Sitting near the Bastakiya Quarter, the Dubai Museum offers visitors a glimpse of where this monumental city has been and where it's going. The museum occupies the Al Fahidi Fort, which is the oldest building in Dubai, previously used by the monarch and as a defense station. Today, the museum features a variety of wings dedicated to Dubai's cultural, historical and geographical landscape. Wander around and you'll find everything from goods sold in the 1950s, located in the markets wing, to information about the marine life that lies under the Arabian Gulf, appropriately located in the sea wing. There's also a folklore wing that will likely keep younger ones entertained, and a courtyard equipped with models of local boats and bamboo houses decorated with furniture used during that time period. 

Travelers recommend a visit if you're into history, or looking to beat the heat for an hour or two. Many said it was a "must-see" if it's your first visit to Dubai. 

The Dubai Museum opens its doors to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday through Thursday and from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday. Entrance costs 3 dirhams (less than $1) for adults and 1 dirham (about $0.25) for children. The Dubai Museum is less than half a mile north of the Al Fahidi metro station. To learn more, visit the government of Dubai's website.