within the complex. Colorful toucans, butterflies, and tropical birds will fly overhead as you and the family explore the secrets of the rainforest. Getting in: The Green Planet tickets are included on Go Dubai Card.

Remember to Save on Family Friendly Admission

There you go. A few suggestions for attractions and activities for your upcoming Dubai family vacation. There are lots of Dubai family attractions to see and your family will probably have a fantastic time at all of them. Regular admission to a number of these family-friendly attractions is available on the Go Dubai Card. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your family vacation itinerary.

Nicole Muto
Go City Travel Expert

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dubai in may
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Dubai in May

Dubai is fast becoming one of the places to visit. With its mix of larger-than-life attractions, year-round sun, and delightful beaches, it's no wonder you're considering it. But when is the best time to visit? Is Dubai in May perfect for your vacation plans? Check out our guide to Dubai, and decide for yourself if you should visit in May! Including: Dubai weather in May Dubai's beaches at night Wintery escapes from the warmth Night delights in the desert and more! Dubai in May: What to Expect For many of us, May is the perfect mix of spring freshness and summer sun. The flowers are well in bloom, temperatures are 75-80°F, and we're settling into the transition between jeans and shorts. Dubai does May different, to no one's surprise. It's when we really start to see the mercury rise, as you can expect highs of 99°F and lows of 73°F. High humidity and minimal rain only reinforce the intense heat. Unless you're built for it, you may want to pick a month outside of the May-September range. However, if May is the perfect vacation time for you logistically, you can still have a great time and see the sights while avoiding the worst of it. And if you're planning on hitting up some of Dubai's biggest attractions, you may actually have a better time of it, as tourism tends to dwindle in the summer period. That means fewer people, smaller queues, and more time for fun! So, let's explore the best way to enjoy Dubai in May. Dubai in May: What to Do Snow Escapades When the heat gets too much, where better to escape it than the snowy hills of a ski resort? But we're talking about Dubai here, a place with minimal summer rainfall and constant beating sun. Where in the world would one go to experience such alpine delights? Well, Ski Dubai, of course! Dubai's very own indoor snowy paradise just happens to be the largest of its kind in the world, and you're more than welcome to strap up and get your ski on. This all-inclusive package ensures you needn't bring anything other than your ski brain, and the center's multiple slopes ensure you have plenty of space to get powdery. Ski lingo, baby. And if skiing's not your bag, you can snowboard, sled up, or even just sit and admire the cool temperatures. Plus, there are penguins sometimes, which is the icing on the chilly cake. Sea, sand, and no sun? Hitting the beach might be low on your itinerary when the sun can literally cook you in 20 minutes, but don't dismiss Dubai's sandy shores outright. Even under the cover of darkness, you can make the most of the space, and in some cases, the sea too. That's because many of Dubai's beaches are open to loungers 24/7. And in some cases, like with Umm Suqeim Beach, you can even take a dip in the sea after sundown. Thanks to Umm Suqeim Beach's Smart Light system, the waters stay lit until midnight, so you can safely - and legally - appreciate the cooling waters after the sun runs off. Lifeguards are still on duty, so no worries about any potential mishaps. However, once the clock strikes 12, you'll need to vacate the cooling waters and stick to the sands. But so what? Heading to a sandy paradise like Dubai, the last thing you want to do is miss the beach scene entirely. At least this way, you give your skin a rest, and ensure you don't spend the rest of your vacation in painful red lobster mode. Night bites and dune gazing Speaking of nighttime, another of Dubai's biggest draws is its magnificent dunes. As soon as you leave the outskirts of this young city, you're met with the endless, flowing sands of the beyond. And, while we wouldn't recommend heading out there on your own, they absolutely deserve to be explored. So, why not take a curated approach to exploration, and check out an evening tour and BBQ experience in the heart of Dubai's desert? Kicking off with a 5-star taxi service that will comfortably transport you from your hotel to the desert, you'll arrive at the party camp. Then, sit down and treat yourself to a BBQ feast of spiced meats, veg, and other delicious Dubai delicacies. When you're full to bursting, lounge back and appreciate the evening's entertainment. Featuring belly dancing, shisha, camel riding, and henna tattoos, it's an evening packed with fun! Then, you'll be taken right back to your hotel when the night is over. You'll have the best sleep in months. Burnt by the sun, but calmed by the waters If you absolutely insist on meeting Dubai's unforgiving sun head-on, level the playing field at a water park. The H20 will help you cool off, at least. And good news, people, because Dubai has the water park game cornered thanks to some brilliant watery spaces. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm is one of the best, with plenty of amazing rides for both kids and adults. From death-defying drops to snakey slides, they even have a kids-only area and their own beach if you need to relax. For kids, LEGOLAND® Water Park ticks all the boxes. Featuring 20 rides themed around many of their most recognizable characters, it might not be as exhilarating for adults as the other two, but there's nothing stopping you from getting on the rides and having a blast. Either way, our top tip to come out unscathed is to apply, apply, and reapply sunscreen regularly throughout your visit. Slides and sunscreen don't mix, as the former will scrape the latter right off. So, make sure to stay topped up! Light bites On hotter days, you might lose that hearty appetite. So, stay refueled with small dishes at Dubai's beach clubs. Not only will you get manageable dishes perfect for near-100° heat, but you'll have plenty of shade or air-conditioning to enjoy them in! Twiggy by La Cantine is our pick, with its Mediterranean menu complimented by plenty of refreshing drinks and a massive infinity pool to cool off in. Perfect. And that's our guide to Dubai in May! Looking for more fun ideas to experience during your vacation? Try Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley
Dubai
Blog

