11 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Dubai, UAE

1. Take a jet ski tour

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Enjoy Dubai’s amazing waterfront by speeding by on a jet ski. This fun tour will equip you with a jet ski and your very own guide to take in the sights. Before you begin, you’ll have to undergo a short safety briefing and become acquainted with all the jet ski equipment. After that’s done, you’ll head down the waterfront and past key attractions, such as the towering Burj Al Arab hotel. You’ll also visit Atlantis Aquaventure Park, the Dubai Marina, and the Palm Jumeirah, all within a 30-minute time frame.

3. Attend an entertaining show at the Dubai Opera

Dubai has a plethora of state-of-the-art buildings and the Dubai Opera is no exception. It features striking contemporary design, impressive lighting, and a multi-purpose configuration. This means that it’s suitable for a wide variety of events, such as art exhibitions, ballet, conferences, fashion events, and theater, to name a few. Furthermore, it’s large enough for 2,000 visitors who can enjoy these events to their fullest, thanks to the building’s brilliant acoustics.

Dubai Opera

Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website: Dubai Opera

Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 68 - 232 USD

4. Watch a race at Meydan Hotel

The stunning Meydan Hotel features its own racetrack, which is something few hotels anywhere in the world can boast. If you’re planning on staying at this hotel, you’re bound to spend some quality time at the track. But, if you won’t be staying here, it’s still worth your while to visit the racetrack and bet on your favorite horse. While most hotel guests will follow these horse races from the terrace, you can get a front-row seat on the grandstand.

Meydan Hotel

Address: Meydan Racecourse Al Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website: The Meydan Hotel

Opening hours: 12pm - 12pm (daily)

Price: 184 USD

5. Check out the art galleries at Alserkal Avenue

Alserkal Avenue is home to a variety of businesses, contemporary art galleries, and non-profit organizations. It’s situated inside a large industrial area and attracts creatives, designers, and fashion lovers. There’s always something interesting taking place here, due to the many scheduled events. These include Art Week, Social Saturdays, and the Quoz Arts Fest, which showcases unique exhibits from local and international artists.

Alserkal Avenue

Address: Alserkal Avenue, Street 17, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website: Alserkal Avenue

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 10am - 7pm (closed on Fri)

6. Do some window shopping at BOXPARK

Shopping is a common theme in Dubai and there’s a near-endless number of modern and stylish shopping districts in the city. BOXPARK is the latest shopping destination that attracts local and international trendsetters. It features a bakery, cafe, clothing stores, cinemas, gift shops, and restaurants, which means you’re bound to spend plenty of time here. But, if you’re not planning on purchasing anything, it’s still a good destination for a bit of window shopping.

BOXPARK

Address: Al Wasl Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website: BOXPARK

Opening hours: 10am - 12am (daily)

7. Go skydiving

If you’re a daredevil, consider this exciting skydiving excursion. Skydive Dubai offers a variety of aerial experiences and you can still partake, even if you’re a total beginner. They have licensed skydivers that will provide basic training and will be attached to you during that grueling free fall over the Palm Islands. If skydiving’s not your thing, they also offer gyrocopter rides over Dubai’s scenic skyline.

Skydive Dubai

Address: Al Seyahi St, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website: Skydive Dubai

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 5am - 12pm (closed on Tue & Wed)

Price: 463 - 599 USD

8. Try an Abra ride

The Dubai Creek is incredibly picturesque and it would be a shame to visit the city without taking an Abra ride down the creek. Fortunately, there are over 150 water taxis, known as Abras, which can transport you from Deira Old Souk Abra Station to Bur Dubai Abra Station. There’s also an alternative route, from Sabkha Abra Station to Dubai Old Souk Abra Station. These trips last between 5 - 7 minutes and are usually available throughout the day.

Abra ride

Address: Bur Dubai Abra Station, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Opening hours: 12pm - 12pm (daily)

Price: 0.30 USD

9. Check out the street art in Karama

Dubai features a clean and modern urban landscape, with barely a blemish of the urban decay that one can find in other major cities. So, it’s unlikely that you’ll find graffiti sprayed on buildings unlawfully. However, if you’re looking for some colorful and edgy street graffiti, you should head over to Karama to admire its striking street art. Here, you’ll find beautiful murals and tasteful graffiti adorning the walls of this bustling shopping district.

Karama street art

Address: 20 A St, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website: Karama street art

Opening hours: 12am - 12am (daily)

10. Stroll along Dubai Water Canal

While Dubai is undoubtedly a shopper’s paradise, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun spending little money or nothing at all. The Dubai Water Canal is a recent development and runs through several of its key districts, such as the Arabian Gulf, Business Bay, and Sheikh Zayed Road. But it boasts a stunning waterfront and magnificent mechanical waterfalls that steal the show. That’s why you need to take a stroll along the path on the canal and admire all these awesome attractions.

Dubai Water Canal

Address: Dubai Water Canal, D 1 Tower No 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Website: Dubai Water Canal

Opening hours: 12am - 12am (daily)

Plenty of fun under the Dubai sun

There’s so much to see and do in Dubai that you shouldn’t have a single dull moment. The city’s gorgeous skyline should keep you in awe for days on end, but that’s only the beginning. You can bet on your favorite horse at the Meydan Hotel’s racetrack, admire the stunning street art in Karama, and treat yourself to a much-needed warm stone massage.