Things to do

What do you get if you combine the Hulk with The Powerpuff Girls; Ben 10 and Captain America; Gumball and Iron Man? Not to mention erupting volcanoes, 69 life-like, breathing dinosaurs and hair-raising rollercoasters? The answer: IMG Worlds of Adventure of course.

Get wild and wet at Wild Wadi One of the best waterparks you’ll find anywhere in the world is the Wild Wadi Waterpark, a popular ticket at anytime of the year thanks to Dubai’s warm weather. Sitting right on the shore of the city’s iconic Burj Al Arab, it’s a true Arabian water experience. Wild Wadi is themed around the tale of classic Arabian character Juha and offers a variety of pulsating rides, slides and activities for all ages.

Take a walk through a tropical rainforest right here in Dubai. Head down to The Green Planet in the chic open-air shopping district of City Walk to be transported into a natural ecosystem filled with flora, fauna and fun. Here you’ll encounter 3,000 plants and animals from brightly coloured toucans and elusive geckos to butterflies and even a porcupine (don’t miss the resident sloth!). The immersive vertical bio-dome is a treat for any budding environmentalist.

Visit one of Dubai's favourite spots for a beach day and a great view of the Burj Al Arab. Named after the numerous kite surfers that enjoy the perfect wind and waves at this destination, Kite Beach is also perfect for a family beach day. You can indulge in a quick bite or beverage at the many outlets - grab a slider and a lotus milkshake at the the famous food truck, Salt. Or, simply sit back and enjoy the kite surf show while your children enjoy the many play areas like the adventure course at Wire World.

Mysteries of the deep revealed Want to explore one of the largest and most stunning aquariums in the world? Don’t miss the giant 10 million-litre tank at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which contains more than 33,000 aquatic animals and the largest collection of sand tiger sharks anywhere. Rising to the third floor of The Dubai Mall, the aquarium is home to 140 species of sea life and offers many incredible ways to experience the underwater world. Stroll through a 48-metre tunnel, with the aquarium enveloping you from overhead and around. It’s a complete fish-eye view, with sand tiger sharks and stingrays swimming overhead. You can also take a glass-bottom boat tour, have a mermaid makeover, get wet in a snorkeling cage and even don an oxygen tank to go swimming with the sharks.

Go skiing in the desert. Do something impossible in Dubai – go skiing in the desert! Located inside the buzzing Mall of the Emirates, you will find one of the most innovative, iconic and exciting tourist attractions to be found in the Middle East. You can easily recognize it from afar – it’s the slanted building perched on top of the Mall of the Emirates. Surrounded by a cluster of cozy chalets and restaurants, there’s nothing quite like skiing as you watch shoppers pass by in the surrounding windows. Play with penguins, build a snowman, roll down the hills, ride the Twin Track Bobsled or explore a snow cavern. You can also ride a frozen zip-line or catch the classic chairlift to the top of a hill where you can ski all the way to the bottom. Experience real snow and real winter conditions, all inside a shopping center all year round.

Set sail and explore the city's coastline with these adventurous experiences based on ancient and modern traditions alike. While Dubai is a hub for glamorous super cars, private helicopters and other hi-tech toys, the city once relied on abras to transport people and goods up and down Dubai Creek. A simple, but very effective long boat, similar to a gondola, the abra (and its larger sailing relative, the dhow), represent both a dependable form of transport as well as the Emirati way of life that is still in use today. Travel back in time on an abra cruise.

View the Burj Al Arab by Abra. The Madinat Jumeirah souk and resort use abras to connect the sanctuary's hotels, villas and restaurants via a manmade canal system, with regular stops. Cruising past the beach, a Madinat abra ride takes about 30 minutes for a full loop, leaving the docks so frequently that it's easy to find you have a boat all to yourself for at least part of the trip.

Fast-forward to modern day Dubai, and water transport has had a makeover. Take a sail down Dubai’s newest waterway and one of its most ambitious projects yet – the Dubai Canal. Stretching three kilometers from the Arabian Gulf, through Safe Park, into the heart of the city center, and culminating in the existing waters of Business Bay, the new waterway is 180m across at its widest point.

Discover Dubai's architectural masterpiece. The Dubai Opera situated in the new “Opera District” in the heart of Dubai offers an enticing schedule which can be likened to that of London’s West End or Manhattan’s Broadway. With views of the Dubai Fountain and next to the Burj Khalifa, the building was inspired by the shape of Arabian Dhow ships and is sure to catch your eye. While the rear of the building arches upwards like a hull and is used as a foyer, taxi rank and car park, the stage area is designed in such a way that it can easily be converted into three different event platforms: theatre, hall or concert hall.

