10+ Things to Do in Dubai for Adults

Dubai is a glittering playground for grown up vacations - from sophisticated dinner cruises to adventurous speedboat sightseeing and days spent relaxing at the beach.

Published: July 18, 2024
A tourist takes a photo of the Dubai skyline

Dubai is a glittering, modern city, filled with top-notch attractions to appeal to every interest. Whether you’re interested in exploring the history of this amazing destination or you just want to enjoy the beaches and the sunny weather, you’ll find something delightful to do during your time in Dubai. So, if you’re looking for things to do in Dubai for adults, we made a list of activities that couples and groups of friends will enjoy, including...

  • Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Dubai Tour
  • Island Beach Getaway Cruise in Abu Dhabi
  • Burj Khalifa At the Top
  • Royal Safari Experience
  • Ski Dubai Polar Pass
  • RIB Speedboat Sightseeing Tour
  • and more!

Hop-on Hop-off Dubai bus tour

First things first, why not see all the best sights and sounds of Dubai on a comprehensive Big Bus Dubai tour. It’s a good introduction to the city for first-time or infrequent visitors, and there are multiple routes to choose from. Highlights from different routes include the Burj Khalifa, Heritage Village, Spice Souk, City Walk, Mall of Emirates, Pier 7, and many more. Big Bus Dubai gives you the flexibility to hop off and visit the things that catch your interest.

Speedboat sightseeing tour

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Getting out on the water is a must when visiting this sun-soaked desert city. Aboard this hair-raising speedboat ride, you’ll take an adventurous cruise around the Palm and enjoy the magnificent 360-degree views of Dubai's best bits. You'll see the city's shimmering skyline, the luxurious hotels, the Sheiks' palaces, and the stunning, sail-shaped Burj al-Arab. Bring your camera along for those all-important photo opportunities.

At the Top - Burj Khalifa

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Travelers of all stripes won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to see the view from the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa. At the Top: Burj Khalifa is the observation deck of this stunning architectural marvel, located on the 124th and 125th floors. Enjoy interactive media displays on the way up and at the top. Once there, you’ll get panoramic vistas of the city, the beach, and the arid desert that surrounds Dubai. Don't forget your camera!

Activities at Atlantis the Palm

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Kick back and relax at Atlantis the Palm, one of the best resorts in Dubai. And you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy their enchanting offerings. Enjoy a day of exciting splashy fun at Aquaventure Waterpark, packed with exhilarating rides and slides. Or, learn about the countless exotic marine creatures at the Lost Chambers Aquarium, which has 20+ exhibits for you to explore. Then, spend an afternoon relaxing on the beach. Bliss!

Royal Safari Experience

Delight in an evening safari adventure as you roam the Arabian desert and try dune bashing through the shifting sand. Your destination is the Arabian Fortress, where you’ll be greeted with an array of traditional fare, like Arabic coffee and dates. Watch the sun set over the desert (a romantic activity for couples) and enjoy authentic Arabic activities and demonstrations like henna painting and traditional dancing. Then, indulge in a five-star dinner buffet and perhaps some shisha to unwind.

Dubai dinner cruises

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If you’re looking for a romantic excursion or a friends-only adventure in Dubai, a dinner cruise is a safe bet. There are plenty of options to choose from, so it’s just a matter of which sounds the most appealing. A sunset dinner cruise in Dubai Marina is perhaps best for a date where you can see the city come alive while the sun sets. The Dhow dinner cruise has the potential for some couple-centric fun and plenty of opportunities just to enjoy the good food and sightseeing of Dubai Creek.

Arabian Culinary Experience

If a dinner cruise isn't your thing, but you and your significant other still want to sample the tasty local cuisine, then try out this unique Arabian Culinary Experience. Hosted at Al Hallab restaurant (with locations in the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates), this exciting adventure into international cuisine is sure to please.

Specializing in traditional Lebanese cuisine, Al Hallab features a wide variety of traditional mezze, grilled meats, salads, desserts, and other delicacies. What better way to get an overview of the real flavors of the region?

Ski Dubai Polar Pass

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Who says Dubai is all heat and desert? Slide into the world of Ski Dubai for an unbeatable indoor skiing experience. Your Ski Slope pass offers you the freedom to choose from a number of activities. Whether you want to ski the day away, try your hand at snowboarding, or ride a toboggan, you’ll have the best time enjoying winter sports together. Keep an eye out for some of the park’s more curious visitors with a Snow Classic pass – the Gentoo and king penguins that wander around throughout the day.

RIB Speedboat sightseeing tour

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Another great way to see the city is from the water – a unique perspective that a bus tour simply can’t replicate. The Speedboat Sightseeing Tour is a particularly exciting option for water-borne adventurers, offering insights and commentary at high speeds for 90 minutes. You'll get mesmerizing views of the skyline around Dubai Marina and the surrounding waterfront. 

iFly Indoor Skydiving

stand up paddleboarding Dubai Marina

Soar through the air on a skydiving expedition, without the flight. iFly Indoor Skydiving is a distinctive experience that offers the fun and exhilaration of skydiving and bungee jumping. Don’t be intimidated if you don’t have any experience, either – new skydivers are welcome and the event itself is pretty low-key for first-time flyers. 

Watersports around Dubai Marina

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There are few things more delightful than visiting a beach city with friends or loved ones. Take advantage of Dubai’s amazing beaches with some water activities. Do some active sightseeing by way of stand-up paddleboarding, or try something new with a windsurfing lesson. If you need something more relaxing, just enjoy the scenery on a kayak tour. Whichever option you choose, you’ll get to make the most of the sun and surf of this desert paradise.

Rock Republic climbing walls

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Active couples and friends will want to challenge themselves – and each other! – at Rock Republic Bouldering Gym. They welcome climbers of all levels of experience and fitness, so no need to already be a rock wall junkie to participate, though you're bound to be hooked. Enjoy the freedom to climb a variety of walls at different fitness levels, as long as you’d like.

Go-karting

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Strap in for an electro-powered thrill ride on an awesome go-kart at E-Kart Zabeel. You'll get behind the wheel of the latest generation of electric go-karts and enjoy a blast around a state-of-the-art track. Competitive racers among your party will delight in seeing times shared on the scoreboard at the end. What are you waiting for? Let's ride!

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Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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dubai in september
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Dubai in September

Howdy there, traveler! So you're planning a trip to Dubai, are you? This desert oasis draws visitors from all over, so you're in good company. But when do you plan to visit? Is September a good time to vacation in Dubai? Well, scroll down, browse our guide to Dubai in September, and see what you think! Including: Dubai weather in September VR fun Underwater adventure Spooky escape rooms and more! Dubai in September: What to Expect It's hot. Really hot. Surprising perhaps no one, September in Dubai isn't your typical fall month. Instead, it's merely the tail end of Dubai's long, long summer. But the tail end doesn't mean you're in for a cooler time. Not really. That's because temperatures in September reach highs of 100°F or more and lows of around 79°F. So prepare for extreme temperatures, or perhaps go another month where the heat is more manageable. However, if you insist on September, then there are certainly some things to bear in mind. Bring a big hat, pack a load of factor 50 sunscreen, and avoid direct sunlight at peak hours to avoid shriveling up like a toasted prune. With those caveats in mind, we've peppered our recommendations with both inside and outside fun. You are most welcome, friend. Dubai in September: What to Do Nighttime BBQ Shenanigans When temperatures are enough to cook eggs on your car, embrace your inner vampire and stick to the shadows instead. But why settle for small shadows when you can utilize the humungous shadow that is nighttime? With nary a ray of sun in sight, you'll be safe. And where better to explore in this newfound safety than the beautiful sand dunes outside the city? On this BBQ and entertainment trip to the desert, you'll do just that. You'll be escorted from your hotel in a plush, air-conditioned 4x4 to the dunes. Then, you'll reach a camp and be treated to a mouth-watering menu of BBQ meats and veg. And refreshing drinks, of course. Once you're full, the entertainment kicks off. Catch a belly dancing show, partake in some sweet shisha, ride a camel, and even get a henna tattoo. Not bad. Then, as things wind down, you'll get a lift right back to your hotel to sleep off all the success. This BBQ soiree in Dubai is perfect for those looking to make the most of the cooler September nights. Evening Landmark Adventure! One of the joys of vacationing in an exciting new place is exploring the region's landmarks. And you'll be thrilled to know that Dubai has heaps of awe-inspiring buildings all across its skyline. And, in the spirit of your newfound vampirism, why not go see those sighs at night on a magical evening bus tour? Be sure to snap pictures of the grand Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Ain Dubai, and the city harbor. That way, you'll get enough snaps to show your colleagues around the watercooler, and dodge the worst of the sun in the process! Does that smell like a win? Because it sure smells like a win to us. Spooky Escapes Looking for any other excuses to escape the heat? Look no further than Dubai's terrifying escape rooms at No Way Out. Because when it's hot outside, nothing quite beats being chased around the place by an ax-wielding maniac in the comfort of air-conditioning. With 10 spooky rooms on offer, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, you and up to 8 friends will battle the clock, devious traps, puzzles, and contend with creepy actors playing their parts as they try and scare you senseless. And if that wasn't enough, you can even stay after your game and sit down for a bit of interactive horror cinema. Each show features wind, water, and other special effects that will assault your senses as you watch. But, be careful. You never know when one of the actors will be creeping right behind your seat. Marvelous and cool, thanks to the aforementioned air-con. Explore sunny locales at a safe distance Another way to beat the heat is to simply travel to another realm. But how can that be? Aren't you firmly stuck in this reality? Well, not quite. Thanks to VR Park Dubai, alternate realities are just a headset away. Visitors, or adventurers, if you will, are welcome to immerse themselves in 7 games over the course of four hours. Suit up, slip your headset on, pick your poison, and play away. Can you make your way out of the VR Maze? Can you stop the robot uprising in Robocom? You can even challenge your friends or family to competitive games, including sports, platforming, and puzzle-solving genres. The perfect answer to an abrasively warm afternoon, explore virtual reality and see what all the buzz is about! Explore life beneath the surface And finally, let's end our cool list of sun-dodging goodness with perhaps the best escape of all - a journey beneath the oceans. And where better to find such an escape than at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo? You'll start your adventure in the aquarium's massive underwater tunnel, where you'll be able to see all sorts of aquatic species going about their day. Sharks, rays, and other exotic species will be swimming right above your head, and may even approach you if you're not too scary looking. Perfect for photo ops, as well as a strangely serene stroll, it's a one-of-a-kind experience in Dubai, and well worth a visit. After you've wandered along the tunnel, you'll reach the Underwater Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with tons of exotic fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic wonders. You'll meet spider crabs, otters, piranhas, penguins, and other colorful characters. Delightful, and a great way to escape September heat in Dubai! And that just about wraps our guide to Dubai in September! If you dare face the sun head-on and are looking for some outside activities, check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. Yes, even the shadeless bits for all you thick-skinned boys and girls!
Dom Bewley

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