Day trip to dubai from Abu Dhabi - tips?

[Kvec1507]

Morning all
We are going to abu Dhabi next week and we want to do a day trip to dubai whilst we're there.
Has anyone ever done this and how did you get there?
We're not sure what to do when we're there but we might want to do skiing, we have a friend who said we can go to their apartment in the burj, see the fountains and generally wander around.
If anyone has any tips or places to see or do. Trying to keep costs down which is looking impossible at the moment.
We are already going to the waterpark in Abu Dhabi so think we'll skip the dubai one.
I understand people have 'views' on these places so I don't need to hear any cancel it comments please :)
We're travelling with 14 & 11 year old boys so stuff needs to suit them.

We got a taxi between the 2 but if you're trying to reduce costs then buses are a lot cheaper. If you're in Dubai after 6pm then the fountain show is free and impressive to see. Dubai Mall is worth a look too.

Ski Dubai is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

With your boys in mind a suggestion for Dubai is the Yellow Boats where you all can get to go out to sea on a fast boat. Another suggestion is going on the Ain Dubai which is their big wheel.

Yeah ive heard this about the fountains. I think we were going to try and go early to maximise the day and stay until evening to fit them in.

Ooo we love a boat trip I'll take a look thank you.

It seems a bit silly to waste your only day in Dubai on a speed boat trip when you could do that in Abu Dhabi. If you like boat trips (and are on a budget), Dubai has waterbuses as part of the public transport system that is under a £ for a single fare or you can buy a hop on hop off ticket. One of the lines is a tourist line stopping at the major (waterside) sites. It's a fun and cheap way to see the city. Or you could take a traditional abra ferry boat to cross the creek for pennies.

Even if your teens aren't interested in museums or history, it would still be worth going to the heritage district Al Fahidi for lunch or dinner in one of the old houses with wind towers to see what Dubai was like before oil was discovered and the UAE transformed. The old souk is open late so you could do that after dinner. It's full of tourist tat but there aren't many glimpses of old Dubai left.

I think there is an ice rink in Dubai mall (same mall as fountains) which might interest your children?
If your children like cakes there is a magnolias bakery in the mall too if you want get a coffee and cake while you re there.