National Geographic Traveller (UK)
1 // Dubai Frame
One of the newest additions to Dubai’s skyline has been dubbed the world’s biggest picture frame. There’s even a glass-floor walkway to test your stomach.
2 //Mall Rats
Dubai Mall and The Mall of the Emirates are gigantic, though prices are no cheaper than the UK. Arrive with a plan (e.g. shoes); try to leave before you turn into zombies with sore feet.
3 // IMG Worlds of Adventure
The world’s largest indoor theme park has four zones — Cartoon Network, Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure, MARVEL and IMG Boulevard.
4 // Dune Bashing
Older kids (i.e. those without booster seats) should dig this desert adventure. 4x4s lower the pressure in their tyres and take to the dunes like unhinged rollercoaster cars.
5 // Dubai Miracle Garden
From mid-November to mid-May, 150 million flowers are arranged into exhibits including the world’s largest floral structure: an Airbus A380.
6 // Brunch
Do as the locals do on Friday or Saturday: treat yourself to a slap-up, all-inclusive and maybe even mildly debauched brunch. Meals can take hours, but be prepared to spend a small fortune.
7 // Ain Dubai
The world’s largest Ferris wheel (the ‘Dubai Eye’) stands 689ft tall on the brand new Bluewaters Island development. If that’s not enough, one of its legs also includes a rope-climbing platform.
8 // The Museum of the Future
Set to open next year, this fantastically shaped building will showcase the designs and products we’ll be using in the decades to come.
9 // Frying Pan Adventures
Pack an appetite for these four-hour food and cultural tours of Dubai’s oldest neighbourhoods. Brilliant immersions, best suited to older kids.
10 // XLINE Dubai Marina
Another superlative, this time in the shape of the world’s longest urban zip-line. Riders reach speeds of 50mph on the kilometre-long trip over Dubai Marina. Over-12s only.
Published in the Family 2019 guide, distributed with the Jan/Feb 2019 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)
