Dubai: My Experience

The city of world records, supercars, and stunning architectural structures. A city that was nothing but a pile of sand just 25 short years ago. I would call Dubai my favorite city in the world as it’s unlike any other. Dubai has always had a reputation for being a paradise for the rich, a place to spend tons of money, and an extremely expensive city that no average person could possibly afford. This article doesn’t stem from rumors but from my personal experience of this city after traveling here multiple times and experiencing Dubai with all it has to offer. Without wasting any more time, let’s jump into my experience in Dubai!

Background

This was downtown Dubai before the Burj Khalifa was built. It looks like an average port city with nothing special, and that’s all it was. The United Arab Emirates profited largely from oil in the 1970s and 80s, and Dubai grew to be a port town to transport that oil. When neighboring countries discovered large amounts of oil, the UAE’s oil revenue dropped, and they turned to foreign companies and people to boost their economy. Almost 90% of people living in Dubai today are expats who moved from around the world in search of job opportunities and business-friendly policies. This diversification of people in Dubai contributes to the vibe of this city, as you’ll find people from all around the world settling here. With the population rapidly increasing and companies moving into the city, the UAE turned to tourism as it was seen as a big opportunity for the city and the country to expand.

Dubai Today

That brings us to today. Dubai is now the world’s second most visited city and home to icons such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah, and so much more. Old Dubai still thrives today as tourists flock there to see what Dubai once was, but this is the Dubai that I and most other people know. This massive, luxurious city almost feels like a fantasy. Whether you’re roaming the Dubai Mall, relaxing in Atlantis, or taking in the views of the Burj Khalifa, you’ll be shocked at what you find here. This is my full experience of Dubai.

First Impressions

As I get off one of hundreds of Emirates flights that land at Dubai’s international airport each day, I start to get a first impression of the city. It was stunningly warm for a November morning and felt like a pleasant contrast from the cold and rainy weather that Washington DC was experiencing. Sheikh Zayed Road, the city’s main highway, is very intimidating. It passes all of Dubai’s most famous sights along with many tall buildings. You immediately realize that the Burj Khalifa isn’t Dubai’s only tall building. Many of Dubai’s buildings rank as one of the tallest in the world but look short compared to the Burj Khalifa. Dubai’s other landmarks, like the Museum of the Future and the Dubai Eye, look more prominent in person than in a photo. The true scale of many of these icons is sometimes unbelievable when seeing them in person.

My Top 5 Favorite Experiences

As I had spent a good amount of time in Dubai, I had seen all of the city’s offerings, and I was truly blown away. Dubai isn’t overhyped at all; the experiences you can have in this city are incredible and far from disappointing. I wish that I could include all of my activities on this list as I was impressed with all of them, but I’ll keep that for another article. Without any more waiting, these are my top 5 favorite activities, places, and experiences that I highly recommend to anyone.

1. ATV Tour

I can’t even begin to explain how fun this was. ATVs are something that I recommend for the younger crowd and the adventure seekers, and if you fall in either category, it’s a must-do. For those who haven’t driven an ATV before, it’s an exhilarating experience. The acceleration is insane and a fantastic way to enjoy the Dubai desert. The tour that I went on included sandboarding and a full dinner at one of their bases in the desert. Aside from the ATVs, the desert is impressive—such a contrast to the city of Dubai. Here, you’ll see nothing but sand and sky, and it’s cool to experience that. One caution is that I took this tour in November when the weather was a bit cooler; I can’t imagine doing this in sweltering summer weather.

2. Dubai Autodrome

In most places, you go to a racetrack to see a race, but in Dubai, you can experience one. You can experience Lamborghinis, Ferraris, BMWs, and even an F1 car! These types of experiences aren’t cheap, but if it’s in your price range, I recommend them. Because I’m not on an unlimited budget, we went to the go-karting section of the autodrome. The go-kart section was far from disappointing as the track is 0.75 miles (1.2km), making it one of the largest in the world. You could go fast on this track as it was so large, and it was overall really fun. It’s not just the autodrome; the surrounding area is also lovely. You can see a side of Dubai that doesn’t involve tall buildings, crowded tourists, or super fancy stores.

3. Sky Views Observatory

Most people rush to see the observation deck in the Burj Khalifa, which makes sense because that is the tallest building in the world. But I wanted photos of the Burj, not from the Burj, and Sky Views Observatory was perfect for that. This observation deck is less crowded than the Burj and a fraction of the price. In my opinion, the views are also way better at the Sky Views Observatory as it’s high enough to see the city but not too high. The Burj Khalifa’s observation deck is too high; it looks like you’re seeing Dubai from a plane. If you’ve seen videos of people riding down a glass slide across the Burj, this is where they are. The Sky Views Observatory hosts a glass slide that goes from the 53rd to the 52nd floor of the building, and it’s really fun. You’ll also notice an infinity pool on the 53rd floor, but that’s only accessible to guests of the Address Hotel. So if you want stunning photos and a fantastic view, I recommend Sky Views Observatory over the Burj Khalifa.

4. Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is far from overrated; it’s massive and so fancy. I have never seen so many expensive stores in my life. This mall is a pleasure to see, and the best part is that you don’t need to pay a dime to experience this mall at its fullest. I did more walking and exploring than shopping because I was not on an unlimited budget. The outside area is a must-see, as the spectacular fountains give full views of the Burj Khalifa and the surrounding city. As I did, being outside is excellent if you come here during the cooler months. Find a restaurant with outdoor seating, as seeing the city as you eat is beautiful. Keep time for the mall, as it’s a lot to take in and see. One store that I always love is the Bateel store. This store gives fresh dates, something you must try in Dubai. Also, if you take the metro to the Dubai Mall, be prepared for a long but cool walk to the Dubai Mall, as it’s a 0.5-mile link bridge that takes you straight there. Luckily, there are moving walkways throughout to speed up the journey.

5. Aquaventure Waterpark

Atlantis is cool enough, but what most people don’t know is that the waterpark next to Atlantis is the largest in the world. It’s called Aquaventure Waterpark, and it hosts over 100 slides and a 3 million gallon or 11 million liter aquarium. This place is insane. If you think you are too good for a waterpark, try sliding down Leap of Faith or Poseidon’s Revenge cause these slides are no joke. Also, 2 of the slides go through a shark tank. If that’s not cool to you, I don’t know what is. Aquaventure recently underwent its biggest expansion in the park’s history adding over 15 new slides and a second Atlantis. Yes, you heard me correctly; Atlantis the Royal has recently opened, and you need to see it to believe it. This place is arguably the fanciest hotel I’ve ever seen. Coming to Aquaventure is also a great way to see Palm Jumeirah, one of the largest man-made islands in the world. You get stunning views of Atlantis, the beach, and the marina. The vibe at this place is unmatched too. You can meet people from around the world here and hang out. Playing ping pong while taking in the views of the marina was a crazy experience. The Dubai Marina is just a short distance from Aquaventure, and the monorail connects the two well. Since you’re already in the area, that would be a great place to go after the waterpark.

My Thoughts About Dubai

I have to start with the fact that Dubai is not overhyped. It is an adventurers’ paradise and a fantastic place for everyone else. Dubai can be as luxurious and frugal as you want; you’ll be impressed either way. What I found most interesting about Dubai is its culture. As over 90% of the city consists of expats, people come from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life. Here, you can find amazing food from around the world and talk to people from different backgrounds. I loved this aspect of Dubai as the people living in this city have a more significant meaning than the city itself. If you’re on the fence about booking a trip to Dubai, I recommend that you go for it, as going to Dubai is an unforgettable experience. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you there!