For those traveling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for vacation, a multitude of opportunities to visit various entertainment centers opens up. UAE parks abound with unique attractions designed for tourists of all ages, from small children to the elderly.
Extreme amusements are designed for young people, who participate in them with pleasure. The entertainment industry includes a large number of water parks. They are incredibly popular with visitors to the country, which is explained by the local hot climate.
Along with this, after the beach, you can take a ski walk among the pine forest covered with white snowdrifts. Having visited such entertainment centers, adults and children will remember the time spent there for a long time. For those who are just planning to go to the UAE, it will be useful to learn about them.
Bollywood Parks Dubai
This is one of the themed entertainment centers dedicated to the culture and world of Indian cinema, named Bollywood in imitation of American Hollywood. Bollywood Parks Dubai occupies part of the huge entertainment center Dubai Parks and Resorts.
Bollywood Parks is divided into 5 parts, each of which hosts colorful performances with Indian folk songs and dances.
Here you can see the romantic world of India at different times, from villages to the legendary creation of national architecture – Rajmahal.
Walking through the park, guests find themselves in the setting of various legendary films. In the “Bollywood Studio,” there is a real film set with 4D simulators, thanks to which tourists become virtual participants in famous films. In the “Traditional Village,” fragments of charming rural Indian landscapes are presented.
Here, adults and children can use a cricket simulator, ride a carousel, hunt with infrared pistols, participate in stunt and national performances.
Bollywood Boulevard is a great place for family walks. Surrounded by the facades of beautiful buildings, shows with songs and dances of film heroes from the second half of the last century are constantly held on the open stage. At the “Cinema Circle Arena,” you can constantly learn the intricacies of Indian dance.
The atmosphere of the “Royal Square” is always filled with Indian music. Here you can enjoy the show “Star Dances.” The Rajmahal Theater shows a musical several times a day, dedicated to the heyday of Indian cinema. “Mumbai Square” demonstrates the almost real atmosphere of the multi-million city.
Motiongate Dubai
This is one of the parts of the huge entertainment complex Dubai Parks and Resorts. It was recently opened at the end of 2016. Motiongate includes themed areas such as “Kung Fu Panda,” “Shrek,” “Ghostbusters,” “Smurfs,” and others. Their names correspond to the names of famous films made by US film companies.
The “Central Studio” sector of the park, built in the style of American streets in westerns, is very popular. Nearby, you can see the Smurfs village. Here you can ride one of the 5 roller coasters, see your favorite movie characters, and become a participant in exciting performances and bright shows.
Wild Wadi Waterpark
One of the most popular water entertainment centers in the Emirates is the “Wild Wadi” water park in Dubai. The active recreation area adjoins the Burj Al Arab hotel, the building of which is built in the form of a huge sail. The name of the water center can be translated as a mountain stream with a rapid water flow. This is confirmed by the presence of two artificial rivers in the park.
One of them, Juhas journey, with a calm current, is designed for comfortable swimming for adults and children. But the second river, Flood River, has a wild character with waves up to 1 m high, swimming in which will give you a thrill.
The water entertainment center occupies an area of 5 hectares in the most prestigious area of Dubai. All decorations and internal structures are stylized under the beautiful world created based on Arabic fairy tales, mainly dedicated to the adventures of Sinbad the Sailor.
Here, visitors find themselves together with the brave sailor on a fabulous island with fantastic rocks and waterfalls. The infrastructure of attractions is accessible to everyone – from small children, whose height is at least 1.1 m, to elderly people. Inside the water center, the water temperature is maintained at 28 degrees year-round.
Aquaventure Waterpark
The Aquaventure Waterpark is located on Palm Jumeirah Island and is one of the most grandiose water parks not only in the UAE but throughout the Middle East. Water entertainment surrounds the world’s most luxurious hotel, “Atlantis.” The water center offers a huge variety of water activities for visitors of all ages.