Top 10 Things to Do in Dubai for First Time Visitors

Dubai is the Middle East's glittering jewel, full of adventure and luxury. It's no surprise that the top attractions in the Emirates are a great place to start when planning a trip to Dubai.
Lindsay Eagan
Dubai Marina by night
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Things to do in Marina, Dubai

A city within a city, Dubai Marina lies to the southwest of the Palm. Built around an entirely artificial three kilometer waterway and eight kilometer promenade, the marina is just a couple of decades old, yet already around 50,000 people reside in its waterside apartments. But visitors will find plenty of things to do in Marina, Dubai too. The long stretch of sand at Jumeirah Beach Residence is a favorite haunt of beachgoers, Dubai Marina Mall has 140 stores for all day shopping and the marina’s waterways are similarly inviting. Here’s our guide to the attractions of Dubai Marina! Take your pick of the views Lined with stunning glass and steel towers to one side and gleaming private yachts bobbing on the gentle swell of this inlet of the Persian Gulf on the other, there’s so much to look at it can leave your head in a bit of a spin. Arrive by metro, tram or taxi and one of the best things to do first is get a feel for the neighborhood’s elegance by strolling a stretch of the marina promenade, lining its entire length. You don’t need to be an ardent hiker to get a feel for the marina though, since even the shortest walk between cafés will give you a good sense of what the marina is all about. Should you want to save your shoe leather completely, it’s also very easy to explore Dubai Marina from the water. Hop aboard a traditionally-built dhow on a marina cruise and as you take in the cityscape you’ll learn all about how the marina was turned from empty desert to what you see today. To get the adrenaline flowing there are at least two further options to consider. Head to Amwaj Towers, the departure point for the XLine zipline, and you’ll get a thrilling ride across the marina to the mall, and a video for prosperity. If even that’s not a big enough adrenaline rush, Skydive Dubai has to be the place for you, operating parachute jumps over the Palm. For views without the need of a parachute, Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel could be the answer, rising to twice the height of the London Eye. Get on the water Marina cruises aren’t the only way to get on or near the water. The clean sands of the marina’s two main beaches – The Beach and JBR Beach – are an alternative to the main channel. Broad expanses of gold running for more than a kilometer, even on the busiest of days it’s not usually hard to find a spot to throw down a towel with views of the Burj Al Arab. Family-friendly, behind the beach there’s a selection of places to grab a bite to eat, with many turning into much-loved bars and nightclubs as the sun sets behind Ain Dubai. One of the hottest spots of the moment is Zero Gravity, nestled within the landing ground for SkyDive Dubai. Beach club by day and sophisticated night club come evening, sip a cocktail before dancing till dawn to sets from the best DJs around. Before that there’s ample opportunity to experience life from the viewpoint of a jet ski or try your hand at flyboarding, wakeboarding and kayaking at Water Adventure. Relax with some retail therapy Looking to take advantage of Dubai’s reputation as a magnet for shopping? Look no further than Dubai Marina Mall. Occupying four floors and with a total area of 36,000 square meters, choice is not going to be an issue whatever you’re searching for. Its dome is a great place to grab a coffee whilst deciding whether it’s high fashion or simply some window shopping that’s your main objective. In the cooler months, the exterior also hosts a number of kiosks serving up tasty takeaway treats. Reel Cinemas also has all the latest movie releases across its six screens. Art lovers, both collectors and gallery goers, aren’t short of things to do in Marina, Dubai either. Although there’s no state backed collection in the neighborhood, there are more than enough private and independently run art spaces welcoming browsers. What unites them is a focus on contemporary works from artists yet to make their name worldwide, but within that vast spectrum of delights you’ll discover everything from pop art to sculpture inspired by Asia. Enjoy a round of golf Sports fans are also well catered for by what to see and do at Dubai Marina. In addition to the raft – excuse the pun – of water sports, other reasons Dubai Marina is worth visiting are the golf courses that lie close at hand and club. On the less serious side of swinging a golf club there’s not just minigolf but 3D blacklight minigolf. The marina’s indoor course has been decorated with hand-painted three dimensional art from some of the best artists around and promises to be the world’s largest blacklight golf adventure. There are three different themed rooms in all, totaling 18 bending, obstacle-ridden holes. For the real thing you’ll have to step outside of the official boundaries of Dubai Marina, but only by 200 meters or so until you reach the Emirates Golf Club. The region’s original golf club, it has three different courses blending desert scrub with perfectly manicured greens – and all with views of the skyscrapers which have made Dubai such a must-visit destination. If that’s not enough, there’s also the Montgomerie Golf Club at Emirates Hills, designed by none other than eight time holder of the European Tour Order of Merit Colin Montgomerie with the help of the late Gordon Desmond Muirhead, full time course creator. Discovering what there is to do in Dubai Marina It forms only a small part of Dubai, yet the marina has plenty to keep visitors entertained. Just a short trip from the Burj Khalifa and other top sights, it now forms an unmissable part of most people’s vacations. Hit the neighborhood with Go City and you’ll be able to discover all the things to do in Marina, Dubai for yourself. And you’ll make big savings on admission to many major attractions at the same time!
Ian Packham

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