dubai-skyline-sunset-traffic-aerial-view

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

By Nicole Muto

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

dubai-luxury-villas-aquaventure-waterpark

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm

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

dubai-skyline-sunset-burj-khalifa-aerial

At The Top - Burj Khalifa

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

elephant-installation-bollywood-parks

1 Day 2 Parks Hopper at Dubai Parks & Resorts

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

yellow-fish-lost-chambers-aquariumatlantis-palm

Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm

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

instructor-shows-little-girl-some-exercises

Ski Dubai Indoor Skiing

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

blue-yellow-macaw-ara-ararauna-large

The Green Planet

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.

Continue reading

Safety in Dubai
Blog

Is Dubai Safe to Travel to for Tourists?

Dubai might be a trip out of the ordinary for you. You're not alone: this Emirati nation is often the first trip people take to the Middle East. Here's the lowdown on local laws in Dubai, public affection, general safety, and visa requirements for a stress-free vacation.
Lindsay Eagan
A couple relaxing on massage tables
Blog

Relaxing things to do in Dubai

Life in Dubai can feel like a movie in the Fast & Furious franchise. However, it doesn’t have to. If you’re a speed freak or adrenaline junkie Dubai won’t disappoint, with some of the fastest roller coasters in the world and a wealth of extreme sports. But if it’s a slower pace of life you’re after, don’t discount a trip to the largest of the United Arab Emirates just yet! Why? Because relaxing things to do in Dubai include everything from luxurious spa stays to sumptuous afternoon teas. Check out the top relaxing spots in Dubai right here! Sample incredible foods Boozy brunches have become a staple with the expat crowd come the weekend. The rest of the week morning dining is a far more tranquil affair, with plenty of spots offering refuge to remote workers and those keen to take it easy, whether with the latest coffee creations or something more substantial. Menus range from full English breakfasts to pastry selections that would make Julia Child and Heston Blumenthal blush. Alternatively, you could swap the full English for an afternoon tea. Expect a blend of traditional British high tea and modern inventiveness, with contemporary flavors served up on porcelain your grandmother would be proud to have owned. If you’re looking to splash the cash, head straight for the Skyview Bar at the Burj Al Arab or the Chart Room of the QE2 floating hotel. For an authentic Emirati experience, tea and coffee houses dot the souks of Deira, with prices starting at just a handful of dirhams and the conversation that ensues entirely free or charge. Hit the stores Whilst the narrow lanes of Dubai’s souks were until very recently the only place to shop, the expectation that you need to haggle or be taken advantage of can make it less than relaxing. The air-conditioned arcades of their modern equivalent, Dubai’s malls, have some extraordinary shopping opportunities. They don’t call it retail therapy for nothing. Dubai being Dubai, its malls are glittering – sometimes literally – representations of conspicuous consumption. But even if you’re not someone who enjoys shopping for shopping’s sake, their range of alternative attractions still makes them a good bet when considering relaxing things to do in Dubai. Mall of the Emirates hosts Ski Dubai, complete with live penguin meet and greets, whilst Dubai Mall provides a home for the denizens of the deep at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Marvel at sparkling waters The sound of waves is known to bring down heart rates, and most of Dubai’s neighborhoods are close enough to waters to make this another option for the most relaxing things to do in Dubai. Traditional trading vessels known as dhows continue their passage as they must have done for centuries. Today, they are just as likely to be carrying tourists on a dinner cruise along Dubai Creek than cargo, taking in some of Dubai’s top waterside developments. The smooth waters that generally kiss the Dubai coast are also ideal for stand-up paddleboarding. The channels that slip between the island fronds of the Palm Jumeirah are a popular haunt for those stepping onto a board for the first time. Drift amongst the clouds Arguably though, Palm Jumeriah’s form is best taken in from the air. Most of us wouldn’t claim to find skydiving a relaxing pastime – in which case, there is another way. The Ain Dubai observation wheel provides 38 minutes of airborne panoramas without the need of a light aircraft or checking if your life insurance is still in order. Reaching a top height of 250 meters – that’s an almost unbelievable 75 stories up – views extend as far as the Burj Khalifa in downtown. Looking in the opposite direction, the gondolas of Ain Dubai are orientated to reveal the emirate’s spectacular sunsets too. Opt for some spa time It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to the world of spas or looking for a very specific treatment, the likelihood is that there will be a spa somewhere in Dubai right for you. Those staying at any of Dubai’s top hotels will find themselves no more than an elevator ride away from spas featuring spacious wellness centers and treatment lists reading like a who’s who of international massage, from Japanese Iyashi to homegrown hammams. There’s also a whole host of yoga-themed retreats, including ‘underwater yoga’ based at the Lost Chambers Aquarium of Atlantis The Palm. Flop onto a sun lounger One of the closest stretches of free sand to the Burj Al Arab, in the early hours of the day Sunset Beach is quiet, making it a good shout for those seeking out a relaxing place to soak up the sun. As the day progresses it gets slightly busier, partly due to its proximity to the world’s most luxurious hotel, but also because of its popularity with surfers. Numbers hit their peak as the sun sets, with those who’ve gathered to take in the nightly spectacle then dispersing to the nearby mall for a bite to eat or one of the nearby bars for a drink. At the opposite end of the emirate, Al Mamzar Beach sits tucked into a tightly curved pocket of water backed by Alexandria Street and brushing the unmarked border with Sharjah. It’s western side links to a park of the same name which incorporates 55,000 square meters of picnic-ready lawn and almost 2000 palm trees for shade. The best ways to relax in Dubai From massage tables to breakfast buffets, Dubai is a destination which knows what it means to relax. Carve out some me-time on your trip to tick off the most relaxing things to do in Dubai and you’ll immediately feel the benefits. Head to Dubai with Go City, and you’ll also gain reduced admission to many of its top attractions! Relaxing in Dubai doesn’t have to break the bank!
Ian Packham
The waterfront at Dubai Creek in Deira
Blog