Grandiose stage platforms are built here. You can float on a raft down a mountain river through waterfalls and rapids, ride dizzying water slides, go diving in a group with an instructor, and play with dolphins in a huge pool. The smallest visitors to Aquaventure are not left unattended. A special play area is allocated for them.
The water entertainment is arranged in such a way that guests of the water park almost imperceptibly move from one attraction to another through convenient transitions. The main attraction is the artificial Lazy River, which stretches for 1.5 km.
Guests enjoy floating on it, riding inflatable single and double rings. Overcoming caves and turbulent streams, guests make stops to sunbathe on the open sections of the river.
Dubai Miracle Garden
Miracle Garden should be included in the list of wonders of the world. Just think: once there was a waterless desert here, and today about 150 million fragrant flowers grow. All this splendor occupies a round area of 7.2 hectares in the southeastern part of the city, in the Al Barsha area.
Plants of all shades of the rainbow not only fill colorful flower beds but also make up amazing figures and compositions. The local queen is the petunia. It is this type of unimaginable shapes and colors that local landscape designers prefer.
At the entrance, visitors are greeted by giant horse heads covered with greenery. Then follows the Hearts passage – an alley consisting of colorful heart-shaped arches. And then real magic begins! Just think of the long-haired lady floating in the air in a bright dress or the life-sized flower Airbus A380.
Miracle Garden has only two drawbacks. Firstly, the park is located far from tourist routes, and the trip to it from the center will take about an hour and a quarter. Secondly, you can see the Dubai man-made oasis only from October to May. In the scorching summer months, when the thermometer rises to +45 °C in the shade, gardening becomes problematic.
Legoland Dubai
Lego construction sets are known in all countries. These are sets of small parts for assembling and modeling objects of the modern world. Based on the popular constructor, an entertainment complex Legoland was created in Dubai.
You can get to it from the Ibn Battua metro station by a free bus. The entertainment center consists of land and water areas. The first part consists of 6 zones, each dedicated to a specific theme.
Factory is a kind of walking route through the Lego factory workshops, where visitors will familiarize themselves with the manufacture of constructor parts and even participate in the production process themselves. The handmade piece can be kept as a souvenir. Here is the largest Lego store, where the widest assortment impresses even the most sophisticated collectors of this game.
Lego City is a Lego-themed attraction. Children or adults can ride it. These are planes, boats, go-karting, and much more. You can spend the whole day here without repeating the entertainment.
Imagination – here, children enter the world of robots, flying saucers with dizzying carousels, numerous slides, and boats. Interesting table games, where a child can independently create robots, cars, and more from Lego parts. The Lego Technic Twister and Electric Towers attractions will leave an unforgettable impression on guests.
In addition to these entertainments, you can manage to visit at least equally attractive zones such as Adventure, Kingdom, and Miniland in one day. However, to fully visit the second part of Legoland – Legoland Water Park, you will have to allocate a whole free day.
Zabeel Park
Open for visits since 2005. One of the most beautiful and largest atmospheric natural reserves with an area of 50 hectares. It is located in the center of the metropolis next to the magnificent skyscrapers – Emirates Towers. The city highway divides the park complex into several themed zones connected by underground pedestrian passages and bridges.
Entrance to the territory is paid. A small fee is charged for access to free Wi-Fi. This comfortable area with 300 palm trees and 7000 other trees, with many flower beds and uniquely shaped fountains, is conducive to leisurely walks along well-maintained pedestrian alleys.
There is an artificial lake where you can ride pedal boats and boats. Running enthusiasts use the equipped paths, several kilometers long.
Safa Park
The territory represents a recreation area, immersed in greenery among the huge height of buildings in the prestigious area of Dubai – Jumeirah. The world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, is nearby. The atmospheric urban reserve Safa received its status in 1975. Fifteen years later, work began on its improvement, which continued until 1992.
