Dubai Museum
#11 in Best Things To Do in Dubai
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2 of 2Price & Hours
Details
scorecard
- 4.5Value
- 4.0Facilities
- 4.0Atmosphere
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.
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#1 Burj Al Arab
Overlooking the Persian Gulf from its perch between Jumeirah Beach and the Palm Islands, this stunning building has wowed architecture buffs since it opened in 1999. Its curved glass façade – modeled after the sails that have graced Dubai's waterways all these years – shelters a world-class, über-luxurious hotel located on its own man-made island. The hotel not only houses the tallest atrium in the world at nearly 600 feet high, but it is one of the tallest hotels in the world. Architecture aside, amenities include revolving beds in some suites, as well as a helipad, in case you thought arriving via a complimentary Rolls-Royce was too pedestrian.
But you don't have to stay at the Burj Al Arab to enjoy it (and let's face it, most can't). Those who aren't crashing at the hotel can gain entry by grabbing a bite at one of the on-site restaurants. Among them are Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara, which features floor-to-ceiling windows guarding a massive fish tank, and the sky-high Al Muntaha, located on the scenic 27th floor of the building.
Overlooking the Persian Gulf from its perch between Jumeirah Beach and the Palm Islands, this stunning building has wowed architecture buffs since it opened in 1999. Its curved glass façade – modeled after the sails that have graced Dubai's waterways all these years – shelters a world-class, über-luxurious hotel located on its own man-made island. The hotel not only houses the tallest atrium in the world at nearly 600 feet high, but it is one of the tallest hotels in the world. Architecture aside, amenities include revolving beds in some suites, as well as a helipad, in case you thought arriving via a complimentary Rolls-Royce was too pedestrian.
But you don't have to stay at the Burj Al Arab to enjoy it (and let's face it, most can't). Those who aren't crashing at the hotel can gain entry by grabbing a bite at one of the on-site restaurants. Among them are Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara, which features floor-to-ceiling windows guarding a massive fish tank, and the sky-high Al Muntaha, located on the scenic 27th floor of the building.
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