11 Best Attractions in Dubai for Families

Dubai is an ideal destination for a family holiday as it caters to every age group – be it kids, adults, or elders. With so many marvelous attractions, there is something or the other for everyone to do in this Emirati city. So, if you are planning a Dubai vacation with your entire family, here are some of the best attractions that you must not miss.

Table of Contents

Desert Safari

A desert safari is one of the top family-friendly activities. Experience an authentic Bedouin experience with an array of exciting activities, including dune bashing, camel riding, shisha smoking, sandboarding, henna painting, and quad biking. See outstanding cultural performances such as Tanura Dance Show, Belly Dancing, and Fire Show. Conclude your evening with a lavish BBQ buffet dinner consisting of various local and international delicacies.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa is one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of Dubai. The tallest structure on the planet leaves you tongue-tied with its majesty and splendor. Head to the observation deck to feast your eyes on breathtaking views of the city.

Dubai Mall

Everyone enjoys a shopping spree, and when you are in the world’s shopping capital, how can you not visit the most prominent mall? Dubai Mall is a premier shopping destination with more than 1200 stores. It is also a complete entertainment destination consisting of an ice rink, an award-winning aquarium, a gorgeous fountain, amusement parks such as KidZania and VR Park, several multiplexes, a sprawling food court, and many other eateries.

Kite Beach

Kite Beach is one of the famous beaches and a perfect place to spend time with your family. If interested, you can also enjoy a bevy of water sports such as kitesurfing, parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and banana boat ride. It also consists of a Skate Park, a running track, and a trampoline park.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is a massive aquarium where you can interact with fascinating marine animals. You can see manta rays, stingrays, jellyfish, sharks, crabs, piranhas, seahorses, etc. You can also challenge your inner daredevil and book a session of cage snorkeling and an encounter with a giant crocodile. This is an excellent place for both kids and elders to learn a little about the mysterious creatures of the ocean.

Best Theme parks in Dubai for families

Dubai is home to so many fantastic theme parks that it is challenging to pick a few. These are some of the best ones that are unmissable.

Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort that offers diverse snow activities such as tobogganing, skiing, zorbing, snowboarding, snow bumpers, and chairlift. It also has an ice cave for kids and an 85-meter-high mountain with different slopes. Don’t miss the ‘March of the Penguins’ show in which these cute birds perform various tricks. The starting price of the ticket is approximately AED 220, and it increases based on the activities you select.

Aquaventure Waterpark

Aquaventure Waterpark is a huge waterpark that offers several exhilarating rides like Aquaconda, Shark Attack, and The Leap of Faith. Another attraction here is the Lost Chambers Aquarium, where you get up, close, and personal with thousands of captivating aquatic animals. It also consists of a private beach ideal for spending time with your family after an exhausting day. A day pass costs approximately AED 299 for adults and AED 249 for kids.

Bollywood Park

Bollywood Park is a unique theme park based on the larger-than-life Hindi film industry in Mumbai. It offers incredible rides based on your favorite Bollywood characters from blockbuster movies like Sholay, Don, Krrish, and Lagaan. You can also catch some behind-the-scenes actions and gain insight into the filmmaking process. Rajmahal Theatre plays Bollywood music like Broadway and is one of the most important attractions here. A day pass costs around AED 300, and children below three years can enter for free.

Kidzania

Kidzania Dubai resembles a mini-city full of banks, stores, restaurants, schools, petrol stations, etc. Kids can choose from over 80 professions, including bankers, police officers, journalists, doctors, and pilots, and roleplay them. They also get paid in KidZania currency that they can redeem in stores. It creates the right balance between learning and fun. Tickets for kids aged 4-16 years is AED 195 (economy), and for adults aged above 17 years, it is AED 80 (economy). Babies till the age of 1 have free entry.

IMG Worlds of Adventure

IMG Worlds of Adventure pays tribute to beloved characters from Marvel comics and Cartoon Network. It is divided into different zones, and you can enjoy rides based on Thor, Iron Man, Spiderman, Hulk, Powerpuff Girls, and Ben 10. The Lost Valley zone is a big highlight where you can come face-to-face with mammoth dinosaurs such as Velociraptor and TRex. The general park entry tickets start at AED 335.

Motiongate

Motiongate is a Hollywood-inspired amusement park with around 25 rides based on your favorite Hollywood movies. It has four themed zones – DreamWorks Animation, Sony’s Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate, and The Smurfs. It is also called ‘Hollywood in the Desert,’ and rightly so, as you get to learn the entire process of filmmaking, from start to finish. You can also rub shoulders with adorable characters from Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and How to Train Your Dragon. A day ticket costs around AED 330.

Best time to visit

Most of these theme parks are open all year round and, since they are centrally air-conditioned, offer a great respite from the scorching Dubai heat. Usually, these amusement parks tend to get crowded on weekends and public holidays. If possible, try and plan your visit on a weekday to enjoy all the rides leisurely. Also, it is always recommended to check the official website of the respective theme park for timings and other important information before visiting.

Conclusion

There are plenty of other impressive theme parks, such as Wild Wadi waterpark, Laguna waterpark, VR Park, Legoland, etc., that are amazing places to visit. Dubai has a plethora of family attractions, and if you want, you can even plan just a theme park holiday to this beautiful destination.

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