On an area of 64 hectares, a large number of different representatives of flora are combined into bright exotic compositions. Visitors enjoy walking through a maze formed by a living hedge of shrubs and flowers. Alongside this, there are many attractions with entertainment for all tastes and ages.
Bridges cross artificial water channels, visitors love to visit them. Water from all channels collects in an artificial reservoir, on the shores of which cafes and other food points are located. Fountains in the center of the lake, against which tourists love to take photos, beat on the shores of the lake.
Mushrif Park
The largest city park in Dubai – Mushrif occupies an area of 124 hectares. The distance from the city center, 15 km, makes this place a calm, detached from the city hustle and bustle, recreation area for both locals and guests of the UAE.
Recently, an amphitheater with a capacity of 1000 spectators was built here. The territory abounds with various attractions such as stone gardens, a small zoo, and alpine-style slides.
The local botanical garden is proud of its 30,000 trees, shrubs, and flowers. It will be interesting for adults and children to visit the artificial international village. In 13 mock-ups of houses of Englishmen, Danes, Indians, Hindus, Japanese, and other peoples, visitors will see the differences in their way of life and cultural customs.
In addition, there are many children’s playgrounds with carousels, rope ladders, and table games. Children can ride a camel or pony. Kids will be happy to go on an exciting trip on the children’s railway. Here you can cool off in several pools separately for men and women. Families often use barbecue areas to cook meat dishes themselves.
Creek Park
The second-largest popular park complex in Dubai “Creekside Park” stretches along the coastline of the Persian Gulf for 2.3 km. On 96 hectares, everything needed for comfortable walks, various entertainments, sports activities, and romantic dates is located.
Creekside experts advise visiting the following places:
- The botanical garden has collected more than 280 species of flora from practically all corners of the Earth. Visitors will see rare plants surrounded by beautiful fountains, scenic lawns, and lawns. The central place is occupied by a sculptural composition in the form of a huge sundial.
- The Dubai Creek Golfana Yacht Club area has 18 well-kept green lawns where adults can play a game of golf or take lessons from an experienced instructor. The main attraction is the world-famous yacht club, which has 120 berths occupied by luxurious sailing ships. Many of them can be rented.
- There are specially equipped paths for running, cycling, and rollerblading, which can be rented.
- There are specially equipped paths for running, cycling, and rollerblading, which can be rented. Amusement lovers use the services of a luna park and visit the dolphinarium. For children, there are playgrounds, and a children’s railway operates.
- Families with children can prepare a barbecue at picnic areas or visit two popular restaurants.
- At the boat station, vacationers take a rowing boat or paddle boat to enjoy swimming in the waters of the Persian Gulf.
- The 1200-seat amphitheater does not let guests get bored, presenting various shows on stage.
- In the “Frozen World” indoor facility, ice sculpting shows are organized during the summer heat.
Al Mamzar Park
Al Mamzar Beach is one of the most beautiful recreation areas in Dubai. The long coastline of 3.5 km represents a chain of beach areas with developed infrastructure. They semicircle the park complex densely planted with exotic trees and flowering shrubs.
There are more than 1600 palm trees alone here. Many vacationers prefer to hide from the scorching sun in the shade of their crowns instead of beach umbrellas.
The Al Mamzar complex combines 5 beaches equipped with the necessary inventory (sun loungers with mattresses and umbrellas), toilets, and shower stands. In the center is a huge pool with areas for adults and children. There is a water transport rental point where you can rent a boat, paddle boat, and even a jet ski.
For kids, there is a children’s railway, many slides, and various attractions. Festive performances and various shows are often held on the stage of the local amphitheater. In the center of the peninsula, you can climb the observation tower, from which there are beautiful views of the Persian Gulf. If one day is not enough for a rest, you can stay overnight in guest houses, of which there are many here.
Burj Park
It occupies a small island on an artificial lake in the center of Dubai. This is one of the best places for evening leisure, although it is quite crowded during the day. The island is connected to the city by several bridges. It is an ideal place for picturesque photo sessions.