Cool things to do in Deira Dubai

Only a short hop from the international airport, Deira still manages to be one of the most charismatic of Dubai’s neighborhoods. Forming a part of Old Dubai, its port continues to be a place for traditional dhow trading vessels to be loaded and unloaded by hand, sailing their small cargoes between Dubai, the Middle East and even India. Its streets are dominated by souks – dedicated to gold, spices and perfumes – where Arabic is still more likely to be heard than English. When it comes to things to do in Deira Dubai there’s also a smattering of small museums and even a beachfront park. Plenty of reasons to take a turn in Dubai’s original downtown district! Enjoy the creek-side setting Long before the observation decks at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, existed and long before Dubai came together with its neighbors to form the United Arab Emirates, there was Deira. As the historic location for mooring dhows, it was the obvious place for the young city’s souks to develop. The simplest of ports, just mooring bollards lining the northern entrance to Dubai Creek, Deira’s ageless waterfront provides a contrast to the usual image of Dubai. Its handcrafted and wooden built ships haven’t changed much in centuries – except for the fact they now contain engines as well as sails. Still dodging the piracy of the high seas, there’s nowhere in Deira with more atmosphere and no better way to discover it than with a creek sightseeing cruise. However, even staying on dry land there are lots of ways to take in the neighborhood’s traditional way of living and working. For instance, Deira’s multitude of souks are a world away from the polished floors and mood music of Dubai’s malls, providing a much more visceral shopping – or window shopping – experience. Choose between the gold, spice and perfume souks depending on what interests you most. Delve into Deira’s history A one minute walk from the Gold Souk is the Dubai Municipality Museum. Fully restored and opened to the public in 2006, it was from this simple building that Dubai was administered for many years. As a result, the museum’s collection uses four main sections to focus on the development of the city and state. An old-school museum with plenty of glass cabinets to gaze into, its upper floor balcony is also a nice place to enjoy life on the street below. The nearby Bait Al Banat – or Women’s Museum – does an important job in highlighting the role of women in a society which historically expected wives, mothers and sisters to stay at home and out of sight. Using historical examples to inspire future generations, gallery one hosts temporary exhibitions and gallery two a semi-permanent collection of archive photographs and contemporary artworks. Dating to 1890, Deira’s self-proclaimed Heritage House has the traditional form of buildings of coral stone and gypsum enclosing a central courtyard. It once belonged to an affluent pearl merchant called Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk, who also financed the next-door Al Ahmadiya School – one of Dubai’s most prestigious. Step within, and you’ll learn about life behind closed doors, from the majlis meeting place on the ground floor to the kitchens and bathrooms. Relax in Deira’s green spaces A short distance further along the creek from Deira’s wharves, and edged by three of the most luxurious hotels in Deira is Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. A ribbon of verdant green dotted with lakes, bunkers and palms, there are three difficult golf courses to choose between. The average traveler will probably have the most fun at the insta-ready #minigolfdubai course. Although there aren’t any rotating windmills or crazy angles to contend with, there are a series of challenging holes as perfectly manicured as the club’s beginner-friendly nine-hole course or the 7000 yard 18-hole championship course. Greenery without the golf cart can be enjoyed at Al Mamzar Beach Park on a peninsula facing off against Sharjah, Dubai’s neighboring (border-free) emirate. Containing basketball courts, climbing walls and beach volleyball as well as barbecues and plenty of places to sit, swimming is an option from its pools or its multiple beaches. It’s worth noting that Mondays and Wednesdays are women-only days. Together, the golf club and Al Mamzar Beach Park form the main green spaces in Deira. Explore Deira’s newest and oldest structures Because of its status as the second oldest neighborhood in Dubai, new developments are largely reserved for other parts of the city. However, architecture fans won’t be left disappointed. Start at Burj Nahar, a round defensive watchtower constructed in the 1870s. The last of its kind to remain, it’s well worth climbing its steps to add it to your list of places to visit in Deira. Then continue to the contemporary doughnut shaped Chamber of Commerce building on the waterfront. Beside it stands the headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai, whose curved frontage is meant to replicate the sails of the creek’s boats. On the other side of Deira you’ll also find Deira Islands. Made by reclaiming land from the Persian Gulf, the original intention was to create a third Palm. This plan was ruined by the financial crisis of 2008, and it’s only now that these islands are coming to life. For the moment there’s only a handful of hotel’s operating, meaning you’ll have the promised eight kilometers of new beachfront pretty much all to yourself! Go City’s top things to do in Deira It may be just one of Dubai’s districts, but there are still several must see attractions in Deira. Its souks cement it as one of the region’s most important trading areas, whilst its small but interesting museum collections help to reveal its two centuries of culture. Deira is an unmissable part of any trip to Dubai. When looking for the top things to do in Deira and Dubai more widely don’t forget to check out our pre-pay passes. Travel with Go City and you’ll make huge savings on many of the emirate’s top attractions.
Ian Packham

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon