Top 10 Things to Do in Dubai for First Time Visitors

In a city of record-breakers, the Burj Khalifa could be considered Dubai's most famous landmark and is certainly a must-visit during your trip. Rising gracefully from the desert, the Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building. You'll enjoy dramatic vistas from the top of this 163-floor structure. No trip to Dubai is complete without a visit to At The Top, the tower's exclusive viewing deck.

Spanning floors 125 and 148, At The Top gives visitors a full view of the city from the vantage point of the world's highest outdoor observatory. From this perch, you can take in the Dubai Fountain show, enjoying the synchronized water spectacle from a bird's eye view. With panoramic visibility on the rest of the Emirate, it's the perfect spot for taking photos to remember your trip.

Getting In: At The Top - Burj Khalifa tickets are included with all Go City® Dubai passes.

Another bucket-list item in Dubai is a desert safari. Experience the majesty and beauty of the desert just the way the traditional Bedouins have done for generations. Climb aboard a luxurious Hummer H2 or Land Cruiser and set out on your captivating nature drive.

Enjoy onboard refreshments as you travel over the rolling sand dunes. Once in the desert, you can explore your surroundings further with a camel ride. Or, experience traditional Bedouin culture with henna painting before you savor a five-star buffet set-up at an Arabian fortress.

Getting In: Dubai Royal Desert Arabian Safari is separately ticketed and not included on Go City® Dubai passes.

This action-packed activity is the most fun way of seeing what Dubai has to offer. Escape the city and head into the swirling sands for an afternoon of racing about on four wheels. You'll be geared up with a helmet and your very own ATV and then you'll be ready to give it some revs up the dunes! What's more, you'll even ride out to the specialized quad bike track on camelback for the full Arabian desert experience.

Getting in: 4x4 Quad Bike Ride in the Desert tickets are available on the Go City® Dubai Explorer pass only.

Ride the thrills and spills at Aquaventure Waterpark on Atlantis The Palm. The Palm is Dubai's extraordinary hotel built in the center of a man-made island. It's one of the only places on Earth where you can zip through a water tunnel while sharks and stingrays swim above you.

If you're after hair-raising drops and rushing rapids, you'll find your buzz at Aquaventure. Aquaventure also has you covered if you're interested in sunbathing on a pristine, private beach. This waterpark caters to all aquatic desires!

Getting In: Aquaventure Waterpark tickets are included on all Go City® Dubai passes.

After you've splashed your way through Aquaventure, further your marine-inspired journey with a visit to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, which is at the same resort. Wind your way through the aquarium's 10 glass-tunneled chambers to get up close with sharks, stingrays, piranhas, lobsters, seahorses, tropical fish, and other sea life.

Marvel in the spellbinding underwater world designed around the myth of Atlantis, the lost civilization of ruins and shipwrecks. More than 20 different marine exhibits wait for you to explore. You can even feel a real starfish in the aquarium's touch tank or learn about the different types of fish from the aquatic center's experts.

Getting In: Lost Chambers Aquarium tickets are included on all Go City® Dubai passes.

Xclusive Yachts, one of the city's most popular boat service providers, offers a chance to view the wonders of Dubai from the water. On a RIB speed boat tour, you can take in the Emirate's various famous landmarks. The top sites on this tour include:
 

• Burj Al Arab
• Atlantis The Palm
• Jumeirah Beach Hotel
• Dubai Marina
• Jumeirah Beach Residence
• and Bluewater Island

While the vessel does travel at high speeds for most of the trip, your boat will slow down enough for photos at select locations.

Getting In: Dubai Speed Boat Tour tickets are included on all Go City® Dubai passes.

Dubai topped the record books again with the opening of the region's largest indoor ski resort (in one of the world's biggest malls, of course). Ski Dubai has five slopes of varying difficulties and inclines for skiers of any skill, from beginners to seasoned veterans. It's also the home of the world's first indoor black diamond run for those who dare to conquer the demands of the snow.

A ski lift ferries skiers up the runs, while an adjoining Snow Park includes sled routes and toboggan runs, climbing towers, and an ice cave to entertain little ones. The recent introduction of live penguin encounters at the resort adds an extra element of fun to your visit to Ski Dubai.

Getting In: Ski Dubai tickets are included on all Go City® Dubai passes.

Dubai recently added an indoor rainforest to its list of attractions you might be surprised to find in a desert. Delve into an exotic world of flora and fauna in this vertical tropical rainforest and learn about all the different layers, plants, and animals that call it home. A place for all ages, the rainforest encourages developing first-hand knowledge about the natural world.

Getting In: The Green Planet Dubai is separately ticketed and is not included on Go City® Dubai passes.

• Enjoy Beach Day access at any of the 5-star resorts along the coast (Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Westin Hotel) or at the hotels on Palm Island.
   
• Dine at the beautiful Souk Madinat with stunning views of the Burj Al Arab Hotel and Arabian Sea
   
• Enjoy a Friday (Champagne) Brunch at one of the many 5-star hotels - a Dubai weekend tradition!
   
• Book a luxury spa treatment at one of the glamorous hotels or pamper yourself at a beauty salon (manicure, pedicure, massage, etc).
   
• If you enjoy golf, tee off at the courses designed by Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els. Head to the city's most famous course, the 18-hole Emirates Golf Club, or at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
   
• Enjoy sundowners at the many outdoor bars and clubs with sunshine all year round (Barasti bar, 360 at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, etc.) or at the stunning rooftop bars of 5-star hotels in town.