Stop What You're Doing And Book Your Flight To Dubai Right Now
Architecture and Views
Starting in 1980, Dubai started building their city aggressively with an "if you build it, they will come" mentality. Dubai is now home to some of the world's most extravagant buildings, such as the world's tallest tower (Burj Khalifa), the world's largest mall (the Dubai Mall), and the world's largest fountain (the Dubai Fountain).
As if that isn't enough, Dubai is planning to build another tall tower that will supersede the Burj Khalifa and a brand new airport, which they are hoping becomes the biggest airport in the world! However, this should come as no surprise with Expo 2020 coming up in a couple of years.
In addition to expanding the city into the desert, Dubai is also known for having the world's largest island built on the water. The Palm Jumeirah was built on the Persian Gulf with over 10.5 million dump trucks worth of sand. (It looks like a palm tree leaf from above, hence the name.) Dubai has also commenced building another island in the shape of the world map, where locals can purchase a piece to live on, for example, "North America."
The Food and Overall Dining Experience
What's a city if it doesn't have good food?
The quality of food in Dubai cannot be described as anything else but amazing. With a variety of cuisines that range from your typical steakhouse to a local Arabian tea house, you will be sure to find a spot in the city to satisfy any culinary cravings.
Ranging from high-end restaurants on the rooftops of luxurious hotels to a local spot on the side of the road, the number of places to eat is ever growing. Particularly, the food truck scene is currently on the rise, with many events held open to the public, like one by Truckers DXB for the Dubai Food Festival. On the other hand, many high-end restaurants fly in ingredients, such as seafood, to ensure that they can serve customers the best of the best.
Besides ensuring that ingredients are of top quality, many Dubai businesses also place importance on the overall customer experience. The first thing that comes to mind is having a Champagne brunch at Coya on Fridays. With all food and drinks included, you are also presented with dancers, entertainment, and the best service. Another great example of enhancing customer experiences is the restaurant owned by Nusret Gökçe (better known as Salt Bae) at the Four Seasons Dubai. As one might expect, the waiters at Gökçe's Nusr-et Steakhouse put on a show as they present each dish. (You can see an example of what I mean here.)
Don't forget the local hidden gems of the city too, though! A survey was conducted in 2016 in which locals were asked what they thought were the hidden gems in every cuisine throughout Dubai. At these smaller establishments, you are able to meet the owners and taste their passion in each dish.
Activities for the Adventure-Driven
There are a number of activities for those who are addicted to adrenaline.
One of the most popular activities in Dubai is skydiving over the Palms. You'll be able to get an aerial view of the city as you jump from 12,500 feet AGL (above ground level). Dubai's Kite Beach is perfect for water activities, such as kite surfing and paddle boarding to name a couple. There are also family-friendly areas for children, a 14-kilometer soft track boardwalk for active individuals, and food trucks to indulge in when hungry.
You may think it's odd to want to have fun in the snow when you're in Dubai, but it's no doubt a popular activity when it is 120°F in the summer! Dubai has you covered (literally, because you're indoors) at Ski Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates. You can go skiing, snowboarding, zip lining, and snow tubing and then stop in to see the penguins.
On the other end of the spectrum, you can also go out into the desert on a Platinum Heritage safari tour to ride in the back of a 1950s Land Rover or on a camel! Looking for something even more exhilarating? There are also sandboarding safari tours, where you can slide (or roll) down a sand dune.
Trust me, you won't run out of activities here in Dubai.
Basically, Dubai has it all.
If you want good food, you will find a wide range of cuisines — from affordable fare to fine dining. If you want to relax in the sun, Kite Beach is just one of the many beaches where you can park yourself for an afternoon with an impressive boardwalk and activities. If you want to go shopping, the Dubai Mall is home to 1,200 stores and counting. You will be able to find anything you are looking for, from luxury retailers to local Emirati stores. If you want to learn more about their culture, you can visit Old Dubai and attend a session at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding. If you're looking to bargain for some good deals, you can cross the Dubai Creek and check out the spice and gold souks.