Dubai - visiting for work - things to do with kids

[madcows]

Hi there,
I'm putting this question out as I know there are quite a few MN mums living in Dubai, who might be able to help.
I'm going to Dubai with dh and 2 kids (10 and 6) for about a week over halfterm. We'll be juggling work (we work together) and spending time with the kids... and are looking for things to do with them that are not too pricey. We'll be staying in an apartment hotel in Bur Dubai, and hope to travel mostly by metro.... Our work is flexible and apart from some things that are fixed we'll be able to plan it around our kids (hopefully!)
Everything I've looked at so far looks really pricey... and altho' we don't mind having the odd 'treat' we don't want to spend a fortune every day.
Can anyone help with ideas?
Many many thanks!
madcows

You can easily go to Dubai Mall on the Metro. Huge mall with amazing fish aquarium and you can see it without paying to go in. Also possible to ice skate. If you are there early evening you can watch the Dubai Fountains show which is great.

Also ride on the abras (water taxi) and cross the Creek from Bur Dubai in the old part of town and walk around the spice and gold souks. A great cheap afternoon/ evening out. Good museum also.

There are 2 very good water parks, but they are pricey but fun if you want to do something special. Skiing? Also pricey but special.

The beaches are great. You can go to Jumeriah Beach Park. Only a couple of Dirhams and very nice. Weather will be beautiful.

There used to be a voucher book called 'the entertainer' which might be worth buying as it has 2 for 1 offers on loads of stuff like water parks and desert tours and tonnes of restaurants. current Dubai residents can hopefully advise if that still exists.

The beach is free and public access is at jumeriah and um sequim. It's ok but the sea isn't super-clean.

It's not a cheap city though and tbh theres not a lot to see. most tourists just lie on their sun loungers. Will you have access to a pool through your hotel?

THanks both! That is great...

So far we have:
-Dubai Mall on the Metro to see aquarium from mall (without having to pay)
-Dubai Fountains show in early evenign (free)

• cheap rides on abras (water taxi) across the Creek from Bur Dubai
• walk around the spice and gold souks
• museum (cheap)
• Beach
• Jumeriah Beach Park (cheap) [not sure if this is a park, or a beach?!]

Treat - one of the water parks (probably Wadi Wadi)

I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any cheap ways of getting up one of the big impressive buidlings ? I know Burj Khalifa is cheaper if you book ahead, but I wondered if you know whether its possible to go up Burj Al Arab or Atlantis or any other without paying a bomb? Happy to have an over-priced mineral water, but don't want to have to have a fancy meal!

Keep the tips coming - they are great!
madcows

ps - yes, our hotel-apartment has a small pool, so that is good too! but really want to try and see the place too!

You can go into Atlantis without paying but you have to walk past Aquaventure to get there, which I would guarantee will result in you being pestered for hours to go in. Cant go in Burj al Arab without a booking and they normally enforce a minimum spend.

Jumeirah Beach Park is predominantly a beach, with a BBQ area. It's one of the few nice beach areas with public access. Avoid on a Friday as it'll be rammed.

You could do the Jumeriah mosque tour if you fancy it. I think that's free.

One thing we really enjoyed was Desert Dune Bashing in a jeep. I didn't pay, but am sure it was fairly expensive. We remember it 4 years on. We also did the desert experience at Bab El Shams. That was ok, but eye wateringly expensive for what you got.

Wild Wadi is wonderful. I was so sorry I didn't have my kids with me last time I went to Dubai. I was tempted to go on my own, but thought it would look a bit sad!

If you aren't going to Aquaventure, then don't bother going to Atlantis. It's always packed and you have to park and then get a bus in, before you even get to hotel. Then, you aren't in the hotel but the add on part.

You will get a great view of Burj Khalifa at Dubai Mall. Nice to go up, but you will need to book it in order to get tickets. You pay a stupid price if you just turn up.

If you want to do desert safari and Wild Wadi, then do buy an Entertainer book. Will make everything much cheaper. You can buy it in all book shops and most supermarkets. If you ask, most people will know what you are talking about and help you find it.

THanks again! Great info - keep it coming.
Think our 'treat' will be Wild Wadi... but thanks for the tip re Atlantis being free to enter. The Palm Monorail looks good too, and I'm guessing its cheap?

Pretty sure Palm Monorail is also in the Entertainer book.

THanks again. Undecided about whether it is worth taking the monorail to Atlantis, just to get a feel for the Palm. And I'm trying to compare the different 'minimum charges' at places like Atmostphere in Burj Khalifa vs afternoon tea at Burj al Arab.

Has anyone done a Desert Safari that doesn't do dune bashing, but that has more of a focus on wildlife... for those of a more sensitive disposition?!

Thanks... and any more tips much appreciated?
madcows

There isn't really any wildlife out there tbh. It's not a very exciting desert.

You could try the Big Bus Dubai

www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/dubai-hop-on-hop-off-sightseeing-tour_7959?_$ja=cgid:3254647757|tsid:36801|cid:84560717|lid:4306834793|nw:search|crid:30148796837|dvc:c|adp:1t1&gclid=CIPOoM6R_bkCFUFT4god_wEARQ

We quite enjoyed that, and it is a hop on hop off tour, I don't remember it being expensive.