Before visitors, there are stunning views of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper and the extraordinarily beautiful dancing fountain Dubai Fountain.
Festive events are regularly held here, and world celebrities often perform on stage. During the Dubai Shopping Festival, the Market Outside market operates, where you can make profitable purchases. Opposite the fountain is the world’s largest shopping center – Dubai Mall.
Ski Dubai Indoor Ski Park
This is an amazing engineering project. Its idea was to create a huge indoor complex that fully mimics the winter of extreme northern and southern latitudes of the Earth. The Ski Dubai ski complex was built inside the huge Mall of the Emirates shopping complex in the city center. This amazing structure allows people to escape from the exhausting heat into a winter fairy tale.
Everything here is designed so that residents of southern latitudes can experience all the pleasures of winter recreation. Numerous tourists from northern countries also strive to get here because this place can be considered a full-fledged ski resort.
The winter complex’s infrastructure is divided into several areas:
- Ski slopes with 5 runs, each designed for a certain level of skiing experience or none at all. The tracks differ in the complexity of bends, the angle of inclination, and the height of the run.
- Snow Park represents the largest snow area in the world (more than 3000 m2) with a long tunnel. There is always room for expressing emotions for adults and children while sledding or climbing towers.
- Snow Bullet is an exhilarating zip line ride, leaving 16 meters underfoot to the snowy slopes. The attraction allows you to fly on a “bullet” at incredible speed over the snowy expanses. Children from 8 years old can ride accompanied by adults.
- The cable car will take you back to the starting point after descending the mountain. The lift is an exciting walk, during which a large part of Ski Dubai’s territory unfolds before your eyes.
- Penguin Show offers a paid opportunity to get up close with amazing birds – royal penguins. Children can touch them and then take photos with them. Even adults do not refuse this.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
In 2008, one of the most interesting and large aquariums in the world, the Aquarium of the Dubai Mall, was opened in the Dubai Mall shopping center. From the first days of its existence, it gained unprecedented popularity among both locals and guests of the UAE. The aquarium was included in the Guinness Book of Records as having the largest panoramic view.
The huge tank, 51 m long, 20 m wide, and 11 m high, holds 10 million liters of water with a constant temperature of 24°C. The viewing panel, made of extra-strong polymer – acrylic, measures 9 m high and 33 m long.
Inside the tank is a tube-tunnel through which people pass. Its length is 48 meters, and the viewing angle is 270 degrees. The artificial environment in the aquarium accurately imitates the seabed.
Visitors note the convenient viewing and logical construction of exhibitions. The huge tank with various marine and ocean inhabitants impresses. The excellent assortment of various types of sharks, rays, and other large fish is pleasing. Walking through the tunnel is a kind of excursion in the underwater zoo.
Lost Chambers Aquarium
The literal translation of the aquarium’s name is not clear; it can be roughly translated as “Lost Worlds.” The underwater zoo “The Lost Chambers” is located in the center of the artificial island in the Atlantis The Palm resort complex in Dubai. It is a kind of museum of the underwater world. It consists of 10 huge tanks connected by a system of tunnels and halls.
About 70 thousand representatives of the underwater fauna live in the aquarium. Sharks, mantas, moray eels, jellyfish, numerous species of sea fish, and many other ocean inhabitants feel free here.
The viewing rooms: Seven Wise Men, Hall of Navigators, Red Hall of Wise Men introduce museum guests to the secrets of the legendary Atlantis. The tanks are filled with artifacts that in some way tell viewers about the life of the Atlanteans and their amazing inventions.
Touch panels provide guests with a lot of useful information in many languages, including Russian. Here you have a unique opportunity to independently walk inside the aquarium with a scuba diving instructor.
Emirates Park Zoo
The zoological garden is located near Abu Dhabi. Travel agencies invite vacationers on an excursion to the national zoo. It is located 15 km northeast of the capital’s center. The organized walk is mainly designed for families with children. On the territory and in the zoo, visitors will see many animals brought from all over the world.
