Here are top things to do in Downtown Dubai & how to get to it.
Having written reasonably about some things to do in Dubai, it is a good time to write about some of the very best things to do in Downtown Dubai. This culminates in the places to visit in the vicinity. There’s much to cover; so there’s no need for much talk at this point (that notwithstanding, have an epic time if you visited). Let’s have a rundown.
Please, use the Google map below to get directions in Downtown Dubai, or the whole Dubai itself. To zoom in or out, press the control (ctrl) key on your keyboard and scroll (the mouse) upwards or downwards respectively.
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Table of Contents
In talking about the top things to do in Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa is a sure feature. This is the world’s tallest building. Known for its height, the magnificent feat boasts the most spectacular view of Downtown Dubai.
Informed by Hymenocallis, a flower also called Spider Lily, and featuring some of the best equipment, the tower has been praised for its neo-futuristic architectural style. What are the things to do in Burj Khalifa? These would include sightseeing from any of the tower’s observatory decks, exploring the Armani hotel and/or the At.Mosphere restaurant. Merely entering Burj Khalifa costs a fee. But a ticket for any of the observatory decks lends you access.
You’d love this (highly recommended): Touring Burj Khalifa
Boasting a number of top things to do in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall is a touristic circus. On shopping, the super mall should have everything you’re seeking having over 1,200 retail stores, two anchor department stores and hundreds of food and beverage outlets. The Dubai Mall covers more than 1 million square meters (this is equivalent to 200 football pitches). It is, in fact, the second largest Mall in the world by total land area. In 2011, it was the most visited building on the world, attracting over 50 million visitors each year. Today, it attracts over 80 million people.
Besides shopping, the Mall offers world-class dining, entertainment and leisure attractions. Specifically, it boasts Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (a classy attraction of its kind) featuring thousands of aquatic animals and a 270-degree walk-through tunnel; and VR Park – a unique virtual reality attraction. Other family-friendly attractions include KidZania®, an innovative children’s ‘edutainment’ concept; the Reel Cinemas megaplex; and the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink. The foregoing are by no means all. See Dubai Mall for things to do in it.
As regards parking, at the Mall, car owners have little to worry about as the Mall has over 14,000 parking spaces across 3 car parks, with valet services and a car locator ticketing system. Want a classy place to shop, add Dubai Mall to your itinerary.
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This is one of the top things to do in Downtown Dubai. Located right in Dubai Mall, you don’t have to step out of the Mall, if you were in it, to reach Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Whether you want to feed your eyes or dazzle your kids, this attraction would certainly be found productive. And, this is no wonder as Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a wonder. The Aquarium, featuring a walk-through tunnel, is the largest suspended one in the world, being 10-million-liter large. The architectural feat might explain why a great deal of people visit Dubai Mall as it boasts over thousands of aquatic animals, which include over 140 species, 300 sharks and rays.
You have different options in exploring the spectacle. You could walk through its 48-meter tunnel where, say, the sharks swim besides and above you. I bet you’d be gobsmacked. You could go on a Glass-bottom boat ride, providing unique views of the tank. You could, also, go for a dip. For this, you have to opt for a Cage Snorkeling Experience. Finally, if you were adventurous, you could go for a shark dive. This way, you’d get really close to a large variety of sharks and rays. As an appendage, the artificial water world is 51-meter long, 20-meter wide and 11-meter high.
Please note that the foregoing is not applicable for children below 3 years of age; and that the package is not applicable to pregnant guests. Learn more.
Your touring the top destinations in Downtown Dubai is not complete without a visit to the magical world’s tallest fountain. Shooting water 50-story high, accompanied with lights and music, Dubai Fountain is the world’s largest choreographed and tallest performing fountain. The no-mean feat is brought into being by WET Enterprises and cost $217 million. The fountain has a unique design comprising five circles of varying sizes and two arcs, and features powerful water nozzles. These are responsible for shooting water up.
Located in Downtown Dubai and being magnificent, the attractions is a perfect destination to frolic and flourish at. People get glued at it as it, besides shooting water 50-story high, allows of a visual spectrum of over 1,000 different water expressions. This expressions is brought about by virtue of over 6,600 WET Super-lights and 25 color projectors, among other things.
For a closer view, you’d want to get on the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk. The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk is a floating platform located within the Dubai Fountain. Here, you get a more intimate experience of the Fountain’s display. For an even more intimate experience, you’d want to set sail on a traditional Abra on the Burj Lake, the Fountain’s home. Although, this is not for the faint of heart.
