The Many And Varied Dubai Attractions
It doesn't seem like all that many years ago that Dubai was virtually unknown outside of the Persian Gulf, and whatever Dubai attractions there were may have been the mainly the sand dunes. Today Dubai is a destination in more than one sense of the word. Dubai is of the richest places on earth, and although located between the waters of the Persian Gulf and the sands of the Arabian peninsula, without seeming to have much going for it, Dubai boasts more luxury homes per square mile than anywhere else on earth.
Dubai is a business and financial capital as well as a tourist destination. The most famous of the Dubai attractions may well be the Palm Islands, usually first viewed from the air. The palm islands jut into the Gulf and are man-made islands in the shape of stylized palm trees. There are 3 of them, two under construction, the third having been occupied for several years.
A Cosmopolitan City - Despite it Arab culture, Dubai may well be the most westernized locale in the Middle east. It is part Arabian, part Las Vegas, and part Texas, at least in terms of ambition and a love for things on the large side.
While many of the Dubai attractions are indoors, thanks to the rather hot temperatures one can experience outside, there are some fabulous beaches, featuring snorkeling and scuba diving in addition to swimming and sunbathing. Go a mile or so inland and you can take part in dune busting, an activity illegal in many parts of the world where sand dunes are fragile and are protected. Dubai has an unlimited supply of sand dunes and seemingly has no problem with people scurrying over and around them in dune buggies and ATVs. In fact, such activity is openly encouraged. Many tourists take advantage of the desert safaris that are offered. One can travel into the desert for a half day or a full day, or even for an overnight excursion. It's not all sand, and there is picturesque scenery to be seen and quaint villages to be visited.
Slide Or Ski - You can escape the heat at the Wild Wadi Water Park, featuring not just one nearly 2 dozen water slides and rides. If that doesn't cool you down, head for Ski Dubai. an indoor ski slope featuring 5 runs, the longest of which is a quarter mile long. They even have a bunny slope, and while the snow boarders don't have access to a half-pipe, there's a quarter pipe which should keep most vacationers satisfied. There are a number of excellent museums among the Dubai attractions, hundreds of restaurants, and several world-class shopping malls. There is a theme park in the city devoted to rides and arcade type games, complete with cafes and benches just to relax and pass the time, between excursions.
A Little Bit Of Everything - Dubai is a very cosmopolitan city. Though the official language is Arabic, there are large Asian and European expatriate populations, reflected in the variety of shops and restaurants one can visit. Dubai is certainly much more than stunning architecture set among the sand dunes. There is a world class zoo, the Raffles Botanical Garden, several palaces that can be visited, a Heritage Village, and a Bedouin Village. You can visit the Maritime Museum, or go deep sea fishing, or go sailing. Dubai has an art museum, a community theater and arts center, and a creative arts center. You can play golf or tennis, or visit one of three major archaeological sites. There's even a cricket club, if that's your cup of tea. There are enough things to do to last a long, long time.