Here, in comfortable conditions, thanks to air conditioning systems, live tigers, Siberian bears, giraffes, zebras, and many other species of land fauna. Along with this, visitors to the zoo can admire the inhabitants of the underwater world in pools. The Emirates Park Resort complex is located on the territory of the garden.
For those wishing to stay here for another day or two, the resort hotel offers comfortable rooms.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
A huge themed indoor park complex was opened for visits in Dubai in 2016. It is the largest air-conditioned structure in the world. Being inside the IMG Worlds of Adventure entertainment complex allows you to escape from the unbearable city heat and have an exciting time. The recreation area, occupying an area of 14000 sq. meters, can accommodate up to 20 thousand visitors per day.
The entertainment center’s core consists of 4 zones, two of which are dedicated to the famous brands Marvel and Cartoon Network. Two other areas are IMG’s own projects – Valley Lost and IMG Boulevard.
The Marvel area is dedicated to comic book heroes – Iron Man, Hulk, Avengers, Thor, and Spider-Man. The Cartoon Network section includes 5 themed attractions dedicated to cartoons from the English channel.
The Lost Valley area, covering 6,500 sq. meters, represents the prehistoric world of dinosaurs. Here, extreme roller coasters move guests at incredible speeds. The central IMG Boulevard area is a territory for leisurely walks along the boulevard with restaurants and boutiques.
Here you can visit a peculiar Castle of Fear, filled with vampires, skeletons, and other “horrifying ghosts.”
Al Barsha Park
“Al Barsha Pond Park” is a quiet oasis in the middle of a huge city. In the center of the park, surrounded by lush greenery, lies an artificial pond. Around the pond, many people gather, who seek shelter in the shade of numerous palm trees during the hot part of the day. Here, you can completely detach from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and relax in the coolness emanating from the water surface of the lake.
Entrance to the territory is free. It is one of the small cozy and well-maintained squares of Dubai. The lake always has many boats and pedal boats with people. There are all conditions for active recreation. You can go running on specially equipped paths, rent a bike, or play basketball and tennis with friends.
On weekends, locals often have picnics here. Small stalls sell drinks, popcorn, and various snacks. During the cool winter, master classes on cooking Asian cuisine, making souvenirs, and other activities are held here.
Ferrari World
Themed park complex under a giant roof on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi occupies an area of 20 hectares. Ferrari World is the largest indoor park complex. Here, lovers of extreme car races and fans of the world-famous Ferrari brand strive to get. The Ferrari World themed entertainment center occupies an area of 8.6 hectares, roughly equal to 7 football fields.
The structure reaches 45 meters in height. Here, every racing fan can choose from twenty breathtaking racing attractions. The most extreme type of entertainment is the “G-Force” attraction.
A capsule with a daredevil shoots through the roof of the structure to a height of 62 meters. It is worth mentioning the high-speed American roller coasters “Formula Rossa.” The cab with people accelerates to a speed of 240 km/h.
In addition, visitors to the center can stroll through a small Italy with its historical landmarks. Organizers pay great attention to young guests. In the children’s area, there is a Ferrari carousel and many themed toys. An instructor will help young candidates for drivers learn how to drive a car.
Yas Waterworld
Built in 2013, it is located on 15 hectares of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The complex’s architecture is in the oriental style. The design reflects the motifs of the legend of Dana, a young girl. She overcame many trials in search of a magical pearl. This sea gift was supposed to relieve troubles and bring prosperity to the inhabitants of her native village.
Eventually, the search was crowned with success. This event is commemorated by a huge ball in the form of a precious find, crowning one of the towers of the complex. About 40 attractions operate in the water entertainment center. The water slides are divided into 4 levels of extremeness, from very high and therefore very scary to low and seemingly completely safe.
