100 things to do in Dubai - 2018 edition

Ain Dubai, Blue Waters Island

My previous post, 101 Things To Do in Dubai, written couple of years ago, may now have a place in a museum. It just quickly became outdated.

New attractions sprout like mushrooms in the city. They come quick. Almost every month there are new places to see and new experiences to try. Some of us could easily miss what's happening around if we're not following major news and bloggers on social media.

This is just a list. However, I've linked the significant ones so it can be handy for you to get more info. So let me start with the newest spots that are currently making a buzz in the city:

See the New Sights and Hangout Destinations

One of La Mer's beautiful spot - T-shirts by Eternitee

1. La Mer
Situated by the beach, this place offers uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s iconic skyline.

2. Al Seef Waterfront
The destination includes a marina, traditional souk, a floating market and pontoons with space for floating restaurants, art galleries, and shops selling locally made Emirati crafts.

3. Riverland
A fun-themed dining and retail destination, inspired by "Modern Old Europe" architecture

4. The Yard
The Yard is home to Dubai's first Promise Bridge. This place situated at "The Last Exit" in D89 also offers a rustic courtyard, a farmer’s market, a bakery, a lake and shaded walking trails.

5. Box Park
A riot of green, yellow, orange blue and grey container boxes, Boxpark is a mall unlike no other. It's uniquely very urban and provides a different soul of the city.

6. Dubai Frame
Dubbed as world's best new attraction, this new concept takes the visitors to a journey through time on three different levels: old Dubai, present Dubai and future Dubai. The two towers are connected by a 100-square-metre bridge, which has a 25-square-metre glass panel in the middle offering a great 360 degree view.

7. Dubai Water Canal
See a city in the midst of one of the world’s greatest urban transformations as it launches the Dubai Water Canal, a 3.2km long waterway which winds its way to the Arabian Gulf from the Creek in Old Dubai through Business Bay.

8. IMAGINE Light Show
It is Dubai Festival City’s record-breaking new attraction, which offers unique sensory experience, harnesses the power of light, water, and fire, combined with giant aqua screens, 30 fountains and surround sound to connect with audiences and produce a show like never seen before.

9. Rise Dubai Creek Harbour
Rise Dubai Creek Harbour brings in food, entertainment, edutainment, and retail to an already spectacular destination. All of the programming is curated to provide a flavor of fun, no matter what age you are.

10. Last Exit Food Truck Park
A unique food truck destination with a wide selection of awesome street food

11. Queen Elizabeth II luxury cruise ship
After 10 years of docking in Dubai shores, the world famous cruise ship is set to become a hotel and museum

12. La Perle Aqua Theater Show
La Perle's mysterious storyline, incredibly talented performers and one-of-a-kind stage concept is making major waves as the city's very first in-residence theatre show.

13. Dubai Opera Tour
Embark on an adventure to discover Dubai’s iconic cultural destination, blending visionary architecture with moments of magic. Listen to stories about Dubai Opera’s unique heritage and breathtaking design. View exclusive VIP hospitality suite. Access unique multi-format auditorium

14. Ain Dubai / Blue Waters Island (see cover photo)
Not yet 100% completed, but it's taking shape already and is opening soon. The observation wheel is set to become the largest and highest in the world. Ain Dubai will tower high above Dubai’s coastline with its dimensions far exceeding any similar existing structure. The observation wheel will open up never-seen-before 360-degree views of Dubai and its renowned landmarks and skyline. 

15. Etihad Museum
The museum is focused on inspiring its visitors with the story of the founding of the UAE.

Explore the Theme Parks

16. Dubai Safari
17. IMG World of Adventure
18. Legoland Theme Park
19. Legoland Waterpark
20. Motion Gate
21. Bollywood Parks
22. Global Village (November to April)