This Downtown Dubai touristic attraction is meant for kids. If you’ve known KidZania before, let’s start by saying it is in Dubai. Dubai’s KidZania is a faux children’s city of 7,000 square meters. It combines learning and entertainment. Children can participate in any of 40 exciting roles and as they enjoy themselves, they learn about the real world — say, the hospital, bank, radio station and money.
Further, they get to learn about the value of money, and careers. Given the foregoing, KidZania could be best described as an edutainment park for kids. The brand is one of the fastest growing global learning and entertainment brands in the world. Officially, Dubai’s KidZania is tailored for kids between ages 4 & 16. Have kids? Give them some treat; come on.
Did I just say Ice Rink? O’yes I just did. This is one of the best things to do in Downtown Dubai. Declutter the sterotype that Dubai is a desert city as Dubai Ice Rink is sure to debunk it. For our lay-brothers and sisters (definitely not ‘laymen’), An ice rink (or ice skating rink) is a frozen body of water and/or hardened chemicals where people can ice skate or play winter sports on. Like other ice rinks, Dubai Ice Rink is chilling cold so that you’re required to dress all cosy (say, cardigan, thick socks and gloves). You see the park is no counterfeit. Situated in Dubai Mall, Dubai Ice Rink is 60 meters long and 30 wide. The ice is generally 1.5 inches or 2 inches thick at any point around the park. And below it is a cooled concrete slab.
You have little to fear as there is a first aid; rules observed, guides (could be free or paid depending on age) and also because you can take your own protective equipment with you. To use IceBykes or eBykes (You got that right; IceBykes or eBykes are used there), you need to wear pants (but not loose ones) and fully enclosed sports shoes; no long or hanging clothing is allowed. Dubai Ice Rink boasts a Skate shop where, among other things, you can purchase socks, helmets (AED10) and hire skates (although skates are billed in the session price). You are strongly instructed not to dig holes in the ice as other skaters can fall into them and possibly injure themselves. If you were taking your kids for example, plan to partake also as watching isn’t free (it costs AED16) given that space is limited.
A discount of 20% is given to groups of 15 people or more; use your tickets as they are non-refundable and non-transferable. And, a session lasts for “1:30 mins”.
This is one enchanting thing to do in Downtown Dubai. Think about a ride with like-minded people in Dubai as you; think about frolicking around Downtown Dubai, the hub of Dubai’s glitz. That sounds fun, right? If you want this exact experience, Dubai Trolley, the top of which is open, is your perfect bet and, interestingly, it’s FREE.
The Dubai Trolley provides a quick and easy access to notable attractions in Downtown Dubai; say, Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, The Dubai Fountain, Souq Al Bahar as well as Manzil Downtown, Vida Downtown, The Address Downtown Dubai and The Address Dubai Mall.
In red, with aesthetic gold pin-stripes and green trim colors, the trolleys are imported double-decker ones specially designed for Emaar. They make up the world’s first hydrogen-powered trolley system. Given that they’re hydrogen and electric-powered, they have zero emission and travel at an operational speed of 10 km per hour. Several crossings are provided along the tramway to ensure safe pedestrian traffic.
Each double-decker trolley can convey 50 passengers, who have the options of the open-deck or the air-conditioned seating, or conveniently hopping on and off at locations of their choices. The trolleys are operational from 4:00 pm to midnight on weekdays and from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm on weekends. Please note that Dubai’s weekdays and weekends are not the same as those in the Western world or Africa, for example. Weekdays, in Dubai, start on Sunday and end on Wednesday while weekends start on Thursdays and end on Saturday.
You’d love: Dubai Trolley
Important Notice: Dubai Trolley may not be functional.
Have you got some performing arts sensibility? Dubai Opera is the place you want to express it while you’re in Downtown Dubai. Highly recommended by users, it is renown for performing arts, hosting the same, fine performances, from Dubai and far beyond.
The Downtown Dubai’s performing arts hub that bills itself as the radiant center of culture and arts in Dubai and the shining pearl of The Opera District. Besides performing arts though, it boasts a number of spaces and venues, including a stunning rooftop restaurant and sky garden with views of The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building).
Further, the dhow-shaped structure of Dubai Opera is a masterpiece of contemporary design, and a stylish tribute to Dubai’s maritime history. The building’s exquisite design, by Atkins, gives it the ability to get transformed into three modes; from a theater into a concert hall, and into a ‘flat floor’ mode becoming a banquet or event hall.
Want a difference in cuisine? Try Zuma Dubai. Zuma Dubai is a classy Japanese restaurant in Downtown Dubai. Its menu is comprehensive and alluring. And while dishes are authentic, they aren’t traditional with bold, intense flavors. Further, they are prepared with quality ingredients.
