5 Wild Things to do in Dubai

Dubai is always in the news for having some of the most extreme things in the world: man-made islands, high-high-rise buildings and lots and lots of wealth. But, you might wonder what a person does for fun in this big, desert, Muslim city.  Of course, there are plenty of standard attractions like the souks (markets), the world’s tallest tower and the old part of the city – but if you want to see the city’s wild side, take a peek at our list of five completely different and fun things to do in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates.

1. Chill Out Ice Bar

Can you imagine how inviting this would be to anyone who has been outside in the dead heat of Dubai where temperatures have climbed to over 130 degrees? Such a high concept, it’s not surprising that this club is buzzing with tourists and locals alike. Chill Out is Dubai’s only ice bar and is located in the Times Square Mall. It’s the combination of sub-zero weather, interesting decor and cool atmosphere that makes this a favorite. The menu includes a wide variety of hot food and beverages such as: kababs, soup, chocolate fondue and more. It’s likely the cold foods might work best if you’re not a fast diner. The nicest feature is that all guests are provided with hooded designer parkas, shoes and gloves. So no need to get too dressed up for this icy hangout. The total recommended experience is 40 minutes, so you don’t end up vitrified.

2. Skiing or Snowboarding, Anyone?

The Mall of Emirates is so easy to get to by metro, so be sure to stop in for a quick ski or snowboarding run. Yes, this man-made snow is a huge novelty in this desert city and the fact that it is located at the great Dubai mall makes it even better. It’s the first of its kind in the Middle East and even offers ski lessons, a penguin encounter and a snow bullet that rides a zip line. If you thought Dubai was going to be just another stuffy, over-priced city – you’ll love this place.

3. Take an Abra

The best way to see a city is often from the water. Riding along the Creek will show you parts of the original and historic Dubai plus you will get to where you want to go much more quickly. The freeways are a nightmare and walking along narrow streets while the sun beats down on you head lose their charm in minutes. So take an abra (or dhow) – which is a small wooden boat – instead of the packed tourist boats and you will feel liberated. There is a nice breeze, great vantage points of sights along both sides and costs less than one dollar.

4. Play Polo – on a Camel

Camel polo has become one of the wildest things a tourist can try – it is becoming very popular. Not only is it unique – it will keep you laughing the entire time. If you’ve never been on a camel, you might want to note that they have a mind of their own unless you know how to lead. Quick polo training is required before playing and no other experience is required. Be prepared in the event your camel wants to take a short hiatus in the middle of the game and just enjoy the ride.

5. Watch the Dubai Fountain Performances

It’s engaging, lively and is set on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake – the Dubai Fountain daily performance is set to music, such as Con te partiro (Time to Say Goodbye), which is the signature song of Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli. Here are a few facts about this fountain: It shoots water as high as 500 feet in the air, uses over 6,600 Superlights (advanced incandescent fountain lights), 25 color projectors and provides a visual spectrum of over 1,000 abstracts. Plus, it can be seen from over 20 miles and if you were up in space, it would appear to be the brightest in that part of the world. This part won’t surprise you – it was designed by the creators of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas – by WET, a California-based company.