Children enthusiastically play on the Mara Fortress playground. Nearby, toddlers happily splash in a shallow pool with small slides. On the “Wave Tamer” attraction, adults and children under the guidance of an instructor can get initial skills in surfing on small waves. There is an installation with more powerful waves.
This attraction is available only to adults and teenagers. “Liva Loop” immerses a person in a whirlpool. The initial fear disappears, replaced by delight from unusual sensations in the arms of the water funnel. There are many stalls with various snacks and fast food dishes on the territory of the water park. Restaurants and souvenir shops also operate here.
Warner Bros. World
Built on the artificial Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The entertainment center’s stylistic direction is dedicated to outstanding films and animated series – the products of the world-famous American Warner Brothers Production. There are 29 attractions here.
The complex’s territory (153 hectares) is divided into 6 thematic zones:
- W.B. Plaza – the core of the W.B.W world, to which the remaining 5 zones adjoin from all sides. The facades of buildings and structures are made in the Hollywood style of the first half of the last century.
- Metropolis – one of the 6 zones, which includes attractions like “Justice League,” “Green Lantern,” “Superman 360,” and “Teen Titans.”
- Bedrock – a prehistoric town inhabited by members of the primitive Flintstone family.
- Dynamite Gulch – a zone with attractions like “Quick and Brave,” “Jetsons,” and “Marvin the Martian.”
- Cartoon Junction – a playground with live characters from famous cartoons.
- Gotham City – a fantastic city where Batman performs feats. Here are the attractions: “Scarecrow,” “Riddler,” “Joker’s Pranks,” and “Villain Games.”
Sheikh Khalifa Park
It is very popular both among locals and tourists with children. Its territory is located near the Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi. This place can be called a classic example of oriental architecture and Arabian culture.
Everything is immersed in lush greenery of diverse flora with well-kept flower beds, fountains, and neat pedestrian paths. All conditions are created here for picnics and sports activities.
Children enjoy wandering through garden mazes, riding in a car on the railway. The small Murjan water park is always filled with children sliding down 7 water slides. The interactive attraction “Time Tunnel” will be a revelation for kids about the life of ancient people. A separate area is open only for women with children, where there is a small pond for swimming.
Al Majaz Park
One of the most notable park complexes surrounding Khalid Lagoon in the center of Sharjah is the Al Majaz recreation area with the eponymous embankment. It is an ideal place for walks with children. All conditions are created here for a full-fledged family vacation. Kids enjoy frolicking on well-maintained playgrounds, while teenagers watch various musical and light shows with enthusiasm.
The central attraction of Al Majaz is a fountain that raises streams of water to a height of 100 meters in the lagoon. In the evening, it is time for the night fountain show on the embankment. Streams of water rise from the lagoon, dancing to musical accompaniment. Laser lighting creates fabulous pictures from the interweaving of bright colors of water threads.
Rolla Square Park
The city square Al Rolla is located in one of the most bustling districts of Sharjah, surrounded by high-rise offices and banks near the bus station. A well-maintained oasis with two fountains provides an opportunity for citizens and tourists who come here to enjoy a tranquil atmosphere and temporarily detach themselves from the city hustle and bustle.
The central attraction is the “Tree Monument.” There are swings, slides, and playgrounds for small visitors to the city square in the center of the metropolis.
Sharjah Desert Park
The living nature museum is located 30 km from the city center. The reserve was founded in 1995. Its main task is to preserve and protect representatives of the local fauna from extinction. On an area of 1 square kilometer, there is a natural history museum, a botanical reserve, a children’s farm, and the Arabian Peninsula Living Nature Center. Excursions in the park convey a lot of useful information about the local desert region with its specific climate to participants.
The Arabian Living Nature Center is a kind of zoo where you can see rare animals such as the sand cat, hyena, Arabian leopard, and a rare insect – the camel spider. In addition to educational institutions, all conditions are created in the park for adults and children to relax.
In addition to picnic areas, there are several cozy cafes and souvenir shops.
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