Featuring three kitchens and a variety of dishes, the restaurant employs no set protocol on ordering from the menu as you see in most other restaurants. The izakaya style is employed and this marks Zuma Dubai off other restaurants. The izakaya style demands that dishes be shared at the table.
Address: Downtown Dubai (Use Google Maps)
Phone: +971 4 425 5660
Email: reservations@zumarestaurant.ae
Opening hours:
Lunch: Sun-Thur: 12-3:30pm; Sat: 12:30-4pm
Brunch: Fri: 12:30-4pm
Dinner: Sat-Wed: 7pm-12am; Thur-Fri: 7pm-1am
Bar & Lounge: Sat-Wed: 12pm-1am; Thur-Fri: 12pm-2am
Are you are getting some sort of itching on your throat for local, organic, fresh, and/or homemade meals; or perhaps you think having such would be a good idea? Baker & Spice would be a good choice. The restaurant is a multi-national food shop and restaurant. In the various countries they operate, they open several branches. They have done the same in Dubai. Of the places Baker & Spice is, in Dubai, is Downtown Dubai and that branch is the one that concerns us here.
Some of the meals you can get at the spot are Roast Half Boneless Chicken (AED 95), Oven-Baked Octopus (AED 85), Baked Alaska (Ice cream enrobed in meringue, brulêed ), Roast Half Boneless Chicken (AED ), Homemade Beef Bresaola and Labneh (AED 68), Handmade Beetroot Bucatini (AED 68), Lamb & Aubergine Kabab (AED 88). We have no rating from third parties of Baker & Spice. But go with this: no tourist-related business established in especially Downtown Dubai would afford to budge below a sublime benchmark.
Considering a place to sit and watch the magnificence of Burj Khalifa or the thrilling performance of Dubai Fountain? A place to enjoy contemporary Arabian lifestyle? Buhayra Lounge, open-air poolside lounge, is a good fit. Boasting beautiful palm trees and a pool (to reiterate), the lounge is ace for relaxation. This is even truer as attendants are attentive and friendly. The management has caused customers to re-visit in competitive Downtown Dubai.
Among other things, they offer a fascinating mix of mezzeh, music, hubbly-bubbly and beverages. Further, they feature traditional Arabian drapery, rich adornments and soothing music, along a palm fringed pool side. As you recline in comfortable seating in the traditional Arabian tents, you can dine on a large selection of Arabic delicacies, delectable desserts and refreshing beverages.
Where’re the ladies at? 🙂 Time for some ice cream. Morelli’s Gelato, ice cream makers established in 1907, has one of its 12 stores worldwide in Downtown Dubai. Want some traditional, artisan Italian ice-cream (gelato), check Morelli’s Gelato out. Ice creams are daily-made and consequently fresh.
Let’s go to the movies. Reel Cinemas, a Dine-in Cinema, offers an epic movie experience. You have an unmatched variety of blockbuster movies to take a pick from. Its truly luxury recliner seats lets you recline insousciantly. You could experience Dolby Cinema at The Dubai Mall, an unbelievably immersing experience.
Further, you could enjoy your cinematic experience with spectacular restaurant-prepared meals. While this is not the only Reel Cinemas’s cinematic spot in Dubai, we have covered only this one as our focus is attractions in Downtown Dubai. Remember?
How to get to Downtown Dubai is pretty easy. Let’s see.
By The Taxi
To travel by the Dubai taxi, just kindly seek a Taxi Rack if you’re at busy landmarks like the Dubai International Airport or Mall of the Emirates which normally have Taxi Racks. If not, get on the road side for a taxi. Your taxi will take you from any part of Dubai to Downtown. You can also get a taxi by a phone call, please learn about Dubai Taxi.
By Metro
The Metro has two lines which culminate in its routes, the Red and the Green lines. The Red line runs from Al Rashidiya along Sheikh Zayed Road, passing Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, the link to the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, to UAE Exchange. In two terminals of the Airport, Terminal 1 and 3, the metro has two stations. From these, you could board the metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station.
At the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station, you could take the Dubai Feeder Bus (Bus number, F13) which goes to the Dubai Mall. Even though you’re going to Burj Khalifa, you could still take the bus in that both the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa are very close. Here’s how to pay for the metro.
It has been awesome writing about some of the very best things to do in Downtown Dubai. It has been a really tasking endeavor. Sadly, I have written this article when my constitution is not at the pitch. Please, kindly note that the following attractions are top choices but are not all the attractions you might like in Downtown Dubai. Have a great day!
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