Family trip to Dubai -- anyone been there?

[Anonymous]

Considering a trip with teens. Anyone tips, ideas, impressions, ideas, etc. welcome. Trip would be late March-Early April.

[Anonymous]

It's basically like a crazier, bigger, version of Las Vegas. But the markets are fun and there is a mall with indoor skiing. The history of Dubai (and all the gulf countries) is pretty interesting, too.

[Anonymous]

Hated Dubai. It’s like a tackier version of Atlantic City. No culture, just endless American stores and chain restaurants.

Only go if you want to brag that you’ve been.

[Anonymous]

I love Dubai. It is a beautiful, fascinating, safe emirate. I recommend looking into staying in the Jumeirah Beach area. You will be right on the water with access to beaches, great restaurants and a fun pedestrian zoned boardwalk. It is also a close walk to Dubai Marina which is nice for sunset walks and more restaurants. We stayed at Sofitel Jumeirah Beach which was decently priced and had a nice pool, right on the beach.

Entertainment-wise you have lots of options, but prepare for higher prices than you may be used to in some cases. We did the hop on hop off bus, which has three routes, for maybe $65 pp. Also went to top of the world at the Burj Khalifa, which was awesome. There is a premiere level with small group access to the top-most floor, and a dessert reception. It was a splurge at about $100 pp but great. If you go, look up the time of the sunset for the day you go and schedule for an hour before. That way you can watch the sunset twice -- from up high and then half an hour later on the ground. And buy your tix as soon as you can, well before you go. The indoor ski range is also amazing, and not badly priced. Go midday midweek if possible -- we did and had maybe 20 other people skiing too with no wait for ski lifts. They also do a penguin experience where you can pet and hug penguins, which your kids may like. Lastly, I recommend a desert tour. We did a jeep tour with dune bashing and sledding, and then spent a few hours at a desert camp where we rode camels, had dinner, and they did things like henna, belly dancing etc. Def touristy, but enjoyable. We walked through old Dubai and visited the gold and spice souks too which was fun.

Last tip, make sure to adhere to modesty standards to respect the emirate's cultural norms. This means no tank tops, cleavage or short shorts for women. On the beach swimsuits are fine, but once off and walking back to the hotel or on the boardwalk, you will see signs for modesty and should work to adhere to it. Same with public places like the malls and restaurants.

There is really so much to see and enjoy -- I hope you have a great trip!

[Anonymous]

I used to live there. It really depends on what you want out of a vacation. There isn't a great deal from a cultural standpoint, but you can find some nice things to do and see. Definitely book a trip to go to the Mussandam Peninsula or Khasab--it's really beautiful there. (Google it) Also do a desert tour, four wheeling and camel ride. Sounds cheesy, but it's not necessarily. The Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter) is really astonishing, and you'll be surprised at the difference between that and the Khasab area.

Personally I prefer Abu Dhabi over Dubai, but Dubai might be better for a vacation. It's a very modern place, and the weather will definitely be nice. If you can combine a trip there with a visit to Oman, definitely do that. Oman is actually more interesting and pretty, and will give you a much more "exotic" flavor than the UAE will.

Also be aware that the beaches along Dubai, especially alone Jumeira are prone to very strong rip tides. Not advertised and you won't see much info on that because it's bad for tourism. Quite a few drowning deaths, so something to keep in mind while swimming there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hated Dubai. It’s like a tackier version of Atlantic City. No culture, just endless American stores and chain restaurants.

Only go if you want to brag that you’ve been.

You obviously didn't get out much. It's much nicer than Atlantic City--cleaner, safer, more attractice. AC is a dump, which Dubai isn't. That said, it is not the place to go if you want culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to live there. It really depends on what you want out of a vacation. There isn't a great deal from a cultural standpoint, but you can find some nice things to do and see. Definitely book a trip to go to the Mussandam Peninsula or Khasab--it's really beautiful there. (Google it) Also do a desert tour, four wheeling and camel ride. Sounds cheesy, but it's not necessarily. The Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter) is really astonishing, and you'll be surprised at the difference between that and the Khasab area.

Personally I prefer Abu Dhabi over Dubai, but Dubai might be better for a vacation. It's a very modern place, and the weather will definitely be nice. If you can combine a trip there with a visit to Oman, definitely do that. Oman is actually more interesting and pretty, and will give you a much more "exotic" flavor than the UAE will.

Also be aware that the beaches along Dubai, especially alone Jumeira are prone to very strong rip tides. Not advertised and you won't see much info on that because it's bad for tourism. Quite a few drowning deaths, so something to keep in mind while swimming there.

Oh, I forgot--go to the Souk in Sharjah (right next to Dubai). Interesting shops and more things to look at. Also you can go to Abu Dhabi for a quick trip and see the new branch of the Louvre that opened there--worth seeing.

https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/

Also go see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, it's phenomenal.

http://www.szgmc.gov.ae/en/Home

In fact, I take it back about staying in Dubai. Maybe consider splitting your time between the two cities.

This is a fabulous hotel in Abu Dhabi, if it's in your budget. If it's not, go there for a stroll and a cup of coffee:

https://www.kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/emirates-palace/

I also like the Fairmont in Abu Dhabi and the Ritz Carlton, but they aren't centrally located. The Intercon is, and it's also nice. (I don't live there anymore but spend a lot of time there for business still)

[Anonymous]

Went on a 4x4, sand boarding excursion when I was there years ago (kind of like snowboarding, was a fun and different experience. You could probably sign up with a tour company through your hotel.

[Anonymous]

I’d go to Oman instead and spend a few days max in Dubai