Discover a truly unique view from the top. Standing 828 meters high, the Burj Khalifa is hard to miss. The world's tallest tower naturally dominates the Dubai skyline, but the true majesty of the building is best appreciated up close or, even better, from inside. On a clear day, the view from the observation deck on level 124 is absolutely stunning, topped only by the view from the luxurious At The Top Sky Lounge on the 148th floor. And for those who would like to linger for a meal in the clouds, Atmosphere on level 122 is the place to be.

Experience royal living in this iconic Dubai landmark One of Dubai’s most famous tourist landmarks, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah often stands among the top five – if not the absolute peak – of the world’s most iconic hotels. Since its opening in late 1999, the hotel with its distinctive sail-shaped silhouette, has thrust Dubai onto the global luxury tourism landscape. Built on a triangular man-made island reclaimed from the sea, the hotel and its billowing sail-like structure rise 321 meters above the sea, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf.

Dubai's picturesque past, present and future Standing tall, the Dubai Frame is fast becoming one of Dubai's most famous new attractions for visitors and residents alike. Much like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab's iconic structures, Dubai Frame's landmark location in Abele Park provides sweeping panoramic views of Dubai. At 150m tall and 93m wide with a bridge connecting the two towers, the Dubai Frame has a unique concept to its structure. Resembling a picture frame, Dubai's historic district can be seen to the north while the south provides breathtaking vistas of the city's modern skyline. The city's evolution can be explored throughout the galleries and virtual reality facilities utilizing state-of-the-art technology. Dubai Frame lets you experience the past, present and future from the ground to the sky. The brave can step onto the clear 25sqm glass bridge at the structure's cross-frame and peer at the ground beneath them, all while feeling like they're walking on air. Tickets are priced at just AED50 for adults and AED30 for children; those under three go free.

A palm-shaped island. A man-made island in the shape of a palm tree - there's a reason why locals say 'only in Dubai.' Palm Jumeirah is one of the largest artificial islands in the world and a triumph of human ingenuity. Locals and tourists alike enjoy the Palm's vast array of high-end hotels, including the Waldorf Astoria, Fairmont, One&Only, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and, perhaps most notably, the iconic Atlantis, The Palm. And with a monorail running down the 'trunk' that connects to the mainland's tram system, getting there couldn't be easier.

Find Treasure At The Dubai Museum. When you visit the Dubai Museum - housed in the Al Fahidi Fort which was built in 1787, the oldest existing building in the city - you'll encounter colourful dioramas and exhibits that depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil. The museum, which was opened in 1971, features galleries that recreate historic Arab houses, mosques, Souks, date farms and desert and marine life. It also includes an exhibit on pearl diving, with sets of pearl merchants weights, scales and sieves. You can view artefacts from Africa and Asia, as well as local finds from several archaeological digs that date back to the third millennium BC.

Featuring gravity defying acrobatics and aerial stunts, La Perle by Dragone is the region’s first permanent theater show, staging an impressive 450 performances a year. Located along the Dubai Water Canal in Al Habtoor City, La Perle takes place inside a 1,300-seat theatre, designed especially to provide an immersive experience. Experiencing the hi-tech ‘aqua-stage’ in this unique theatre in which all seats have an up-close-and-personal view is truly awe inspiring. The stage fills instantaneously with 2.7 million litres of water, transforming from an aquatic stage to a dry platform as needed.

La Mer is home to the ultimate beachfront neighbourhood, where beautiful boutiques sit alongside an amazing outdoor cafe culture and excellent beach lagoons meet fun kid-friendly play areas. It’s truly a destination that will please any guest. Make sure to pick up some fashionable items at shops like ShayMartian, Trina Turk and Beach Bunny. Between popping in and out of boutiques, have a break and a bite at dining concepts like HQ’s 459 for a healthy breakfast and refreshing iced coffee or Treej Cafe for a fresh twist on Emirati classics.

Situated near the iconic Dubai Creek, the Al Seef development, has added to Dubai’s thriving heritage district. The neighbourhood pays homage to Dubai’s pearl-diving and Arabic traditions while also featuring modern designs and sleek architecture for which the city is known. The best way to discover phase one of the development, which combines homegrown concepts and world-renowned brands, is to explore its charming walkways, marina, dining boulevard and events plaza on foot.

Dubai Parks and Resorts is one of Dubai’s newest theme park destinations. The parks are home to four themed districts, Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park and Riverland entertainment and dining boulevard. Throughout each themed district, you’ll also find pop-up entertainment and the chance for selfies with your favourite characters. From Bollywood dance shows to juggling acts, there is a never-ending labyrinth of fun to discover. If you want to stay in the middle of the action, Lapita Hotel’s Polynesian theme will keep the whole family happy.