Experience the Old and New Mix

23. Dubai Fountain Water and Light Shows
24. Dubai Aquarium
25. Dubai Miracle Garden (Winter)
26. Dubai Butterfly Garden
27. Aventura 
28. Amphibious Bus
29. Ride the self-serving autonomous pods (driver-less cars)
30. Go up to 'At The Top' (124th floor) ot 'At The Top SKY' (148th floor) of Burj Khalifa
31. Skydive over The Palm for the extremes
32. Alserkal Contemporary and Modern Arts
33. Dine and high tea in the sky
34. Dubai Garden Glow and Dino Park
35. Helicopter Tour over Dubai or Seaplane Tour
36. Hot Air Balloon flight over the desert
37. Emirates A380 simulator at Dubai Mall
38. Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates
39. Spot the world's most luxurious police cars patrolling in Jumeirah or in Downtown
40. Watch films at the largest screen in Middle East and Asia at Meydan Theater IMAX
41. The Walk & The Beach
42. SALT BAY Aqua Pod - Floating Food 'Truck' 
43. Chill Out - Middle East's first subzero lounge and restaurant
44. 4Two - world's smallest restaurant - maximum of 2 guests only.

Cruise on Local Waters

45. Dhow cruise Dubai Creek / Bateaux Dubai dinner cruise
46. Dubai Canal cruise
47. Ride the Water Taxis
48. Abra
49. Cruise past The Palm, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina with The Yellow Boat

Discover Simple Nature

50. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary bird watching
51.  Desert safari at Al Marmoom
52. Watch a camel race, or ride one
53. Al Qudra Lake camping
54. Hatta Dam & Heritage Tour of Dubai's Mountain Town

Be Amazed with Fancy Buildings and Hotels

55. Burj Khalifa
Light show
56. Burj Al Arab
57. Atlantis
58. Maze Tower
59. Cayan Twisted Tower at Dubai Marina

60. JW Marriott Marquis - the world's second tallest hotel
61. The Gevora - the world's tallest hotel (as of Feb 2018)
62. Emirates Towers
63. Jumeirah Beach Hotel
64. Rolex Twin Towers in Deira

65. Dubai International Financial Centre
66. Business Bay Buildings
67. Jumeirah Lake Towers
68. Bulgari Residences
69. Palazzo Versace

Just Getting Around 

70. Dubai Metro
71. Dubai Tram at Dubai Marina
72. Dubai Trolley in Downtown Dubai
73. Palm Monorail
74. Hop-on hop-off Big Bus Tour

Take the road and sway by the creek - Dubai Wonderbus - the amphibious bus

Immerse in The Old Dubai

75. Shisha along Dubai Creek
76. Dubai Museum
77. Saeed Al Maktoum House
78. Heritage Village

79. Deira Clock Tower
80. Al Fahidi Historic District

Mushrif Park - T-shirts by Eternitee

Chill at the Open Parks

81. Burj Park at Downtown
82. Bay Avenue
83. Zabeel Park
84. Mushrif Park
85. Dubai Creek Park

Flyboarding in Dubai Marina

Be Adventurous in Water

86. Flyboarding in Jumeirah beach
87. Wakeboarding in Dubai Marina
88. Aquaventure, The Lost Chambers & Dolphin Bay in Atlantis
89. Try extreme water thrills and rides at Wild Wadi Waterpark
90. Yacht ride to The World Islands
91. Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo + Cage snorkeling
92. Kite Surf at Kite Beach

Shop at these Unique Shopping Destinations
Dubai can easily beat New York, Paris or London as the world's best shopping destination. Malls, traditional and modern souks and popular bargain shopping centres are almost in the every corner of the emirate.

93. Citywalk Malls

94. Souk Al Bahar and Dubai Mall
95. Ibn Batutta Mall
96. Dubai Outlet Mall
97. The Outlet Village
98. Souk Madinat Jumeirah
99. Gold Souk and the Gold and Diamond Park
100. The Outlet Village, Jebel Ali

There you go! You have no excuses not to go out on weekends anymore. Plan ahead to spend more quality time with friends and family in different places. You don't really have to spend much also. Many of the places don't require you to splurge to enjoy.

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More upcoming attractions are set to open this year, including the following iconic ones:

Madame Tussad's Museum in Blue Waters Island
Mohammed bin Rashid Library
Cityland Mall
Deira Night Souk
Aladdin City
Azizi Riviera

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NOTE: Photos are source through Google Image search. Credits to their respective owners.