10 Unusual Things to do in Dubai

Dubai has seen tremendous growth as a tourist destination in the last few decades. The city introduces new attractions every year to impress its ever-growing tourist population. Dubai has the right mix of traditional and modern attractions to attract and entertain its guests. The adventures of the Dubai desert safari, the awe-factor of Burj Khalifa, the innumerable shopping options at the malls and souks, the thrilling water sports at the beaches, the state-of-the-art amusement parks, and the variety of cuisines available in the city are reasons enough to visit the city. But Dubai also has plenty of unique attractions for those who want to explore something beyond the obvious. These 10 unusual things to do in Dubai will give your Dubai holiday the right kind of oomph.

Walk Over the Edge

The observation deck at Burj Khalifa is the most celebrated attraction in Dubai, as it is the tallest of all. But if you want to add some adventure to your visit to an observation deck, a visit to the Sky Views Observatory, spread over the 52nd and 53rd floor of the Address Sky View Hotel, is a must. Along with the panoramic view of the city, it offers adventurous activities like no other.

You can walk through an 85-meter-long glass bridge. If you want to take the adventure a bit higher, you can slide down through the Glass Sky Slide, which will take you from the 53rd floor to the 52nd floor while providing you with an amazing view of iconic landmarks like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, and Palm Jumeirah. But if you are ready for an unequaled adrenaline rush, you must try Edge Walk. Equipped with the right gear and harnesses, you get to walk and swing over the edge of the tower, some 220 meters (about 721.78 feet) above the ground. It is scary and exhilarating at the same time.

Fly Over the Desert

Most people visiting Dubai go for a desert safari experience. But if you want to see the desert in a unique way, going on a hot air balloon Dubai ride will be a good idea. The hot air balloon ride is your chance to have an aerial view of the enormous Dubai desert. It usually begins early in the morning, before sunrise. Before you hop on the hot air balloon basket, you will be briefed about the safety features. The sky is still dark as you ascend, and you get to see a magnificent sunrise while floating 4000 feet above the ground. When you have feasted on a beautiful sunrise in the desert, scan the unspoiled sands to catch a glimpse of the desert animals. Once you descend, treat yourself to a delicious buffet breakfast before being driven back to the city.

Travel to Another Realm

When the crowd and traffic of Dubai become too much to handle, it will be safe to retreat to another universe to enjoy some blissful moments just for a few hours. AYA Universe, located inside Wafi Mall, is an immersive entertainment park that will take you on a tour of the mysterious cosmos. Each of the 12 zones in the AYA Universe presents the secrets and movements of the universe. Wander around the different observatories, namely The Falls, Luna, Celestia, Drift, Aurora, Flora, Harmonia, The River, Tides, Outland, The Source, and The Pool, to enjoy the beauty of flowers, planets, stars, rivers, waterfalls, etc., represented through millions of brilliant lights, colors, and designs.

Watch the City like a Bird

There are millions of sightseeing tours in Dubai, but nothing is as thrilling as the helicopter tour. The helicopter tour is a luxurious experience that gives you an aerial view of the city. While there are several packages to choose from, most of them introduce you to the city’s iconic attractions. As you fly above the city, enjoy an unmatched perspective of the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis the Palm, Burj Khalifa, and other famous attractions in the city. You also see the layout of the city, and where the city ends, and the desert and the sea begin. The helicopter ride lasts anywhere between 12 minutes and 20 minutes, depending on the package you select.

Zoom Over Dubai Waters

Dubai is known for extreme water sports and adventures, and flyboarding is right at the top. It is a water-flying activity where you’ll get strapped onto a flyboard connected to a watercraft via a long hose. Once the watercraft is operational, the water jets forced through the hose will propel you 20 to 25 meters into the air. While you will be given safety instructions before the experience, the fun and challenge of flyboarding are how quickly you learn to balance and control your maneuvers over the water. The sight of a person flyboarding looks really cool and effortless. But the fact is that you are likely to fall  flat on your face numerous times before you even begin to hover over the water for a few seconds. But if you want to try something unique, flyboarding is definitely worth it.

Dive into a Deep Pool

Dubai does everything in extremes, and Deep Dive Dubai is a fine example of the same. Deep Dive Dubai may seem like a regular swimming pool from the surface, but as you dive down, you realize it is the deepest pool (60 meters) in the world. But the depth of the pool is not the only fascinating thing about it. Rather, most people find it surprising to find a sunken city underneath. Exploring the sunken city with its abandoned apartments and other cityscapes is truly amazing. Deep Dive Dubai is the perfect place to learn and practice scuba diving before you dive into the real marine world.

Listen to the Silence of an Abandoned Village

While the popular neighborhoods of Dubai are happening, the noise and crowds of the city can overwhelm you. This will be a good time to escape into a world that offers you silence and contemplative moments. We are talking about the Buried Village, or Al Madam Ghost Town, some 70 kilometers away from Dubai city center. Believed to be the home of the Al Kutbii tribe, the place remains abandoned today.

Although there are speculations about the reason why the place was abandoned, there is no definitive theory for the same. But most people find it interesting to explore the sand-filled houses and the mosque at the end of the village. But the main reasons people are drawn to this place are its  silence and beautiful sunset. It also makes for an offbeat background for your Instagram photos.

Jump from an Airplane

If the number of extreme adventures mentioned here has impressed you, then it would be a delight to know that Dubai also offers skydiving. You can choose between the desert and Palm Jumeirah for your diving adventure, although the latter is more popular. Novices can go tandem skydiving, where they dive from an airplane (4000 feet above the ground) along with a professional. Apart from an adrenaline-fueled freefall, you can enjoy the most panoramic view of the city, especially Palm Jumeirah, the palm-shaped island. While skydiving is for the brave-hearted, it is extremely safe, and one must give it a try.

Explore a Green Forest

Dubai, despite being a desert city, has managed to create some of the most unusual attractions, including a flower garden, a ski resort, and even a rainforest. We are talking about the Green Planet, an indoor rainforest, complete with over 3000 animals and plants. The vertical forest is divided into different layers, where you can see exotic birds, reptiles, insects, and small mammals. If exploring the rainforest is not enough for you, it is also possible to indulge in a few interesting activities like camping in the rainforest and snorkeling with cichlids. The Green Planet Dubai also offers special encounters with birds, reptiles, and the in-house sloth.

Savor Ice Cream

Though there is nothing unusual about eating ice cream, there is something different about eating the most expensive one. Scoopi’s Café in Dubai’s Jumeirah is the birthplace of The Black Diamond, one of the most expensive ice creams in the world. Made with the richest Madagascar vanilla, this ice cream is served with exotic black truffles and the most expensive saffron. But that’s not all! This pricey ice cream is topped with Dubai’s most favorite thing: gold. What elevates the status of the Black Diamond is the gold dust it is generously sprinkled with. While the ice cream will leave a delicious aftertaste in your mouth, you can also preserve its memory by taking home the Versace bowl and spoon it is served in!

Dubai never stops surprising you. In fact, it is a city where you will find new attractions every time you visit. So, add some of these unique things to do in Dubai to your itinerary next time to make your holiday to the golden city remarkable.