The Magic of Dubai – 5 Unique Attractions in This Amazing City
In addition to its status as the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the wealthiest of the seven emirates in the UAE. It serves to reason that Dubai would have some pretty amazing attractions, but many of the tourist destinations in this luxurious city seemed to be plucked out of the world of fiction if not science fiction!
Here are five places that you’ll want to consider visiting on your next trip to Dubai:
- Dubai Miracle Garden
Aptly named, this massive 775,000-square-foot flower garden is likely the largest of its kind in the world. The real “miracle” here, however, is that these roughly 45 million individual flowers are blooming in the midst of the incredibly dry and harsh Arabian Desert. The Dubai Miracle Garden features flowerbeds of nearly every size, shape, and form. It even has a fanciful Smurf garden for children!
- The Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
This is a “must see” destination for visitors to Dubai, many of whom have seen photographs taken from its lofty, 1,800-foot heights. The Burj Khalifa Observation Deck (otherwise known as “At the Top”) occupies the 124th story of Dubai’s landmark Burj Khalifa building. Towering well over 2,700 feet in total, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building and self-supported structure in history. At the Top also offers guided tours to the 148th story of the Burj Khalifa.
- The Museum of the Future
Located on the boarder of Dubai’s famous financial district, the Museum of the Future is, first and foremost, a marvel of futuristic architecture that manages to stick out within a dazzlingly fascinating skyline. Its exterior is covered with Arabic calligraphy that spell out a poem by Emirate of Dubai leader Sheikh Mohammed. Inside, the Museum of the Future hosts a series of fantastic and innovative exhibitions that show just what future hold lead for Dubai and the rest of the world.
- The Queen Elizabeth 2
The longest-serving ocean liner in the Cunard Line and one of the fastest passenger ships of the 1900’s, the Queen Elizabeth 2 sailed 5.6 million miles while in active service. After idling in the breaker’s yard, it took on a new life in 2008. Permanently anchored in Dubai’s Mina Rashid harbor, it serves as a 224-room floating hotel with amenities such as the splendid Grand Lounge showroom, the quaint Golden Lion British pub, and the period authentic Chart Room.
- Ski Dubai
Flat, dry, and hot, the Arabian Desert is the very last place that you would expect to go snow skiing. But Dubai is nothing if not surprising. The massive resort Ski Dubai is home to an indoor winter wonderland with a 279-foot “mountain” that has multiple ski runs that include the first indoor course to get a black diamond rating. Because tourists generally don’t bring winter gear to Dubai, Ski Dubai’s entrance fee includes all the ski gear you might need.